148 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Clifton Forge, Virginia support a mix of established campgrounds and primitive camping areas. Douthat State Park Campground, located about 10 miles from Clifton Forge, serves as a central camping destination with accommodations for tents, RVs, cabins, and even glamping options. The region includes several developed campgrounds like Bolar Mountain Recreation Area and Morris Hill Campground, both situated within 30 minutes of town. Public lands in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests provide additional opportunities for overnight stays in more rustic settings.
Several campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. "This park is in one of my favorite parts of VA. Very beautiful area with plenty of off grid seclusion! It's a nice scenic drive getting to the park on a quiet and well maintained back road," noted one visitor about Douthat State Park. Facilities vary widely, from primitive sites with minimal amenities to fully developed campgrounds offering electric hookups, shower facilities, and sanitary dump stations. Road conditions are generally good near established recreation areas, though some primitive sites may require higher clearance vehicles. Cell service is limited or nonexistent in many camping areas, particularly in the more remote forest locations. Campers should prepare for variable mountain weather conditions, even during summer months.
Lakeside camping represents a particularly sought-after experience in the region. Douthat State Park features a lake with swimming areas, fishing opportunities, and boat rentals. A visitor remarked that "Douthat is amazing! There are three camping loops here but we love to stay in the white oak loop which is secluded and the majority of the sites have the creek on the back side of your site." Beyond water features, the area offers extensive hiking and mountain biking trails connecting many campgrounds. Wildlife sightings, including black bears, are possible throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. Campground noise levels vary significantly, with highway-adjacent locations like Waltons Campground experiencing road noise, while forest-interior sites provide more secluded experiences. Weekends and holidays see higher occupancy rates at developed campgrounds, making reservations advisable during peak seasons.
"Kid and pet friendly, this park has a nice lake for Kayaking/canoeing, multiple hiking trails with views, excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, and great biking trails."
"General: There are four campgrounds in Douthat State Park - White Oak, Whispering Pines, Lakeside, and Beaver Dam (equestrian), each in a separate location. This review is for White Oak."
from $37 / night
Check Availability"I stayed on campground 1 on a lake side site with access to the lake, the views from my tent were breathtaking! The campground is clean, it has shower and flushable toilets."
"This was our first camping trip to actually visit lake Moomaw in Warm Springs Virginia. We had been close before but never made it to the lake itself."
from $16 - $85 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Morris Hill campground is located in Alleghany County, Virginia, in the George Washington National Forest. This campground does not have Water/Electric hookups... It is semi primitive."
"This is a great camp located near lake Moomaw! Right off the road with easy access to the sites. First come first serve but this particular camp has a lot of sites!"
from $18 - $65 / night
Check Availability"We spent Labor Day weekend 2021 enjoying Lake Sherwood when we stayed at the recreation area while visiting friends in nearby Clifton Forge, Virginia."
"The campground is butted up against Sherwood lake and a small mtn ridge range that divides West Virginia and Virginia. "
from $20 - $100 / night
Check Availability"The sites are level, gravel, well spaced out and surrounded by trees. We stayed at White Pines Campground and there was a network of trails you can access a short walk away."
from $90 - $427 / night
Check Availability"Pool, lake fishing, hiking, picnic area. Large enough sites. Alot to see and do in nearby historical Lexington VA. A good place to just relax."
"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."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $60 / night
GuideThe campground is nice but needs a little upkeep. It is apparent from the algae and moss on the buildings that it's a very damp area. The restroom facilities were working but needed touched up All in all it was ok for a nights stay and the lake and sharp top mountain were incredible despite the little issues I wouldn't hesitate to come back.
ScoutIf youre looking for away from people. Away from most people youll be. Well taken care of.
RangerCool campground in a remote part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As such, very little phone service and lots of narrow, winding roads. Plenty of hikes and several interesting little towns within 30 minutes. I thought it was an interesting mix! We had a power outage during our visit, which also eliminates water access at this site. I was grateful to have an inverter to keep us online since there is zero AT&T service. I had a pull-through site and I'm not certain that I could have made the exit if the campers ahead of me didn't leave.
ScoutWe were there for a short time Arriving on Aug. 17th. Our trip plan was to see the steam engine trains.
Camp grounds was very clean and well kept. The sites were grass with gravel pads where the camper was placed. We plan to come back again and stay longer. There are a lot of places to visit and enjoy the area site seeing.
The manager was very accommodating. We had a problem with a water line. The manager came over and helped us find parts and repair the water line.
ScoutBeautiful area and lots of amenities but $95 a night for RV camper even if you’re in a van. The tent spots fill up fast if there are any
ScoutBathrooms clean and spacious enough. Campsites close enough to access what water, trash, and other needs with still allowing for some privacy. The front has laundry, ice, firewood and tends to most needs. Dark skies and deer wandering around make for a peaceful and nice experience overall.
GuideNot far from the National park, we went the weekend before school started for the little ones so not as many campers as we have seen in the past. The brew pub is within walking distance. Great for family camping.
TravelerWe really enjoyed our one night visit there. It has a nice pond with a few hiking trails. The dispersed camping sites are fairly private. Each has a nice gathered rock fire ring. The pit toilets in the day area not at all clean. Trash cans were overflown, but we did arrive on a Sunday night so maybe it was a busy weekend? I think we would go back, love that area.
TravelerWhat a delight to rest here for two nights! The park is small (10 campsites, I think) and blanketed by a lovely green canopy. Amenities are few, but the nearby showers are clean, with hot water and electricity, and fresh water is available on site by a hand pumped cistern. The office and maintenance headquarters are also nearby, and the folks in the office are friendly and welcoming. I’ll visit here again!
Camping near Clifton Forge, Virginia offers year-round options within the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 feet. The region's campgrounds typically see temperature drops of 10-15 degrees compared to surrounding lowland areas, creating cooler microclimates even during summer months. Several primitive sites provide direct water access to Lake Moomaw, a 2,530-acre reservoir with over 40 miles of undeveloped shoreline.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Moomaw offers excellent fishing conditions for multiple species. At Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, you can access both lake fishing and river spots. "This place is amazing. I could stay here every weekend and not get tired of it. Warm water, fresh air, no service," notes camper Blake B.
Water activities: Beyond fishing, many campgrounds feature water-based recreation. "The water was beautiful, temperature perfect for swimming. There's a Seperate beach that you can drive to that is roped off for swimming purposes but we rather enjoyed walking to the water from our site and having what seemed like our own little swimming spot," reports Joanna G. about her stay at Bolar Mountain.
Hiking trails: The area provides numerous hiking options ranging from easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain ascents. Morris Hill Campground offers access to trails connecting to the lake. As Benjamin N. describes, "Short drive to Coles Point beach and boat ramp for Lake Moomaw."
Secluded sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer private camping spots away from crowds. "Our site was even and pretty basic despite having electricity. It was just across from the deluxe cabins and close to the restroom which I liked. Everything seemed well lit at night," reports Crystal C. about her stay at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA.
Clean facilities: Despite the remote setting, many campgrounds maintain excellent facilities. At Lake Sherwood, Leigh-Ann G. was "stoked to find hot FREE showers and a 2pm check out time. The lake is man made but very large and looks like it's always been there."
Wildlife viewing: The mountain setting provides opportunities for wildlife observation. "We did not see any but did see deer, rabbits, red squirrels, and other little creatures roaming around," shares Pawsfuradventure T. about their experience at Lake Sherwood.
Cell service limitations: Reception varies significantly between campgrounds. At McClintic Point Primitive Campground, there's virtually no service, while some sites offer limited connectivity. "This is off the grid and does not really have provisions especially after Labor Day. It is a stretch to call it a store but it did have ice, drinks, bait, peanut butter and few other essentials," explains a reviewer.
Distance from supplies: Most campgrounds are located 30-45 minutes from major stores. "It takes a little time to get there but it's worth the trip," notes Scott P. about Bolar Mountain Recreation Area. Pack accordingly as resupply runs can consume significant time.
Weather variability: The mountain environment creates unpredictable conditions. Jennifer K. from Morris Hill Campground reports: "Cell service (at&t) was a little spotty but for the most part we usually had about 2 bars and were even able to watch a little netflix on the one rainy day."
Kid-friendly water features: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas designed for children. Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp receives high marks from families: "Just the drive to the campground through the Blue Ridge Mountains was beautiful. Some of us spent all day swimming, catching salamanders and tadpoles while some of us fished," shares Maggie A.
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds provide dedicated play areas and organized activities. "We had a great weekend with the whole family! There was a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging, laughing, loving, and hanging out!" reports Bridget H. about Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge.
Educational opportunities: The region offers learning experiences through ranger programs and natural features. "The lake is nice, and there is nice hiking along the shore," mentions Thomas R., highlighting opportunities for nature exploration.
Site selection: RV campers should carefully research site dimensions before booking. At Lake Robertson, Jim B. reports sites are "well spaced apart," providing adequate room for setup.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary widely between campgrounds. "Bolar Mountain Rec Area is on Lake Moomaw. We had the pleasure of having a campsite with lake view and access both times. Campground 2 site 53, has a nice private beach area where you can go fishing or swim," explains Nicole R.
Road conditions: Access roads to many campgrounds include steep grades and tight turns. "Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles," warns Jeremy W. about certain areas of Douthat State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Clifton Forge, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Clifton Forge, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 148 campgrounds and RV parks near Clifton Forge, VA and 17 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Clifton Forge, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clifton Forge, VA is White Oak Campground — Douthat State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 27 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clifton Forge, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Clifton Forge, VA.
What parks are near Clifton Forge, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Clifton Forge, VA that allow camping, notably George Washington & Jefferson National Forests and Monongahela National Forest.
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