3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campsites near Earlysville, Virginia range from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites, with several options within a short drive. Lovers Lane FarmStay offers a single tent site with amenities including drinking water, showers, and picnic tables, while more remote options like Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed and Hazeltop Summit Dispersed provide primitive tent camping experiences in the surrounding mountains. Lake Anna State Park Campground, located about 30 miles southeast, provides developed tent sites with more facilities for campers seeking a balance between wilderness and convenience.
Most primitive tent camping areas require permits and have specific regulations regarding fires and food storage. Laurel Prong Trail and Hazeltop Summit prohibit fires entirely and require proper food storage due to wildlife activity. Sites are typically set on natural surfaces with minimal improvements. A recent review noted that "Hazeltop Summit was a perfect spot, secluded with a great view, but not an easy find" - highlighting the navigation challenges common to backcountry tent sites. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including water, as most dispersed sites lack facilities. During peak seasons, established campgrounds like Lake Anna fill quickly, while backcountry areas generally offer more solitude.
Walk-in tent sites provide a middle ground between car camping and backcountry experiences. Areas farther from Earlysville offer deeper seclusion and darker night skies. Emerald Pond Primitive Campground, accessible via hiking trails, features spring-fed water sources that require filtering. "This is probably one of the best first-time backpacker hikes you can do," according to feedback on The Dyrt, noting that the trail "gets the hard part out of the way at the start" with a steep ascent followed by relatively flat terrain. Tent campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions, particularly at higher elevations where temperatures can drop significantly at night even during summer months. Most primitive tent sites in the region operate on a pack-in, pack-out basis for trash management.
"Ashley here with The Dyrt, we're happy to welcome this new listing to the platform. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love!"
from $35 - $55 / night
"It’s a decently private spot with the trail close by, bugs weren’t bad only gripe was bears were constantly checking out our tent during night, we had one beef stick (trash thrown in our hang bag of course"
"This campsite is another one we found on a list provided by Shenandoah’s park rangers and was listed as moderate hike and easy camping."
"Ranger led park programs are offered year round, this week included a natural history boat tour in the lake, and a naturalist talk on loons."
"We stayed at site 11 in location 2 on the Lake James campgrounds; it’s a paddle-in-only location. Getting there required canoeing in, which was easy for us to do on the lake’s dock."
from $16 - $75 / night
"Found this spot from a recommended list provided by Shenandoah park rangers, and I’m glad we choose this one."
"It was a great public spot to disperse camp as there are plenty of areas to set up camp on the way to the summit, but none beat the view of this one."
"The sites are large and primitive. We had no trouble getting down there in the jeep. We appreciated the dishes/kitchen set up, games, and the adorable outhouse!"
"If you are tent camping or have a camper van the area is fine. Large RV will have a difficult time setting up in the camp area. The camp area is quiet and there is plenty of firewood for use."
"We're excited to welcome this property to the platform. Camp out under a canopy of Red Cedar Trees and make yourself comfortable. Free firewood! Give this place a go and leave your review here."
from $25 - $30 / night
"Night 1: Overall Run Camp: This is the third established site along the trail downhill from Overall Run Falls, near the junction of the Overall Run Trail and the Tuscarosa Trail."
"If you’re going to invest in a portable bear box for your food, check out http://igbconline.org/certified-products-list/. There are especially so many incredible hikes on Skyline Drive!"
"We're so excited to have this property on our platform! These flat, well maintained sites are perfect to pitch your tent or park your RV. The sites are large and offer ample shade."
from $21 - $60 / night
"Lake James is a true gem, clean and beautiful, with amazing views of Linville Gorge, Shortoff Mountain, and Table Rock. The State Park has several camping areas."
"This is a lovely little campground set on the shores of James Lake. Sites are big enough for 2 small tents or 1 largish family tent. All sites have a picnic table, fire pit with grate, and bear box."
from $16 / night
TravelerLong drive thru spots, lots of space between campsites. Really inexpensive laundry ($1 to wash $1 to dry) $5 showers for 10 minutes. Nice bathrooms. Dry camping at its finest. Close drive to Grand caverns and Luray caverns.
TravelerVery nicely maintained sites. Cost per night but can't pay via application cause there is no cell service. Water wasn't working or on but that was anticipated.
GuideLovely spot to camp as the temps drop. $30/night, first-come. Restrooms, fire pits, picnic tables, and mostly flat spots.
ScoutVery accommodating, we are traveling through and called at the last minute for a spot overnight. We stayed right on the creek.
GuideReally nice property and clean rest rooms. Milo and I only stayed one night as we were meeting up with fellow overlanders. Price seemed a bit high @ $57.00 for parking on the grass with no elec or water.
I don't think I'll be back, unless we all meet up there again.
GuideGreat spot! Was first-come first-serve - we got there mid-afternoon on a Monday and it'd filled up by about 5pm. Clean & well-stocked facilities. All the sites are pretty close together/little seclusion, but those across from us (13) probably offered the most seclusion in the upper loop there. Firewood from the camp store (3rd party - not NPS) was $10/bundle, which was kind of expensive - will probably bring my own treated firewood next time. Very pretty sunset/sunrise. Good grassy/gravel spots for tenting.
GuideGreat campground! Facilities were well-stocked and clean. Stayed at a walk-in site (005), which was nice because it's a very short walk from the reserved parking spot and it's on the outside of the ring so comparatively secluded. All traffic entering the campground passes by it, which might be annoying to some (esp. during peak season I'd bet) but we didn't find it disturbing. The site also has its own bear box (adjacent sites 006 & 007 have to share one). One note - the site map shows a separate trail going right from the parking spot to the site, but you actually have to walk through site 006 to get to it. Also, we learned that the camp store is not run by the NPS, and the kid who was running the store does not provide great service, to say the least; he was very rude when there was a credit card snafu, and made us go down to the wayside store to get our refund even though he was the one who double-charged us. Don't blame NPS though! Also, firewood is kind of expensive ($10/bundle); consider bringing your own treated/kiln-dried from a nearby store before entering the park!
TravelerAbout a half a mile down to gravel road to a very small boat launch and a loop where there are some fire pits but this is not really dispersed camping in the traditional sense. I saw a few fire pits on the other side of a guardrail where you could pitch a tent alongside the road. Noticeable highway noise in an otherwise scenic location
ScoutResponsive hosts, great sites, fun family activities.
Tent campsites near Earlysville, Virginia range from remote lakeside spots to farm-based camping with varying levels of amenities. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 500-3,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between daytime and nighttime conditions. The area receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, making waterproof gear essential even during summer camping trips.
Swimming in clear waters: Lake James State Park Campground features one of the clearest lakes in the region. "Lake James is by far the clearest body of water I have been on in NC," notes one Canoe Landing Group Campsite visitor. The water quality makes it ideal for swimming and paddleboarding during summer months.
Mushroom farm tours: Learn about mushroom cultivation while camping at Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm. "Orv is so helpful and kind. I really enjoyed his place and learning about his mushroom farm," writes one camper. The farm offers educational tours that explain the growing process of various mushroom types.
Fishing: Cast your line directly from your campsite at several locations. "Camping along the river at the Canoe Landing Campground is great in the slower seasons... And you can fish right off the bank less than 50 yards from your tent," reports a camper. Most fishing spots don't require permits for shore fishing, but a Virginia fishing license is necessary for those over 16.
Stargazing opportunities: The limited light pollution makes for exceptional night sky viewing. "The night sky was amazing. You could see stars for miles," writes a camper at Walnut Grove. Some campgrounds even provide stargazing equipment: "Just ask for a telescope (free at the store) and stare up at the sky for hours!"
Wildlife encounters: Bear activity provides excitement but requires proper precautions. At Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed, one camper noted: "Bears were constantly checking out our tent during night... after one bear sniffed that sucker out 15 minutes later while we were in our tent we heard the first one full sprint and slobbering to check it out."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards of cleanliness. "The bathhouse was immaculate and the campsite large enough for two tents to share comfortably," notes a Walnut Grove visitor. Another camper at Lake Anna mentioned, "The bath house was clean, and I especially liked the privacy of individual shower rooms."
Navigation challenges: Finding unmarked sites can be difficult without proper directions. "This campsite was not an easy find. We ended up looking around the summit for awhile before we found a good spot so be careful," warns a camper about Hazeltop Summit Dispersed Camping.
Temperature variations: Prepare for significant temperature drops at night, even in summer. At Emerald Pond Primitive Campground, a camper advises: "I didn't expect temps to get as low as they did... keep in mind it is fresh (cold) spring water and you're in the middle of two ridge lines, so it will get colder than the surrounding areas."
Reservation requirements: Many sites fill quickly during peak season. One camper at Lake Anna State Park Campground suggests: "There are a relatively small number of campsites, so plan your trip in advance, especially during holiday weekends."
Fourth of July celebrations: Lake Anna State Park offers special activities for Independence Day. "Always come here for fourth of July and it is quite a show there are a bunch of activities to do," shares one visitor about the holiday festivities, which include fireworks visible from campsites.
Kid-friendly facilities: Some parks offer educational opportunities for children. At Walnut Grove, a camper mentioned: "My 4 yr old spent hours playing with all the little animals the ranger station had." These ranger-led activities typically run during summer weekends.
Beginner-friendly hiking: Start with trails designed for less experienced hikers. "This is probably one of the best first time backpacker hikes you can do," says a visitor about Emerald Pond Primitive Campground. The trail "gets the hard part out of the way at the start" with a steep ascent followed by relatively flat terrain.
Site selection considerations: Choose level sites with appropriate hookups. At Lake Anna State Park Campground, an RVer noted: "For being a state park, Lake Anna is one of the best I've been to... There were large back-in sites as well as pull-through sites. There was also a dump station. Campers can choose sites with or without electricity."
Accessibility features: Some campgrounds offer ADA-compliant facilities. "This campground is ADA accessible with the lantern hangers having lower hooks for those in wheelchairs, and at least one of the cabins has a wheelchair ramp," shares a Lake Anna camper, making it suitable for RVers with mobility considerations.
Seasonal crowding: Expect busy conditions during peak months. "Very nice, plenty to see and do, but very crowded and noisy, even after quiet time," warns an RVer at Lake Anna. Plan to arrive early on summer weekends as most sites fill by noon on Fridays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Earlysville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Earlysville, VA is Lovers Lane FarmStay with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Earlysville, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Earlysville, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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