Best Campgrounds near Abingdon, VA

The small town of Abingdon in Virginia has good camping spots within driving distance for all kinds of setups. Hungry Mother State Park stands out with its cabins and yurts that many campers book well ahead of time. Kids have plenty to do at Linville Falls Campground, where hiking trails lead to some nice views of the surrounding area. Most people camp here in spring when wildflowers bloom or fall when the trees turn color. Summers get hot and humid in this part of Virginia, so bring plenty of water if you visit then. Some campgrounds stay open during winter, but you'll need warm gear for the cold nights. Many campers come to this area specifically to bike or hike the Virginia Creeper Trail, which runs through the region. The town of Abingdon itself has restaurants and shops when you need supplies or want a break from camp cooking. Both tent campers and RV drivers can find spots that work for their needs in this area.

Best Camping Sites Near Abingdon, Virginia (198)

    1. Little Oak Campground

    23 Reviews
    Shady Valley, TN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 735-1500

    $12 / night

    "**Holston Lake is absolutely beautiful. The campground is deep in the national forest, out on a series of peninsulas, making all the campsites quite close to the water."

    "This campground is located about an hour or so from our home but it feels like a million miles away — in a good way!"

    2. Sugar Hollow Campground

    9 Reviews
    Bristol, VA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 645-7275

    $20 / night

    "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."

    3. Riverside Campground

    7 Reviews
    Abingdon, VA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 628-5333

    $28 - $40 / night

    "Close to charming Abingdon VA with great local restaurants, the Barter Theater and the Virginia Creeper Trail."

    "There are about 8-10 sites that are right behind the pool and more sites down a short hill all along the river. This campground accommodates tents, pop ups and RV's comfortably."

    4. Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park

    56 Reviews
    Troutdale, VA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 579-2374

    $25 - $40 / night

    "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."

    5. Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground

    8 Reviews
    Damascus, VA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 735-1500

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Just across the Virginia state line, this national forest offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Beaver Dam Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant."

    "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."

    6. Observation Knob Park

    5 Reviews
    Shady Valley, TN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 878-1881

    $25 - $35 / night

    "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."

    "Older but absolutely beautiful park located right on the lake. The park is very well maintained and the staff are super friendly. The views of the mountains meeting the lake are absolutely stunning."

    7. Laurel Creek RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Damascus, VA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 440-3042

    $55 / night

    "We were in Damascus for the Appalachian Trail Days Festival and needed an RV spot but didn’t think we could get one because we were so late in looking for one."

    "This was a good spot right on the Laurel Creek and the Creeper Trail.  Walk to town for restaurants and bike/outdoor shops and a convenience store.  Grocery store is a little further away."

    8. Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground

    12 Reviews
    Whitetop, VA
    18 miles
    Website

    $24 - $85 / night

    "Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, this campground is close to enough activities to fill a whole week of outdoor fun!"

    "Large secluded campsites surrounded by rhododendron bushes with a mountain spring creek meandering through the campgrounds."

    9. Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park

    41 Reviews
    Marion, VA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 781-7400

    $25 - $45 / night

    "We stayed here for an overnight stop on our road trip through Virginia, and it was lovely!"

    "Hungry Mother State Park, just a short drive off I-81 in southwestern Virginia, is an easily accessible gem offering modern cabins, yurts, and campgrounds equipped for tents or RVs, with limitless activities"

    10. Hidden Valley WMA

    4 Reviews
    Willis, VA
    11 miles
    Website

    "This spot is very nice, close to the water’s edge (although no camping allowed lakeside). There’s quite a few rings, bear bins, and a porta-loo. We had the place to ourselves which was really great."

    "Easy to access in a vehicle several campers campsites available Lake is calm and clean for water recreation. Has the portable restroom and plenty of firewood."

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Recent Reviews near Abingdon, VA

897 Reviews of 198 Abingdon Campgrounds


  • Todd C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Breaks Interstate Park Campground

    Fall trip

    Beautiful campground, site can be a little small. We stayed in the C loop so we never used the bath house or anything. The camp hosts and staff were amazing and lots of help.

  • Ethan H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Great Primitive Campsite

    Most campsites have good privacy and is quiet most hours. All have easy access, but bathrooms are small for number of campers. Some campsites are a little confusing about site areas as it seems they overlap into each other some. The view of the lake is one of the best parts. More campgrounds should separate rv and primitive like they do.

  • cyndy B.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Lower Twin Campground (VA)

    Good

    Great host,, very clean.. Has showers ,, bost ramp, hiking,, etc... ONLY downfall about the place is SNAKES... Be on the lookout for copperheads and rattlesnakes !!!

  • S
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Observation Knob Park

    On the water

    Beautiful, popular park. Not all sites are level. Sites are fairly close together. Excellent scenery.

  • William F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Creekside Campground — Hungry Mother State Park

    Great Spot!

    Sites are a little close and sharp turns coming in. Pads are level, bathrooms are clean. Everything is kinda spread out as far as bathrooms houses or playgrounds for the kids. Really nice and quiet tho.

  • Bailey R.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Cardens Bluff Campground

    Lake side camping

    This relaxing little camp site has such pretty spacious camp site. We went day of in September and found a spot on the lake no problem. Do bring cash as it’s cash only if you pay the day you show up. Camp host were super nice and the price was wonderful. There weren’t as many bathrooms as I would have liked due to most being worked on. There is really good cell service on the camp site.

  • Mary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Roan Mountain State Park Campground

    New Favorite Campground

    This is my new favorite campground! There are trees everywhere and there really isn't a bad spot! Some sites were right on the creek (sites 40 and 41 were great). The tent camping area is beautiful and one of the best I've seen. We were at site 9, one of the only pull-through sites. We had water and electric and some sites have FHU. There are a lot of beautiful hikes in the area. No cell service, but there is (slow) wifi throughout the campground. There is a Verizon hotspot to make calls, but I couldn't connect with US Cellular. We will definitely be back!

  • Theresa S.
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the location, Left because of the owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.


Guide to Abingdon

Abingdon camping sites range from lakeside to mountainous, with elevations from 1,800 to 3,600 feet across the region. Most campsites near Abingdon, Virginia are situated within the Jefferson National Forest or along the South Holston Lake, creating distinct microclimates depending on your chosen location. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing at higher elevation campgrounds from December through February.

What to do

Paddle the lake: South Holston Lake offers excellent kayaking and paddleboarding at Little Oak Campground, located 20 minutes from Abingdon. "Holston Lake is absolutely beautiful. The campground is deep in the national forest, out on a series of peninsulas, making all the campsites quite close to the water," notes Lynn G.

Hike to waterfalls: A short but steep trail near Backbone Rock Recreation Area leads to a waterfall formation where kids can wade. "There is a short waterfall hike right out of the campground!" explains Sabrina M., who found it perfect for families with small children.

Mountain biking: The Jefferson National Forest trails connect directly to many campgrounds. "There are some short hiking trails, but plan to spend most of your time on the water," advises Lynn G. who visited Little Oak Campground. Experienced cyclists often use campsites as base camps for exploring the technical forest trails.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Beartree Campground offers unusual site separation. "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," shares Deb R., who has been camping there for 25 years.

Swimming options: Many campers appreciate the creek access at campgrounds. "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!" reports Sabrina M. The water access provides natural cooling during hot summer days.

Affordability: Budget-conscious campers highlight Sugar Hollow Campground for its value. "You can't beat the price and you're secluded but yet close to Sam's and Walmart and even a Chick-fil-A," explains Mike, who paid just $20 per night for wooded, shaded sites with electric hookups.

What you should know

Limited cell coverage: Many campgrounds around Abingdon have spotty service. "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," explains Shari G. about Backbone Rock. At Riverside Campground, cell service improves but remains inconsistent in certain sections.

Booking windows: Royal Oak Campground at Hungry Mother State Park often books 6-9 months in advance for summer weekends. Joe S. notes Riverside Campground provides "the perfect spot for a family trip" but recommends reservations well ahead of time.

Weather variability: The mountain setting creates unpredictable conditions. "Weather is unpredictable, so pack a raincoat and warm clothes just in case," advises Danielle H. Summer thunderstorms build quickly in the afternoons, particularly at higher elevation sites.

Tips for camping with families

Platform camping for comfort: Hungry Mother State Park offers unique wooden platforms for tents. "All campsites are on platforms, which makes it very nice to set up your stuff," explains Katrin M. The raised platforms keep tents drier during rain and provide level sleeping surfaces.

Creek-side camping: Families particularly enjoy sites where children can play safely in shallow water. "The river is perfect! It's not too deep so the kids can play in it. Fairly easily accessed from many areas at the campground," shares Heather K. about Riverside Campground.

Child-friendly activities: Schedule time for organized events at state parks. "During the peak of the summer season, it appears that it would be very popular with a nice swimming beach, paddlecraft rentals, cabin rentals," notes Dave V. about Hungry Mother State Park. Many campgrounds offer junior ranger programs on summer weekends.

Tips from RVers

Leveling requirements: Many RV sites in the mountains require significant leveling. "Not all sites are level. Sites are fairly close together," reports Shawn about Observation Knob Park. Bring extra leveling blocks, especially for the hillside campgrounds.

Water hookup locations: At Sugar Hollow Campground, water sources aren't always conveniently placed. "Water available but not at your site (mostly, if you have an extension you can make some work)," explains Kelly, who recommends bringing extra hose length to reach shared spigots.

Dump station availability: Many campgrounds only offer dump stations rather than full sewer hookups. "Only 2 dump stations, but there is a honey wagon service that's quite close and very reasonably priced," notes Michael N. about Observation Knob Park, where many visitors stay for extended periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Abingdon, VA?

Abingdon offers excellent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Riverside Campground stands out for its proximity to downtown Abingdon's restaurants and the Virginia Creeper Trail, plus its peaceful setting on the North Fork of the Holston River. For those seeking more natural settings, Sugar Hollow Campground offers affordable sites ($20/night) with good separation between campsites, phone service, and Wi-Fi in some areas. Other notable options include Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground near Mount Rogers Recreation Area and Hidden Valley WMA with lakeside camping. Most campgrounds in the area provide convenient access to hiking, fishing, and cultural attractions that make Abingdon a perfect basecamp for exploring Southwest Virginia.

Is tent camping available at campgrounds in Abingdon, VA?

Yes, tent camping is widely available at campgrounds around Abingdon. Mount Rogers National Recreation Area offers free, primitive tent camping along creeks with first-come, first-served sites. These spots are perfect for tent campers looking for a more natural experience, though they lack amenities like picnic tables or toilets. Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground provides more developed tent camping with access to a small lake with a sandy beach. For those wanting free dispersed camping options, Washington & Jefferson National Forest offers multiple tent-friendly sites along Bear Creek. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of amenities and privacy.

What amenities does Riverside Campground in Abingdon, VA offer?

Riverside Campground in Abingdon offers a range of amenities in its quiet setting along the North Fork of the Holston River. The campground is family-friendly and provides convenient access to Abingdon's attractions, including local restaurants, the Barter Theater, and the Virginia Creeper Trail. Its riverside location makes it ideal for fishing and water activities. While specific facility details aren't extensively documented in reviews, the campground appears to provide the essential amenities needed for a comfortable stay. The peaceful riverside environment creates an appealing atmosphere for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. For more detailed information about hookups, bathhouses, and other specific amenities, it's recommended to contact the campground directly before your visit.