Best Tent Camping near Bentonville, VA
Tent campsites in the forested areas surrounding Bentonville, Virginia range from established sites to dispersed backcountry locations. The George Washington National Forest offers several primitive tent camping areas including Little Fort Campground, which features fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets, while Veach Gap provides backpacking sites along ridgelines with mountain views. Several campgrounds in the region offer walk-in access to more secluded tent locations, with dispersed options available along Crisman Hollow Road and near South Fork Shenandoah River.
Most tent camping areas near Bentonville require basic preparation as amenities are limited. Little Fort Campground utilizes a self-registration system where campers flip a washer from green to red on a board to claim sites. Many primitive tent sites have fire rings and flat tent pads, but lack running water. Pack-in, pack-out policies apply at most locations, with no trash service available at dispersed sites. The access roads to backcountry tent areas can be challenging, particularly after rain. A visitor noted, "The road is a mix of gravel but also dirt so it can become muddy during rain. If you follow the road, there is a river crossing that will take you to additional camp spots."
Areas farther from main roads provide greater seclusion for tent campers. Sky Meadows State Park offers a popular backcountry tent camping experience with a one-mile hike to reach the campground. Sites are spaced throughout wooded hillsides, providing privacy even when the campground is full. Bear boxes are available at many sites, eliminating the need to hang food. Wolf Gap Recreation Area provides tent-specific campsites with picnic tables and fire rings in a heavily wooded setting. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Each campsite is mostly secluded from the rest of the park" and "sites are large enough for three one-person tents." Wildlife sightings are common near these tent camping areas, with deer, owls, and occasionally bears reported by campers.
