Campsites near Ewing, Virginia occupy a region marked by significant elevation changes, with camping areas spanning from 1,300 to 3,500 feet above sea level across the Cumberland Mountains. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from November through March, while summer brings daily highs averaging in the mid-80s. Most local camping areas require navigation along narrow mountain roads with tight switchbacks, particularly for sites situated near the Powell River watershed.
What to do
Kayaking the Powell River: Drive 15 miles southeast of Ewing to Mountain Pass Campground for direct river access. "Kayaking the Powell River was a joy," notes a camper who found the site "beautiful and well kept" despite access challenges.
Primitive trail camping: Wilderness Road Campground offers overnight backcountry options beyond its established sites. "Very beautiful mountains with hiking trails from short distances to overnight primitive camping trails," explains one visitor who appreciated the area's diverse hiking options.
Wildlife observation: The Cumberland Gap region hosts abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly at Wilderness Road Campground. "Bears are very active in the campground right now so I have not walked around much, but it is beautiful here," reports a recent visitor who maintained safety precautions while enjoying the natural setting.
Disc golf and recreation: Panther Creek State Park Campground offers diverse activities beyond camping. "For a lesser known state park, they have a lot of amenities. Playgrounds, hiking, horseback trails, mountain bike trails, tennis courts, disc golf, baseball field, volleyball, lake access," explains a visitor who enjoyed the recreational variety.
What campers like
Winter solitude: Many campgrounds remain open year-round with reduced crowds during colder months. "Love the park. Only a few campers this time of the year. Only 1 bathhouse open," notes a winter visitor to Wilderness Road State Park who appreciated the quieter experience.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and campsites. "The Rangers are fantastic, and the facility is beautiful," states a Wilderness Road visitor who gave the campground five stars for maintenance standards.
Fishing access: Local waterways provide excellent fishing opportunities for campers. At Mountain Pass Campground, guests enjoy "a beautiful quiet peaceful campground on the river," with one visitor noting the riverside setting makes it "a great trip" despite the access road being "a bit tricky."
Mountain biking trails: Panther Creek State Park offers extensive trail systems for cyclists. "The mountain biking was so much fun we didn't care! Hiking and biking was an A+," shares a visitor who found the trail system compensated for the somewhat less private campsites.
What you should know
Tick precautions required: Some campgrounds in the region have significant tick populations, particularly in summer. "Though if you come in the summer look out for ticks. Panther Creek is notorious for ticks. I pulled 6 off of me in one day," warns a camper who otherwise enjoyed their stay.
Limited shower facilities: Many camping areas have minimal bathroom infrastructure. "The bath house is small. 2 stalls and sinks in the bathroom. 2 individual shower rooms. There appeared to be only 2 bathrooms/bath houses for the entire campground," notes a visitor to Wilderness Road who gave it a three-star rating primarily due to this limitation.
Site leveling challenges: Many Cumberland Gap region campsites require leveling equipment. "Most sites need leveling blocks," explains a camper, while another mentions at Misfit Farmz Campground that "we are a new business and in a constant state of learning. Pricing will reflect that."
Campground quiet policies: Some campgrounds strictly enforce noise rules. At Mountain Pass Campground, a reviewer explains, "They enforce the rules so if you are looking for a quiet retreat, this is the spot. If you're looking for more of a party atmosphere than I would skip this."
Tips for camping with families
Tent options for non-RV campers: Not all campgrounds accommodate tent camping, so verify before booking. "We had a wonderful time camping! Its mostly for RVs, but they accommodated us for tent camping," shares a visitor to Mountain Pass Campground who enjoyed a 4-day stay.
Playground proximity planning: Consider bathroom access when camping with children. At Wilderness Road, some campers note the distance between play areas and restrooms can be challenging for families with young children.
Cabin alternatives during inclement weather: Several nearby parks offer cabin options when tent camping conditions are unfavorable. "We cheated and stayed in a cabin. It's a beautiful place to stay. Staff was nice and cabin was clean," explains a visitor to Pine Mountain State Resort Park who appreciated the comfort during challenging weather.
Tips from RVers
Site privacy varies significantly: Campground layouts offer different levels of separation between sites. "Our campsite is very clean and well maintained. I am in my van and stayed in loop B," notes an RV camper at Wilderness Road who found the specific loop provided adequate spacing.
Cellular connectivity challenges: Mobile service varies greatly by location and carrier. "I have a constant 3 bars with Visible which is Verizon," reports a van camper at Wilderness Road, providing useful information for remote workers needing connectivity.
Site selection for levelness: Many RV sites in the region require careful selection for level placement. "Check your lengths and bring your leveling boards," advises a camper at Panther Creek State Park who notes the campground has "a gradual uphill drive through the camp, you curve to the left and then back down the hill."
