Tent camping near Breaks, Virginia offers a mix of primitive sites and established campgrounds across both Virginia and Kentucky state lines. The region sits within the Cumberland Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 feet, creating varied terrain throughout Jefferson National Forest and surrounding areas. Most campgrounds maintain seasonal operations with limited winter access, typically operating from May through September.
What to do
Lake activities at Cavitts Creek Park: The park features a small lake for swimming, fishing, and boating with surrounding mountain views. "The lake was really pretty and there was a long trail around it," notes visitor Kari H., who camped in the primitive loop area.
Hiking at Kingdom Come State Park: The park offers multiple interconnected trails of varying difficulty. Brian B. recommends "the Raven Rock trail which leads to a 450 foot 40 degree angle granite rock facing that you can climb to get an amazing view of the surrounding mountains" and mentions "a natural rock bridge close to the campsites called Log Rock."
Kayaking at Bark Camp Lake: Located across from the Cliffhanger Ranch Adventure Outpost, this lake provides calm waters ideal for paddling. Visitor Noah O. shares that "the entrance is directly across from the Jefferson National Forrest. There we were able to kayak at Bark Camp Lake which was not busy at all and hike at Little Stoney Falls."
What campers like
Secluded sites with limited crowds: Most primitive camping areas maintain low occupancy even during peak season. At Kingdom Come State Park Campground, Paul H. reports, "I've camped there twice and only saw one other camper. It is very quiet and remote."
Ranger assistance with supplies: Kingdom Come offers exceptional ranger service. Sarah notes, "The local ranger was most helpful in providing firewood (free!) and offering to bring us water to wash up with or for drinking."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region provides ample wildlife sightings, particularly bears observed from safe distances. Grant M. advises, "We saw a bear across the valley, so take the warnings seriously and follow the instructions."
Disconnected experience: Camping sites typically have minimal to no cell service or internet connectivity. At Kingdom Come State Park, camper Wyman M. confirms there's "no service or wifi" which creates a truly unplugged experience.
What you should know
Bear-proofing requirements: Bear activity is common throughout the area, requiring proper food storage. Kingdom Come provides specific equipment for this purpose, with Sarah noting each site has "a pole for stashing your food away from bears."
Rocky ground for tent setup: Many campsites feature challenging surfaces for pitching tents. At Cavitts Creek Park, David M. advises, "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."
Limited water access: Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds. Paul H. notes that Kingdom Come has "men's and women's bathrooms, with running water in the sinks, but no water faucets as in other camps, and no showers."
Seasonal operations: Most facilities operate only during warmer months. Jefferson National Forest High Knob Campground runs from May 15 to September 15, while Cavitts Creek Park operates from May 1 to September 30.
Tips for camping with families
Check site configurations: Select sites based on your specific needs. At Kingdom Come, Brian B. explains, "Of the 7 sites 6 are close together. The 7th is off by itself and about 100 feet from the lake in a more secluded area."
Consider tent site layouts: At Kingdom Come State Park, Sarah found "each with a gravel drive, mulch tent pad big enough for two smallish tents, fire ring, and picnic table."
Plan for minimal facilities: Most tent sites offer basic amenities only. Jess B. recommends maintaining "a very clean campsite as to not attract the bears closer," especially since Kingdom Come sites "are basically in a center median in between the roads."
Check shower house access: If arriving after hours, access codes may be required. David M. warns, "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."
Tips from RVers
RV site spacing varies widely: While tent sites often provide adequate separation, RV areas can be congested. At Cavitts Creek Park, Kari H. observed "the RV parking was a gravel lot with large RVs packed in tight" compared to tent sites that "were spaced a decent distance apart."
Road conditions for large rigs: Some access roads present challenges for RVs. Grant M. cautions about Kingdom Come State Park, "the road in from Cumberland is STEEP! We made it in a mini van pulling a scamp, so you'll probably be fine."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide full RV services. Cavitts Creek Park offers sanitary dump stations, while many primitive campgrounds have no facilities for larger vehicles.
