Best Tent Camping near Galax, VA

Tent campgrounds near Galax, Virginia provide access to the region's waterways and trails, with options ranging from primitive hike-in sites to established campgrounds. New River Trail State Park offers several tent-only campgrounds, including Millrace Campground along the New River and Cliffview Campground situated on Chestnut Creek. Both provide designated tent sites with basic amenities in a natural riverside setting.

Most tent sites in the area feature dirt pads with fire rings and minimal grading. Millrace Campground requires campers to carry equipment from the parking area to their sites, making wheeled gear carts useful. Pit toilets are available at many locations, but shower facilities are limited or absent at primitive sites. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds - New River Trail State Park has potable water available, while more remote sites like Basin Cove require filtration systems. Fire restrictions may apply during dry periods, particularly in late summer and early fall.

The riverside camping experience offers tranquility and direct water access for tent campers. According to one visitor, "waking up on a foggy Virginia morning and watching the fog rise off the water was amazing." Sites at New River Yacht Club and Double Shoals provide waterfront tent locations where campers can enjoy the sound of flowing water throughout the night. Basin Cove, located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, offers more secluded backcountry tent camping with a mile-long hike to reach the sites. This primitive area appeals to tent campers seeking distance from vehicle noise and crowds, with sites positioned strategically near creeks and rivers. Seasonal factors significantly impact the camping experience, with fall bringing colorful foliage and spring offering abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.

Best Tent Sites Near Galax, Virginia (42)

    1. New River Yacht Club

    1 Review
    Fries, VA
    9 miles
    +1 (276) 768-6235

    $50 / night

    "I'd like to welcome New River Yacht Club to the Dyrt, they offer waterfront tent sites so you can enjoy a weekend at the water.  Make sure to check out their rentals to make the most of your stay! "

    2. Millrace Campground — New River Trail State Park

    5 Reviews
    Austinville, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 699-6778

    $20 - $25 / night

    "Ever wake up on a foggy Virginia morning and walk only a few feet fro your tent and watch the fog rise off the water? I DID and it was AMAZING!!"

    "The park is a linear park that is known for its flat-ish trails and bike/horse paths. Of the 57 miles of this park, about 39 are on the New River."

    3. Beechnut Family Campground

    3 Reviews
    Mount Airy, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 320-3802

    $32 - $48 / night

    "The tent camping area is across a road from a stream, in a forest of tall trees, a very picturesque location. Each tent site had water, a picnic table, and a 30-amp electric outlet."

    4. Possible Property

    1 Review
    Cana, VA
    16 miles
    +1 (910) 548-4267

    $30 - $45 / night

    7. Basin Cove — Blue Ridge Parkway

    3 Reviews
    Blue Ridge Parkway, VA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 348-3487

    "You have to make a reservation with the park office for your site and drop by the ranger station to pick up your permit."

    "Easy hike in, but far enough that you won’t find High-maintenance campers or crowds. Maybe some horseback people. Campground has tent pads, picnic tables, fire pits, pit toilets, water pump."

    8. Homeplace Recreational Park Inc.

    5 Reviews
    Pilot Mountain, NC
    26 miles
    +1 (336) 374-5173

    "In this park, all the sites are dirt only, no paved pads, but do have rock fire rings. The WiFi was pretty good considering the number of people who were probably using it."

    "Large trail to go for a little walk. Very reasonably priced. Will go again."

    9. Willville Motorcycle Camp

    7 Reviews
    Woolwine, VA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (469) 614-8620

    $150 - $200 / night

    "Just less than a mile west of the Blue Ridge Parkway on US 58 Business, Willville is THE motorcycle camping slot for me in Virginia. thwres a community fire ring where Will has a fire most nights."

    "It is motorcycle only, but he has limited space outside the campground proper for trailers should that be your thing."

    10. New River Alleghany Access Primitive Paddle-in — New River State Park

    3 Reviews
    Mouth of Wilson, VA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 982-2587

    $17 / night

    "My family went to tent camp and enjoyed our stay. We discovered others with campers that had wonderful campsites. The bathroom facilities are new and very clean. We enjoyed hiking."

    "Sites with full hookups: 3, 7, [8, 12, 13, 14, 15 near bath house] 18, 19, 20 Bath house was nice and clean. Canoe up camp sites right along the River."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Galax, VA

881 Reviews of 42 Galax Campgrounds


  • Shannon M.
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Rocky Knob Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Clean wooded caampground

    On BRP near Floyd, VA. A lot of amenities in town and hiking trails nearby. Clean and quiet: no generators allowed in tent camping area and quiet hours after 10pm. Tent sites $20 per night at time of my stay.

  • Stephanie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2018

    Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park

    Ranger Review: RōM Outdoors RōM Pack at Hungry Mother State Park

    Hungry Mother State Park, just a short drive off I-81 in southwestern Virginia, is an easily accessible gem offering modern cabins, yurts, and campgrounds equipped for tents or RVs, with limitless activities.

    We stayed in one of the cabins after Hurricane Michael rained out our plans for tent camping. This was our first time in one of the VSP cabins, and will not be our last. There are three types of cabins; log exteriors, part of the original Civilian Conservation Corps structures; wooden frame cabins with wooden interiors, and cinderblock exteriors with tile floors. Cabins range from economy to three bedroom, and all have a kitchen with microwave, stove, and refrigerator/freezer, a bathroom with a shower, and a fireplace, as well as heating and air conditioning. Most cabins also have covered porches, exterior picnic tables, and exterior fire rings.

    The Creekside Campground loop has water and electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. The layout is similar to most water/electric sites in state and national parks in Virginia; not much privacy between the sites, but fairly shaded, and a quiet atmosphere. This loop is true to its name, and right on the creek running through the park. We were there during the rains from Hurricane Michael and the creek was running so high that sites 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, and 19 looked like they were in danger of flooding.

    The Royal Oak campground has platforms for tents set into the mountain rather than dirt or gravel tent pads, however as there are hooks in each of the pads to anchor your tent they can only accommodate tents with a 20x20 footprint. These sites have picnic tables and fire rings on the dirt beside the platforms. The two VSP Yurts at Hungry Mother are in the Royal Oak loop, along the entrance that are set up from the road. This loop overall offers a lot more privacy for each site that I have typically seen in state parks due to the platforms, though you will still see/hear your neighbors. Both camping loops have bathrooms with electricity, flush toilets, and showers with warm water.

    Amenities in the park include a lake with a swimming area, boat/canoe rentals, fishing (with license), a restaurant, hiking, biking, and ranger programs. The park office also has several cool displays of local wildlife and history of the area, as well as backpacks you can check out with books and gear for tree, wildflower, and animal identification. Hiking varies from short and easy trails with minimal elevation gain, to the difficult Molly’s Knob trail with one of the most epic sunset views I’ve ever hiked in Virginia.

    I love Virginia State Parks, and this is definitely a new favorite. I’m skeptical of the comfort of the wooden platforms for future tent camping trips, but the cabins will definitely be a future stay for us, particularly during the winter months, and there is so much to do in this park even the most reluctant adventurer will find fun.

    **Product Review **

    As as Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time — on this trip I tested the RōM pack, from RōM Outdoors.

    I was skeptical about this pack when I first received it—it felt extremely heavy for a day pack, particularly as it doesn’t have a hip belt, and while I was impressed with the removable pockets, it didn’t seem like the pack itself had a lot of cargo capacity.

    After using this pack on our trip, I am a convert. We used it to pack clothes for my husband and I, knowing we would be able to leave our clothes at camp when we went hiking. This freed up space in the car that would normally go to a larger backpack, and we got to take advantage of the pack’s ability to convert to both a poncho and a blanket, not just for review purposes, but out of necessity.

    The poncho’s rain resistance held up well, considering we were hiking in the outer bands of a hurricane. The first hike we took this on we started in the rain, and my husband wore the poncho—he stayed dry for the first half mile of our hike, but by end of our mile the water had started leaking through so he did get a little wet—though mostly around the the seams/openings. On our second hike he wore it as a backpack. Because it was raining when we set out and we anticipated needing the poncho feature again, we elected not to bring the detachable pockets, but the interior of the pack was enough to hold our 5 year old’s day pack once she got tired of carrying it.

    It stopped raining by the time we got to the summit of our hike, and we tested the blanket feature of the pack for a picnic. It unfolds to a size that was perfect for our family of four. The canvas is thick enough to make a great picnic blanket—it protects from damp ground and sharp rocks, and the lining makes for a very soft surface to sit on. On the way back I took advantage of the poncho. By this point it had gotten extremely windy and was getting dark quickly, and the poncho was excellent at keeping me warm. It’s very heavy, which was welcome in the strong wind, though it did make it hard to hear with the hood over my ears.

    Pros to this pack:

    -Versatility. In one trip we used the backpack, poncho, and blanket feature, and were grateful for all three.

    -Durability. This is definitely a well-constructed pack, with heavy materials that seem like they will last for a long time.

    -User-friendly. The pack looks intimidating at first, but it unfolds/folds from pack to poncho/blanket very easily. Combined with the drawstring inner pack and detachable pockets it’s easy to convert while still keeping track of your gear.

    Cons to this pack:

    -Space. This is great to bring on a camping trip where you can bring additional packs/bags for your gear, but it doesn’t hold much on its own.

    -Weight. It only weighs in at 4.6lbs, which is less than a lot of backpacking packs, but as the pack doesn’t have the hip belt it’s a high starting weight.

    -Thin straps. The width of the straps is comfortable, but they could use a little more padding.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2020

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Creekside Camping

    At the intersection of the North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state lines, sits this national forest which offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Bear Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant.  The Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail are just minutes away, as well as some easy whitewater paddling fun on the White Top Laurel Creek.

    Most of campsites are large, very shaded, along a beautiful treelined road, and surrounded by mountains. There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we often spend about 20-30 minutes cleaning these sites upon arrival. Please Leave No Trace! 

    Our site had a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease. We stayed at this camp for 3 weeks during the pandemic shutdown and it was a perfect place to ride out this crazy storm and decompress from some anxiety. 

    The closest town is Damascus, VA, about 12 miles away. The town is small, but draws thousands of tourists each year who are either hiking the Appalachian Trail or cycling the famous Virginia Creeper bike path. It is equipped with a decent sized grocery store, gas, and couple of restaurants, and a cute downtown area. There is absolutely no cell service at this camp, you have to go into town or hike a local mountain to get service up high.

  • Rachael H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2020

    Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    Loved it

    Primitive tent camp site. Water but no electric. Nice grassy area around the gravel tent pad. We had one tree for shade. Fire ring and table. Clean showers and bathrooms. We stayed here specifically for the sliding rock at widow creek falls. But we did hike Stone Mountain falls trail. There are 432 steps going up to the parking area from the bottom of the falls. Beautiful shaded trail. Mountain to sea trail runs through for a little bit. Dogs welcome leashes. Fairly busy trail.

  • Kevin M.
    Mar. 18, 2017

    Rocky Knob Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Great overnight camping stay!

    Rocky Knob Campground is right outside of Floyd, VA off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Southwest region of the state.

    Why stay here? It's right outside of Floyd. They host Floyd Fest each year as well as a Yoga Jam. It's right off the Blue Ridge Parkway if you are traveling. Did I mention it's to Chateau Morrisette Winery?!

    Our family stays here multiple times a year, it's a nice little getaway, yet still close to home. This Campground offers toilets and running water, but no showers so remember to bring your dry shampoo and bug spray depending on the time of year.

    Sites are pretty close together, but we didn't mind. We pitched an 8 person tent, a hammock, and were quite cozy in front of the fire ring. Can't wait to visit again.

    Good for families (kids ride their bikes through Campground), couples, singles.

    What this Campground offers: -Friendly Park Ranger -$16 bucks per night if you drive up, $20 online, can't beat that! -Rest and relaxation -Picnic table -Fire ring -Bathhouse (no showers or paper towels) -trash collection near front entrance -camping for tents or campers -dog friendly -short distance from Rocky Knob -right off the Blue Ridge Parkway -close to Chateau Morrisette Winery -right outside of Floyd, VA (Dogtown Roadhouse, Floyd County Store, Oddfellas, etc)

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2022

    Beechnut Family Campground

    Nice Camping for Tents or RVs

    We camped in our tent at Beechnut for two nights. The owners are very friendly and helpful. The tent camping area is across a road from a stream, in a forest of tall trees, a very picturesque location. Each tent site had water, a picnic table, and a 30-amp electric outlet. It rained heavily both nights we stayed there, but we stayed dry. Unfortunately the rain had been going on for several days before we arrived, and wherever vehicles were parked on the ground, they left muddy ruts. The owner helped some guests who arrived at night at a tent site in small travel trailers, when they were stuck. He really is very helpful and kind. Bathhouses are clean and well-kept.

  • Julie L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2021

    Basin Cove — Blue Ridge Parkway

    VERY Primative

    This site should not be confused with any other sites in area by similar name. You have to make a reservation with the park office for your site and drop by the ranger station to pick up your permit. The sites have NO vehicle access at all, you have to hike a mile into the campsite. The hike in is excellent, as it follows the river along the way.

    There is NO clean water source, you have to bring a filter system with you. There are no picnic tables but each site does have wood logs as seats. There are fire pits and food storage lockers on site. 

    The site is surrounded by excellent hiking trails and is a great place to set as "base camp" for day hikes.

  • Amy F.
    Oct. 5, 2020

    Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground

    Great spot right on the Blue Ridge Pkwy!

    Camped in one of 5 tent camping spaces. They also have cabins / RV spaces and a motel. Check in was quick and the people running the campground were so friendly and great to deal with! Each site has a water pump and power. And the bathhouses are immaculate - showers are nice and hot and have good pressure. Firewood and fire starter available for purchase. Laundry room on site. Would absolutely stay here again!

  • J
    Aug. 1, 2021

    COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground

    Gorgeous campground!

    This place has it all! Swimming, kayaking, boat launch, small hiking trail. Sites have a fire pit, picnic table (it’s really heavy!) and a grill. I loved how each site is fairly unique. Many have steps to go down to the fire pit area. Lots of sites on the water. Site 32 was on a little cul-de-sac next to the beach and had a perfect spot for my hammock overlooking the water.

    I stayed on an rv site in a tent. There are tent specific sites. The tent sites are heavily wooded.

    The bathhouse was unremarkable but clean.

    They had movie night on Saturday night (RV) but I didn’t realize it until Sunday morning haha.

    The campground was very quiet all weekend. Appeared to be mostly families. There is no alcohol allowed and I did not notice anyone breaking this rule.

    There is firewood ($5 bundle - must have exact change!) available and ice but no camp store. Walmart is close by though.


Guide to Galax

Tent campgrounds near Galax, Virginia provide access to the scenic landscapes of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations ranging from 2,200 to 3,000 feet. The area receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush vegetation and numerous water features for campers to enjoy. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons offer cooler temperatures with abundant wildlife activity.

What to do

**Motorcycle touring routes: Near Willville Motorcycle Camp, campers can access multiple scenic routes. According to Jack M., "Most evenings riders will gather on the porch to talk bikes and life. Coffee in the mornings, restaurants less than a mile away, a grocery store just down the road - this place is ideal."

**Canoe and kayak excursions: Paddle approximately 57 miles of the New River through calm sections and mild rapids. Jennifer K. notes at New River Alleghany Access: "Canoe up camp sites right along the River. Nice amenity; there are a few buggies provided at primitive camp sites to help with loading in and out."

**Back-country hiking: From Basin Cove, several trails connect to the larger Blue Ridge trail system. Julie L. recommends: "The site is surrounded by excellent hiking trails and is a great place to set as 'base camp' for day hikes."

**Swimming and water recreation: Several campgrounds offer water access beyond just fishing. Damir shares about Homeplace Recreational Park: "Water park is awesome. Large trail to go for a little walk. Very reasonably priced."

What campers like

**Isolation from vehicle noise: At Basin Cove, Christian notes the appeal of getting away from traffic: "This camp ground is very small and on the side of a very quiet road next to beautiful fields with breath taking views it has no paved roads so bring a truck or suv sedans will get stuck easily there is no cell service and it is very clean of trash."

**Dirt pad comfort: While most tent sites feature basic dirt pads, some campers find specific advantages. At Beechnut Family Campground, Glenn S. shares: "The tent camping area is across a road from a stream, in a forest of tall trees, a very picturesque location. Each tent site had water, a picnic table, and a 30-amp electric outlet."

**Cell service variability: Some remote sites offer surprisingly good connectivity. Todd T. notes about New River Alleghany Access: "The bathroom facilities are new and very clean. We enjoyed hiking. The location also had four bars of Verizon LTE. Amazing!"

**Social atmosphere: Some campgrounds foster community among visitors. Brian F. recommends Willville: "Great motorcycle campground. Clean facilities, friendly host. Good spread of water spigots and electrical outlets if you need to charge your equipment."

What you should know

**Water filtration requirements: Not all campgrounds provide potable water. Julie L. advises about Basin Cove: "There is NO clean water source, you have to bring a filter system with you. There are no picnic tables but each site does have wood logs as seats. There are fire pits and food storage lockers on site."

**Terrain challenges for vehicles: Some access roads require appropriate transportation. Christian notes: "There is no paved roads so bring a truck or suv sedans will get stuck easily."

**Reservation and permit systems: Each campground has different booking requirements. Todd T. explains that at New River Yacht Club, "You have to make a reservation with the park office for your site and drop by the ranger station to pick up your permit."

**Walk-in requirements: Be prepared to transport gear from parking areas. Brad M. notes about Millrace Campground: "Very quiet. Everything has to be carried in from the parking lot. No showers but there is water and pit toilets."

Tips for camping with families

**Beginner-friendly backcountry options: For introducing children to more remote camping, Hollz recommends: "Easy hike in, but far enough that you won't find High-maintenance campers or crowds. Maybe some horseback people. Campground has tent pads, picnic tables, fire pits, pit toilets, water pump."

**Weather preparation: The region can experience sudden rain events. Glenn S. shares: "It rained heavily both nights we stayed there, but we stayed dry. Unfortunately the rain had been going on for several days before we arrived, and wherever vehicles were parked on the ground, they left muddy ruts."

**Sound considerations: Consider water noise when selecting sites for light sleepers. Martha S. notes at Homeplace Recreational Park: "The pond dam was really close to our site and the rushing water will really lull you to sleep at night."

**Accessibility limitations: Hollz shares about Basin Cove: "May be accessible for some basic wheelchairs with special wheels that can deal with sand and gravel and shallow fording, but unfortunately not a good option for more high tech wheelchairs."

Tips from RVers

**Extension cord needs: For RVers who need power at sites without direct hookups, Brian F. recommends: "Good spread of water spigots and electrical outlets if you need to charge your equipment, although electric isn't available at each spot (you can bring an extension cord if you need it for a CPAP or such)."

**Limited large rig access: Most campgrounds in the area cannot accommodate big rigs. Kevin A. notes about Beechnut: "We spent 4 nights here this past week. Very clean, quiet, and relaxing campground. The owner Todd was super nice and very helpful. Great WiFi service. We were in site 43 right on the pond. Full hookups."

**Late arrival assistance: Staff at several campgrounds will assist with difficult setups. Glenn S. shares: "The owner helped some guests who arrived at night at a tent site in small travel trailers, when they were stuck. He really is very helpful and kind."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Galax, VA is New River Yacht Club with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 42 tent camping locations near Galax, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.