Camping at Stewart-Matheny Farm

Camping at Stewart-Matheny Farm is available on a first-come, first serve basis.  Stewart-Matheny Farm and neighboring farms are private residences and no trespassing is allowed.  Please respect the local environment.  Stewart-Matheny Farm will open to guests at sunrise on the day of event.

When guests arrive at Stewart-Matheny Farm they will find themselves travelling along a single, gravel lane for about 1/2 of a mile.  All guests are encouraged to carpool to minimize impact along the farm lane which is shared with other friends and families.  Parking is not allowed on the shared lane and violators may be towed at their own expense, so please continue on to the campground and drive slowly.  Traffic preference is essentially one-way, in on Saturday and out on Sunday.

The farm lane continues past a couple of farms and up a hill into a meadow which serves as the primary campground.  The gravel and dirt loop road through Stewart-Matheny is roughly 1/2 mile long, creating a rambling meadow which provides the dozens of vehicle/tent campsites along the perimeter with half-sun/half-shade and for many, a clean view of North Mountain.  The entire event will take place in this meadow.

The campground is primitive.  There is no water and no power available.  Open fires are not allowed at Stewart-Matheny Farm with the exception of a small bonfire near to concert area in the evening and at established group campfire sites (*when allowed by local open fire and burning regulations).  There will be several portable toilets for guests’ convenience.

Tent, vehicle and small, compact RV camping is encouraged.  Van and pick-up/tailgate campers are welcome too.  There are also many areas for more private, back-pack style camping.  Large RVs are not allowed. 

The 4 miles of hiking trails through wooded areas of Stewart-Matheny  Farm are open to walking, hiking, bicycling and primitive “back-pack” style, walk-in camping, for those who wish to be closer to nature.  Trail maps are available and posted at rest areas.

Most returning guests are excellent, experienced campers.  The following information will be useful to both first-timers and S-M Farm alumni.

Bugs!  We got em’!  The tall grass is pretty, but there are chiggers and ticks there and they are ready to feast on humans!  No joke, it is best to stay on the trails and use insect repellant at all times.  Warning:  Never pitch a tent on an ant hill.

Thorns!  We have and maintain many Honey Locust trees which are absolutely beautiful and great for so many things, but most come equipped with thorns up to 8” long that are sharp and sometimes infectious.  Farmers once used these thorns as nails.  Civil War soldiers used them to mend clothes.  These trees developed thorns to defend against mastedons and humans are way more fragile.  They take out tires as easily as they do shoes, fingers and the like.  Warning!  Don’t pee on a locust tree, especially at night…and if you do…well, don’t lean on the tree.  Don't camp beneath dead branches.  Treehuggers beware!  Flashlights are very important at night.   Other thorned friends of S-M Farm include Black Locust, Trifoliate Orange, Wild Roses, Blackberries, Raspberries and more.  Be careful. 

Warning:  NO BARE FEET!   Wear shoes at all times.  Use a flashlight at night.  Don't hug trees unless you know them.  Be very careful where you drive and walk.

Poison ivy!  Some folks get it, some don’t, but why take the chance?  Stay on the paths and avoid vine-like plants with “leaves of three”. 

Snakes!  We have those too.  They’re awesome.  Mostly black snakes, grass snakes, they eat mice and entertain us by making over-reacting funny ladies scream and carry on!  There are other snakes though too, so don't take chances.  If you see one, admire from a disctance.  Snakes are our friends too.

Weather!  Stewart-Matheny Farm should have windmills, but it doesn’t.  The wind coming off of North Mountain can be intense and quickly carry in a rain shower to douse a sunny afternoon.  Bring clothing suitable for all weather conditions.

Rocks!  Yes, it does rock...but that's not what we mean in this case.  The rock formations at Stewart-Matheny Farm are pretty, but can be very slippery.  Watch your step...especially on "slippery rock trail'.  Also, watch for rocks AND deer AND children when driving, biking or walking (whistling?dancing?trotting?) to your camp area.

Trees!  We have thousands of trees at Stewart-Matheny Farm.  The farm has several distinct areas where varieties of trees are growing.  We have three varieties of pines,  many redcedar, some mighty oaks, black walnuts, cherry, huge wheeping willow, honey locust and more.  The oldest of these trees is estimated to be 300 years old and pre-dates the farm itself which was established in 1790.   It is always wise to pay attention to our friends overhead, especially when setting up camp.  Wind and rain can cause limbs to fall, so always check out the conditions in the tree canopy overhead if you are a shade lover.

Swimming?  Not everybody likes to swim or fish, but many SoundQuilt family do recall fond memories of refreshing trips to the lake at SQ events in the past.  Swimming is the one thing SoundQuilt 2008 does not offer on-site.  However, the Shenandoah River is less than 5 minutes away via some beautifully scenic and historic roads.

Civil War history buffs can walk or bike to the Fisher's Hill Battlefield Park which is less than a mile from SoundQuilt 2008.

Bring things, in fact, bring everything that makes you comfortable when camping in various weather conditions such as:  Water, Water, Water, Food, Ice, Clothes, Raingear, First Aid Kit, Insect Repellant, Sunblock, Sunscreen, Sun shade, sunglasses, Flashlight, extra Batteries, extra bulb, Lantern, Tent, Sleeping Bag, Hat, Tarp, Rope, Shovel, Kitchen sink, Grill, Cooler, boots, umbrella, raincoat, etc.  Be prepared!

Trash Talk:  Remember to bring some trash bags with you.  Guests are required to take their waste and recyling with them when they leave.  There is a dump/recylcing station at driving distance nearby for the disposal or debris generated in Shenandoah County, so plan to use it if you do not wish to haul your trash all the way home.  If you forget to bring bags, we'll make sure you have some available to take your trash and recycling with you when you leave.  Keep it clean and neat to avoid a mess in your vehicle on way home.  No trash is to be left behind, this includes cigarette butts, bottle caps, etc.  You get the idea:  you pack it in, you pack it out.

Sometimes, no matter how hard one tries to plan a camping excursion, a trip to the store may become necessary.  Nearby, the town of Strasburg offers shopping, food, fuel, alternative entertainment, many boutique stores and even motel accomodations for those who do not wish to "rough it".

Drive safely and slowly.  You're not on the interstate anymore.  Relax, you're at Stewart-Matheny Farm now.