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Best Campgrounds near Buchanan, VA

659 Reviews

The Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Buchanan, Virginia provide a diverse camping landscape where the James River and national forest lands create distinctive outdoor experiences. North Creek Campground, located directly in Buchanan, offers year-round primitive camping with basic amenities for $15 per night, while Middle Creek Campground provides full hookups for RVs and cabin rentals from March through November. Just a short drive away, Breeden Bottom Campground sits directly on the James River with spacious, well-separated tent sites accessible by both vehicle and paddle craft. The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests border the region, offering both established campgrounds and dispersed camping options for those seeking more solitude.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the Buchanan area. Most developed campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter options. The Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds at Peaks of Otter and Otter Creek typically open from early May through late October. Cell service varies dramatically throughout the region, with many forest and riverside locations offering limited or no connectivity. As one camper noted about North Creek Campground: "Nestled in a beautiful forest, we found peace with no electricity, no internet, and no phone signals—just pure nature." Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the area, particularly in national forest campgrounds where warnings are commonly posted.

Riverside camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Buchanan area. At Breeden Bottom Campground, campers appreciate the privacy and direct water access: "Our site had a little path right to the river. Very spacious campsites. Awesome trees in site 5 for hammocks." The James River provides fishing opportunities and a peaceful soundtrack for sleeping. While some campgrounds like North Creek offer a more rustic experience with pit toilets and no showers, others like Middle Creek provide full amenities including showers, electric hookups, and camp stores. The proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Natural Bridge makes the area popular for those combining camping with regional sightseeing, with several campgrounds serving as convenient basecamps for exploring the surrounding mountains and attractions.

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Best Camping Sites Near Buchanan, Virginia (112)

    1. Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    23 Reviews
    Thaxton, VA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 586-7321

    $30 / night

    "Picked for price

    Quiet

    Enjoyed Blueridge parkway

    NIce retreat in SW Virginia"

    "It was a pull-through site with an additional area containing a picnic table and fire ring, accessible via a small set of steps up the hill."

    2. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    31 Reviews
    Natural Bridge, VA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2770

    $35 / night

    "This campground is open year round and is right off the highway.  There is a gas station right next to it as well as a safari park. "

    "Located in a beautiful part of central Virginia, this campground gives you lots of options for sightseeing. It is definitely worth a trip to the Natural Bridge."

    3. Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp — George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

    18 Reviews
    Natural Bridge Station, VA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    $20 - $40 / night

    "These sites are slightly more rugged, and best for smaller tents; site 35 however is both large, flat, and private, and is next to the trailhead to one of the campground's hiking trails."

    "Site was spacious and pleasantly situated for our 17' travel trailer. Clean bathrooms and shower."

    4. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge

    16 Reviews
    Natural Bridge Station, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2727

    $39 - $241 / night

    "Right next to the James River for all of your fishing needs. Have a pool, splash pad, pond/lake with a slide, beach, inflatable obstacle course, have an arcade room, and 2 additional water slides."

    "Lots of stuff for kids, very close to river for tubing, reservation system in place because of Covid prevention guideline for swimming which worked out really well for kids... not many activities due to"

    5. North Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Buchanan, VA
    6 miles
    Website

    $30 / night

    "Our camping trip in Virginia was a step into serene simplicity for just $15. Nestled in a beautiful forest, we found peace with no electricity, no internet, and no phone signals—just pure nature."

    "The gravel road going around the tent loop was really loud, and there was a cabin behind our site that had a lot of activity and noise for awhile, but all was quiet after 10p."

    6. Middle Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Buchanan, VA
    5 miles
    Website

    $20 - $85 / night

    "It was early season, mid- may, so there were few other campers around. We took a site up their gravel road away from the main campground area."

    "They mostly lazed around all weekend and watched people coming and going. The RV sites are directly across from the camp store, but the tent sites were tucked back into the woods."

    7. Breeden Bottom Campground

    4 Reviews
    Buchanan, VA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 261-7334

    $40 - $70 / night

    "There is a railroad track that runs along the James River near the sites, but it never bothered us. Great fishing."

    "Our site had a little path right to the river. Very very spacious campsites. Awesome trees in site 5 for hammocks. Probably my favorite campsite in Virginia now."

    8. Natural Bridge KOA

    8 Reviews
    Natural Bridge, VA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 562-8514

    "This KOA was a very nice surprise given that it was right off the highway. We only were there for 1 night and we didn't hear any highway noise."

    "Was not too close to the pool but there were rest rooms nearby. We only stayed one night but was a nice area. The kids likes the petting zoo."

    9. George Washington National Forest off 812

    12 Reviews
    Glasgow, VA
    18 miles
    Website

    "There are multiple spots along the road - some are drive in and some require you to park and walk in. Definitely get there early to get a prime spot."

    "There's access to the App Trail on the road so you might see some hikers but it was real quiet otherwise."

    10. Otter Creek Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    14 Reviews
    Big Island, VA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 299-5125

    $30 / night

    "Great all around virginia campsite"

    "Alternative to crowded Shenandoah campgrounds, although is a good drive away <60+ miles away from entrance."

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Recent Camping Photos near Buchanan, VA

263 Photos of 112 Buchanan Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Buchanan, VA

659 Reviews of 112 Buchanan Campgrounds

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Paradise Lake Family Campground

    Not more than one night

    This is an older campground and shows its age…and wear. There are several semi-permanent residents here. Some facilities need repair and/or maintenance. Water in the shower was hot, but the showers were small, and there was no place for d as iso, shaving things, shampoo, ets. And no place to sit to. There is a pool and a lake with a swim beach. Kayak rental. Playground, laundry, showers/ bathrooms are passable. Internet is very slow.

  • madison F.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park

    WALNUT

    first arrived weary of storm headed our way only to find out our campsite was the only in our section that wasn’t a flood zone.

    saw some liquid being pumped into naturally flowing creek water??! also if you want to see ducks… stay close to the pond.

    super honorable mention - lower bathhouses did not have warm water and had to hike up the hill to use, extremely nicer, bathhouse.

    POOL had a “tlc makeover” only to have a surmount of chemicals still not diluted by 5pm - MURKYYYYYYY

    also had a campsite that was placed between three trees - super tight but made it work.

    only stayed in passing - get what you get

  • Stephanie L.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Sweetwater RV Park

    Quiet, clean campground!

    This campground was exceptionally clean and very quiet/peaceful. We went to the playground to play and pool to swim - had it to ourselves - with our 18 month old. The staff is amazing and clearly love what they do. They were friendly from the start and they let us know they were available for help, etc. The site itself was an easy pull-through. It was clean and hookups were easy to figure out (first time RVers here; not new to camping though). I would say this campground has achieved the 'family-friendly' atmosphere, for sure! SML State Park is 10mns away! We will definitely be back!

    I thought being at the end of the loop would be noisy due to traffic coming through, but it didn't bother us one but!

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Sweetwater RV Park

    Great location at SML

    Really well thought out campground for RV. Plenty of pull through and back in sites. Level sites, utilities are well placed and good height. Well maintained…you can tell staff takes pride in campground. Multiple dog parks….so convenient so you have one close to your area. Lots of recreation, great pickle ball area and pool. Laundry is honor system per load …pay in office.

  • Aaron S.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Stoney Creek Resort

    Lovely people, lovely place

    Overall a nice place to stay. We stayed one night. Hook ups were good, site was somewhat level. The staff are just lovely people, very friendly, helpful, and they go out of their way to do the next right thing.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge

    Helpful staff and nice amenities

    It has all the bells and whistles you’d hope for at a Jellystone. It sounds like staffing has been challenging but the fellow campers and wonderful staff that are here make it well worth staying. We partook in all we could and enjoyed the swimming hole, pool, splash pad, jumping pillow and arcade. I’d stay again and would love to head down to the river for some tubing and fish in the stocked pond.

  • Kevin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    Exceeded expectations

    I was impressed with this campground from the minute I entered it. We were greeted at the entrance and then sent to an escort you smartly showed us to our site by taking the same path at the RV should take; making wise returns and so on. The site was pristine and laid out very nicely. Honestly the whole place was really clean and lovely. This is my first KOA visit and I was thoroughly impressed

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Beautiful place, old campground

    On a Thursday night in July we were the only ones at the campground. Friendly host but the campsites are not level - and we had the best of the lot - very private (if others had been there) but only one side of the picnic table was accessible (bc of the slope). Worked for our setup with rooftop tent but would’ve been difficult for someone w a camper or tent. Lodge was nice and well-kept. Hike to top of peaks was strenuous and gorgeous at the top! Decent stop right off the BRP. Wildflowers were beautiful.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    Convenient and easy

    Lots of pull thru sites, full hook up, even have dog park and laundry.

Guide to Buchanan

Camping near Buchanan, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Sherando Lake Campground. One camper mentioned, “We spent days driving each way on the parkway,” highlighting the scenic routes available.
  • Swimming: Enjoy the sandy beach at Sherando Lake Campground. A reviewer noted, “The lake is beautiful and refreshing,” perfect for a hot summer day.
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Douthat State Park Campground. One visitor shared, “You can keep them for dinner if you like!” after catching trout in the stocked lake.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA. A reviewer said, “Best I’ve ever seen for cleanliness and friendly staff.”
  • Privacy: Many enjoy the spacious sites at Sherando Lake Campground. One camper remarked, “We had a nice private site,” which adds to the overall experience.
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Shenandoah Valley Campground offers a stocked fishing pond and mini-golf. A visitor mentioned, “The biggest negative is lack of cell service/internet,” but the activities make up for it.

What you should know

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Devil’s Backbone Camp, have poor cell reception. One camper noted, “No Verizon or ATT cell service I could find and no WiFi.”
  • Water Availability: At Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, some loops may have water issues. A reviewer mentioned, “The bath house was closed and they had port o potties in front of the bath house.”
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds, like Douthat State Park Campground, are only open from May to September. Be sure to check the season before planning your trip.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, which has a small swimming pool and activities for kids. A camper said, “The kids were enjoying a short trail, and chickens all over.”
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Some campgrounds can get noisy. A visitor at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area mentioned, “People partying late at night,” so be prepared for that.
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Campgrounds like Sherando Lake Campground don’t have markets nearby. One camper noted, “There is a small store and gas station not far from the campground yet it is limited with what they sell.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure to verify the electric and water hookups at places like Claytor Lake State Park Campground. A reviewer mentioned, “The majority of the power/water sites are pull through making life easy.”
  • Be Mindful of Site Size: Some sites can be tight, as noted by a camper at Shenandoah Valley Campground, who said, “Many sites are tight and no walking paths between rows.”
  • Plan for Dump Station Access: Campgrounds like Douthat State Park Campground have dump stations, but they can get muddy. A visitor shared, “Dump station (just one) muddy and could use a larger concrete ‘curb.’”

Camping near Buchanan, Virginia, offers a variety of experiences, from serene lakes to family-friendly activities. Just be prepared for some quirks, and you’ll have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to camp in Buchanan, Virginia?

The ideal camping season in Buchanan runs from late spring through early fall. May through October offers the most pleasant weather conditions, with summer temperatures typically ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s. Fall camping at Devils Backbone Camp is particularly scenic as the Blue Ridge Mountains transform with vibrant foliage, usually peaking in mid-October. Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp is another excellent option during this period, offering well-maintained facilities in a beautiful setting. Winter camping is possible but requires preparation for potentially cold temperatures and limited services, as some campgrounds operate seasonally.

What amenities are available at Buchanan camping areas?

Camping amenities vary widely around Buchanan. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA offers full-service camping with a seasonal pool, game room, playground, and convenient highway access. For a more rustic experience, Thunder Bridge provides quiet tent sites, screen cabins, log cabins, and fully furnished rental options in a scenic Blue Ridge Mountain setting. Other campgrounds in the area range from primitive sites with no hookups to full-service RV parks with water, electric, and dump stations. Some locations also offer river access for fishing, hiking trails, and proximity to local attractions.

Where are the best campgrounds in Buchanan, VA?

The Buchanan area offers several excellent camping options. Breeden Bottom Campground provides peaceful, private sites right on the James River, ideal for tent campers seeking a natural experience without electricity or water hookups. For those wanting more amenities, Middle Creek Campground near Buchanan offers drive-in access with water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces. The surrounding region also features the George Washington National Forest with primitive camping options for those seeking a more rustic experience.

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