Best Tent Camping near Cleveland, VA

Recent Tent Reviews near Cleveland, Virginia

455 Reviews of 19 Cleveland Campgrounds

• 

  Heather K.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 31, 2018

  Riverside Campground

  Wonderful amenities - family place!

  We have been to this campground numerous times. The people and the place bring us back. There are mostly RV's here but we tent camp and there are plenty of spots available. 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. There is a small pool, but very clean and nice. The showers / restrooms are close by and nice. There is a store to purchase extras and firewood. Great family place to camp. The 5 mph speed limit is strictly enforced! 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. Tent sites behind the pool have water and electric. If you go on any holiday, there are usually holiday related activities for the whole family. October was great for costumes, trick or treating, fall activities and parties! Many sites were decorated. Summer at this campground had plenty of water activities fun for all ages.

• 

  David M.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 22, 2024

  Cavitts Creek Park

  Not suitable for motorcycle tent camping, wouldn't stay again

  Most campground reviews are from the RV crowd.  This is from the tent camper perspective, particularly motorcycle tent camping.  The roads/lanes in the park are paved, but otherwise where you would ride are lousy for motorcycles.  The "gravel" parking lot from the road to the office and in the RV/electric loop is more like rocks, and you stand a good chance of dropping your bike.  Park your bike on the asphalt drive and walk up to the office.  In addition, the tent parking spots are sloped upwards with some very slick crushed rock and are challenging for a motorcycle.  The office closes at 5 (4 on Sunday and probably Saturday) and there is no campground map posted to see where the tent camping area is. They have copies of the campground map in the office and I suggested they put one on the outside of the office door so people arriving after they close have a map to view.   The tent camping (primitive) is off a paved lane a lot further down the hill past the office.  The sign for the lane says primitive.  Straight up at the top of the hill for that lane is site 6 which is somewhat acceptable for motorcycle parking although you are not going to get good enough of a cell signal there to use any internet apps. You might get one bar to make calls or text.   At the top of that hill, take a left and go up a steep hill to the shower house and where sites 1 &2 are at.  At sites 1&2 and outside the shower house you can get a good enough signal (2 bars) to use internet apps.  The campground does have an open wifi, but it doesn't reach to the tent camping sites.  They should add some directional antennas to extend to that area.  Sites 1&2 are best for motorcycles if you can reserve one of them.  2 has a wide enough turn around that you could easily park a group of motorcycles there.  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 with you like we had to.  Don't bother trying to call the campground number after hours to check in or ask for a code because you'll just their voicemail.  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.  Being primitive there is no electric at the tent sites.  There is an outlet by the sink in the shower house if you need to charge your phone.  There aren't any external outlets at the shower house.  There is a spigot outside the shower house, but I did not open it to make sure it worked.  We got our water using the shower house sink.  The rate as of July 2024 is $10.50 PER TENT per night.  There is no discount for only using one site with several tents.  We (four bikes with 4 tents) stayed there four nights.  We would have left after the first night, but had paid for all four nights and also didn't want to have to pack everything up to look for a different campground.

• 

  A B.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 24, 2024

  Riverside Campground

  Infested

  The place is crawling with Venemous Copperheads.  Do not recommend tent camping here.

• E

  Eric W.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 17, 2020

  Mountain City Campground

  Hidden Gem

  This campground is run by the city visitors center and like most other things in Mountain City has very little social media presence. Most residents of the city don’t even know of its existence.

  Great little affordable campground with nice accessible trout stream. Has 30 amp and 50 amp service along with tent camping. (Tent camping is currently closed due to recent bear sightings as are the toilet facilities due to COVID-19(Aug 2020))

  Aug 2020 prices for 30 amp full hookups $25 /day $85 /week $300 /month

• 

  Mike V.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 22, 2021

  Cove View Campground — Natural Tunnel State Park

  Nice but $$ tent camping

  Very unique state park. Expensive tent camping $40/night no hookups Visit tunnel at night if open

• S

  Steven H.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 5, 2019

  Riverside Campground

  Quiet on the river

  Great spot with tent camping on the water. We stopped in on short notice for one night. Would definitely stay again.

• 

  Lucy P.

  Ranger

  

  Mar. 22, 2024

  Chestnut Knob Shelter, Appalachian Trail

  Very nice shelter

  Very nice and comfy! Don’t make the same mistake I did and tent camp outside in a huge storm - just stay inside!

• 

  Rob J.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 3, 2018

  Breaks Interstate Park Campground

  Amazing park, decent campground

  Tent camped here a few weeks ago. Been on several day trips to the park. I love the trails, the waterpark and the views. Camp site is nice, but could use some work and an update.

• 

  Betsy W.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 2, 2024

  Little Tumbling Creek

  Beautiful and peaceful

  Laurel bed lake at top is beautiful. Waterfalls on way up and good fishing along the way in tumbling creek. Flat field area for camping on way. Several spots by creek for van or tent camping.

• 

  Molly K.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 13, 2023

  Backwoods Camping & RV Park

  Wonderful night

  The staff was awesome. They were kind and helpful. We tent camped and there were only a couple rvs in the park so it was quiet besides the motorcycles and rvs up and down the main road. They have showers and bathrooms. Fire pits and picnic tables.

• 

  Denise

  Guide

  

  Oct. 3, 2020

  Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park

  Nice park

  We tent camped here in the Royal Oak section. Campsites in this section are tent only and very nice and have platforms. Rv sites are crowded. Clean bath houses, and plenty to do. The lake is beautiful and has boat rentals and a swimming beach! Great place to kayak! This place stays booked up, so reservations are suggested during the summer/fall months.

• 

  Rachael H.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 11, 2020

  Natural Tunnel State Park Campground

  Wonderful

  Tent camped for a weekend to hike Devil’s bathtub. Campgrounds were well kept. We had water and electric at our site. Fire ring and table. Level gravel tent pad. Bathhouse very clean. We hiked down to the tunnel. Beautiful. The chair lift was running and the kids loved that. (We rode just for fun) park rangers were friendly. Dogs were welcome leashed.

• 

  Erin R.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 25, 2018

  Bristol-Kingsport KOA

  group camping in tent sites

  I tent camped with a group here and the sites are very rugged and pretty far from water/bathrooms but there is a pool and the staff is very friendly and helpful. It had been raining alot while we were here and it can be pretty slick if you don't stay on the thin gravel road with your vehicle.

• 

  Charles H.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 29, 2022

  Washington County Park

  Beautiful lakeside campground

  Most camp sites are right on the lake, and there were even some spots that had docks. All hook ups included, and some tent camping as well! There were several shelters that can rented as well to have parties and cook out. Only complaint, the sites are all back in and are on small roads so they're right fits, even with travel trailers.

• 

  Stephanie J.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 31, 2018

  Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park

  A beautiful basecamp for hikers and horseback riders

  With camping just a moderate day hike away from Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, this campground is a hiker's paradise.

  There is little to no cell signal here, so coming to Grayson Highlands is one of the few state parks in Virginia where you can truly go "off the grid" during the length of your stay--and you won't miss technology, because there is so much to do at this park. From the aforementioned Mount Rogers--an 8.5 mile out-and-back, to the 1.5 mile but difficult Cabin Trail that takes you to a waterfall, to the wild ponies who will approach hikers along the Rhododendron Trail, any fitness level will find hiking they can enjoy. When we stayed the outer bands of Hurricane Michael brought so much fog and rain that we were not able to see any of the ponies, but we did hear one a couple of times, very near Massie's Gap!

  As for camping there are two frontcountry campgrounds. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and bathrooms with electricity and flush toilets*

  Chestnut Hollow Campground:

  -There are 23 sites here with water and electric hook-ups May-October, and this loop is available as primitive camping March, April, and November. *During this time bathrooms are pit toilets only

  -Horse-friendly; there are stables located adjacent to this loop

  -These sites are very small; if you are in a tent I recommend no larger than a 4 person.

  -Not a lot of privacy between sites, especially near the back of the loop. Most sites are right agains the road and have little space to move around; I would not recommend this loop if you have small children who are going to want space to run and play

  Hickory Ridge Campground

  -This is the larger of the loops at GHSP; there are 64 campsites ranging from standard tent sites without water or electric, to full service sites with water and electric hookups.

  -Tent sites 1-18 are the furthest from hookup sites and will therefore be the quietest; they are mostly small sites and very close to the road. Sites 10, 12, 13, and 14 are set back furthest from the road. There is a path behind sites 2-14 leading to the bathhouse behind site 14. Site 13 is easily the most private--and arguably the only truly private--tent site in this campground, with the driveway going behind a cluster of trees that shields the site from the road. We stayed in site 12 which easily fit our 6 person tent.

  -Sites 31 and 32 are on a meadow the campsite loops around; they have no privacy and little shade, but ample room for kids to run around, and there is a set of swings near these sites. They are however right on the road so it may be easier to just walk to the swings and keep littles in a site without as much traffic. There is water right across from both of these sites.

  -Even-numbered hookup sites 60-70 are also right on the meadow with very little shade

  -All other sites are heavily shaded, although you'll be close to your neighbors

  The camp store near the Hickory Ridge Loop sells ice, firewood, and just about anything you may possibly have forgotten to pack--firestarters, first aid supplies, marshmallows, and has as a gift shop with blankets, outerwear, and kitschy souvenirs.

  Normally I would take off a star for lack of privacy of tent sites, however there is so much hiking here that your campsite can really be more of a basecamp than a place you want to sit and hang out all day long!

• 

  Vivian M.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 10, 2018

  Natural Tunnel State Park Campground

  Offers a variety of site layouts

  I camped here back in June 2018. It was one of three sites I camped at that week on my trek to ten VA state parks in the south eastern of the state. This was my favorite of them all. It offered primitive, trailer and tent camping. Since I was by myself I choice the tent. Very clean, helpful and friendly folks. the site was easy to pull through with my truck. I been to some that were not so easy.

• 

  Eric S.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 18, 2022

  Riverside Campground

  Urban camping

  This campsite is more suited for r.v’s and trailer’s. Really nice staff and very clean. Very well taken care of park Unfortunately if you are a tent camper. There’s no privacy between site’s. I understand it’s a small site. But would be nice if the tent sites were further away from the trailers and rv camper’s. Kinda felt like I set my tent up in the backyard. But still a really nicely kept and clean facility.

• m

  marilyn M.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 6, 2018

  Breaks Interstate Park Campground

  Beautiful park

  Absolutely beautiful park. Nice sized campsites. Perfect for tent camping. Good white water rafting w/dam openings daily

  Trails: Needs better signage on trail, especially as trails merge. Very steep switchbacks and difficult trails. Trail markers difficult to read or non existent in some spots. Wash outs and downed trees blocking trail common. Seems to be common in VA state parks, most staff had zero knowledge of their trails.

  20 minute drive to grocery, restaurants, etc

• 

  Katie M.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 2, 2020

  Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park

  One of the best!

  This is one of the best Virginia State Parks I have camped at!

  The area is just so incredibly beautiful and the park is huge, there is so much to do and explore. The ponies, hikes of all kinds, waterfalls, mountains. It is a trip I will remember forever.

  We got a non-site specific tent site reservation so we rolled up and I think we got the best one, site 13. It is the most private and very comfortable. Close to the bathrooms and water. I have no complaints! It was great!

  Check out Molly Chomper Cidery if you venture out of the park!

• T

  Toni S.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 30, 2018

  Breaks Interstate Park Campground

  Rugged and Beautiful!!

  One of my favorite places to visit, camp, and hike!! Its gorgeous Appalachia with hikes ranging from casual strolls to very difficult. This park offers all of the amenities, full hookup if you want it or primitive tent sites, a nice lodge and restaurant, horseback riding, and zip lines!!! One of the camp hosts, Teddy, was super friendly and helpful with anything we needed. I LOVE The Breaks Park!!!

• 

  Kirsten J.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 8, 2018

  Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park

  Quiet, starry with many fireflies!

  We love using this campground as our basecamp. We enjoy hiking with the wild ponies, so we camp at the campground and then day hike up with the kids. You can hike to see wild ponies and hike to blueberry bushes! The campground is clean, offering lots of space for kids to run and play. We enjoy camping on the big field so we have a clearing to see stars at night. They offer camper hookups and tent camping - composting toilets with sinks are available as well.

• 

  Heather K.

  Scout

  

  May. 8, 2020

  Clinch River Family Campground

  Off The Beaten Path

  A few friends and I visited this campground in June of 2018 so we could visit the Natural Tunnel and the Devil's Fork Loop Trail. It's a little off the beaten path, down a dirt/gravel road, nestled next to the river (sadly it was right after Tropical Storm Alberto so the river was flooded and we didn't get a chance to swim). We had a wonderful time tent camping and hiking, the staff was always around if we needed anything and we had a peaceful, memorable vacation.

• K

  Kari H.

  Scout

  

  May. 29, 2022

  Cavitts Creek Park

  Peaceful Park

  We camped in the "primitive loop" for a long holiday weekend. Tent sites were spaced a decent distance apart. Most were treed and had some shade during the day. The RV parking was a gravel lot with large RVs packed in tight. The lake was really pretty and there was a long trail around it. The bathhouse in the primitive loop was a little bit rough and not well maintained. Quite hilly to get to it from some of the spots. The folks running the place were very nice. We would come back again.

• 

  Tim R.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 9, 2019

  Hurricane Campground

  A nice spot, albeit a little pricey

  We stopped here for the night on our way to Kentucky. The campground is nice and the host was very friendly and attentive. There were showers, but when we were there there was a problem with the well, and we were advised to be careful about how much water we used. 

  I have no complaints but that for just tent camping, the price seemed a little high. Now we could have found something cheaper, but I do feel it's a bit higher than what I typically pay for sites similar to this. 

  At the end of the day, this was a nice spot, close to some trails and it's pretty well taken care of.

• 

  Lauren M.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 8, 2018

  Dennis Cove Campground

  Remote and beautiful

  What I like about this campground is that it’s small, remote, close to some amazing trails, and it’s just quaint and beautiful. It’s really for tent camping only. I like that it feels more like camping in the back country but yet it is still a campground. But it is small. There is a small bathroom but no showers. There is running water. So it just depends on what you are looking for. I felt safe with rangers coming through every few hours. It was quiet with mostly families. And because it’s up in the mountains it stayed nice and cool even in the summer. Fun creek nearby and some of the best and prettiest trails around.

• 

  Roxy V.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 27, 2019

  Riverside Campground

  Camping on the river is the BEST! Quiet, peaceful, perfect!

  This is a privately owned and operated small campground that's been in the family for years. When I say its quiet, there were only 5 others camping there. My spot was literally on the Shanendoah River. Most of the spots have RVs that folks keep there as their weekend get-away. Tent sites offer electric, have picnic table, a fire ring, and even wood provided for you! Cash or check only. No credit cards even accepted. The small local store across the street offers basics. Bathrooms are clean and there is a shower. Stan, the owner is super friendly and comes around to visit campers. Highly recommend!!!!

• 

  debe K.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 31, 2022

  R&D Campground

  Great campground with outstanding hosts!!

  This a great little campground in the process of improvement. Now has added sewer to more sites. Has tent sites with water and electric (30&50) too! Direct access to Doe Mtn for ATV trails from camp ground. They are hooked up with a group that does guided ATV tours. Hosts are amazing and caring...very flexible if they are able to be around previous reservation. Has pavilion and group campfire pit! Went to visit some friends nearby for 2 weeks, ended up staying 2 months!! Will definitely be back if come this way again! Adorable creek and cascade for peaceful sounds of running water!