If you think all campgrounds are alike, you ain't seen Heavenly Acres yet!

In a town 15 minutes from Skyline Drive, called Stanardsville, you can visit this beautiful 80-acre rural campground with majestic views of the Blue Ridge mountains. With 50 campsites, 24 RV sites (with water/electric/sewer hookups), new cabins, a pool with a water slide, a playground and trails, they also offer a completely unique camping experience. How about spending the night in a refinished caboose? Yes, you heard me right, you can actually stay in a train's caboose!

Leesylvania Park Manager, Karen Lambey (right), Tom Cervenak (below), meet with campground owner, Gary Schneider, to feature Heavenly Acres as part of our Virginia Campground Association partnership

Owner Gary Schneider and his wife Jan, purchased and restored four original railroad cabooses from the 60's and one from 1926. From West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Illinois, he hauled his cabooses home and went to work. He started his project completely renovating the interior. With a growing interest in the old locomotives and railroads from the 20's, Gary respectfully preserved the original parts, including the hardwood floor and railings, which were completely pristine yet rich with historic background. Immediately upon realizing these cabooses were available to rent, you bet we couldn't wait to see the inside!

Gary's granddaughter, Kyla, sits in one of two twin beds in the "Happy Everly"

The kitchen is fully stocked with everything you'll need to cook and eat

The "Happy Everly" caboose sleeps up to four people

The cabooses sit atop genuine railroad tracks so they don't sink into the ground. Climb aboard and you'll notice a wraparound deck with an area below for a family campfire. Inside, a fully equipped kitchen, gas fireplace and down the hall a full bathroom including a shower. The sleeping arrangements were most unique. Two twin beds lofted above storage closets, probably an area the conductor used for storage as well. It was like living in a locomotive from the 20's, but with all the modern necessities of a cabin including power and electric. The three cabooses vary with their own unique style considering that each one was from it's own train. The fourth caboose is currently under construction, but soon to be released for your camping experience!

You can't resist climbing aboard this caboose!

With Heavenly Acres 12 miles from Skyline Drive, there's plenty for out-of-town guests to see and do. In October, when the trees begin to change color, the busiest time of the campground's season begins too. Visitors are welcomed by Grave's Mountain Apple Harvest Festival, a major event that takes place annually. Especially during these three weekends during October, Heavenly Acres is our choice for out of town guests to stay. And even though there is plenty of room to camp, we'd recommend getting your caboose there early!

The family run business lead by the friendly husband-wife team of Jan and Gary Schneider, is offering a First Time Campers special of 20% discount for reservations made in 2012. To find out more on this campground or to make reservations click here. You may also obtain a the Virginia Campground Directory by clicking here, which lists other camping opportunities in Virginia including Virginia State Parks.

Tom Cervenak aboard the WV "Happy Everly"

Click here for google map and directions to Heavenly Acres.