Best Tent Camping near Chatham, VA

Looking for tent camping near Chatham? Find the best information on tent camping near Chatham, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Chatham's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Chatham, VA (3)


Recent Tent Reviews in Chatham

236 Reviews of 3 Chatham Campgrounds


  • Valerie P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Smith Mountain Campground
    Oct. 29, 2024

    Smith Mountain Campground

    Nice clean & spacious independent campground

    This is a very well maintained& clean campground. The owner is great and the camp host was very attentive. There is a good sized catch and release pond, we were at site#17 that was one site from the pond and not sure if you could see the water from#18 but the short walk to the pond is up a small hill/bunker like thing so there’s not a direct view of the water from#17 if that’s what you are looking for. There is a good play area and nice pavilion for groups and a smaller camping area down from the bathhouse. We have a 22’ TT, but I imagine the turn into the campground with a large motorhome would need some consideration for the driver to take their time. The drive to Smith Mountain Lake is not bad. The entry road off of RT 40 is at an angle, not a 90 degree turn so if you are coming from the East, it’s at the top of the hill but more than a 90 deg turn, coming from the West on 40 it’s an easy turn but you can’t see the traffic coming up the hill so be careful. There’s a convenience store, Penhook store, on 40 and it does have some raw and frozen meats, bait, ice, charcoal and the other basic store stuff. We came from the West and Rocky Mount has a Kroger and Wak-Mart. Wi-Fi was standard campground speed, didn’t use the bathhouse,power and water presser were good, site could have been a bit more level but they may work on that over the winter. Check in was a breeze, directly to the site but still greeted and checked on by the host. Some full timers and seasonal trailers but they were in good shape and clean. September stay so still had mosquitoes and fresh stink bugs, yeah! Have fun!

  • Kristie S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Vic Thomas Park
    Sep. 16, 2024

    Vic Thomas Park

    Roanoke River

    Camped over night twice. Bathrooms stay open 24/7. Made fire no problems. River does rise alittle overnight if camping with tent. Very quiet & peaceful at night.

  • Bobby C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from COE Philpott Lake Goose Point Park
    Jul. 13, 2024

    COE Philpott Lake Goose Point Park

    Scenic, tranquil, well-maintained, accommodating.

    Our family recently had an excellent experience camping at Goose Point Campground. Nestled along Philpott Lake, the campground offers stunning views and a tranquil atmosphere. The well-maintained, spacious campsites provided privacy and convenient water & electric hookups for our camper.

    We enjoyed a variety of activities, including swimming, fishing, and jet skiing on the lake, as well as hiking on nearby trails. The clean facilities and friendly, helpful staff made our stay even more enjoyable.

    Overall, Goose Point Campground is perfect for both a peaceful retreat and lake life adventure. Highly recommended!

  • Martin T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Occoneechee State Park Campground
    Jun. 20, 2024

    Occoneechee State Park Campground

    Very Nice Lakefront Camping

    Spent 4 nights here (during a heat wave, no less) and really enjoyed it. Campsites are large and not right on top of each other, and especially if you can book one of the campsites that are on the water, they really do have beautiful views (see pictures).

    Pros: 

    Kid-friendly. We spent an afternoon at the splash pad, which is a great way to cool off in the summer and free once you're in the park. I never felt unsafe with my kids running around up to the bath-house or the loop, felt very secluded and safe.

    Lake is scenic, we saw fireflies at dusk, it was a great setting for a camping trip.

    Everything seems pretty well-maintained. Bathrooms are aging but were cleaned at least once a day, it was fine. There is firewood at every bathhouse you can take on the honor system and pay for via cashbox, which is nice. Campsites are clean and well-maintained.

    Lots of lake recreation options (boat rental, fishing, etc.) in or near the park. 

    Cons:

    Maybe it was just our campsite, which backed up to a large wooded area, but they were the most aggressive squirrels I've ever come across. If we went to the bathroom for five minutes and left food on the table, the squirrels would be there eating it when we came back. And would hover at the edge of the campsite or get into the car if the hatchback was open.

    Camp store is....fine, pretty minimal in terms of provisions. But not a big deal because Clarksville is five minutes or so away and has plenty of stores.

    Tents pads are all gravel. Didn't bother us but definitely would not want to tent camp here if you didn't have a good high-quality sleeping pad.

    The biggest con was that there is no swimming area/beach in the park. You can try to wade in from the campsite but that generally requires scaling up/down some fairly treacherous rocks, and navigating driftwood and rocks in the water. We drove a few minutes away outside the park to find one, but would be really nice to have some kind of little swimming area inside the park, very strange to me they don't have one.

    But all in all a lovely place for a camping trip, we all had a great time.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tina's Dream
    Jun. 13, 2024

    Tina's Dream

    Thank you The Dyrt help me found Tina Deam.

    Tina is a very nice lady! Camp in her house driveway, it is my first time, but quiet and safe neighborhood. We arrived very late evening, after nine o'clock.  she help us hoop up the electricity and water.

    It is a nice alternate campground!

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Chris’s Private Property
    May. 26, 2024

    Chris’s Private Property

    Basic private startup site with hookup

    Chris is establishing a couple of sites on his private property and getting organized. Simple and just off the road, but quiet. Chris is friendly and reachable by phone. A short 100 yards to a rushing creek. We needed a last minute spot during Memorial Day weekend and Chris set us up. Now showers, flat gravel site with pull through between hookups and picnic table platform.

  • Jake C.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tina's Dream
    Mar. 1, 2024

    Tina's Dream

    New to the Dyrt!

    Jake from the Dyrt here! We're excited to have this campground on the Dyrt and ready for you to book, check them out and make sure to leave a review!

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Paradise Lake Family Campground
    Feb. 22, 2024

    Paradise Lake Family Campground

    Favorite campground

    I stay here at least once every summer. Has beautiful pool and lake, playground, arcade, and boat rentals. Fishing, hiking, basketball. Very friendly staff all the time. Close to stores and restaurants but far enough out to not hear any noise. Phone service is superb. Clean shower and restrooms. Hot water. Electric tent sites!!! Has everything I live and will continue to go here as long as I’m in the state of Va. def recommended

  • adam B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Paradise Lake & Campground
    Feb. 20, 2024

    Paradise Lake & Campground

    Neat, tucked away and quiet

    This place is relatively small, but surrounds a small lake. Sites are close together, but everyone is respectful. Bathrooms leave something to be desired, and there is no family bathroom, but otherwise decent and the water is hot. With a little work this place could be great.

  • k
    Camper-submitted photo from Pop's Place in the Blue Ridge
    Dec. 6, 2023

    Pop's Place in the Blue Ridge

    Tranquility! You will see deer while looking at the mountains all around!

    We spent 2 nights away from any road with lots of deer and beautiful mountain views! The owner is very friendly and so accommodating! our 40 ft rig is maybe not the right camper for this area but we enjoyed every minute of it! We had a beautiful hike in Fairystone Park and relaxed the rest of the time.

    We will come back!!

  • adam B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Mayo Lake Park
    Nov. 29, 2023

    Mayo Lake Park

    Great RV sites, lots to do.

    Rv sites are really nice and not on top of each other. Some are close to the water. Lots of clearly marked hiking trails, 3 playgrounds, Frisbee golf and horshoe pits. Really preety and lots of boat docks. Staff are super nice. The only negative is the state of the showers and bathrooms. They are in need of a lot of repair. Heater in the showers and bathrooms didn't work. Water was hot though. Overall, this place is really good for the price. With good restrooms, this place easily be double the nightly rate.

  • Matthew S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Reidsville Recreation Park
    Nov. 26, 2023

    Lake Reidsville Recreation Park

    Just a weekend getaway to try out our new to us camper.

    We love coming to Lake Reidsville. We have tent camped many times there and now have been with a camper. It was peaceful and the view is always amazing.

  • Staci W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
    Nov. 1, 2023

    Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Mostly perfect

    The pros:

    • Clean Bathrooms with flushable toilets
    • quiet campground
    • close to the lodge and “store” if you need firewood or other items
    • bear boxes scattered throughout the campground
    • $20 per night
    • BEAUTIFUL in the fall!
    • they have more campsites available on FCFS basis than they do for reservations on recreation.gov

    The not so great:

    • the campsites can be tricky to get into depending on your vehicle. Many of the parking areas are on a hill.

    Overall, I would stay here again!

  • Jake C.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pop's Place in the Blue Ridge
    Oct. 27, 2023

    Pop's Place in the Blue Ridge

    Your Spot to Spread Out and Enjoy Mountain Views

    Jake from the Dyrt here! Pop's Place in Blue Ridge is a simple spot where you can bring your tent or RV to spread out and enjoy the mountain views from your site.  Although it feels like another world, this campsite is still close to local shopping & the Blue Ridge Parkway for those needing to get their nature fix!  Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Longwood Campground at John H Kerr Reservoir
    Sep. 20, 2023

    Longwood Campground at John H Kerr Reservoir

    Not allowing to Dump/Fillup

    We didn't visit the park itself so can't judge on RV overnight stays. We kindly asked if we could fill up water and dump our RV (as you can do in a lot of campgrounds for a small fee), they refused to do so.

  • Heather The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Staunton River State Park Campground
    Aug. 20, 2023

    Staunton River State Park Campground

    Nice & quiet & dark skies!

    The campground needs some updating- there’s only one bathhouse with just 2 showers- if the campground would’ve been full, it would’ve been miserable. Also only one dumpster and it’s on the way out of the campground. BUT it’s a designated dark sky park & the stars were amazing. They also lend out telescopes. They also have nice walking trails & if you like to paddle, the river is nice & flat. There is little to no cell service.

  • Dawn G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Smith Mountain Campground
    Jul. 2, 2023

    Smith Mountain Campground

    Peaceful & quiet

    1st time to this park & we have a seasonal site, work camping as hosts for the owners. Great owners, nice spacious sites, well kept grounds, super clean bathrooms, great fishing pond and close to Smith Mountain Lake for fishing/boating. Plenty of room for your boats to park.

  • Liz M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Occoneechee State Park Campground
    Jun. 30, 2023

    Occoneechee State Park Campground

    Nice but small sites

    Nice well kept park and campgrounds. Most of the sites looked pretty level. Sites in B are small and mostly have deep drop offs beyond the railroad ties. Sites are a little more spread out in C but still pretty small. But plenty of oversite parking. Both campgrounds very wooded. Beware there are LOTS of squirrels and not too afraid of humans. If you have dogs like we do that hate squirrels they drove them nuts- squirrels running around in our campsite and up trees in our campsite. And while walking around. They also climbed on a small table right next to the rv door and shredded my paper towels! Lots of areas to walk. Campground C had only two clean bath houses with only two toilets and two showers. Which I imagine with the many no hookup sites could get pretty busy.

  • Katie The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Smith Mountain Campground
    Jun. 17, 2023

    Smith Mountain Campground

    Wonderful small camp ground, but with room for anyone

    This is definitely a camp ground that will be on my come again list! Well maintained with spacious sites. Definitely not packed in like sardines the way other camp grounds can be. Quiet and peaceful, without the insane golf carts driving everywhere.

    Reservations and check in were such a breeze. You can reserve your site (they’re all great) and on the day of your arrival you receive a text to check in, and can proceed directly to your site. All Wi-Fi password etc is included in welcome message. Text fire firewood delivery or any other needs.

    Great catch and release fishing pond, grassy field to play som catch or toss the football around. Small playground, basketball hoop and bocce.

    The owner is absolutely wonderful and helpful. I was impressed immediately upon arrival.



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Chatham, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Chatham, VA is Vic Thomas Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Chatham, VA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Chatham, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.