Camping areas near Bastian, Virginia offer a mixture of free dispersed sites and developed campgrounds within the Appalachian mountain terrain. Elevations typically range from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates that can make temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. Several camping options provide creek-side sites with natural sound barriers from flowing water that help mask occasional road noise.
What to do
Kayak fishing opportunities: At Gatewood Park, campers can enjoy fishing on the reservoir. "Wonderful place. Friendly staff. Good fishing. We have been there numerous time and is always a good stay," notes one camper. The park offers boat rentals and swimming access.
Hiking trail variety: Several interconnected trails link camping sites near Bastian, Virginia with scenic viewpoints. At Mash Fork Campground, "There is a general store that has just about anything you'd need in a pinch to get by. ABSOLUTELY LOVE this park," writes one visitor. The campground features "several hiking trails including trails to two waterfalls, and an ADA-accessible short trail."
Explore historical sites: Within driving distance of camping locations, visitors can discover regional history. As one camper at Fort Chiswell RV Park suggests, "Take advantage of the historic Wrythesville walking tour, you can get information about this in the office and it is WELL WORTH IT!!" This activity provides a welcome alternative during inclement weather.
What campers like
Secluded natural settings: Free camping options provide quiet experiences. At Walnut Flats, campers appreciate the solitude. "This is a wonderful spot. It has five established camp sites with fire rings and picnic tables. The bathroom is a pit style but it was still clean and didn't smell," reports one visitor. Another adds that there are "level gravel drive with tent pad and lantern pole."
Waterfront camping: Sites positioned along creeks and lakes rank among campers' favorites. At Stony Fork Campground, a visitor mentioned, "The sites are spaced perfectly, the forest is beautiful, and the creek is super clear and clean. Our site (44) is great, right by the trail and creek." These water-adjacent sites remain popular regardless of season.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive consistent positive feedback. One camper at Royal Oak Campground noted, "The bathhouse was very clean and taken care of. There are several spigots with drinking water through the campground. The bathhouse also has a dishwasher station."
What you should know
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies dramatically at camping sites near Bastian. At Deer Trail Park & Campground, a visitor reported: "Cell service was bad. Needed to use WiFi which was poor in evening probably overloaded." Some locations have no service, requiring drives of 10-15 minutes to reach areas with coverage.
Seasonal closures affect bathhouses: While some campgrounds remain open year-round, facilities may close seasonally. One camper at Mash Fork noted, "Even though the campground is open year round, the bathrooms are not. We were told there was one open bathroom however it was not made clear this was 1-2 miles away which was not exactly convenient."
Distance from amenities: Most camping sites require advance preparation. At Walnut Flats, a visitor mentioned, "There is no internet access but there is enough signal you can get text sometimes. You need to drive about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage."
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated recreation areas. At Wytheville KOA, one visitor shared, "Our kids loved the arcade, the wagon and train rides around the campground, the craft time, pool and the fishing! The owners ran all the entertainment and were highly visible throughout our stay."
Tent platform advantages: Families with younger children appreciate raised camping platforms. At Royal Oak Campground, a visitor observed, "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."
Creek exploration options: Children enjoy shallow water play areas at several campgrounds. A Stony Fork Campground visitor mentioned, "Stony Fork Creek flows through the middle of the campsite, and the bridges are marked with a flood scale, so avoiding this place during heavy rains might be advised." These natural water features provide hours of entertainment.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup varieties: RVers should confirm specific hookup types before booking. At Stony Fork Campground, a camper noted, "About half of the 50 sites don't have facilities but about a dozen have W/E (30A) while the other dozen have just electric hookup. We had site 11 which was electric only (30A). We knew this ahead of time so our fresh water tank was full."
Dump station locations: Several campgrounds offer convenient waste disposal. At Fort Chiswell, a visitor mentioned, "Very quiet. Close to highway and easy dump station/water station across the street." Knowing dump station placements helps with trip planning.
Site dimensions: Most RV sites can accommodate medium-sized rigs. One Fort Chiswell visitor shared, "Sites are a good size and doesn't feel cramped. The store is stocked with essentials and staff is friendly." Larger rigs should call ahead to confirm specific site availability.
