Discussion: Lodging

I have never travelled to an A-meet before, but I would like to try it with the one at West Point. What do people usually do when it comes to lodging? Camping or hotel? What is more practical?

Depends on how much you like camping, and how much money you want to spend. There will be people doing both.

Hey mgb, there will certainly be a lot of people coming down from CSU and NEOC, so carpooling is a fun option. staying at the same hotel, or deciding to camp with your car buddies is a good way to go.

The first time I went to West Point (1987), I drove down by myself in my two-seat sports car, got there late, couldn't figure out where the event center was (it had been relocated at the last minute and I didn't see the signs in the dark), and wound up spending the first night in the passenger's seat. That is not recommended.

Going down as a group definitely sounds like a fun option. I have a car so I could help out with that. I don't know if I am way early thinking about this, but if the hotel option is the way to go, I imagine that the hotels fill up unless you book something in time. Maybe I'll ask at the CSU training tonight, and see what people are thinking.

jjcote, that would be what would happen to me if I just jumped in the car and went. Definitely want to avoid that.

I'm not a big camper these days, so last year I stayed at the Bear Mountain Inn in their Stone Cottages, which were affordable ($100 range), quaint, convenient to the races. All-in-all a great choice, except for the late night partying by my youthful neighbors (see my TripAdvisor review for more). If a group got together and booked a whole cottage (or two!), I believe the partying could be avoided and/or guided in a quieter direction. ;)

There's a Best Value Inn in Central Valley a bit west. I've stayed there numerous times. Camping at West Point is easy, convenient & free and hard to beat with a good forecast. There's usually dorm style sleeping at Camp Buckner if one doesn't mind snoring etc.

Lodging in the barracks went away several years ago, I believe, but camping is still available.

Not having lodging in the barracks saddens me.

It saddens us as well.

Gladdens me:-). I despise snoring. Can recall all the way back to '82 USOC - French Creek West, I think. Dreadful snoring drove me out of a group cabin around 0100 when a good night's sleep was paramount. Happened at a WCOC meet, sharing a cabin maybe 5 years ago, as well. Quoth the raven, "Nevermore".

Well, having that option not available for others does not make me happy, even though it has been many, many years since I stayed in the barracks myself. I've often slept in my car in the intervening years (I soon moved to a bigger car that was suitable for sleeping), though lately I've been motelling it or camping. My issue with the barracks was that they were very cold.

The barracks were cold, but so perfectly convenient, and to me, at least, part and parcel of some great orienteering memories.

And I haven't outgrown them yet.

For those with military IDs (I know, I know, not so many on AP), I recommend camping at Round Pond. They do have a few cabins you can rent, too. Otherwise, you're probably looking at Harriman for options.

There are also hotels in Highland Falls, just outside the front gate. The Holiday Inn Express was the newest a few years back, but also hard to get booked at since every military member on Temporary Duty to West Point knows this and prefers to stay there, too.

The rest of the hotels have seen a fair amount of use and abuse, since they have been around awhile and are full most football and big class event weekends. If, as often happens, the USMA A Meet is the same week as the Sandhurst military competition, you may find Highland Falls crowded by parents and other supporters. Otherwise, it shouldn't be too crazy as there are a lot of hotels in Highland Falls for such a small town.

If you stay in Highland Falls, ask a cadet for restaurant recommendations - almost no chains (just McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts), but there are some decent places to eat. Schades' pizza is the stuff of cadet legend, and if you want to get fancy Saturday night, there's always the Hotel Thayer just inside the main gate. Their Sunday brunch is amazing, but the thought of running afterward is a little scary.

The camping arrangement last year was fine. Hope it will be available again.

As was the one the year before (nr entrance, on left) AND the year before*epitomizing
peace & tranquility by precious Popolopen: no snoring, hopefully the sandman, certainly geese honking to celebrate the new day.
* 4/18/08, 6:23am

As has been the peninsula next to Barth & the parade ground area.

Although the peninsula can be a little exposed if a cold front comes roaring across the lake in the middle of the night. One of my sons' and my fondest memories.

Thanks for all the input. I think I will try to camp.

Victoria, we have used the cabins at Round Pond ever since we have not been able to stay at Buckner and at this point wouldn't go back to Barracks even if they were offered. The little cabins are much nicer and just as cheap when shared with 2 friends. $25.00 a person for the weekend. We go for the ones right behind the bathhouse so it is a great and a quiet weekend as there isn't many people around that early in the camping season. Though could be different this year as day 1 is at Round Pond. It is a great suggestion for any military people active or retired which is our case for Denny. Also not very strict with rules at least at that time of year. Denny was unable to go last year due to a new job and I, as his spouse was allow to still use the cabin which was really nice. Great suggestion if you are military.

the barracks were truly a memorable experience...but camping is also great fun. On our first trip to WP we ended up sleeoing in the van in the parking area overlooking the thruway, in a driving rain storm that I think continued all weekend...at least we did get to stay in the barracks on Sat. night.