Tent campsites near Arrington, Virginia offer primitive to moderately developed options across varying terrain. The area sits at approximately 750 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-80s and winter lows frequently below freezing. Primitive sites in the region often feature established fire rings and compact parking areas but rarely offer amenities like water spigots or electrical connections.
What to do
Paddle the James River: Breeden Bottom Campground provides direct river access for water activities. "The James river is perfect for kayaking/SUP/canoeing and even swimming, nice and calm," reports one camper at Breeden Bottom Campground.
Stargaze at night: Rural camping areas with minimal light pollution create ideal conditions for astronomy. "The night sky was amazing. You could see stars for miles," notes a visitor at Walnut Grove. Another camper recommends, "The beat place for star gazing! Just ask for a telescope (free at the store) and stare up at the sky for hours!"
Fish near your tent: Many campsites offer fishing opportunities without lengthy hikes. "Our site was RIGHT on the river. It was peaceful and private... Great fishing," shares a reviewer about Breeden Bottom Campground. The crystal clear water supports various fishing spots accessible directly from riverside campsites.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many Arrington area campgrounds feature well-spaced sites. At Breeden Bottom Campground, "Sites are extremely private and spaced out; we couldn't see or hear anyone." This spacing provides a sense of solitude even when the campground is busy.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse maintenance receives positive mentions. "The bathhouse looked like it was fairly new. Loved that the showers were individual stalls accessed on the outside of the bathhouse," notes a camper at Walnut Grove. Another reviewer at Canoe Landing Group Campsite mentions, "Site was super clean and short walk to the bathhouse that was pristine."
Shade availability: Tree cover helps manage summer heat. "Our site had a little trail down to the water," mentions a camper at Breeden Bottom. Another camper at Canoe Landing notes, "The campsites are far away from each other. Everything was very clean and taken care of. Our tents were very close to the lake."
What you should know
Train noise: Railroad tracks parallel some camping areas. A Breeden Bottom camper reports, "The train was loud at times, but we knew that would happen when we booked the site, so no surprises there." Plan your campsite location accordingly if you're sensitive to nighttime noise.
Access challenges: Some sites require significant effort to reach. At Hog Camp Gap, a camper advises, "The campground is roughly the size of a Walmart parking lot including the store or three football fields you do have to carry all the stuff from your car do the campsite but luckily you don't have to walk too far."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between camping areas. At Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812, a camper notes, "No cell service(T-Mobile), but if I drove towards the main road, Route 501, I could get some service." This affects emergency communications and navigation.
Tips for camping with families
Water safety precautions: River and lake access points vary in depth and current strength. A camper at Canoe Landing Group Campsite warns, "We only stopped here for an afternoon, but it was a very cool park with a mile jogging trail, some small rock climbing areas, and access to swim in the James River... Note though-- would be careful swimming with children. Most areas are very calm but the river can get rapid at times!"
Farm animal interaction: Some private campgrounds offer animal encounters. At Cloverdale Farms, guests can enjoy "pet goats, cats, a dog, and chickens that all love attention. Guests are more than welcome to help in the garden, pick flowers, and enjoy fresh produce and eggs while they're here."
Early morning noise: Natural sounds start early. A Cloverdale Farms camper mentions, "The sounds of nature and farm animals surround you round the clock. Fyi the rooster is an early (and persistent!) riser!" Prepare children for these wake-up calls with appropriate bedtimes.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: The Arrington area primarily caters to tent camping with few dedicated RV sites. At Lynchburg KOA, a visitor notes, "Sites are huge and level. It's quiet and peaceful, and the surrounding area is gorgeous." This campground offers one of the few options with RV hookups in the region.
Camp host assistance: Staff can provide essential local information. At Canoe Landing, "The camp hosts were super friendly and informative on trails as well as assisting with fishing spots. They routinely monitored all the campsites for any issues and brought bundles of wood that were cheap to purchase and burned wonderfully."
Wildlife precautions: Food storage requirements vary between sites. Consider bringing secure containers, as a camper at Canoe Landing mentions, "Great site along with site #5—both are premo paddle-in-only camping spots on the water and have a small beach front to tie up your vessels. Picnic table, fire ring and a very large metal storage cabinet to keep any would-be vermin out of your food."
