Cove Mountain Shelter is about 3 miles North of Bearwallow Gap near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Where the trail crosses VA43 there is enough parking for about 2 cars, parallel to the road. Closer to the Gap at the BRP is a larger parking area. The town of Buchanan is about 5 miles away via VA43. Get water at the creek at the Gap.
The hike from Bearwallow Gap is not difficult but there aren't many stealth sites for tents. The brush is too thick. FarOut has one site .7 mile from the Gap and there is enough space for several tents without water. There is one more tent possibility just North of the Little Cove Mountain trail intersection. It is right on the trail.
The shelter is a very short distance down from the AT via side trail. At the intersection is another good tenting site for maybe 2-3 tents. The shelter sleeps 6. There is a picnic table and a privy but no easily accessible water source. Tent sites are spread out and slightly sloped. I had to reposition myself several times throughout the night as sleeping pad kept sliding down.