B
Brandi M.
Scout
ScoutThree Peaks RV Resort
Absolutely one of the most beautiful campgrounds that we have visited, and super clean. Such a great location for hiking and viewing the Blue Ridge Pkwy!
Camping near Shady Valley, TN
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Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of northeastern Tennessee, Shady Valley offers campers diverse options ranging from lakeside sites to mountain retreats. The area features several established campgrounds including Little Oak Campground on Holston Lake, which operates from April to October with boat-in access and cabin accommodations. Nearby Backbone Rock Recreation Area provides tent and RV camping from May to October along creek-side settings. Within an hour's drive, campers can access Roan Mountain State Park Campground, which remains open year-round with full hookup sites and cabin rentals. The region sits at the intersection of Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina, creating access to multiple state parks, national forest lands, and water-based recreation areas including Watauga Lake, where Cardens Bluff Campground offers primitive camping with lake views.
Mountain roads throughout the region can present challenges for larger vehicles, particularly after rainfall. As one camper noted about Little Oak Campground, "Follow the 7-mile trek off the main road to one of the loveliest campgrounds in East Tennessee." Many campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, especially during summer months and fall foliage season. Cell service is limited or non-existent in many camping areas, with visitors to Washington & Jefferson National Forest dispersed sites reporting "absolutely no cell service at this camp, you have to go into town or hike a local mountain to get service up high." Elevation changes significantly impact temperatures, with higher campgrounds remaining cool even during summer months, while valleys can experience significant humidity.
Water features prominently in camping experiences throughout the region. Campsites along Watauga Lake, Holston Lake, and various creeks receive consistently high ratings from visitors. "Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites," reports one reviewer. Proximity to the Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail makes many campgrounds popular with hikers and cyclists. The sound of flowing water serves as natural white noise at creek-side sites, with one Backbone Rock camper noting, "the running water sound of the creek behind us lulled us to sleep." Tent campers should be prepared for uneven terrain at many sites, as the mountainous landscape creates natural challenges for finding perfectly level ground.
Best Campgrounds near Shady Valley (255)
1. Little Oak Campground
"Since I had a gap in time between jobs so I brought my motorcycle to drive the area. Campsite is remote with a wonderful ride to the 421 The Snake and not far from the Shady Valley Country Store."
"This campground is located about an hour or so from our home but it feels like a million miles away — in a good way!"
from $10 / night
Check Availability2. Observation Knob Park
"Great amenities for kids, clean restrooms and showers, several spots with easy access to lake"
"We do lots of walking, so this campground has many drives to walk. Takes no time at all to walk a mile plus without going the same drive. Many shaded sites, lots seem to be seasonal."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability3. R&D Campground
"In the nearby area, there is a lot to do in natural beauty. There are a lot of trails here and many ways to enjoy them, including hiking and mountain biking."
"Campground Review: R&D Campground in Mountain City, TN is located in the far north east corner of the state almost directly in between Boone, NC and Demascus, VA."
4. Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground
"Stayed in Campsite #1 Even though it is within view of the road, the running water sound of the creek behind us lulled us to sleep."
"Beaver Dam Creek runs behind the campsite and is absolutely gorgeous with clear water, fish, and beautiful rhododendrons and trees that keep the area shaded."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability5. Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park
"With camping just a moderate day hike away from Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, this campground is a hiker's paradise."
"Campground Review: There are two campgrounds in Grayson Highland SP which is located by The Mouth Of Wilson, VA, near the North Carolina border."
from $27 - $98 / night
Check Availability6. Sugar Hollow Campground
"Trails right off the campground to walk around the park, not huge but nice. Close off the highway but no road noise."
"From the road you wouldn’t guess there’s a giant park beyond the entrance. The rangers at the entrance were super friendly, but they patrol a lot, so often no one is actually at the gate house."
from $20 / night
Check Availability7. Cardens Bluff Campground
"Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites."
"Booked site 13 online for the last weekend before the season ended in October 2021, but the hosts caught us at check-in and moved us to site 32, which was right next to the water."
from $12 / night
Check Availability8. Blue Bear Mountain Camp
"It offers RV, drive in and hike in tent sites and also teepee camping."
"There is a place to wash dishes outside as well. Fantastic walking trails - some parts quite steep but we got a good workout through the woods on the property."
from $25 - $136 / night
Check Availability9. Roan Mountain State Park Campground
"It is located in Roan Mountain Tennessee. The campground has clean bathhouses with hot showers."
"Fire pits you had to walk up to but were away from tents, which I liked. Bathhouse was clean, well lit, pretty warm showers. Campground was very clean and has a lot of amenities."
10. Friendship Rd
"I came here on a couple of break days while working at a nearby summer camp and it was such a fun experience. The lake surrounded by mountains was breathtakingly beautiful."
"Nestled next to the.Holly River. Prices were good."
from $30 - $95 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 48 min from Johnson City, TN
- 56 min from Kingsport, TN
- 1 hr 35 min from Morristown, TN
- 1 hr 42 min from Asheville, NC
Recent Camping Photos near Shady Valley, TN
490 Photos of 255 Shady Valley Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tri Mountain View
Corn Creek Camp and CabinsC
Little Oak Campground
Observation Knob Park
R&D CampgroundB
Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground
Sugar Hollow Campground
Lake Haven Family Campground
Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
Popular Point Campground Lake Jordan Recreation Area
Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area
Camp Faith - Temporarily ClosedD
Recent Reviews near Shady Valley, TN
1217 Reviews of 255 Shady Valley Campgrounds
Windy W.ScoutDoe River Landing
Beautiful Place, Ugly host, Oct 2026
Let me first start by saying that this campground is absolutely beautiful. I have lived in this area my entire life and the Doe is one of my favorites. I am a avid camper and have camped all over this area. I decided to give this place a try, I own a small pop-up camper and knew it was going to get cold 10/20/2026-10/22/2026, so me and my sister rented the RV at Doe River. #1 check in is not until 3pm, I always order a load of wood from a local guy who delivers to camp sites, I do all my cooking in a Dutch oven over the fire or burgers and dogs in the fire, what is a camping trip without a nice warm fire. The owner came over to my campsite and asked if I had ordered this wood and I replied yes, she then asked what I was going to do with it all, I replied I am going to burn it. So, I told Carl (the wood guy) where to stack it, the owner then said that I need to leave it in my truck bc if I didn't use it all I would have to put it back on my truck and take it home with me, I said really? It's just a unspoken rule that if you don't use all your wood that you pay it forward and leave it for the next camper?? She said absolutely not, So we moved the wood from his truck and into mine. She then asked again why I needed so much wood and that most ppl just buy small bundles from her. And just like that I understood! Carl the wood man and his wife also made a comment about how rude she was about the wood. It does not end there, Not only does she have camaras on some of the out blds which I get, but I don't get why they are pointing directly at camp sites, We felt like we were in a fish bowl the entire time. Every single time we went to the bathroom she showed up abt 5 mins later, There is a camara right above the bathroom door, One on the pavilion, and one on each side of the bathhouse, at the entrances and who know where else. So much for privacy in the great outdoors. I didn't even feel comfortable hiking, we felt like we were being watched constantly. She was constantly there, walking her dog which was not friendly and so big she could hardly control him on the leash which was really scary, she also was driving through several times throughout the day. Then came the kicker, about 1 o'clock in the morning we were freezing, I had turned the heat on in the camper before going to bed and heard it come on, Well the propane ran out between 11pm and 1am, I called her at least 10 times we had every blanket and was still freezing, We decided we would go to the bath house bc it had a mini split hanging on the wall, Out of luck there, it was set on air conditioning with no way to change it, so we found a blow dryer trying to get warm, still the entire time trying to call the owners, We finally ended up in our car until the husband arrived. He acted so annoyed at us and said all u have to do is fip the switch on the propane tanks outside! We had never stayed in a travel trailer before and according to them all we had to do was show up and start glamping!! So, I was supposed to know to go outside at 1 am and switch over propane tanks?? No, It should have been FULL when I got there!!! With attitude he said,"Its Basic Camping" No sir it's not, what I do is basic camping, I was told on the phone that I was glamping, She, the owner also said we should have called 911 when we could not get hold of them so that Carter County police officers could come and wake them up!!! Not sure if that is putting our tax dollars to good use?? Like I said it is truly a beautiful place and has great potential, we left that second night at 11pm because again the heat was not working, we have not asked for any refund we just took the loss. it would be to much of a hassle. We just know better next time. With owners like that they can keep it. Windy Wells/Debra Price
- R
Ronnie C.
TravelerSugar Hollow Campground
3 stars only because it says water hookups but they are far and few between communal. No spigot at individual sites. Need long hose(s)to reach the connection. Good T-Mobile 5G but too wooded for StarLink. Quiet, shady, somewhat level sites were available. $20/night.
Jacob A.TravelerWhitetop
The road was very bumpy but I got up on my 2WD Honda Odyssey. A couple people came during the day to take photos, but the night was peaceful. A couple campsites on the drive up, less secluded though. View was gorgeous and the sunset was amazing. Amazing spot for stargazing.
Bonnie H.ScoutDoe River Landing
Kylie T & Andrew W. Review not accurate
My husband and I arrived at Doe River Landing for 3 nights and enjoyed everything the resort offered. While there we read the 2 reviews posted by Kylie T, and by Andrew W, who gave the resort a 1 star rating. Not knowing the facts that caused the rating by them, and occurred prior to us, we approach the owner and asked.
The owner showed us videos from their security cameras. These adults has stated in Kylie T review and confirm by Andrew W review that they were a group of 20 adults and "every single one of us is over 21 and family". So why are these adults playing "hide and seek" under the pavilion as they stated? Andrew W stated, "It was not blocked off", yet they had to crawl on the ground and around bushes to get under the pavilion. When the owner yelled at them approximately 10 adults that were under the pavilion crawled out which was captured on the security cameras. Andrew W stated in his review the owner called them hooligans, which is rowdy, destructive persons and from the security cameras, that description is correct. There was no mention of damages in their reviews such as the Adirondack chair they broke or possible damage to the water pipes and electric wires under the pavilion, which the owner was currently checking.
Once we read these two reviews by Kylie T and Andrew W and saw the owners security videos, we felt future customers deserved to know another opinion based on our findings.
These entitled adults justified their review of a 1 star by stating they paid money to use the campground.
I would ask these adults "why do you think it is OK to treat someone else's property in this destructive way?"
- SSherri B.
GuideSpacious Skies Bear Den
Seems to be a well established campground in an off the beaten path location. Roads alternately paved and gravel. The campsite is gravel in a wooded setting. Fair amount of space between sites. The bathhouse is clean but dated.
Kyle T.ScoutDoe River Landing
Unprofessional hosts that ruins a place with good potential
We brought our whole family out and rented almost every cabin on the property, plus the event center, for the weekend— we gave this place a lot of business. And honestly, the stay itself was great— nice place, no complaints about the cabins. The owner is the problem. He came flying in in his blue F-150 doing 20–30 mph where the posted speed limit is 5, and started screaming at us over something that could've been handled with a simple conversation. His exact words:"Where are your parents? This is a family establishment. I will not have hooligans running around here." Every single one of us is over 21 and family. All we were doing was playing hide and seek— which isn't against any of the property's rules— and there were no other guests to disturb, since we had the entire area rented. He still threatened to call the police, even though it wasn't even quiet hours. Before anyone could get a word in, he peeled out so fast the gravel sprayed up at us and our cars. Then on his way out he drove the wrong way down the property's one-way road, so apparently the rules only apply to guests. It's sad, because the property itself is great, and we were never anything but nice to the owners the whole weekend. To be treated in such an unprofessional manner— screamed at, threatened, and never given so much as an apology afterward— put a real dent in the weekend. We won't be back
- AAndrew W.Scout
Doe River Landing
Beautiful place ruined by unprofessional ownership
Our group of about 20 rented nearly every cabin at Doe River Landing for my friend's wedding weekend, with the reception held on site. The cabins were nice and well-equipped, and the only other guests were in a cabin half a mile away through the woods. Unfortunately, the hosts ruined the stay. One night, some of us were playing hide and seek in an area that wasn't blocked off or against any rule. The host's husband came speeding in at roughly 30 mph(the posted limit is 5), jumped out of his truck screaming that he"will not have child hooligans running around the campground," told us to"go back to the motel we crawled out of," and demanded to see our parents— despite all of us being adults in our twenties. He then peeled out so aggressively he sprayed gravel at us and our cars. It wasn't even quiet hours, and we weren't disturbing anyone. Afterward, the host called us again, passive-aggressive, and questioned our ages— even though you have to be 21 just to rent a cabin there. The property is lovely, but the hosts' behavior put a real damper on what should have been a joyful wedding celebration. It's a shame they treat people paying good money this way. We won't be back.
Juliana J.GuideWashington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
Epic Spot Near Iron Mountain and Rush Trails
I wandered a bit and took a left up a gravel road near where the sites indicated were located and just drove for a few miles. Found an awesome spot with a fire pit and lush surroundings. The road was unpaved (but as are all to the best spots) and there were definitely some large rocks and potholes to navigate. Would suggest higher raised vehicle. Saw nobody else and felt like I had my own slice of paradise.
Guide to Shady Valley
Camping near Shady Valley, Tennessee offers diverse experiences at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 5,700 feet throughout the surrounding mountain region. Temperature differences between valleys and ridges can exceed 15 degrees even in summer months, creating microclimates that affect camping comfort. Most campgrounds in the area operate from spring through fall, with limited winter facilities available.
What to do
Hiking the local mountains: Near Hickory Ridge Campground, trails connect to Virginia's highest peak. "Jump on the AT or any number of other trails for a multi day or just a simple day hike. The wild ponies make this area so special and worth the drive," notes Kevin G.
Fishing in mountain waters: Little Oak Campground provides lake access for anglers. "Great place to camp and fish," reports Bill T. The campground has "plenty of room and space for your truck/boat/trailer. The campfire setup worked out well and the view of the lake was unbeatable," adds Kace L.
Stream exploration: Many campgrounds feature creeks suitable for wading. "We stopped at this site on a spur of the moment trip and we absolutely love it. We stayed on the lot near the running stream with a waterfall and had a nice time sleeping to the sound of water," explains B N. about R&D Campground.
Swimming in lake waters: Summer temperatures make lake swimming refreshing. One camper at Little Oak Campground recommends you "swim at sunset when the boats go quiet. Spacious sites; peaceful campground; clean showers."
What campers like
Waterfront access: At Cardens Bluff Campground, location is key. "Only in for a night. Easy to find. Didn't see a bad site here. Tents only. Site 041 is the best - I was right on the lake," notes Robin K. The campground features "great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites."
Natural soundscapes: Creek-side camping provides natural ambient noise. At Backbone Rock Recreation Area, one camper reports: "Even though it is within view of the road, the running water sound of the creek behind us lulled us to sleep. We woke up around 9am, walked around and easily collected dead limbs for firewood for a hot breakfast."
Affordable stays: Budget-conscious campers appreciate reasonable rates. At Sugar Hollow Campground, "You can't beat the price and your secluded but yet close to Sam's and Walmart and even a Chick-fil-A 10-day maximum," according to Mike. Another camper notes it has "in nature, not too close together spots, affordable (20/night)."
Weather advantages: Higher elevation campgrounds provide summer cooling. Blue Bear Mountain Camp is praised because "the elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat."
What you should know
Road conditions: Mountain access requires preparation. At R&D Campground, "The state maintained gravel road used to access campground was narrow and would be difficult to get a large camper up there, although there were lots of large ones there," reports Kristen J.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies dramatically by location. At Backbone Rock, "There is absolutely no cell service at this camp, you have to go into town or hike a local mountain to get service up high."
Facility differences: Campgrounds range from primitive to full-service. At Cardens Bluff, showers can be problematic as "other campers used them to smoke in, since there was no smoking allowed in the campground. The thick, stale smoke made the shower facilities unusable."
Site selection strategy: Research specific site numbers before booking. At Hickory Ridge, "Site 13 is easily the most private--and arguably the only truly private--tent site in this campground, with the driveway going behind a cluster of trees that shields the site from the road."
Tips for camping with families
Waterside sites for kids: Roan Mountain State Park Campground offers creek access ideal for children. "Booked a tent campground right by the creek and couldn't have picked a better location. Quiet time starts at 9 and everyone there was very respectful of this," notes Joseph D. Another visitor mentions: "This was such a great campsite!! We had such an amazing experience! It wasn't very crowded and very clean."
Small campgrounds for quieter stays: Smaller facilities offer more intimate experiences. "Backbone rock sits on a small creek that runs behind most of the sites. It's perfect for small children to swim and play in! The sites are all gracious in size, with plenty of trees in between. We love this campground because it is a hybrid between the remote camping we are use to and the ease of effort we now need because of small children!"
Bathroom considerations: Facility quality varies significantly. "The bathrooms were clean with toilet paper. Bring your own paper towels/hand soap," recommends one camper at Backbone Rock. At Roan Mountain, bathrooms are described as "spotless" by visitors.
Evening temperatures: Pack warm clothes even in summer. At Hickory Ridge, "Weather is unpredictable, so pack a raincoat and warm clothes just in case," advises Danielle H.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: At Observation Knob Park, "Very hilly, some sites are unlevel, so additional blocking helps. Only 2 dump stations, but, there is a honey wagon service that quite close and very reasonably priced," notes Michael N.
Electrical protection: Check power supply reliability. "Recommend a surge protector on your camper as there are no breakers on the electric hook up at the site (clustered elsewhere)," advises an RV camper at Observation Knob Park.
Water access limitations: Not all sites offer water hookups. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, "They do not have water hookups- you fill your camper tank with water at the office area. They have spots with electric hookups."
Seasonal considerations: Sugar Hollow campers advise: "In nature, not to close together spots, affordable (20/night). I'm in a 25ft class c, always looking for a more nature forward spot, trees out my door. There's phone service and Wi-Fi in some spots. A few will fit a larger rig, many will fit my size."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Shady Valley, TN?
What camping is available near Shady Valley, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Shady Valley, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 255 campgrounds and RV parks near Shady Valley, TN and 21 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Shady Valley, TN?
Which is the most popular campground near Shady Valley, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shady Valley, TN is Little Oak Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Shady Valley, TN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Shady Valley, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Shady Valley, TN.
What parks are near Shady Valley, TN?
What parks are near Shady Valley, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 parks near Shady Valley, TN that allow camping, notably Blue Ridge Parkway and W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir.
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