Best Campgrounds near Bristol, VA

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 Camping Sites Near Bristol, Virginia (216)

    1. Little Oak Campground

    23 Reviews
    Shady Valley, TN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 735-1500

    $12 / night

    "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."

    2. Sugar Hollow Campground

    9 Reviews
    Bristol, VA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 645-7275

    $20 / night

    "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."

    3. Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park

    26 Reviews
    Kingsport, TN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 867-2757

    "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."

    4. Observation Knob Park

    4 Reviews
    Shady Valley, TN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 878-1881

    $25 - $35 / night

    "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."

    "Older but absolutely beautiful park located right on the lake. The park is very well maintained and the staff are super friendly. The views of the mountains meeting the lake are absolutely stunning."

    5. Cardens Bluff Campground

    17 Reviews
    Hampton, TN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 735-1500

    $12 / night

    "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."

    6. Shadrack Campground

    3 Reviews
    Bristol, TN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 217-1181

    $28 - $40 / night

    "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"

    7. Friendship Rd

    3 Reviews
    Shady Valley, TN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 735-1500

    $30 - $95 / night

    "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."

    8. Bellebrook Acres

    1 Review
    Bristol, TN
    3 miles
    +1 (423) 963-8060

    $50 - $70 / night

    9. Riverside Campground

    7 Reviews
    Abingdon, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 628-5333

    $28 - $40 / night

    "Close to charming Abingdon VA with great local restaurants, the Barter Theater and the Virginia Creeper Trail."

    "There are about 8-10 sites that are right behind the pool and more sites down a short hill all along the river. This campground accommodates tents, pop ups and RV's comfortably."

    10. Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables

    2 Reviews
    Bristol, TN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 391-0118

    $15 - $45 / night

    "Campground consist of a fire ring in the middle with benches and tables surrounded by back-in camp sites. There was a nice clean bathhouse with showers. Free firewood."

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Recent Reviews near Bristol, VA

979 Reviews of 216 Bristol Campgrounds


  • Theresa S.
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the location, Left because of the owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • Shane N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Camp Stonefly

    Great small peacefully time

    Me and wife passing through. Stayed over weekend loved it

  • Gary S.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the Location, Left because of the Owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • xGYABx L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Great Getaway and stay

    We spent 1 night out here on a Saturday Night it is very secluded away from everything only downside was had 2 drive at least 10 miles 2 get cell service and the site is close 2 the road so we can hear a lot of traffic

  • Carol J.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Breaks Interstate Park Campground

    Great spot for nature lovers

    This is a very well maintained park, with many hiking and overlook opportunities.  White tail deer are frequent, and very tame.  Bathrooms are clean and well maintained.  Lots of hot water and water pressure in the showers.  There is a pool and waterpark on site, and a gift shop and camp store.  Was disappointed that the Visitor Center was only open on the weekend (and it was still prior to Labor Day).  Staff was helpful and friendly, although there was no camp host on site on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday nights.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Baileyton KOA Holiday

    Nice overnight stop

    We are headed from Atlanta to Fredericksburg VA for a wedding. This is a very nice place for an overnight stop, probably one of the nicest for a KOA. Very clean and tidy campground. Mostly level, gravel sites. But some grass between sites! Some shade. Full hookups. Clean bathroom & shower. Pool, playground, driving range, big water slide. The internet is VERY slow. Also lots of road noise from I-81. Gift shop & convenient store in office. We’ve taken our travel trailer to 48 states, and have found KOAs generally convenient, but not much more. This place is definitely above average

  • Katrin M.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park

    Beautiful campground in the woods

    We camped here over the weekend with our dogs. The campground was fantastic. All campsites are on platforms, which makes it very nice to set up your stuff. The sites have the usual amenities like a picnic bench and table, a firepit, and a lantern pole. The bathhouse was very clean and taken care of. There are several spigots with drinking water through the campground. The bathhouse also has a dishwasher station. There are multiple trails within walking distance. The park is very well maintained and clean. You can hike, swim, or rent a canoe.
    We would camp here anytime again.

  • Lisa Horton
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Breaks Interstate Park Campground

    We took off for 4 days and decided to go to the Breaks and fish, camp out, and just enjoy our time with one another.

    It was a very nice camping spot and it also had a grill that we used to cook out. They also have a restaurant in the park that has some of the best food I have ever ate.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Around Pond RV Park

    Very nice stop over campground

    Stayed for one night as a stop over on our trip home. Easiest check in we have ever had. Pulled up to the staging area near the office and didn’t even have to get out of the truck. Guy came up on a golf cart and confirmed my name. Took us right to our spot which was a full hook up pull through. Site was gravel and completely level. A lot of full time campers here but that doesn’t bother us at all. Nice little pond to walk the dogs around or just sit and relax. There is no store or pool but we never use those anyway. There is a laundry on site and a good size area with grills and picnic tables to use if you want. Sure it’s not a KOA with all the amenities but for a stop over or even a few day stay it’s fine. And ONLY $39 a night ! Btw KOA right down the road wouldn’t accept our reservation because they require a 2 night minimum.


Guide to Bristol

Camping near Bristol, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: There are amazing trails nearby. At Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park, one reviewer said, "Hiking is awesome. The kids LOVED the wild horses and the steer walking around."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds have access to rivers and lakes. A visitor at Hot Springs Campground mentioned, "The campground sits right on the French Broad River which is beautiful and wide."
  • Exploring local towns: Check out nearby towns for food and shopping. One camper noted, "The little town of Hot Springs North Carolina is a charming little place with several good food choices and an excellent brewery."

What campers like

What you should know

  • Site spacing: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Hickory Ridge Campground noted, "Sites were a little close, but peaceful and the trails made up for the close sites."
  • Limited cell service: Many areas have poor cell reception. A visitor at Blue Bear Mountain Camp mentioned, "No cell service whatsoever even with a booster."
  • Weather considerations: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. One camper at Roan Mountain State Park Campground shared, "There was an unseasonable cold snap when we were there in October."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and nearby hiking trails. A parent at Bear Den Family Campground said, "Kids loved the playground and there were a lot of other kids to make friends with."
  • Safety around wildlife: Teach kids to respect animals. A reviewer at Hickory Ridge Campground warned, "Please respect the distance advice and don't feed them."
  • Plan for meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals and snacks. One camper at Hungry Mother State Park mentioned, "Lovely trails, clean facilities, the on-site host was awesome."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground advised, "Pay attention to the site size as some RVs had issues getting their larger RVs in their sites."
  • Use the dump station: Know where the nearest dump station is located. A camper at Black Mountain Campground noted, "There is a dump station nearby."
  • Bring extra supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A visitor at Roan Mountain State Park Campground suggested, "Plan to stay and bring what you need."

Camping around Bristol, Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot to unwind and connect with nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

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?

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?

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.