Virginia
About
Beartree
Beartree offers a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere and a variety of recreational activities. Located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, the campground boasts a sprawling layout with both group and individual campsites. A small creek flows through the campground, offering a refreshing spot to wade and fish. Beartree Lake is also located within the recreation area, providing an ideal spot for swimming and fishing. Natural Features: The campground is located in diverse vegetation, and Beartree Lake is surrounded by dense trees that meet the shoreline. The Mount Rogers Scenic Byway passes near the campground, highlighting the impressive valleys, mountains, forests and rural countrysides of western Virginia. Recreation: The campground offers two fishing piers, and smallmouth bass, sunfish, rainbow and brown trout are all possible catches. Canoe rentals are also available, and a sandy lakeside beach is perfect for swimming. The Beartree Lake Trail, which circles the lake, is excellent for hiking. Half of the trail is paved for an easier walk. The 14-acre lake hosts an annual fishing derby for kids in May. Facilities: Tent and RV campers are welcome. Drinking water and a water fill-up station are provided. Each site has a grill and picnic table, and most are secluded from other sites. The group picnic shelter accommodates 50 guests and most group sites fit 24 guests. Nearby Attractions: The Appalachian Trail, which extends more than 2,175 miles throughout the Appalachian Mountains and across 14 states, is accessible nearby. ACTIVITIES Fishing Hiking Swimming Site
Access
Drive In, Walk In
Operator
USDA Forest Service
Contact
Location
Beartree
is located in
Virginia
Directions
From I-81, take exit 19 at Abingdon, Virginia. Turn onto Route 58 east and continue for about20 miles, passing through Damascus. The Beartree Recreation Area entrance will be on the left.
3 Reviews of Beartree
Quiet and remote with a great playground for the kids!
Beartree is a remote campground, far off the road, and a ways from town - well worth the ride! It is very quiet, exceptionally clean and we really enjoyed our three day stay. We especially enjoyed the level campsites and the sturdy picnic tables. The kids really enjoyed the playground and walking near the lake. There was no one else at the lake (no other visitors nor employees) during our visit but that could have been due to the time of year (September). We enjoyed camping here and loved quiet.
Restful and private
We live about an hour from this campground and have camped there for at least 25 years and it never gets old. The sites were built in a forest of rhododendron and there is so much privacy compared to most other campgrounds. As a result, it seems quieter. From the spring wildflowers to the summer blueberries to the fall colors, there is so much beauty at this campground.
We use the lake for paddle boarding or kayaking and we bike on the Va Creeper trail, the local mountain bike and hiking trails adjacent to the campground or just bike down to the lake and back. The trail to Mt Rogers, the highest point in VA is just another hour away.
Do not expect to be “plugged in” unless you have satellite connection. You are truly away at Beartree.
First to Review
Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, this campground is close to enough activities to fill a whole week of outdoor fun! Nestled back off Hwy 58, there are 2 sizable camping areas to choose from, in addition to a group camping area. You can also enjoy the small lake with sandy beach.
Most sites can accommodate multiple tents and/or large RV’s and are very private and shaded. None of the sites have electricity, but all have a picnic table, lantern pole, and firepit. Bathrooms with showers are available throughout the campground and there is a small playground (with tire swing!) for the kiddos.
Within 5 miles of this campground you will find the famous and gorgeous Virginia Creeper Trail, the Whitetop Laurel Creek, and the Appalachian Trail. So bring your bikes, fishing poles, kayaks, and hiking boots for a full week of adventure. We couldn’t get enough of this gorgeous area and hit the early spring weather spot on for some fun in the sun!
The closest town is Damascus which are filled with companies that will load your bikes on a trailer and shuttle you and your bike to Whitetop Mountain where you can hop on the Virginia Creeper Trail for 17 miles of easy downhill coasting (or 34 miles if you choose to go all the way to Abingdon). Or, for more of a workout, you can hop on the trail at various access points and ride uphill and coast down. For whitewater fun, consult the American Whitewater website for the runnable area/range of the Whitetop Laurel.
