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Afton Sunrise

host type

This is a Boondockers Welcome host in Afton, VA

  • Max Rig Size

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    < 25 (ft)

  • Parking Spaces

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    1

  • Same Day Requests

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    Yes

We have nearly level gravel space for Class A, B, or C only. If you are a bit longer than 25' check with us - we tap out at 28' if the length includes bike racks etc. Positively NO Trailers and No Towed Vehicles. It is unshaded as we recently lost an old ash tree to disease. Power is available if needed ($5) 15-Amp so it will not power your air conditioner. Quiet generator use is allowed after 7:30- 9:00 AM and 5:30-7:00PM Please follow the B.W. Code of Conduct Rules and take your trash with you. High-speed WiFi is free for our guests. The site is on our property near our home. It is safe and easily accessible to Interstate 64, the Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, and The Blue Ridge Parkway. We're 30 minutes west of Charlottesville and 20 minutes east of Stuauton located at the northern tip of Nelson County which is known for its many wineries, breweries, and cideries. We're 2 miles from Route 151 a.k.a. The Brew Ride Trail. We are active RV'rs with a Coachman Class B. Prior to the RV, we were lifelong tent camping restaurant workers and owners. To access the site the driver will need to back downhill about 50 feet of pavement to access the level parking area. Turnaround space is tight for any rig over 20 feet long, that's why we ask drivers to back down when they arrive. The surrounding neighborhood is safe but there is some nearby traffic noise. We share about 40 feet of the driveway with traffic heading to the trailhead for the Blue Ridge Tunnel Parking Area. The wide and nearly level trail continues past the parking area about 1/2 mile to the eastern portal of Claudius Crozet's 4200-foot-long tunnel. Completed after 9 years in 1859 it was the first tunnel ever to be simultaneously dug from both sides and one of the longest tunnels in the world. As the size of trains continued to grow the old tunnel was abandoned and a parallel tunnel opened in 1944. The new tunnel services scheduled Amtrak service 3 days a week along with bulk freight trains, and empty westbound coal cars. In a 24-hour period, we may have 0-3 trains. You'll know they are coming when we do. Nearby Route 6 stays mostly quiet outside of commuting hours. We like dogs, especially well-behaved ones, we have 2 older model ones. We enjoy socializing with our guests when weather permits but it's not a requirement. Suggested local Attractions: The tunnel of course and Shenandoah National Park. Nearby Waynesboro hosts a variety of festivals and Basic City Brewery (just 10 minutes away) serves up great beer and pizza in an old foundry. Nelson County is well known for its wide variety of wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Look up "151 Brew Ridge Trail" Veritas Winery is a mile down the road but we prefer the quiet views of Afton Mountain Winery which is just about as close. American history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts will also have plenty to keep them busy. Here is a short list of attractions all within a 45-minute drive: the cities of Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, and Staunton. Jefferson's Monticello and the University of Virginia. James Madison and VMI. Woodrow Wilson's Birthplace. The Frontier Culture Museum. Nelson 151 There are also a number of easily accessible day hikes such as Humpback Rocks, Calf Mountain, Riprap Trail, St. Mary's Trail, Crabtree Falls, and many others. Unfortunately, we lost a large Ash tree that shaded and protected the parking area and we are still trying to clean up the mess that was left behind we hope to improve it as time goes on.

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Vehicle Suitability Information

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Pets Welcome

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Electric Hookup: 15A

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Slideouts Allowed

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Generators Allowed

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Wifi

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Outdoor Cooking Allowed

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House Rules

TAKE all trash and dog waste with you. Do not leave any food or trash out of doors - this is bear country. No exterior lights on overnight we like our dark skies. Quiet hours - 8:30 PM- 7:30 AM. If you smoke - pick up/dispose of your butts. ACTIVE TRAINS There is an active CSX railroad line that services about 2-3 trains/day on average. Amtrak/freight/empty coal trains They sometimes come through in the middle of the night. Outside of visitors to the old tunnel and trains going to and from the new tunnel, this is a quiet rural neighborhood and folks pretty much keep to themselves. Wi-Fi if needed is fast but our location has very good cell service from all the providers. Network Little Afton P.W. IClaudius If the weather is cooperating and we are available we occasionally socialize with our guests if they are likewise inclined; If you prefer to keep to yourselves we won't be offended. We enjoy children and dogs but always are concerned about safety. We hate making up more rules than needed but if you've got the energy to chase a toddler, all the more power to you. We have a 15-amp grounded which will keep your lights and refrigerator going but it really isn't adequate for running the AC. We'd prefer that our guests arrive during daylight hours but understand it's not always possible; communication is key.

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Location

Positively no trailers, sorry. We can likely handle a 28-footer but BACKING down the driveway would be required. There is a gentle curve and it is paved. We will provide assistance if you don't have a co-pilot. For up to 23 footers just come down the cement portion nose first and make a hard right then square up in the level area to the right of the tree stump. The driveway that continues up the hill to our other property (a rental home) must remain free and clear. Turn onto our lane and drive past the entrance (the first driveway on the right) Go 200 yards past the Afton Law Clinic and into the Blue Ridge Tunnel Eastern Trailhead parking area then loop back out. Pull over and wait if someone is driving right behind you. Come back down the lane and back down the driveway. After getting off the cement drive into the space on your left. It is a mix of pavement and gravel. There is a grassy area where you can set up chairs if you like.

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Parking Surface

Gravel

host Profile

Hosted By Afton_Sunrise

Age:

65+

Class-B loving, former tent camping, happy 2 B retired restaurant owners. We enjoy travel, bike riding, moderate/easy hikes, cooking, baking, conversation, cribbage, euchre, reading, campfires, and s'mores. We've been in Virginia for over 40 years. Jackie is from greater Detroit. Tom's upbringing was split between Chicago and L.I. We met in the Virgin Islands in 1978. We joined B.W. in 2019 and first started hosting in our Waynesboro driveway. We moved back to our rural Afton property in 2021 and now host alongside the trailhead to the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trailhead. We use B.W. as guests most often when we are in transit; arriving in the afternoon or early evening and departing after morning coffee. We have a 2nd home on our property which we rent out on a short-term basis. To learn more about what Afton offers search for our listing - Afton Station Cottage Favorite Boondocking Locations: Little Italy, outside of Little Rock, and a super favorite in San Antonio. Skills or Expertise to Share: Skills? We both survived childhood without bike helmets and seatbelts so that should count for something.

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References for this location from other RVers

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    Barefootbritt

    2 weeks ago

    Friendly and helpful hosts! Beautiful location and very convenient for my travels. Thank you!!

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    BettyWhite2023

    3 months ago

    Right off of the highway but still has loads of charm. Level parking spot, 15A hook-up, great hosts and communication! We will definitely be back!

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    Shaggy

    4 months ago

    Great location unless you don't like trains. Close to the tracks but just a few pass and the 4 engine pull is fantastic. We had a chance to meet Tom and chat a bit. The walk up the trail and through the old Afton train tunnel was very cool. Great hosts and would definitely stay there again. Highly recommend.

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    TeresaJohn

    4 months ago

    Tom and Jackie were wonderful hosts. Ideal location for Blue Ridge or Shenandoah access. A couple of trains passed the night we stayed but they were not that bad. Take time to walk to the Blue Ridge Tunnel if you can. It is directly behind this host. Highly recommend Afton Sunrise.

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    BillAndLenora

    4 months ago

    We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this special site. The location is ideal - so close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline Drive. The walk to and into the tunnel was a unique experience. Best of all was the communication with the hosts.

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