Best Campgrounds near Dryden, VA
Camping in the Dryden, Virginia area ranges from established state park campgrounds to family-operated RV parks within the scenic Appalachian mountains. Natural Tunnel State Park serves as a primary camping destination, offering tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts. Additional options include Jessie Lea RV Park and Campground in Big Stone Gap, Leeman Field Park in Pennington Gap, and primitive camping opportunities within George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. Most campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, with several offering full sewer connections for RVs.
Reservations are recommended for Natural Tunnel State Park, particularly during summer months when the chair lift operates and family activities peak. The topography presents challenges with steep drives into some camping areas, though most sites accommodate a range of camping styles. Natural Tunnel's campground sits atop the geological formation that gives the park its name, with hiking trails leading from campsites to the tunnel overlook. "It's a steep climb into the campground area but doable. At the main park entrance keep going straight and veer to the right up the hill to cabins/campgrounds to get to Lover's Leap and Cove View campground areas," noted one visitor about the park's terrain.
Campers consistently praise the cleanliness of facilities at both state park and private campgrounds in the region. Several visitors highlighted Natural Tunnel State Park's spacious sites, particularly in the Lover's Leap loop where camping spots offer more distance between neighbors than in the older Cove View section. The area's campgrounds typically feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails or walking paths. Jessie Lea RV Park receives special mention for its location along the Powell River with a walking bridge connecting to Big Stone Gap's greenway trail. Weekend campers should note potential differences in experience, as one review of Cave Springs in George Washington & Jefferson National Forest mentioned: "The first two nights were bliss - quiet and peaceful...However, Saturday night brought loud, disrespectful campers."
