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Tent Camping near Dryden, VA

16 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Tent campsites near Dryden, Virginia provide access to scenic Appalachian landscapes in southwestern Virginia, ranging from drive-in sites to secluded walk-in tent camping options. Misfit Farmz Campground offers tent-specific sites with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access options. Kingdom Come State Park Campground in neighboring Kentucky provides primitive tent camping with picnic tables and fire rings. Cliffhanger Ranch Adventure Outpost offers secluded tent sites with walk-in access about 20 miles from Dryden.

    Sites across these tent campgrounds generally feature basic amenities tailored for tent campers. Most provide fire rings and designated tent pads, though facilities vary considerably. Misfit Farmz includes picnic tables, drinking water, and toilet facilities for tent campers. Kingdom Come offers food storage poles to protect supplies from bears, as wildlife activity is common in the area. A camper noted, "The campground has 7 sites each with its own picnic table, fire ring, and pole for stashing your food away from bears." Most tent sites in the region require campers to pack out trash, though some campgrounds provide disposal services.

    Areas farther from town provide deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking quieter experiences. The tent camping areas near Jefferson National Forest offer access to numerous hiking trails and natural features. One visitor mentioned that Kingdom Come State Park remained peaceful with minimal other campers during their stay. Cliffhanger Ranch provides tent campers with mountain views and direct access to Jefferson National Forest recreation areas, including Bark Camp Lake for kayaking and Little Stoney Falls for hiking. Most walk-in tent sites require minimal hiking from parking areas but offer greater privacy than drive-up alternatives. During peak summer months, tent campgrounds may fill on weekends, making reservations advisable where accepted.

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    Best Tent Campgrounds near Dryden (16)

      1. Kingdom Come State Park Campground

      4.5(6)15mi from DrydenTents, Glamping

      "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

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      2. Misfit Farmz Campground

      5.0(1)13mi from Dryden4 sitesTents

      from $15 - $50 / night

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      3. Jefferson National Forest High Knob Campground

      1.0(1)18mi from DrydenTents

      4. Cliffhanger Ranch Adventure Outpost

      5.0(2)27mi from Dryden3 sitesTents

      "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

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      5. Moody Bluff Campground — Warriors' Path State Park

      5.0(6)32mi from Dryden136 sitesTents

      "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!"

      6. Panther Creek State Park Campground

      4.5(20)46mi from Dryden49 sitesTents

      "Panther Creek SP Panther Creek State Park was an unexpected find outside of Knoxville, TN , in Morristown. I’ve driven by the sign but no need to camp so close to home."

      "The park is quiet and well patrolled by rangers and sheriff, so very safe. Store closest to campground is open 2-7:30 PM. Visitor Center at the entrance opens at 7 AM."

      7. Rest & Ride Ranch - Temporarily closed

      Be the first to review24mi from Dryden7 sitesTents

      from $25 - $45 / night

      8. Covered Bridge Campout

      Be the first to review29mi from DrydenTents

      from $30 - $120 / night

      9. Bellebrook Acres

      5.0(1)44mi from Dryden1 siteTents

      from $50 - $70 / night

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      10. Camping with the Cows

      Be the first to review32mi from Dryden7 sitesTents, Glamping

      from $50 - $100 / night

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    Tent Camping Reviews near Dryden, VA

    339 Reviews of 16 Dryden Campgrounds


    • P
      Jul. 13, 2021

      Kingdom Come State Park Campground

      Quiet, beautiful views

      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 men's and women's bathrooms, with running water in the sinks, but no water faucets as in other camps, and no showers. I've camped there twice and only saw one other camper. It is very quiet and remote. The views from the outlooks at the top of the road are amazing. There is a lake for swimming, and plenty of trails. Bugs are minimal.

    • S
      Oct. 12, 2020

      Kingdom Come State Park Campground

      Lovely quiet, small tent campground

      Kingdom Come State Park is a little jewel in southeastern Kentucky! 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. The nearby shelter house provides restrooms and trash cans. The local ranger was most helpful in providing firewood (free!) and offering to bring us water to wash up with or for drinking (there is a water fountain across from the CG, but it wasn't turned on and there is running water in the restrooms). The area is known for bear activity, but we saw none. The surrounding mountains provide many short hikes that can be easily strung together to make for a longer trek if desired. We look forward to camping there again!

    • G
      Aug. 7, 2018

      Carr Creek State Park Campground

      RV/Tent camp by mtn lake

      Overall; nice place, bathrooms get gross quickly when campground is at full capacity. Not handicap friendly. Good cell service, 4G. Small beach area, clear water for swimming, but have quite a few steps to walk down to the lake. Playground equipment was taken down, only had a couple of swings. All sites have electric and water, picnic table, two poles to hang garbage or lantern, also fire rings with grates for cooking on Pets allowed on leash. Firewood and ice available.

      Attendant on site, not a ranger, maybe a "workamper?" Bathrooms cleaned only once in the midmorning. The commodes have a button to flush which is difficult to push. I think young children couldn't push it, so the toilets got nasty and full. Toilet paper ran out by early evening. There was no commode in the handicap stall in the women's room. Hot showers with regular handle for continual flow (as opposed to some places that only run a couple of minutes before you have to push the button again.

      Most sites are shaded and grassy areas. Sites 7, 8, 26, 28, 31 are washed out, not good for putting up a tent. Lake surrounds campground but not visible through the trees. A few very steep trails from some sites down to the lake.

      Beach is about 100 yds long. Water was clean and clear. It might be a slight challenge walking back up the steps to the parking lot if you're not in good shape. If you plan on hanging out at the beach area for awhile, I suggest bringing a beach tent, it gets hot. There is a drive way down to the beach for handicap access, but the gate was locked. There is a marina on the other side of the road. I believe you can rent a pontoon there.

      While we were there, somebody with a super loud speed boat was racing around, so be aware that if you're wanting peace and quiet, there is boating noise. There was also a group of campers that had speakers set up and played their music Sat night that was annoying. Not super loud, but we just didn't care for their style of music. We tolerated it, but don't know why they weren't asked to turn it down. To me, music shouldn't be heard much past your own site.

      It's about 5+/- miles in either direction for a store. There is an ice cream place about 2 miles away that also sells basic prep fried food and breakfast.

      Our electric didn't work (site 33) but we were with another couple and plugged into theirs next to us. We usually primitive camp, but because of the Aug heat, it's nice to have a fan at night.

      We might camp there again. The main thing is that the bath house needs to be updated and attended to more than once a day. It's better than nothing, but I'd rather go in an outhouse than see an overflowing toilet.

    • SThe Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 4, 2024

      Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping — Natural Tunnel State Park

      Primitive at its finest

      Booked a 3 night stay over the weekend and had the primitive camping area to ourselves. 5 spots with tent pads, picnic tables, fire pit, hanging poles, and bear box. Then there is a very large, communal fire pit, and an open but covered shelter with picnic tables and an outlet to charge your tech things. Water spigot at top, a little walk, uphill, for water. The camp store people said they are unable to use spigot nearby common shelter because it’s no good. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Glad we brought our large bladder so we weren’t constantly going up and down the hill for water. Camp store with some basics at entrance, and person on golf cart drives around checking on things. Trash dumpster, up the hill just past water spigot. Couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful place, especially for the price, $15/night. Took advantage of some of the hiking trails, which were well maintained and marked. Also, went and checked out the natural tunnel via chairlift. The other two campgrounds looked nice, with big, fancy bathhouses. And the cabins, wow, fancy! Hooray for Virginia State Parks!!

    • Lance W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Apr. 10, 2026

      Wilderness Road Campground

      Wonderful spot except for the road noise

      We made it down to tent camp in the d loop. Great spot as the reviews had mentioned. I wish all spots had food storage, but the downfall was hearing traffic all night while tent camping.

    • Susan E.
      Jul. 16, 2020

      Bristol-Kingsport KOA

      What luck!

      I’d never used a KOA before but was tremendously impressed with the serene beauty of this place situated well away from traffic in a bucolic setting. Mindful of my budget I learned to ask for a tent site with no electricity, no water, just toilets and showers. The young man who helped me observed I was alone and put me in a small cabin for no additional charge. Just outside the cabin was a bonfire of old wood from construction debris. I was super stoked to get this deal. I spent lots of time stoking that fire and sitting outdoors watching the evening arrive. If you’re anywhere near the area do stop in and enjoy a quiet and lovely night. You can even pet the horses nearby.

    • Kelsey G.
      Jun. 7, 2019

      French Broad River Campground - Permanently Closed

      Riverside Urban Camping

      This campground is minutes from Asheville, offering all urban amenities like nearby grocery, Starbucks, etc for last minute errands.

      You share the campground with permanent residents, RV's, and primitive campers. Campsites are relatively flat but a little gravely. Sites are pretty close together but each one has a fire ring and picnic table.

      You can't get any close to the water, being right on the French Broad River. Sling up a hammock for serious relaxation. 

      We enjoyed this campground as a large group and rented out 4 adjacent sites. Dogs are welcome. Firewood can be purchased, but we never saw anyone in the office so I would suggest bringing your own.

      Bathrooms are at the front of the park, a 10-minute walk from the primitive sites. Bathrooms are not spotless, but they do the trick.

    • NThe Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 31, 2021

      Baileyton KOA Holiday

      Country Time

      Sites: 60 Pull thrus 

      RV-Tent-Cabins 15-30-50 amp service 

      Hot showers, pool, pets allowed, toilets, laundry, small grocery store This is only of couple of miles off I40 in the rolling hills of Tennessee, very quiet and well maintained. Sites ae a bit close together but not on top of each other. Gravel pads, fire rings, picnic table, trash. Beautiful green space and dog walk area. Enjoy the hiking. 

      LNT 

      Travel safe

    • Robert C.
      May. 28, 2022

      Wilderness Road Campground

      Nice Sites, Modern Bathhouse

      We camped in site B-11.

      Sites, even in the RV loops, are well spread out with mature trees separating them. Sites can be hilly, even the RV paved pads, so be cautious on site selection. That said, the roads and pads were recently re-paved and have nice curb stops at the ends to assist in backing in.

      The bath houses are generally clean and updated, with separate shower facilities that are independent from the bathrooms. It’s not especially cold right now but it did seem that they’re at least heated.

      We tent camp in an RV site since we have an EV, allowing us to charge. The power post on our site was typical with 120V 20A (5-20) and 30A (TT-30) connections as well as a 240V 50A (14-50). Power supplied was at 248V while pulling 32A.

      Our site accommodated our larger 9-person tent (16’x9’) well, with only a slight slope on the back end of the site. This left plenty of space for the supplied table, fire ring, and parking in the paved pad. We are across the street from the bath house.

      Note: Site B-10 across the street has a significant slope for the RV pad and the grassy area that could accommodate a tent is also significantly sloped.

      None of the sites I’ve seen have water at the site- there is a spigot at the bath house.

      The dumpster area is at the end of the B-loop road, and also has bottle and can recycling available.

      We could occasionally hear traffic (mostly engine brakes when it happened), but I think that is more an issue in the further back loops. A-loop is furthest from the highway. As a tent camper, the HVAC units of neighboring RV’s were louder than the traffic (not an issue - we know what we’re signing up for in these sites. Just giving a comparison.)


    Guide to Dryden

    Tent campgrounds surround the Dryden, Virginia area with several options for primitive camping experiences in the nearby mountains of southwestern Virginia and eastern Kentucky. Kingdom Come State Park Campground offers tent-only sites with natural surroundings and is accessible via drive-in access. Misfit Farmz Campground provides ten tent sites with multiple access options including walk-in tent sites and is located within Virginia state boundaries.

    Tent sites in the region typically include basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, with varying levels of additional facilities. Most tent campgrounds require campers to bring their own drinking water, as availability varies by location. Kingdom Come State Park features mulch tent pads large enough for two small tents, while providing food hangers to secure supplies from local wildlife, particularly bears. Campers should note that restroom facilities range from basic vault toilets to sites with running water in the sinks but no showers. The camping season varies, with Jefferson National Forest High Knob Campground operating from May 15 to September 15.

    The surrounding mountains create a secluded tent camping experience with access to numerous hiking trails. According to one visitor, "Kingdom Come State Park is a little jewel in southeastern Kentucky" with tent sites surrounded by short hiking trails that can be connected for longer treks. Many campgrounds in the region experience minimal traffic, allowing for quiet, peaceful stays. A camper noted that they "only saw one other camper the whole time" during their visit to Kingdom Come. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for exploring natural features like Bark Camp Lake and Little Stoney Falls in Jefferson National Forest. Bear activity is common in several areas, requiring proper food storage and clean campsite maintenance. Most tent campgrounds are situated to provide shade from trees and access to water features such as small lakes stocked with fish.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dryden, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dryden, VA is Kingdom Come State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Dryden, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.