179 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The mountainous landscape surrounding Atkins, Virginia provides camping options ranging from primitive sites to full-service RV parks within the Blue Ridge foothills. Hungry Mother State Park offers both Royal Oak and Camp Burson campgrounds with a variety of accommodation types including cabins, RV sites with hookups, and tent camping areas. Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, approximately 25 miles south of Atkins, provides free dispersed camping along creeks, while several established campgrounds like Grindstone Recreation Area and Hurricane Campground offer alternatives for those seeking more developed facilities.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability throughout the region, with many established sites operating from April through October. The Mount Rogers area maintains consistent popularity among hikers and mountain bikers due to its extensive trail systems, including the Virginia Creeper Trail and proximity to the Appalachian Trail. Cell service remains limited in mountainous areas, particularly within the Jefferson and George Washington National Forests where dispersed camping is permitted. Most developed campgrounds near Atkins feature drinking water and toilets, while dispersed sites require self-sufficiency. A review noted that "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."
Campgrounds along waterways receive particularly high ratings from visitors, with sites near Hungry Mother Lake and various creeks being especially popular. Several established campgrounds provide electric hookups and shower facilities, making them suitable for both tent campers and RVers seeking more amenities. The Virginia Creeper Trail attracts many visitors to the region, with convenient camping options positioned near trail access points. A camper described one area as having "multiple free national forest camping spots along the creek, just off Hwy 58. The sound of the creek seemed to drown out all road noise." Wildlife viewing opportunities include the wild ponies at Grayson Highlands State Park, approximately 30 miles southwest of Atkins, where campers can access multiple hiking trails directly from the campground.
"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"
from $27 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"This was our first visit to a Virginia State Park and we were impressed."
"Has multiple pull through sites, bath house and laundry close by. We were there during off season so some of the park was closed and they collected payment through honor system."
from $37 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, there are multiple free national forest camping spots along the creek, just off Hwy 58. The sound of the creek seemed to drowned out all road noise."
"Free spot, right next to a gorgeous creek. It was totally empty in March - we didn’t see a single soul. Got a beautiful campsite right on the creek."
"Amazing little campground in the heart of Mount Rogers recreational area in Western Virginia. Wonderful fall colors crisp, clean, mountain air was totally the best!"
"This camp ground is located well off any main roads under a nice quiet canopy of Hemlocks and Laurel trees. Easy walking distance to several well maintained and very clean outhouses."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Doesn’t get much more relaxing, electric, water hook-ups and a short drive to downtown Damascus VA.. AT, Virginia Creeper, White Top Mountain and Mount Rogers all near by."
"We like to hike and there are TONS of trails in this area. One trail leaves directly from the campground and will bring you to the top of Mt. Rogers, also intersecting with the Appalachian Trail."
from $24 - $36 / night
Check Availability"I'm not positive what size rig this campground says can be here, but the biggest of big would be able to navigate the roads and the sites are wide or long or both."
"Close to highway and easy dump station/water station across the street."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Easy exit off Rt 81, with several truck stops/gas stations at the exit to fill up. The roads are a bit hilly going into the campground, but we didn’t experience any issues."
"We stayed here for 1 night, to break up an 8-hour drive home from points south. The facility is very well maintained, the staff is very friendly and the location was convenient (1 mile off of 81)."
from $50 - $170 / night
Check Availability"Raccoon is the trailhead for a 2 1/2 mile one way trail TO THE TOP. There is some awesome overlooks and scary drop offs. It’s well worth the climb!"
from $20 - $27 / night
Check Availability"The lake is amazing. hey have canoes, paddle boards and kayaks. Pretty quick at night and the kids around the around rode bikes for ever! The wifi did not work."
from $37 / night
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LegendI loved my experience. I got spot 6 which back right next to a creek. It was really peaceful. The shower facilities were clean though did smell a bit like mildew. There was no signal in the park itself but signal really close by incase of emergency.
TravelerCamped here Aug 7-11. What a great place; the hosts were fantastic and the people were very friendly. If craft beer is what you like there are four (Im sure there is more) interesting breweries within 30 miles. There are also trails to take if you are a jeepster like myself. I'm going back in Sept!
TravelerI was the only one at the campsite other than two semipermanent RV trailers. It was quiet, clean, and remote. Tent sites cool under nice tree cover. Elevation was great and views were as at our home in north Georgia.
I was camping in a rooftop tent and the ground was adequately level, not muddy, and marked OK, with minimal detraction from the beauty of nature. Had picnic table.
Might have been nice to have an electric outlet close enough to run my extension cord, but I was minimalist camping with a Bluetti power storage unit, DC refrigerator, and my own water supply.
The bathroom facilities were minimal, but adequate. The showering area could have been a little more inviting, perhaps, but again, I didn't use them anyway.
I would stay again, especially if they were situated between me and my ultimate destination as they met my short-stay needs.
Ron
TravelerWe spent a Friday and Saturday night at site 23, which is a great spot. This is a spot for a smaller camper and has water and power only. The plug for power is a little further away than usual, so if you are plugging in to power you may need an extended cord. It’s a short walk to the bath house, which was well maintained. The dog walking area was spacious and also very clean. They also have a washer and dryer on site for laundry.
ScoutNice quiet campground about 1.9 miles out of boone NC. Lots to do here family friendly and pets freindly. Worth the stop.
ScoutThe campground is beautiful and extremely well maintained. The entire staff is friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Very quiet, adjoins the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the small community of Fancy Gap is interesting.
GuideIt was a long day of travel for me anyways. I arrived around 17:15 and the ranger was nowhere to be seen. Honor system was full out the form and pay cash before you go find your site.
This place is better for tent campers and those with rigs 20ft and under. Our 30ft bumper-pull was no match for the narrow sites due to trees. Most sites were not level either. As advertised, no sewer hook-up, and bring at least a 50ft hose for water…better yet, bring a 100ft hose and an additional splitter. The birds were nice to hear. It was quiet throughout the night also, mainly because there were only about 10 campers in the whole park (it holds about 78).
The bathhouses were clean and bright; but only shower curtains for doors on the toilets—reminded me of my deployment to Afghanistan.
Fuel…the hill to get in and out of the park is very steep! And if you spend time trying to fit your rig into any site you might think you can fit into but can’t, you’re going to need enough fuel to make it to the next gas station! If your rig is longer than 30ft and it’s not a 5th wheel, look elsewhere.
Personally, I won’t be stopping here again. The overall park was nice; but for $20/night, it wasn’t worth the stress.
TravelerThe lake is so beautiful if you catch it at the right time of day it’s like l looking into a mirror dimension because it’s so clear.
TravelerBeautiful decor and extremely clean interior. The bed is very comfortable and linens are crisp and inviting. You can tell they don't harsh products because your skin is not itchy. The kitchen accommodations are perfect for a family with refrigerator, microwave and gas grill included with every cabin. The jacuzzi tub is a nice touch. Plenty of towels and even robes to use!
The rocking chairs on the back porch allow you to sip coffee, while watching trout swim in Chestnut Creek. The exteriors are clean as well. The grounds are natural and well maintained. There is also a nice common area with chairs and a firepit with wood to use.
The staff was pleasant and helpful.
We went to the local movie theater and a splash pad and park for the kids in town. The downtown 4th of July parade was wonderful! We rode the Blue Ridge Parkway which is very close by and enjoyed live music at the Blue Ridge Music Center. The cabins are about 30 minutes to Mt. Airy (Mayberry). Local antiques, coffee shops, specialty stores are abundant. Car Shiws on Thursday monthly downtown and BINGO at the Moose Lodge here in Galax is the best which is on Tuesdays. If you are an antique lover or picker don't miss my favorites, many in downtown Galax and a couple coffee shops and make sure you go to "Nest and Hive" in Fancy Gap and "The River House And Home Company" in Hillsville. You won't regret it!
I've been coming here for 20 years and will 20 more. The mountains are calling!
Camping options near Atkins, Virginia include sites from primitive forest locations to modern campgrounds with full amenities. The region sits within the Blue Ridge foothills at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 3,500 feet, creating cool summer temperatures typically 5-10 degrees below nearby lowlands. Seasonal rainfall peaks in spring and fall, with sudden mountain storms common from April through October.
Hiking Mount Rogers: This highest point in Virginia reaches 5,729 feet and offers multiple trail access points within 30 miles of Atkins. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area provides trail access where "We were very lucky to obtain a perfect spot on the top of Mount Roger's during our section hike of the AT. It provided amazing views for both sun up and sun down and was a great place for pictures."
Trout fishing: Several stocked streams run through campgrounds in the region, offering fishing opportunities without traveling far from camp. At Raccoon Branch Campground, anglers can access the "trailhead for a 2 1/2 mile one way trail TO THE TOP. There is some awesome overlooks and scary drop offs. It's well worth the climb!"
Virginia Creeper Trail: This 34-mile rail-trail connects Damascus to Abingdon with gentle grades suitable for casual cyclists. Multiple companies offer bike rentals and shuttle services to Whitetop Mountain for a downhill ride. "Within 3 miles of these spots along the creek, 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."
Creek-side camping: Many campsites throughout Jefferson National Forest feature creek access, providing natural white noise and cooling effects during summer. "Free spot, right next to a gorgeous creek. It was totally empty in March - we didn't see a single soul. Got a beautiful campsite right on the creek. There's lots of gorgeous spots on this stretch of road."
Clean bathrooms: Multiple campgrounds maintain above-average bathroom facilities despite remote locations. At Stony Fork Campground, "The bathrooms were clean. The camp host directed us to where we could buy firewood. The wood was dry and seasoned, and the gentleman gave us some sites to check out."
Hiking from campsites: Several campgrounds connect directly to hiking trail networks without requiring driving to trailheads. "Raccoon is the trailhead for a 2 1/2 mile one way trail TO THE TOP. There is some awesome overlooks and scary drop offs. It's well worth the climb! Once your done hiking you can relax in the campground which has a choice of primitive or electric sites."
Cell service limitations: Coverage becomes minimal throughout the Jefferson National Forest area. At Hurricane Campground, visitors should "be sure to have everything squared away before entering the park! Extremely clean sites with designated tent areas. Showers are also warm one on each side of the campground."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter options. "Opening delayed in 2021 because of difficulty getting a campground host, but volunteers had been clearing and cutting wood, stacking it at the campsite. Another volunteer group had recently done some restoration along the riverbank."
Water restrictions: Several campgrounds have recurring water system issues. "There was a problem with the well, and we were advised to be careful about how much water we used." Be prepared with extra water containers, especially during peak summer months.
Look for campgrounds with play areas: Several locations offer dedicated recreation spaces for children. Deer Trail Park Campground provides "a babbling brook that the kids can wade in. There is literally something for everyone. Playgrounds, Noah's Ark, a clean heated pool, a game room and a beautiful catch and release pond."
Consider tent platforms: At Hungry Mother State Park, "All campsites are on platforms, which makes it very nice to set up your stuff. The sites have the usual amenities like a picnic bench and table, a firepit, and a lantern pole." These elevated platforms keep tents dry during rain.
Pack for temperature changes: Mountain elevations can bring significant temperature drops at night, even in summer. "It rained for 12 hours straight with cold, high winds...so it was a bit chilly, but still enjoyable." Bring extra layers even for summer camping trips.
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds feature a mix of sunny and shaded sites. At Grindstone Recreation Area, "The roads are all in good condition, the bathrooms and showers are good. There is a .6 mile trail nearby (Whispering Waters Trail) which is good for beginners & small kids."
Check road conditions: Access roads to several campgrounds include narrow, winding mountain roads that challenge larger RVs. "This campground has a long and steep paved road going to it from up the mountain. We really enjoyed going up and down each time, it's nothing to be scared of!"
Overhanging tree branches: Several campgrounds need occasional maintenance. "The tree branches along the road in the cg could use a good trim in a couple of places." RVers with taller units should scout sites before committing to a particular campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Atkins, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Atkins, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 179 campgrounds and RV parks near Atkins, VA and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Atkins, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Atkins, VA is Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 42 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Atkins, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Atkins, VA.
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