SYRIA HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Seven Acres of Meadows on an 1,800‑Acre Farm: Three Nights of Free‑Form Camping
A three‑night stay on Graves Mountain Farm lets you stake out your own campsite on a 7‑acre meadow (expandable with events), collect wood, and access nearby hikes and basic amenities for a low‑key outdoor retreat.
Seven Acres of Meadows on an 1,800‑Acre Farm: Three Nights of Free‑Form Camping.
Set on a working 1,800‑acre farm, the campground opens onto seven acres of meadows where campers make their own places within signed areas; the site is intentionally rustic — no picnic tables or hook‑ups, porta‑toilets and pit toilets on site, and bathhouse facilities usually available in the nearby dorm area.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Meadows on a Working Farm
The campground occupies seven acres of meadow on an 1,800‑acre farm (and can expand to 55+ acres during events), offering free‑form camping inside signed boundaries and a quiet, rural setting.
Rustic, Self‑Set Campsites
Expect minimal infrastructure: no picnic tables or fixed fire rings (you may make one from river rocks and return them afterward), water spigots and a small electrical supply up front, porta‑toilets and pit toilets on site, and showers usually at the dorm bathhouse.
Access to Old Rag and White Oak Canyon
From the farm you can reach notable hikes: a 6.5‑mile approach to Old Rag via the back entrance (Weakley Hollow/Berry Hollow Fire Rd and Old Rag Shelter) and a 6.5‑mile route up the back hollow road to White Oak Canyon.
What the day feels like
What Three Nights Here Feels Like
Over three nights you settle into a make‑your‑own campsite in open meadow, rely on front‑of‑camp services (water spigots, limited device power, and Wi‑Fi at the front with a posted password), collect or purchase wood locally for cooking, and use the site as a base for day hikes up the back hollow to White Oak Canyon or the Old Rag approaches.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most out of three nights here—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring your own tent and camp setup; there are no picnic tables or maintained fire rings (you may make a ring from river rocks at field edges but must return the rocks). If a county fire ban is in effect only protected propane stoves may be used. You can collect wood from the forest or buy it at the Market‑Deli & Tackle.
Water spigots are located up front; a small electrical supply up front is for charging devices only. Porta‑toilets and pit toilets serve the meadow; wet toilets, sinks and showers are usually available at the dorm bathhouse behind the packing shed opposite the Market.
Front‑of‑camp fiber‑optic Wi‑Fi provides calling/receiving even where there are no cell towers; get the password at the bulletin board, Market or Main Lodge Guest Care.
The campground is open 24 hours for arrival; campers are asked to be quiet when arriving or setting up at night and to stay within signed areas as the campground footprint shifts for festival events.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the stay described?
This listing refers to a three‑night camping stay.
Are fires allowed?
There is currently a County Fire Ban (as of April 14, 2026); only protected propane stoves may be used during bans — follow posted guidance and use river rocks at field edges for any makeshift rings, returning rocks afterwards.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. The campground is dog‑friendly but dogs must be kept on leash.
Are there hookups or showers?
There are no hook‑ups. A small electrical supply up front is for devices only; porta‑toilets and pit toilets are on site and wet toilets, sinks and showers are usually available at the dorm bathhouse.
Where can I get wood and supplies?
You may collect wood from the forest or purchase it at the Market‑Deli & Tackle; additional information and maps are available at the Main Lodge Guest Care.
How do I access trailheads like Old Rag?
From the farm the back entrance approach to Old Rag via Weakley Hollow/Berry Hollow Fire Rd and Old Rag Shelter is about 6.5 miles; the front (Nethers) approach is about 10.5 miles. White Oak Canyon is about 6.5 miles up the back hollow road.