Best Tent Camping near Ararat, VA
Searching for a tent campsite near Ararat? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Ararat campgrounds for you and your tent. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Searching for a tent campsite near Ararat? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Ararat campgrounds for you and your tent. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Motorcycle Traffic Only
Motorcycling and Camping are natural companions. Maximize your love of motorcycle travel and the great outdoors at Willville Bikecamp. Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Willville is a destination, a meeting point, a base camp to explore the great Blue Ridge Parkway, or a place just to rest and relax. Motorcycle camping at Willville is ideal for a weekend run or an extended getaway.
Bunkhouse and Camping cabin including a private bike shelter now available.
Ideally located less than one mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Willville is set in an area that offers some of the best roads and scenery for the ultimate motorcycling experience.
The secluded campground sits within a 26 acre wooded park providing privacy from the main road while still offering easy access. The campground is designed for motorcycle traffic only, however, there is ample parking outside the campground (within the park) for those who wish to trailer their motorcycles.
Once in the campground, a sparkling mountain creek borders most of the shaded campsites. Individual grassy camping areas offer a comfortable and convenient location for tent setup. The sites also provide picnic tables and a nice level surface for those motorcyclists pulling trailers.
The large 770 square foot bathhouse facilities include six sinks, six showers and six toilets to get everyone off to an early start, with plenty of pressure and hot water. A spacious pavillion is available for group gatherings and cookouts.
At Willville you can chose a walk through the peaceful park, visit with the other campers or simply just relax. Plus, for exciting road trips and breath-taking scenery, don't forget about all of our fantastic roads for motorcycling.
At night gather at the group campfire to meet new friends and share your motorcycle adventures. Local attractions include Mabry's Mill, Chateau Morrisette Winery, Villa Appalachia Winery, Poor Farmer's Market, Tuggles Gap, live musicians at Floyd General Store, Virginia International Raceway, home of the AMA Superbike Nationals, the Floyd World Music Festival and many more points of interest.
Campground is open from Mid-April through October.
Willville is ideally located at the midpoint of The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive combined. Plan a trip to Willville and maximize your Blue Ridge experience.
$150 - $200 / night
'Possible Property' is exactly what it sounds like. Here, our family of six, has the beginnings of a freshly budding, 10+ acres homestead, surrounded by mature forest - maple, oak, birch, pine, and more - where anything is possible. We officially moved in on 01 July 2022 and already have established our rabbitry, heritage breed of chickens, and are currently working on building out an aviary for our home hatched quail. Feel free to come on down that way and take a look.
We allow wild foraging on the untouched land. Apple trees, allegheny blackberries, black & yellow raspberries, ground strawberries, and many other medicinal and wild edible plants can be found for your enjoyment and - of course - within season.
Here on 'Possible Property' we stress only a few key characteristics to life: We look for the GOODS. Good food, friends, and fun!
$30 - $45 / night
This campground overlooks the New River. There is no vehicular access to the campground. There is a short hike to the sites from the parking lot. There are 21 primitive tent camping sites. Note: This campground is 24 miles from Cliffview Campground.
All sites are timbered and marked. Each has a fire ring, lantern post, picnic table, access to the New River Trail and non-flush toilet. Drinking water is available. One site, MR012, is universally accessible and is reserved last if not required for a disabled camper. There is no life-guarded swimming. The New River's current is unpredictable and potentially dangerous; underwater hazards are possible.
Reservations are required. Same-day reservations are permitted. Campers must leave their confirmation letter on their dashboard for overnight parking. Campers will need access to a fax machine or need to pick up the letter at the Foster Falls office if there is insufficient time to receive the letter by mail.
Directions: From I-77, take Exit 24. Go east on State Route 69 to SR 52. Go north to SR 608. Go east and follow signs.
Number of sites of each type: Primitive Tent, 21
$20 - $25 / night
Primitive camping 10 feet from the New River. Access to indoor shower and indoor bathroom.
$50 / night
Floating Heaven is a treehouse site with a cabin. You can sleep in the small, zinc-roof-covered 'casita' or cabin, which can accommodate two adults and two (small) children. Or you can sleep on the deck platform in a hammock (we have one to rent), or a tent (bring your own or rent our 2- or 4-person tents). One platform is 10 x 10 ft. and the other is 10 x 12 ft. Eight trees pass through and support the platforms, situated 21 feet off the ground. A sturdy low-riser step leads you up (no climbing necessary). An acre of heavily forested trees and a meadow surround the site, which is not a primitive campground (i.e, far removed from civilization) but insulated from the town on the ex-urban perimeter. The term, floating heaven, refers to the tree-anchor bolts that allow the platforms to "float" when the tree canopies (60-80 feet tall) move in the wind.
We'll get you going with some kindling and a few logs; lots of down branches and tree trunks on the property for making a nice bonfire, or you can use a small fire pit (e-stove) for a cozier setting. We have tables, chairs, a very slow drip-camp shower (unheated), a biodegradable commode (one just for urinating), and a full biodegradable unit on the ground. There is a charcoal grill for your use at no charge. There is also a 3-outlet outlet for charging up your phones or using other electric devices. Ours is an ex-urban location; you are just two miles from Virginia Tech (5 minutes from Starbucks, and Mexican. pulled-pork, fast food, subs, and Thai restaurants) but you are nestled under a nice hardwood canopy. Its the best of all possible worlds.
R U L E S
1). Must arrive before sunset so we can show you around; after all, it is a treehouse and there are safety issues you should be apprised of.
2). You will forfeit your reservation if you arrive after 8 p.m without prior approval.
3). While 6 people is the maximum, the standard book rate includes 4 campers; additional campers over 12 years old should pay an extra $15 a person. Thus far, The Dyrt hasn't figured out how to pay for the fifth and sixth guests so be prepared to pay cash or via Venmo or Zelle.
4). Parents must take care that their children obey the safety features. There are trails around the property that are nicely graded and gravel-covered.
5). All electronics and loud conversation ends after 9 p.m.; sounds carry in the valley.
6). We recycle: two wastebaskets exist for trash and another for recyclables (aluminum, glass, cardboard, plastic). Please carry wastebaskets up and leave on the driveway. We'll separate and dispose of them.
7). A camping ethic to which we adhere is that you take out of the forest what you bring into it; be considerate. This is not a trailer park. Leave trash at the top of the driveway.
9.) We are proudly LGBTQ-friendly.
$55 - $80 / night
Paddle in primitive camping - 8 sites available
Located in Ashe and Alleghany counties 35 miles northeast of Boone, New River State Park covers seven accesses along this National Wild and Scenic River that flows north through three states. All accesses allow for launching kayaks and inner tubes to paddle or float along the shallow, gentle river. Paddle-in only campgrounds provide a remote experience. The hellbender — the largest salamander in the U.S. — and 14 species of rare and threatened plant species inhabit the New River valley.
$12 / night
For your New River and Blue Ridge Mountain experience, give us a call and come visit. We will accommodate your canoeing, kayaking, tubing, camping, and fishing needs, as well as much more! Located in Ashe and Alleghany Counties, North Carolina. We are just a short drive from Jefferson, West Jefferson, Sparta, Boone and Wilkesboro. Open April through October. Reservations or call ahead are strongly recommended. For a exciting and unique experience, come to Dusty Trails Outfitters.
$20 / night
Cliffview Campground (Carroll County near Galax) is a trailside campground with primitive tent camping only. It overlooks Chestnut Creek. Access is from the Dannelly Fitness Complex parking lot and across a footbridge (no direct vehicle access). Twelve primitive campsites are available. Note: This campground is 24 miles from the Millrace Campground.
All sites are timbered and marked. Each site has a fire ring, lantern post, picnic table, access to the New River Trail and non-flush toilet. Drinking water is available. One site, CV001, is universally accessible and is reserved last if not required for a disabled camper.
Reservations are required. Same-day reservations are permitted. Campers must leave their confirmation letter on their car's dashboard for overnight parking. Campers will need access to a fax machine or will need to pick up the letter at the Cliffview office if there is insufficient time to receive the letter by mail.
Running water at Cliffview Campground is shut off from November through March. Customers must bring water during that time.
Directions: Take State Route 58 to Galax. Go north on SR 887 to Cliffview Road (SR 721). Take SR 721 one-quarter of a mile and turn right onto Creekview Road. Go one mile to the Dannelly Complex. Cliffview Campground parking is on the right. Cross the footbridge into the campground.
Number of sites of each type: Primitive Tent, 12
Site types:
CV001-CV012: Site CV001 is universally accessible and is the last to be rented if not required by a disabled guest.
Campground map (PDF)
$20 / night
This campground is right by a highway so traffic noise is high but the views are nice. I was excited to have a lake view spot with electric but my 25 foot cord was not long enough so make sure you have atleast 50 feet. Also there was dog poo right by the electrical unit. The bathrooms are pretty far and you can also see a house very close to the site. The spot is nice on a platform with a grill and your own little beach area but it's not that private and that traffic noise was pretty disappointing
We were able to spend a couple of weeks enjoying the park. We stayed in one of the cabins after the high season. Comfortable and cozy, we really enjoyed our morning walks along the trails and lake. We spent one evening playing in the arcade room where I may currently hold the high score on one of the pinball machines and got to have lazy days around the park. We enjoyed the area so much! The staff was extremely friendly and helpful.
They are continuously improving the park love seeing what they are doing as they keep going.
From the first over the phone to the in person at the office, to even extending my stay by a day. I simply felt welcomed and wanted. Definitely would suggest! Definitely coming back!
I stayed on the “not great for kids” side. Camp host said the other part of the park was better for families and had easier trail inclines. I loved my spot. It was quieter than I expected given how close the camp sites were to each other.
Do not stay here!
Sex offenders & homeless people come knocking on your doors at night!
Corrupt & not safe!
Cracker Barrel across the street & lovely campgrounds off 81exit 84
Been eating mules on the interstate. This place beats the heck out of a Cracker Barrel. Called a couple of hours out. Got a primo site ( B-13) 30 amp. Full hookups This site is level. Note there is no late checking after 7:30 pm. Stormy night coming. Safe and sound here
GGreat location to Main Street, Galax and New River Trail park. Scenic location overlooking Chestnut Creek, clean Bathhouse, great price. No Picnic tables or firepits. Nearby roadway noise fades by dark. Would stay there agai n.
Best campground I’ve stayed at on a bike. Very welcoming, quiet and peaceful. Few small town stores about a mile away including gas. Nice bath houses with shower. We had a fire every night and good conversation. Great stop, 10/10 I will make a point to be back!
This is the most peaceful and quiet campground. The mountain and water views are stunning. Camp hosts are phenomenal! So glad we found them gem. Can’t wait to come back.
Staff were GREAT!! Very clean bathrooms and hot showers. Grounds were clean and well maintained. 50+ sites with 4 bathrooms scattered in campground and 2 host sites. Wildlife abundant.
THE TRAINS: HOLY HELL. The trains alone are reason enough not to camp here. Especially with a tent. Five trains between midnight and 5am. Every one of them blew the horn well past the crossing. This is not an exaggeration; it sounded like the trains were going to come through the tent. We might as well have been on the tracks themselves. We had to cover our 3yo daughters ears to keep her from getting scared awake during every train passing. The tent camping is closest to the tracks which makes zero sense to me as the RV's would be less subject to the noise and would block a lot of it from reaching the tents. The train schedule probably varies, but I assure you, it's not worth the roll of the dice. I would find somewhere else to camp, especially if you like the peace and quiet(which is a huge part of camping). I know this isn't really in their control, but it kind of is. They do mention that the trains do come through and that the guests don't usually mention it after the second night(probably because they leave after the first night LOL JK). They definitely sugar coat it. However, they need to have that in BOLD RED LETTERS"THE TRAINS ARE LOUD AS F**K". I would've just canceled the trip immediately and camped elsewhere. They need one of those huge sound blocking walls you see along the interstate. The Bathrooms: Bathrooms need work. The toilet seats are gross, the walls have mold on them, the shower curtains are piss yellow. All of which would cost around$80 to fix. Those are the"Campers Only" bathrooms. The"Tubing Showers" are basically a wooden shack with a pull string valve. Looks like something out of a horror film. Not sure why they even have them because the river will get you cleaner than those ever will. The River: The river is beautiful. Great views of the mountain sides. The views and fishing were the only saving grace. I was able to catch a small-mouth bass pretty quickly and missed a few others. The water ranges in depth, but nothing deeper than waste deep really. It's rocky and slippery so it's dangerous and not very family friendly. Especially for young children and older people. Honestly, my wife hated the river because it was so hard to move around. So while it looked nice and fished well, that was about it. Tubing: I didn't do the tubing, but I had family with me that did and they said it was NOT worth the money. The water level was said to be good for it, but they said they dragged their butts the majority of the way. I also think that their base level tubes they rent out are not enough to keep you high enough out of the water. They look like inner tubes from some sort of truck and they are not beefy enough for this application, you'll just droop through the middle. If you do tube, bring your own river tube or rent the premium versions with the bottom sewn in. The People: The people were very nice to us during our short stay. This was a non-issue. However, I think they should worry less about the grass and more about the amenities getting updated(build a new bathhouse building). For Young Kids: Nothing really available for younger kids to play on. No playgrounds or anything other than a few ride around toys and a basketball hoop. They have plenty of room for an awesome playground for much younger kids, but I don't think that's their focus. Conclusion: Would I ever stay at New River Junction again? Absolutely not. For me, camping is about getting away from the noise and my house is quieter than this place and I live on a busy street. The trains are awful for tent camping and I'm sure the thin-walled travel trailers too. Had it not been for the trains, the place would have been okay, but even the good parts weren't that great. I didn't set this trip up, a family member did. I'll never let her live this one down lol. Don't let the positive reviews mislead you. The majority of the reviews are from people there just for tubing. In all my years of tent camping, this was the worst trip I've ever had.
Dyrt says $40-$42. Price now is $56. Decent place. Easy on off off IH77. Prefer this to most KOA’s for value. Nice, tree filled sites, clean and well lighted shower rooms, rural setting, but near a city. Definitely would recommend.
Our family recently had an excellent experience camping at Goose Point Campground. Nestled along Philpott Lake, the campground offers stunning views and a tranquil atmosphere. The well-maintained, spacious campsites provided privacy and convenient water & electric hookups for our camper.
We enjoyed a variety of activities, including swimming, fishing, and jet skiing on the lake, as well as hiking on nearby trails. The clean facilities and friendly, helpful staff made our stay even more enjoyable.
Overall, Goose Point Campground is perfect for both a peaceful retreat and lake life adventure. Highly recommended!
We’ve camped at Stone Mountain multiple times over the years. We tent-camped when my boys were small. Most recently in our RV (3-4 times in the past three years). It is a great park. The hiking is excellent. The campsites are large and spacious. The park is well-kept. Make sure you hike to the top. The views are great, and you can spend time at the Homestead farm in the valley below.
We camped here this past weekend and enjoyed it once again. We were at site 56. It is an excellent site on the stream, with no site immediately next to you, so there is lots of privacy. The firepit, picnic table, water, and electricity are all great. We had limited cell service for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. We could send and receive text messages, but coverage was very spotty.
We will be back again in the Fall.
Almost all have shade large % of day. Full hook-ups. No campfires. Extremely clean. Only 20 sites. Walk to trail/river . Great little steakhouse Thursday to weekend. Supplies slim in Fries area. Cvs/Dollar General. Tom, owner is the best.
Utt’s Campground is the hidden gem of VA! Not a fast paced family resort. But a calm quiet place to sit back, relax, feel the mountain breeze. We love it here. We stayed here from May to November. The monthly rates are super reasonable.
The campground, paths, and bathrooms were very clean. Beautiful views at Rock Falls. If we didn't have our dogs with us we would have done hikes longer than 4 miles.
nice little free campground with about 5 sites with grill fire rings level gravel drive with tent pad and lantern pole, restrooms but I didn't use them well water pump for drinking water but didn't use it, quiet, few people in and out I stayed just shy of 2 weeks and 1 other came in a few days after me and stayed the whole time I was there and both of us worked on our rv without any disturbances. trail right through the campground and the Apalation trail just across the road
there is a lake , I'm guessing it's a public lake due to the fact its outside the campground, I paid for a elec./water site and said if it's in the sun it's a bonus, the picnic table and site and the one above me have sun, however my solar panels do not, now if you want water and elec. you either need a 50' hose or extention cord because they are on opposite ends of the pull through , which I forgot to pay for one that might have been closer to level than a bowling ball. still haven't found the dumpster or a garbage can for that matter , pool is not included , again I'm guessing public.it was entertaining watching a poor fella with 2 young boys walk around for 30 minutes looking for their site, I'm in #41 and if you're so lucky to get thus spot , don't follow the signs telling you where the #'ed sites are because we're next to #53 and not in the 40's at all , we are however right next to the shower room ... I'll update my review after I explore thar situation tonight. it got 2 stars because so far it is peacefull with no other campers around, they probably learned their lesson their first stay too. $75.×× for 2 nights eventhough it says $30 a night. taxes must be killer here in Virginia. if it didn't rain everyday I been here and my batteries weren't hurting so badly I'd of just boondocked it another week in this gorgeous national forest for free. PS. don't bother with firewood on site #41 there's no ring. Update after shower, well I think I got Athletes foot just by looking inside, cold unfinished concrete floor, no mirror no hooks no shelf a very small bench and a trash can and on the floor what I could only describe as a rubber webbed mat you would usually see inside a garage. the water temp was OK for me but i enjoy a cold shower every now and again , there's only 2 settings ...yup on and off couple spiders got to watch me get dysentery but they were friendly. now back at camp enjoying the sweet smell of bathroom. yay. the showers and toilets are individual rooms with a rusty slide latch lock. dirty but I can only speak for the two I went into (the first shower door didn't shut) but I'd assume they're all pretty much the same. Definitely not worth $76
On the Blue Ridge Parkway, nestled in the trees and mountains of North Carolina, this campground has been well maintained. Sites are ample but the asphalt pads were designed for shorter travel trailers, but include an extra pad for the tow vehicle. Many of the sites have upgraded concrete pads for the picnic table and built-in fire pits. There are no showers in the trailer (RV) loop, but does include a couple comfort station with flush toilets. Campground hosts were helpful and friendly. Sites are split between first come first serve and reservations. Payment at kiosk by credit card only.
Great spot, private, with good running water hot showers and flush toilets. Picnic table and fire ring with grate, the creek by our site was so nice and bubbling. Every spot was private and maintained. Absolutely no issues and was worth the $20, easy check in, self check out. Felt very safe here despite it being remote
We went late April on a weekend. The place was pretty packed. I think many people from Raleigh and Winston Salem come here because it's so close. We stayed until Monday, most of the people left on Sunday and Monday it was fairly empty. The park has 5 waterfalls I believe. Some are shorter hikes but almost all the hikes involve a steep hill climb of stairs. We got our workout in seeing all the sites. The bathhouses seemed kind of dated, the showers were very small with even smaller doors that didn't leave much to the imagination. You could see everything from chest up and knees down. They gave you hooked to hang your things outside the door but that would involve being naked in front of everyone to retrieve your things. We had a camper so I used my own shower. Most of the sites are small and very close together. They do control burns often so there isn't any bushes giving you privacy. I'd suggest going during the week when there is less people. We stayed in site 11 because it was one of the few long enough for our 25ft camper. No hook ups or dump stations.
Booked Matthew's place for a last minute getaway to disconnect for a couple of days and it was perfect. You can tell Matthew takes very good care of his place and prides himself on providing us campers a memorable experience. Very tranquil along the water and Charlotte my GSP spent all day wearing herself out between the field chasing birds and her ball and up and down the creek. Opt in for the firewood and grill, it's totally worth it. Upon arrival there was no firewood so I messaged Matthew and a quick response back from Matthew and he had a friend show up with an F150 load of wood to use within the hour. I missed his name, but he was a really nice guy and stopped by the following day to make sure everything was okay and to ensure I had plenty of wood to use. We will definitely be back soon. Thank you again Matthew for letting us experience your property.
Saw $44 per night on website. Was charged $54 when I showed up.
Our favorite KOA yet. Beautiful campground, nestled into forest with pines, deciduous trees, and native Rhododendron. Beautiful. Clean sites and facilities. Just off 77 not far from Roanoke. Would stay here again!
We've stayed here twice now, and plan on staying again whenever we're passing through. Women's side of bathhouse could use an update but it's clean and well maintained. This is a small place and was mostly full in early April. Some of the sites are very small but we've chosen we'll both visits. Site 3 has a nice amount of space and is waterside. There's no cell service but they upgraded the WiFi and it's very good. This campground is miles from anywhere so make sure you have what you need or the trip into town will take a while
I stayed by myself and felt very safe in the beautiful, wooded campgrounds. Everything was very well taken care of and my camp spot was good as well when I did my spot check before and after leaving. The park has so many perks- waterfalls, hanging rock views, what seems like endless trails for hiking, and really nice cool weather when I go to the mountains.
Tent camping near Ararat, Virginia offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ararat, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ararat, VA is Willville Motorcycle Camp with a 4.7-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Ararat, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 tent camping locations near Ararat, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.