1 campground with availability next weekend
The forested mountains surrounding Clintwood, Virginia offer several tent camping options within driving distance. Cliffhanger Ranch Adventure Outpost provides five tent-only sites with walk-in access and drive-in options. Kingdom Come State Park Campground, located across the Kentucky border, features seven primitive tent campsites with mulch tent pads. Jefferson National Forest High Knob Campground near Norton, Virginia is another tent camping destination, though seasonal closures may affect availability from September through mid-May.
Most tent campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities with varying levels of development. Kingdom Come's tent sites include gravel drives, mulch tent pads sized for two small tents, fire rings, and picnic tables. Food hanging poles are provided at each site for bear safety. Restroom facilities with running water in sinks are available, though drinking water access may be limited. Campers should verify seasonal availability before traveling, as Jefferson National Forest High Knob Campground operates only from May 15 to September 15. Road conditions can be challenging, with one visitor noting the "road in from Cumberland is STEEP" when accessing Kingdom Come State Park.
Tent campers frequently report solitude as a primary benefit of these areas. According to reviews, Kingdom Come State Park Campground rarely fills to capacity, with one camper stating they "only saw one other camper" during their stay. The campground layout places six sites relatively close together, with a seventh more secluded site approximately 100 feet from the lake. Visitors mention minimal bug activity and excellent access to hiking trails, including the Raven Rock trail which leads to panoramic mountain views. Bear activity is common in the region, requiring proper food storage. Campers at Cliffhanger Ranch appreciate the proximity to Jefferson National Forest, where activities like kayaking at Bark Camp Lake and hiking at Little Stoney Falls are accessible. Cell service is generally unavailable throughout these backcountry tent camping areas.
"Staying at The Cliffhanger Ranch places you in a quiet area surrounded by forests and a small downtown nearby, perfect for adventuring around a new area. "
"What makes this place great is that the entrance is directly across from the Jefferson National Forrest."
from $20 - $35 / night
"This campground in the Kingdom Come State Park has about 6 or 7 sites, and they are primitive with no running water, but good pads, picnic tables, food hangers, shade from trees, and fire rings."
"There are 6 tent sites (7 if they allow you to reserve the one next to the duck pond), each with a gravel drive, mulch tent pad big enough for two smallish tents, fire ring, and picnic table."
from $14 / night
"Quiet neighbors. All around wonderful place to camp"
"updated bathhouses lots of shady sites sits on Patrick Henry Lake - no boat that’s ok rent paddle boats and kayaks at the Marina or just have lunch and watch the ducks on the water!"
from $60 - $80 / night
from $50 - $70 / night
GuideThis is an amazing campsite in Norton, VA. It’s really well maintained and the views are beautiful. It was empty on the late fall weekend that we were there. There are electrical hookups and bathhouses
Take a quick drive up and check out Flag Rock, the Woodbooger statue and High Knob while you’re there!
FYI - The campground is closed from 10/31/26 until 5/15/2027.
TravelerEasy to get to, cheap, good bathrooms.
TravelerOn top of a mountain. Gorgeous afternoon and evening views but The fog is dense in the mornings, which comes with a lot of dew, but completely worth it for the afternoon view. No shade trees at our site, but they are large and offer fire rings and picnic tables. Direct access to the happy McCoy trails. We rented just down the street the side-by-side for a couple of days and had a fantastic time.
GuideClean nice little campground for the weekend.
GuideWe camped in pull-thru A43. The site is decently level and spacious. The other campers were very friendly. The bath house was modern and clean.
There was so much to do here! We ventured out to most of the overlooks; the views were breathtaking! There were plenty of hiking opportunities on trails from easy to difficult. Kayaks also were available for rent.
There is a hotel in the park, but it's far enough from the campgrounds (A, B, C, and D) that the guests don't bother the campers.
I can't imagine how glorious this place must be in the fall!
ScoutI stayed long term while working in the area, including through the winter months, and loved the propane delivery. Coming home to a full tank already dropped at my site was such a nice perk.
It’s a beautiful, peaceful little campground tucked into the mountains and you can tell a lot of care goes into it. It’s not a parking lot like other places I’ve stayed the sites are tiered on the mountainside but level and large. Staff is friendly, they have a game room and laundry room and the store sells cold beer! It was a nice home away from home while working in town
TravelerThe lake is so beautiful if you catch it at the right time of day it’s like l looking into a mirror dimension because it’s so clear.
TravelerBeautiful scenery right next to the Russell Fork River! A solid 5 stars for the campground & staff. You don’t have to worry about the fun police monitoring your every action. Very budget friendly, they have the cheapest rates that I could find around the area. It’s really laidback & peaceful. You can sit at camp & relax while you drink your favorite beverage, enjoy your favorite smoke, just keep it to yourself & don’t raise hell. Or you could hit the Russell Fork for some awesome river activities such as fishing, swimming, kayaking, etc. At check-in you get the free Wi-Fi password & a bundle of wood for your fire pit. It’s a great getaway & I thoroughly enjoyed my stay & look forward to coming back. The only downside is that they need more shade options for the back tent sites to beat the summer heat. I highly recommend Thunder River Campground!!⛺️
ScoutThe management is terrible they are disrespectful and dont deserve to run this campground. Not sure what gives him the right to call my wife at 10 oclock at night and start screaming and yelling at her telling her that he doesn't like her and kick us out over a bike being being out at 830 at night while my son was fishing. There rules are so unrealistic and childish thats not to mention they have convicted felons staying there harassing kids all night. The management should be remove from this position immediately its not safe there for the kids anymore and is the most disrespectful biased campground I have ever been at.
Tent camping near Clintwood, Virginia provides access to mountainous terrain at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 feet within the Jefferson National Forest and surrounding areas. The region experiences four distinct seasons with moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most campgrounds, with terrain creating natural dead zones throughout the Cumberland Mountains.
Fishing at nearby lakes: Kingdom Come State Park offers a small lake regularly stocked with trout, bass, bluegill, and sunfish just a short walk from the campsites. "For the adventurers you can drive along a section of The Little Shepard Trail. A one lane road that runs along the ridge of the mountain. No guard rails! With 300 foot cliffs to either side," notes Brian B. from Kingdom Come State Park Campground.
Cave exploration: Several natural rock formations provide unique exploration opportunities. "The trails were really cool with lots to see including an amphitheater inside a big cave!" writes Jess B. about her experience camping in the area. The natural rock bridge called Log Rock is located close to the campsites at Kingdom Come.
Kayaking: Water activities are accessible from Cliffhanger Ranch Adventure Outpost. According to Noah O., "We were able to kayak at Bark Camp Lake which was not busy at all." This activity provides a less crowded alternative to other recreational areas in the region.
Solitude and quiet: The campgrounds rarely reach capacity, offering a peaceful experience. Paul H. reports that at Kingdom Come State Park, "I've camped there twice and only saw one other camper. It is very quiet and remote." This allows for an undisturbed wilderness experience.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bear sightings are common but typically at a safe distance. Jess B. notes, "I saw more bears while at this park then any other time. But it was never scary because they were always far away. We were really careful to keep our campsite very clean as to not attract the bears closer."
Free firewood: Unlike many camping areas that charge for wood, Bellebrook Acres and some other sites provide complimentary firewood. At Kingdom Come State Park, Brian B. mentions "Everyday a ranger will come by and keep you stocked with wood. It's included with the price of camping."
Seasonal closures: Verify operating dates before planning a trip. High Knob Campground in Jefferson National Forest operates only from May 15 to September 15. One visitor reported, "Road closed unfortunately. Not information posted," suggesting lack of advance notification about closures.
Bear safety requirements: Food storage poles are provided at campsites in bear country. "The campground has 7 sites each with it's own picnic table, fire ring, and pole for stashing your food away from bears," writes Brian B. about Carr Creek Lake Shelters.
Water availability: Drinking water access is inconsistent throughout the region. Paul H. notes, "They are primitive with no running water, but good pads, picnic tables, food hangers, shade from trees, and fire rings. There are men's and women's bathrooms, with running water in the sinks, but no water faucets as in other camps."
Minimal insects: Lower bug populations make the area more comfortable for children. Paul H. mentions "Bugs are minimal" at Kingdom Come State Park, reducing the need for excessive insect repellent during family outings.
Varied hiking difficulties: Trails accommodate different age groups and experience levels. "The surrounding mountains provide many short hikes that can be easily strung together to make for a longer trek if desired," notes Sarah from Kingdom Come, making it possible to customize hikes to children's abilities.
Site selection for privacy: For families wanting more seclusion, specific sites offer better isolation. "Of the 7 sites 6 are close together. The 7th is of by itself and about 100 feet from the lake in a more secluded area," explains Brian B. about Jefferson National Forest High Knob Campground.
Road grade considerations: Mountain access roads can be challenging for vehicles pulling trailers. Grant M. warns, "The road in from Cumberland is STEEP! We made it in a mini van pulling a scamp, so you'll probably be fine." This suggests smaller trailers are more suitable than larger RVs.
Limited hookup options: Most sites are primitive with few amenities for recreational vehicles. Sites at Kingdom Come are described as "tent-centric but doable with a small trailer," according to Grant M., indicating size limitations for RV camping.
No dump stations: Plan accordingly for waste management as facilities are minimal. At Kingdom Come State Park, Grant M. notes there is "No dump station," requiring RV campers to handle waste management independently during their stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Clintwood, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Clintwood, VA is Cliffhanger Ranch Adventure Outpost with a 5.0-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Clintwood, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Clintwood, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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