Are you in need of a campground near Dayton, VA? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Dayton, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$25 - $30 / night
"If you are tent camping or have a camper van the area is fine. Large RV will have a difficult time setting up in the camp area. The camp area is quiet and there is plenty of firewood for use."
"We're excited to welcome this property to the platform. Camp out under a canopy of Red Cedar Trees and make yourself comfortable. Free firewood! Give this place a go and leave your review here."
"Duration of Stay: Oct 16-18, 2020 Average Daily Temp: 61 Average Evening Temp: 30 On Site Parking: ✅ Potable Water: 🚱 Restrooms: 🚫 Firewood: 🚫 Cell Service: 📵 4x4: ✅ Wildlife and Fishing: ✅
Amazing"
"It was an established site with a fire ring. It had a large clearing with a pretty flat spot for my tent. I accessed the site on my motorcycle. You wouldn't get a car/truck to the site."
"If you would rather not hike it, there is a Forest Access road, but I'm not sure how often it is open and if permits are needed to drive on it. "
"We didn’t see a ton of trash- but the trash we saw would fit into one plastic grocery bag and it was in the fire pits. I agree that it’s the locals hanging out here, that’s been confirmed."
"Found this spot from a recommended list provided by Shenandoah park rangers, and I’m glad we choose this one."
"There was one really nice hiking trail by the bridge. Cons: Some roads were closed. Some spots were full of trash."
$45 - $225 / night
"We are located on the Shenandoah River! Our waterfront unique kamp offers yurts and tent sites along with a well maintained bathhouse! Of course I feel we are 5 stars!"
"River access, hiking near by and if you forget something town is 8 minutes away."
"This campsite is another one we found on a list provided by Shenandoah’s park rangers and was listed as moderate hike and easy camping."
$10 / night
"Stayed one night in a tent right next to the river. It is what it is, a West Virginia backwoods campground. $10 will get ya a nights stay."
LegendSmall, primitive campground with 12-sites. There were a surprising number of trailers and small RVs when I visited, especially when you consider visitors have to drive about 10-miles on a graded dirt road to get there.
There are some walk-in tent sites for more privacy and you have the option of pure wilderness camping in the surrounding 17,400 acres of Dolly Sods as long as you use existing campfire rings, or use a backpack stove when you can't find one.
No cell phone service or Internet… No electricity, pit toilets, and a busted water pump, but there is a fresh-water spring. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole.
The camp hosts are super mellow and also lead the volunteer bird-banding that takes place just across the road from the Red Creek Campground.
The plant life and weather at Dolly Sods are similar to Northern Canada, so bring some extra layers. It was at least 15-degrees cooler than the valley when I reached the peak of the Allegheny Plateau. Add the wind and I had to put my sweatshirt after sweating in a T-shirt at Seneca Rocks that same day.
Bring a backpack and good hiking boots so you're prepared to experience some of the most amazing scenery and wildlife you’ve ever seen!
First-come, first-serve only and often full on weekends.
*Word of caution: Dolly Sods was used for military training during WWII, so there are artillery and mortar shells still being found in this wilderness. Don’t touch any shells you might find, note the location and report to authorities.
GuideI stayed in the tent only / non generator sites which is definitely the way to go. My site was actually a walk in. So I had to park and lug my gear up some steps about 200 feet. The site was shaded with a nice spot for a hammock. Including a fire ring and grill grate, picnic table and a bear box. You are close to the road, so you get noise and headlights in your tent sometimes. Deer and skunk walk through camp all the time. Heard some owls at night. Whooooooo
GuideSmall and simple campground with a handle full of sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Sites are semi secluded from each other. Some sites have direct access to the Peter's Mill Run OHV complex. Vault toilet for all sites to share. No water, no electricity. Have to pack trash out. Sites were first come first serve. Free to camp.
We camped so we could spend two days on the OHV Trails with the Jeep. Had an incredible time. We'll be back.
LegendLoft Mountain was the third stop on our tour of Shenandoah National Park. First stop traveling south on Skyline Drive was Mathews Arm and second was Big Meadows at about the halfway point. Loft Mountain is at about the 3/4 mark. These parks are well spaced for viewing and hiking in between each campground.
I'm a big fan of campgrounds in national parks. Why do I like this one? Pretty much the same reasons as I liked the other Shenandoah campgrounds:
All the basic needs are available in a scenic setting.
Generator-free sections (because I hate noisy generators)
About 75% of the sites are first-come, first-served sites so you should always be able to find a site if you arrive early.
The $15 price is a bargain and our Lifetime Senior Pass cuts the fee in half.
Hiking: There's a lot to keep you busy in the entire national park, but rainy, foggy weather kept us from exploring as much as we'd like. We'll be back!
Things to Know About the Sites
Some sites have food storage boxes. Use them as an alternative to keeping food locked in your vehicle.
Walk-to tent sites: It's not a long walk to your site from a designated parking spot.
I was surprised to see that most sites (other than walk-to tent sites) have long, pull through parking pads, and most have a grass buffer (and possibly a few trees) separating the site from the road. These asphalt pads can accommodate RVs of all sizes and have a spacious area behind the pull through with a picnic table, fire ring and room for a tent. Great sites!
Generator-free sites in loop F and part of G are reservable sites. If you want one of these sites, I recommend a reservation. See the site map photo.
Amenities
Restrooms with a utility sink outside some of them
Potable water and trash/recycling stations are spread throughout the park. These are all shown on the site map photo.
Camp store with ice, wood and limited food choices is a short walk from the campground entrance.
Showers: $1.75 for 5.25 minutes. These are located in a restroom near the campstore and look new. There is a handicapped accessible shower/bathroom combination.
Laundry facility near the camp store
GuideBig Meadows Campground was wonderful. Facilities were clean and well maintained. Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife. Fire ring with grate was available. Large site size. We had site 23. Highly recommend!
GuideI tent camped for one night at the start of Easter weekend. Lots and lots of folks about, but still enough space to NOT feel encroached upon. Level grass spot for a tent, fairly level paved parking area if car camping, picnic table, fire ring with grill grate. I was on the no generator loop, but in a non electric site (vs tent walk in type). Warm bathrooms, utility sinks in several, pay hot showers, lots of greenery. I will visit again! NO Verizon cell service at all!
TravelerWe did not have a reservation and were lucky to get a site. It is a large campground with 200 sites for RV's & tent campers. The site we had was primitive, no water or electric, but had a picnic table, fire ring, & a bear box. Although the sites were close, they were situated to maximize privacy. The campgrounds had plenty of restrooms with flush toilets & sinks. The camp store has laundry facilities and showers that you must pay for, $1.75 for 5 minutes. The grounds and facilities are very clean. An added bonus, you can access the Appalachian Trail right from the campgrounds that provides amazing views
LegendVery large and very open group campground situated on either side of the picnic area road back out. Each of the campsites provides plenty of tent space, a couple picnic tables, fire pit with grills, bear boxes, potable water, and a shared vault toilets in the middle of the sites and nearer to the picnic area and parking for up to five vehicles at each site. Firewood, ice, laundry, showers and camp store are available three miles north at the Loft Mountain Camp Store.
LegendSpruce Knob is West Virginia's highest peak and on a clear day offers breathtaking 360 degree views from the Observation Tower. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recarea/?recid=7053
Because of the thick conifer growth, long mountain views don't occur till nearly to the top and that only along the western roadway...but once you climb the observation tower...(as mentioned, on a clear day) you are rewarded with wonderful views of WV and VA mountains. Watching storm clouds or simple clouds roll in and envelope the Knob offers a wonderful experience.
I've taken the opportunity to camp on Spruce Knob on several occasions, once to the NE of the parking lot just into the pines, once a couple hundred yards down the Seneca Backcountry trail to the right and once directly south of the Tower in the pines. Each offered a differ experience. There is no cost, which is a huge plus!
In the pines, just below the summit, it is eerily quiet and muffled. I've never seen another camper when I've stayed, so the solitude is glorious.
If you want shelter and a picnic table for cooking/eating...they are available, but only along the parking lot. Pit latrines are nearly on the summit in the parking lot near the trailhead for the Observation Tower. So practice leave no trace when camping and hiking!! No water, so bring enough with you. There are waste receptacles but be wise and take trash with you.
There are two levels to the concrete Observation Tower...and best views are from the upper level. I've often though about cowboy camping on the second level after the last sightseer has left for the night, but haven't seen, heard or read if its forbidden or permitted...so I haven't...yet.
Obviously, on a clear night, star gazing is incredible as there no ambient light. It is much cooler at this elevation, even in the summer...and the winds on the summit cut through like a knife.
Note: utilize good camping practices and set camp on a previous location where there is an established fire ring. Again, use caution with campfires because of the wind.
If you desire a more established campground, Spruce Knob Lake Campground is not too far away...down the mountain.
Spruce Knob summit camping is a family highlight!
Tent camping near Dayton, Virginia offers a blend of serene nature and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dayton, VA is Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm with a 5-star rating from 6 reviews.
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