Best Tent Camping near Atkins, VA

Looking for an adventure where you can explore Atkins and then fall asleep in your tent? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Atkins. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Atkins, VA (37)

    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Bear Mountain Camp
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Bear Mountain Camp
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Bear Mountain Camp
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Bear Mountain Camp
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Bear Mountain Camp
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Bear Mountain Camp

    1. Blue Bear Mountain Camp

    24 Reviews
    127 Photos
    46 Saves
    Todd, North Carolina

    Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers year round camping experiences for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Car accessible tent and RV sites in a natural setting. Hike in sites for those looking for a little more adventure and privacy. Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals for guests wanting a rustic, mountain getaway while staying in comfort. Located just 8 miles north of Boone, NC on over 150 acres of pristine mountain land, miles of hiking trails, a trout pond and spacious low density sites allow the guest to get away from it all in a rustic, remote setting. In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At 4,000 feet elevation, come enjoy cool mountain breezes and mild temperatures. Blue Bear Mountain is a scenic location for large events such as weddings, corporate events and family reunions. Come Get away from it all at Blue Bear Mountain!

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $25 - $136 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Scales Trailhead Basecamp
    Camper-submitted photo from Scales Trailhead Basecamp
    Camper-submitted photo from Scales Trailhead Basecamp
    Camper-submitted photo from Scales Trailhead Basecamp
    Camper-submitted photo from Scales Trailhead Basecamp
    Camper-submitted photo from Scales Trailhead Basecamp
    Camper-submitted photo from Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
    Camper-submitted photo from Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
    Camper-submitted photo from Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
    Camper-submitted photo from Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
    Camper-submitted photo from Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
    Camper-submitted photo from Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
    Camper-submitted photo from Chestnut Knob Shelter, Appalachian Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Chestnut Knob Shelter, Appalachian Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Chestnut Knob Shelter, Appalachian Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Chestnut Knob Shelter, Appalachian Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Chestnut Knob Shelter, Appalachian Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from New River Alleghany Access Primitive Paddle-in — New River State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from New River Alleghany Access Primitive Paddle-in — New River State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from New River Alleghany Access Primitive Paddle-in — New River State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from New River Alleghany Access Primitive Paddle-in — New River State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from New River Alleghany Access Primitive Paddle-in — New River State Park

    5. New River Alleghany Access Primitive Paddle-in — New River State Park

    3 Reviews
    5 Photos
    1 Save
    Mouth of Wilson, Virginia

    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.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Picnic Table

    $12 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Cavitts Creek Park

    6. Cavitts Creek Park

    3 Reviews
    1 Photo
    21 Saves
    North Tazewell, Virginia
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $11 - $79 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Millrace Campground — New River Trail State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Millrace Campground — New River Trail State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Millrace Campground — New River Trail State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Millrace Campground — New River Trail State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Millrace Campground — New River Trail State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Millrace Campground — New River Trail State Park

    7. Millrace Campground — New River Trail State Park

    5 Reviews
    63 Photos
    25 Saves
    Austinville, Virginia

    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

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Trash

    $20 - $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Dusty Trails Outfitters
    Camper-submitted photo from Dusty Trails Outfitters
    Camper-submitted photo from Dusty Trails Outfitters
    Camper-submitted photo from Dusty Trails Outfitters
    Camper-submitted photo from Dusty Trails Outfitters
    Camper-submitted photo from Dusty Trails Outfitters

    8. Dusty Trails Outfitters

    2 Reviews
    20 Photos
    45 Saves
    Scottville, North Carolina

    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.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group

    $20 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Riverside Canoe and Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Riverside Canoe and Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Riverside Canoe and Campground

    9. Riverside Canoe and Campground

    1 Review
    3 Photos
    21 Saves
    Crumpler, North Carolina
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Cabins

    $25 - $55 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from New River Yacht Club
    Camper-submitted photo from New River Yacht Club
    Camper-submitted photo from New River Yacht Club
    Camper-submitted photo from New River Yacht Club

    10. New River Yacht Club

    1 Review
    4 Photos
    6 Saves
    Fries, Virginia

    Primitive camping 10 feet from the New River. Access to indoor shower and indoor bathroom.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Trash
    • Firewood Available

    $50 / night

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Showing results 1-10 of 37 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews in Atkins

693 Reviews of 37 Atkins Campgrounds


  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Sportsman Campground
    Dec. 4, 2024

    Sportsman Campground

    Washed out by Hurricane Helene

    This campground was pretty much washed out by Hurricane Helene.  It apparently was owned by the family that owns the gas station on site.  The gas station was flooded out and will need to be completely rebuilt.

    The dirt under the campground remains and there are a few campers here still despite there being no more services available.  Two tents were set up.  One had a generator.  One trailer was here.  The water level is down now but there's still debris that needs cleaning up.  The roads were not washed out so this is still a fairly easy to access site being it is right off I-81.

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Ridge RV Resort
    Nov. 18, 2024

    Lake Ridge RV Resort

    SO MUCH FUN!

    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.

  • Chad M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Observation Knob Park
    Nov. 12, 2024

    Observation Knob Park

    Beautiful Views & Friendly

    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. Highly recommend!

  • Mateo M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Scales Trailhead Basecamp
    Nov. 5, 2024

    Scales Trailhead Basecamp

    Fun, adventure, friendship

    My partner and I took our dog on a quick impromptu weekend trip, we drove about 2 hours. Once reaching the off road trail my partner got nervous, feeling as if our Forrester wouldn’t make it up. My advice… come prepared. I got. Flat on the way up and was able to make it to my campsite. The campground was well kept, well placed, not to mention the next morning part of the crew that maintains the area helped us fix our flat. Some of the other campers introduced themselves and were extremely friendly and helpful. Some had been camping there for 40yrs. The fire pits are well built and there is plenty of kindling and tinder to find right off the trails. If you’re comping at night time and want a fire bring a starter log. This time of year the wood was a little damp as we arrived late. Other than that bring plenty of water there are creeks and running water around but no running water at the sites, if you’re a must have shower person bring a shower bag. The sights were magical and the salt lick for the ponies wasn’t far so if you’re looking for a weekend getaway with great sites, a little adventure and a whole lot of beauty this campground is for you. This will definitely become a frequent for my partner and I

  • Anna S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park
    Oct. 29, 2024

    Blue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park

    Simple but sufficient - great location with miles of trails!

    All 12 non-electric sites appeared to have fire ring, picnic table, trash can, flat parking area. They did vary a bit in size. I was there on Friday and Saturday and there were no more than 4 other sites occupied. I was surprised that the bathrooms had running water! Overall, everything was quiet and relaxing. Some traffic from people driving by, but not bad at this time of year. It was delightful falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the creek! There are miles and miles of trails, I hiked 16 and only encountered 1 couple. The other campgrounds in the park have more amenities, too.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Valley WMA
    Oct. 23, 2024

    Hidden Valley WMA

    Peaceful and Pretty

    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. Camping is free, technically. (you need to purchase an Access pass from Virginia Wildlife for 4 dollars online, and add a camping authorisation to your account). The road was clear of Hurricane damage and very easy to get to. Would stay again!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Blue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park

    Peaceful now but....

    One of three campgrounds in Camp Creek State Park; this is the primitive one (the other two are a horse camp and a developed one with hookups). Most sites are on the creek, but the road runs right past them. On a weekday in the fall, the road was very quiet, but I imagine that in the summer when carloads of people head to Campbell Falls, it would be a different story and would take away from the peacefulness of the campground. 

    This campground would not be suitable for large RVs, but our campervan fit just fine in the mostly level (but rooty) sites, Obviously, good for tents. 

    There are two vault toilets – one for women and one for men. They were in reasonably clean condition. 

    Campbell Falls is just down the road from the campground and there is access to many hiking trails.

    No one other than us was there on a weekday in mid-October so it was very peaceful and quiet.

  • Alda M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Old Cranks Campground and RV Park
    Sep. 14, 2024

    Old Cranks Campground and RV Park

    Good value

    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.

  • Eleanor the Airstream R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Observation Knob Park
    Sep. 9, 2024

    Observation Knob Park

    Waterfront camping

    Large County campground with electric and water with two pump out stations. spacious, hilly sites with some tree coverage along lake with boat ramp and capacity to tie your boat up at your site.

    Recommend a surge protector on your camper as there are no breakers on the electric hook up at the site (clustered elsewhere).

    Stayed here for a National water dog competition and the beach area was perfect for our group.

  • Betsy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Stony Fork Campground
    Sep. 6, 2024

    Stony Fork Campground

    Well maintained and quiet

    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.

  • Hazel S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Glen Lyn Town Park & Campground
    Sep. 5, 2024

    Glen Lyn Town Park & Campground

    Campground

    Cute place off the freeway with water access and a playground, 6 mile hiking trail to waterfall and not far from town. There is a train station nearby and the trains are loud. They come by every now and then night and day, they do live music some nights and church gatherings where a man basically yells all night long. Lots of freeway noise so the nightly fee is kinda stupid considering you won't get any sleep if you stay here. The river is super planted so I wouldn't swim here either sadly.. and the showers have NO water presser yet you gotta pay for a bathroom key otherwise there's porta-potties by the dumpster.

  • Betsy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Valley WMA
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Hidden Valley WMA

    Great peaceful place

    Dispersed camping free permit with Va wildlife, fishing, or use permit up to 14 days. Porta Jon available at campground and boat dock. Plenty of dead wood for fires. Trash cans available. Rocks for fire pits and no tables.

  • Betsy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Tumbling Creek
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Little Tumbling Creek

    Beautiful and peaceful

    Laurel bed lake at top is beautiful. Waterfalls on way up and good fishing along the way in tumbling creek. Flat field area for camping on way. Several spots by creek for van or tent camping.

  • Jay N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Scales Trailhead Basecamp
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Scales Trailhead Basecamp

    Isolated & wonderful!

    We've been going to Scales for several years now, & it's one of the few places we keep revisiting! Yes, the road in is rocky (& not short...probly 45 mins from the road to the campground), but anything with Subaru Outback ground clearance will be fine.

    The campground itself is great! It's right on the AT, so there are lots of through hikers that you'll see stop in for a night. That also means that there's lots of great hiking options! Our favorite parts are the beautiful views, wild ponies, & it's (usually) relatively quiet!

    Additionally, there are a lot of fire pits& there are pit toilets.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Chiswell RV Park
    Aug. 11, 2024

    Fort Chiswell RV Park

    New Price

    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.

  • Tomas R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gentrys Landing
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Gentrys Landing

    Nice but noisy

    The site is nice, tent stakes went in easily, and the shower is close by, clean and has hot water. The people running this are also very nice. The issue though is the highway the camp is next to, and the railroad across the river. The train do use it every other hour and do use their brakes and horns.

  • David M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cavitts Creek Park
    Jul. 22, 2024

    Cavitts Creek Park

    Not suitable for motorcycle tent camping, wouldn't stay again

    Most campground reviews are from the RV crowd.  This is from the tent camper perspective, particularly motorcycle tent camping.  The roads/lanes in the park are paved, but otherwise where you would ride are lousy for motorcycles.  The "gravel" parking lot from the road to the office and in the RV/electric loop is more like rocks, and you stand a good chance of dropping your bike.  Park your bike on the asphalt drive and walk up to the office.  In addition, the tent parking spots are sloped upwards with some very slick crushed rock and are challenging for a motorcycle.  The office closes at 5 (4 on Sunday and probably Saturday) and there is no campground map posted to see where the tent camping area is. They have copies of the campground map in the office and I suggested they put one on the outside of the office door so people arriving after they close have a map to view.   The tent camping (primitive) is off a paved lane a lot further down the hill past the office.  The sign for the lane says primitive.  Straight up at the top of the hill for that lane is site 6 which is somewhat acceptable for motorcycle parking although you are not going to get good enough of a cell signal there to use any internet apps. You might get one bar to make calls or text.   At the top of that hill, take a left and go up a steep hill to the shower house and where sites 1 &2 are at.  At sites 1&2 and outside the shower house you can get a good enough signal (2 bars) to use internet apps.  The campground does have an open wifi, but it doesn't reach to the tent camping sites.  They should add some directional antennas to extend to that area.  Sites 1&2 are best for motorcycles if you can reserve one of them.  2 has a wide enough turn around that you could easily park a group of motorcycles there.  When you check in you are assigned a 4 digit code to unlock the shower house doors.  If you arrive after hours you'll have to ask another camper if they'll share their code with you like we had to.  Don't bother trying to call the campground number after hours to check in or ask for a code because you'll just their voicemail.  Bring a hammer or find a rock to hammer your tent stakes in because the ground where you would want to pitch a tent is mostly rock.  Being primitive there is no electric at the tent sites.  There is an outlet by the sink in the shower house if you need to charge your phone.  There aren't any external outlets at the shower house.  There is a spigot outside the shower house, but I did not open it to make sure it worked.  We got our water using the shower house sink.  The rate as of July 2024 is $10.50 PER TENT per night.  There is no discount for only using one site with several tents.  We (four bikes with 4 tents) stayed there four nights.  We would have left after the first night, but had paid for all four nights and also didn't want to have to pack everything up to look for a different campground.

  • Kevin A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Raccoon Holler Campground
    Jul. 20, 2024

    Raccoon Holler Campground

    Nice Campground / Great Location

    I picked this campground because it was very close to Blue Ridge Parkway. My plan was to ride my motorcycle through this beautiful area of NC, but the rain didn't cooperate this trip. I camped in site 112. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. This was a last minute reservation and they had limited availability. The site is not very level and very tight for my 32 foot RV. The site had full hookups (water, sewer, 30 amp electric) that worked great. I walked most of the campground and there are some great sites. Most are wooded and reasonably spaced. Quite a few long term campers, but the rigs and sites were all very well kept. At $64 per night it is a little pricey, for site 112, but probably not for the campground and area as a whole. No grill, just a tire rim for campfires and a picnic table.

    Getting parked was a bit of a challenge to get things as level as possible and work around power stand and be able to get awning out to stay out of rain.

    I would camp here again and recommend others give it a try. Lots to do in this part of the NC mountains.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Creeper Trail Campground
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Creeper Trail Campground

    Great getaway spot

    My husband and I stayed from the 4th of July to the 7th. The site was nice and level with a beautiful view. It’s a quiet, sleepy campground just perfect for relaxing by a fire. Be aware that only a few sites have septic. Pay attention to the site description. There is no cell phone reception anywhere around until you get to Damascus about 30 minutes away. The office/cafe does has WiFi. It is not park-wide though so plan ahead by downloading your maps and music, etc. The campground is owned and run by a couple who take great care to make sure your stay is pleasant. They have a cafe and small store in the office building. We had breakfast one morning - bacon, egg and cheese biscuit and a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich - made on homemade bread and biscuits. So good! I also got a latte and it was amazing. We stopped in for pizza night and got a homemade pesto pizza. Don’t miss that one! Our camper has a bathroom but the camp bathrooms were incredible. Super clean and well-maintained. If you need diesel, nearly every gas station is gas-only. There is a nice gas station and cafe close by in Whitetop Station that carries diesel and has really good food. We stopped there on our way out and the biscuits and gravy were wonderful. The Virginia Creeper trail head is right around the corner from the entrance to the campground.

  • Kevin A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Stone Mountain State Park Campground
    Jul. 1, 2024

    Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    One of our favorite state parks

    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.



Guide to Atkins

Tent camping near Atkins, Virginia offers a blend of scenic beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Tent campers should check out local attractions

  • The Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites provide access to stunning hiking trails and the Appalachian Trail, making it a prime spot for outdoor exploration.
  • New River Alleghany Access Primitive Paddle-in is ideal for those who enjoy water activities, with opportunities for canoeing and kayaking right from your campsite.
  • Cavitts Creek Park features a picturesque lake surrounded by mountains, perfect for fishing and hiking, ensuring a peaceful retreat.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Dusty Trails Outfitters, campers can enjoy river access, picnic tables, and private port-a-potties at each site, enhancing the camping experience.
  • Scales Trailhead Basecamp offers well-maintained fire pits and access to beautiful hiking trails, making it a favorite among those seeking adventure.
  • Riverside Canoe and Campground provides clean facilities, including showers and toilets, along with a market for convenience, ensuring a comfortable stay.

Activities for tent campers

  • Chestnut Knob Shelter, Appalachian Trail is perfect for hikers looking to enjoy breathtaking views and a cozy shelter for overnight stays.
  • New River Yacht Club offers waterfront tent sites, making it a great choice for those who want to enjoy fishing and relaxing by the river.
  • Houndshell Camp Ground provides a serene environment for tent camping, with opportunities for hiking and exploring the surrounding nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Atkins, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Atkins, VA is Blue Bear Mountain Camp with a 4.8-star rating from 24 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Atkins, VA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 37 tent camping locations near Atkins, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.