B
Brigid K.
Traveler
TravelerFlag Rock Recreation Area Campground
Easy to get to, cheap, good bathrooms.
Camping near Bristol, VA
234 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Campers looking for a spot around Bristol, Virginia have several good options within a reasonable drive. Hungry Mother State Park includes both cabins and regular campsites for those who want different levels of comfort. At Grayson Highlands State Park, you'll find campsites with mountain views where wild ponies sometimes wander through the area. Though Eleanor the Airstream R has closed permanently, you can still find plenty of other places to camp nearby. The parks enforce fire rules and limit how long you can stay to keep the woods in good shape. During busy times like summer weekends, you should book ahead since the better sites fill up quickly. Some camping spots have trees for shade and feel more private than others. When making reservations, check the site size and what facilities are available so you know what to expect. Many local campers think spring and fall are the best seasons here - temperatures are comfortable and the trees look great, especially in October. Bristol camping works well for both quick weekend trips and longer vacations.
Best Campgrounds near Bristol (234)
1. Little Oak Campground
"Long way from Bristol, so don't forget anything."
"**Holston Lake is absolutely beautiful. The campground is deep in the national forest, out on a series of peninsulas, making all the campsites quite close to the water."
from $10 / night
Check Availability2. Sugar Hollow Campground
"Trails right off the campground to walk around the park, not huge but nice. Close off the highway but no road noise."
"From the road you wouldn’t guess there’s a giant park beyond the entrance. The rangers at the entrance were super friendly, but they patrol a lot, so often no one is actually at the gate house."
from $20 / night
Check Availability3. Observation Knob Park
"Great amenities for kids, clean restrooms and showers, several spots with easy access to lake"
"We do lots of walking, so this campground has many drives to walk. Takes no time at all to walk a mile plus without going the same drive. Many shaded sites, lots seem to be seasonal."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability4. Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park
"We had a change of plans and made reservations at Warrior Path State Park on a whim - and are VERY glad we did."
"This park is located about 15 minutes off I-81 just south of the VA/TN border, making it extremely convenient, and a great place to stop for anyone traveling that stretch of the country."
5. Cardens Bluff Campground
"Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites."
"Booked site 13 online for the last weekend before the season ended in October 2021, but the hosts caught us at check-in and moved us to site 32, which was right next to the water."
from $12 / night
Check Availability6. Friendship Rd
"I came here on a couple of break days while working at a nearby summer camp and it was such a fun experience. The lake surrounded by mountains was breathtakingly beautiful."
"Nestled next to the.Holly River. Prices were good."
from $30 - $95 / night
Check Availability7. Lakeview RV Resort
"It is one of the best campgrounds around. Priced right, clean, fantastic scenery, ideally located. Make a reservation you won't regret it"
8. Shadrack Campground
"Close to Bristol Speedway, immaculate bath house and laundry, office staff is very friendly and helpful,well kept sights and maintenance and camp host during race time are superb"
from $28 - $40 / night
Check Availability9. Bellebrook Acres
from $50 - $70 / night
Check Availability10. Roan Mountain State Park Campground
"Fire pits you had to walk up to but were away from tents, which I liked. Bathhouse was clean, well lit, pretty warm showers. Campground was very clean and has a lot of amenities."
"Great tent pads with running water located right next to every pad. Plenty of hiking and biking to do. Pool and playground for the kids to enjoy, a great place for easy camping."
Drive Time
- 22 min from Kingsport, TN
- 27 min from Johnson City, TN
- 1 hr 1 min from Morristown, TN
- 1 hr 30 min from Asheville, NC
Recent Camping Photos near Bristol, VA
380 Photos of 234 Bristol Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Sugar Hollow Campground
French Broad River Campground - Permanently Closed
Observation Knob Park
Tentrr Signature Site - Huckleberry Hideaway at The Stickley Farm
Tentrr Signature Site - Field of Dreams at The Stickley Farm
Tentrr Signature Site - Southern Belle "Hotel" at The Stickley Farm
Little Oak Campground
Breath of DawnJ
Tri Mountain View
Riverside Campground
Popular Point Campground Lake Jordan Recreation Area
Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park
Recent Reviews near Bristol, VA
1052 Reviews of 234 Bristol Campgrounds
- GGary M.
ScoutLiving Waters Campground
Nobody was here on Sat. Had gard time finding site. Site reserved did not have 30 amp and could not reach staff. Moved to other site hoping it would not be a problem. We were able to finally reach staff on Mon. Also no pcknick tables or fire rings.
- DDiane F.Scout
Three Peaks RV Resort
Nice camp and staff friendly. We drive the Blue Ridge Pkwy which was a bit of drive but the ride up to Mt Mitchell was beautiful. Only negative was the laundry rooms were small for a large camp like this but I made it work. Probably a bit more challenging during busy season but all that said this is a nice campground
- KKristen M.Scout
Whitetop
Great camping spot! Road isn’t horrible going up but there are some rougher areas toward the end of the road. Gorgeous sunset and sunrise spot! Fire rings seemed fairly abundant at the pull offs.
- BBrandi M.Traveler
Three Peaks RV Resort
Absolutely one of the most beautiful campgrounds that we have visited, and super clean. Such a great location for hiking and viewing the Blue Ridge Pkwy!
Windy W.ScoutDoe River Landing
Beautiful Place, Ugly host, Oct 2026
Let me first start by saying that this campground is absolutely beautiful. I have lived in this area my entire life and the Doe is one of my favorites. I am a avid camper and have camped all over this area. I decided to give this place a try, I own a small pop-up camper and knew it was going to get cold 10/20/2026-10/22/2026, so me and my sister rented the RV at Doe River. #1 check in is not until 3pm, I always order a load of wood from a local guy who delivers to camp sites, I do all my cooking in a Dutch oven over the fire or burgers and dogs in the fire, what is a camping trip without a nice warm fire. The owner came over to my campsite and asked if I had ordered this wood and I replied yes, she then asked what I was going to do with it all, I replied I am going to burn it. So, I told Carl (the wood guy) where to stack it, the owner then said that I need to leave it in my truck bc if I didn't use it all I would have to put it back on my truck and take it home with me, I said really? It's just a unspoken rule that if you don't use all your wood that you pay it forward and leave it for the next camper?? She said absolutely not, So we moved the wood from his truck and into mine. She then asked again why I needed so much wood and that most ppl just buy small bundles from her. And just like that I understood! Carl the wood man and his wife also made a comment about how rude she was about the wood. It does not end there, Not only does she have camaras on some of the out blds which I get, but I don't get why they are pointing directly at camp sites, We felt like we were in a fish bowl the entire time. Every single time we went to the bathroom she showed up abt 5 mins later, There is a camara right above the bathroom door, One on the pavilion, and one on each side of the bathhouse, at the entrances and who know where else. So much for privacy in the great outdoors. I didn't even feel comfortable hiking, we felt like we were being watched constantly. She was constantly there, walking her dog which was not friendly and so big she could hardly control him on the leash which was really scary, she also was driving through several times throughout the day. Then came the kicker, about 1 o'clock in the morning we were freezing, I had turned the heat on in the camper before going to bed and heard it come on, Well the propane ran out between 11pm and 1am, I called her at least 10 times we had every blanket and was still freezing, We decided we would go to the bath house bc it had a mini split hanging on the wall, Out of luck there, it was set on air conditioning with no way to change it, so we found a blow dryer trying to get warm, still the entire time trying to call the owners, We finally ended up in our car until the husband arrived. He acted so annoyed at us and said all u have to do is fip the switch on the propane tanks outside! We had never stayed in a travel trailer before and according to them all we had to do was show up and start glamping!! So, I was supposed to know to go outside at 1 am and switch over propane tanks?? No, It should have been FULL when I got there!!! With attitude he said,"Its Basic Camping" No sir it's not, what I do is basic camping, I was told on the phone that I was glamping, She, the owner also said we should have called 911 when we could not get hold of them so that Carter County police officers could come and wake them up!!! Not sure if that is putting our tax dollars to good use?? Like I said it is truly a beautiful place and has great potential, we left that second night at 11pm because again the heat was not working, we have not asked for any refund we just took the loss. it would be to much of a hassle. We just know better next time. With owners like that they can keep it. Windy Wells/Debra Price
- RRonnie C.Traveler
Sugar Hollow Campground
3 stars only because it says water hookups but they are far and few between communal. No spigot at individual sites. Need long hose(s)to reach the connection. Good T-Mobile 5G but too wooded for StarLink. Quiet, shady, somewhat level sites were available. $20/night.
Jacob A.TravelerWhitetop
The road was very bumpy but I got up on my 2WD Honda Odyssey. A couple people came during the day to take photos, but the night was peaceful. A couple campsites on the drive up, less secluded though. View was gorgeous and the sunset was amazing. Amazing spot for stargazing.
Bonnie H.ScoutDoe River Landing
Kylie T & Andrew W. Review not accurate
My husband and I arrived at Doe River Landing for 3 nights and enjoyed everything the resort offered. While there we read the 2 reviews posted by Kylie T, and by Andrew W, who gave the resort a 1 star rating. Not knowing the facts that caused the rating by them, and occurred prior to us, we approach the owner and asked.
The owner showed us videos from their security cameras. These adults has stated in Kylie T review and confirm by Andrew W review that they were a group of 20 adults and "every single one of us is over 21 and family". So why are these adults playing "hide and seek" under the pavilion as they stated? Andrew W stated, "It was not blocked off", yet they had to crawl on the ground and around bushes to get under the pavilion. When the owner yelled at them approximately 10 adults that were under the pavilion crawled out which was captured on the security cameras. Andrew W stated in his review the owner called them hooligans, which is rowdy, destructive persons and from the security cameras, that description is correct. There was no mention of damages in their reviews such as the Adirondack chair they broke or possible damage to the water pipes and electric wires under the pavilion, which the owner was currently checking.
Once we read these two reviews by Kylie T and Andrew W and saw the owners security videos, we felt future customers deserved to know another opinion based on our findings.
These entitled adults justified their review of a 1 star by stating they paid money to use the campground.
I would ask these adults "why do you think it is OK to treat someone else's property in this destructive way?"
Guide to Bristol
Bristol, Virginia sits along the Tennessee-Virginia border in the Appalachian Mountains at approximately 1,680 feet elevation. Campgrounds near Bristol VA offer access to South Holston Lake, which covers 7,580 acres and provides shoreline camping with mountain backdrops. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F while fall brings cooler 60-70°F days with colorful foliage.
What to do
Water activities at the lake: At Little Oak Campground, campers can fish, boat, kayak and swim in South Holston Lake. "There are few places that I've been to that top this location. Super easy camp ground to get to with excellent paved roads in very close to each of the Tri-Cities. The camp ground is well organized with many amenities including super easy access to the water on all sides," notes Nathan F.
Mountain biking trails: Warriors' Path State Park houses acclaimed mountain bike trails suitable for various skill levels. "This is an enjoyable State Park with a lot to offer. They have a full docket of activities, ranger-led hikes, games, crafts and wildlife lectures offered throughout the day. In addition to camping they have a full marina with canoe, kayak and paddle board rentals," explains Sara M.
Disc golf course: Warriors' Path State Park offers a free disc golf course for campers. "My son and I enjoyed a round of disk golf while my wife and daughters made use of their awesome playground," reports Jedidiah J.
What campers like
Lakefront sites: Many Cardens Bluff Campground sites provide direct lake access. "Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites. The interior campsites are nice as well, with vegetation giving enough privacy between campsites," writes Blake E.
Proximity to town amenities: Sugar Hollow Campground combines nature with convenience. "Not too much space for RV's. Ground not always levelled. But beautifully sited in the woods. Great for high temperatures. And realy inexpensive (we payed $20 per night)," mentions Catharina L. Another camper adds, "Anyone local knows about this park, however, few take advantage of the camping aspect. Few neighbors, excellent staff, and a nice area to hang out with friends, family, or even yourself! As well as trails and parks nearby, you're close enough to a Target and Walmart shopping center."
Spacious sites: Little Oak Campground provides room to spread out. "Very kid-friendly super spacious campsites every site is right on the lake with amazing sunsets every night," shares Tiffany G. Another camper notes, "The campground has plenty of room and space for your truck/boat/trailer."
What you should know
Primitive vs. full hookup options: Not all camping areas around Bristol offer the same amenities. At Observation Knob Park, "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)."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven terrain. At Warriors' Path, "Our site(62) was narrow and a little short for our 23' trailer. We had to park the truck sideways at the entrance. Our stairs opened right on the concrete pad for the table and we had very little room for our chairs."
Seasonal considerations: Local campgrounds have varying operating seasons. Cardens Bluff operates from "April 13 to November 7" while Sugar Hollow remains open "All year." Several sites fill quickly during peak periods, especially holiday weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Interactive ranger programs: Warriors' Path State Park offers educational activities for children. "In the warm seasons they have a ranger that comes around and even little events for kids. I remember picking apart an owl pellet with the ranger. Very outdoor educational," recalls Travis R.
Kid-friendly playgrounds: Warriors' Path features specialized playground facilities. "This amazing campground has spots for tent and rv camping, hiking trails, a beautiful lake for kayaking and fishing, and a Marina where rentals are available! Park also has a Boundless Playground!" notes Natalie A.
Safe swimming areas: Riverside Campground provides gentle water access. "The river is perfect! It's not too deep so the kids can play in it. Fairly easily accessed from many areas at the campground," explains Heather K.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: At Sugar Hollow, "Im in a 25ft class c, always looking for a more nature forward spot, trees out my door. There's phone service and Wi-Fi in some spots. A few will fit a larger rig, many will fit my size. A few are flat already and some will need leveling."
Campsite size limitations: Warriors' Path requires careful attention to site dimensions. "The main camping section was laid out long ago, with older style short sites and water/electric only. Many of the sites are narrow and some have challenging access. Be sure to read site descriptions and check the suggested trailer size- they seriously mean the max size!!"
Leveling requirements: Most campgrounds near Bristol VA require additional equipment for RVs. At Warriors' Path, "There are a lot of uneven campsites, so bring your leveling blocks. That said, great campground. The facilities were clean, the park was well kept and the train whistles were far enough away that they didn't interrupt your sleep!"
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Bristol, VA?
What are the best campgrounds near Bristol, VA?
Bristol visitors have several excellent camping options nearby. Shadrack Campground offers immaculate facilities and is conveniently located near Bristol Speedway with friendly staff and well-maintained sites. For those seeking a more natural setting, Hidden Valley WMA provides peaceful lakeside camping with fire rings, bear bins, and basic facilities. Other notable options include Backbone Rock Recreation Area with its shaded sites along Beaver Dam Creek, and Pole Position Campground which operates during race weeks with full hookups. For a family-friendly option with amenities, Bristol-Kingsport KOA offers cabins, a pool, and various recreational activities while remaining accessible for large RVs.
Is there RV camping available in Bristol, Virginia?
Is there RV camping available in Bristol, Virginia?
Bristol offers several excellent RV camping options. Pole Position Campground provides electric, water, and sewer hookups at every site, though it's only open during race weeks at Bristol Motor Speedway. Bristol-Kingsport KOA features easy access from Interstate 81 and is navigable with large fifth wheels, offering amenities like a pool and recreational activities. Other options include Shadrack Campground with gravel sites that can accommodate large rigs up to 39 feet, and Observation Knob Park which is big-rig friendly. Sugar Hollow Campground has some sites suitable for RVs up to 25 feet, though larger rigs might find limited options and may need leveling equipment.
What amenities are offered at Sugar Hollow Park camping in Bristol?
What amenities are offered at Sugar Hollow Park camping in Bristol?
Sugar Hollow Campground offers an affordable nature-forward camping experience at $20 per night. The campground features well-spaced sites nestled among trees, providing a natural setting without sites being too close together. Amenities include phone service and Wi-Fi access in some spots. The campground can accommodate various RV sizes, with some sites able to fit 25-foot class C motorhomes and a few suitable for larger rigs. Some sites are naturally flat while others require leveling equipment. The campground emphasizes a natural experience with trees and outdoor views while still providing basic conveniences at a reasonable price point.
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