K
Kristen M.
Scout
ScoutWhitetop
Great camping spot! Road isn’t horrible going up but there are some rougher areas toward the end of the road. Gorgeous sunset and sunrise spot! Fire rings seemed fairly abundant at the pull offs.
Camping near Glade Spring, VA
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The Glade Spring, Virginia area features a diverse range of camping opportunities with both established campgrounds and dispersed options throughout the Jefferson and Washington National Forests. Royal Oak Campground at Hungry Mother State Park offers tent and RV sites with full hookups alongside cabin and yurt accommodations, while the more primitive dispersed sites in Washington & Jefferson National Forest provide free camping options for those seeking a more rustic experience. Campers can also find well-appointed facilities at Hurricane Campground and Grindstone Recreation Area, both within 25 miles of Glade Spring, offering access to regional attractions like the Virginia Creeper Trail and Mount Rogers.
Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with most forest service sites closing between late October and mid-April. "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," noted one visitor who stayed at a forest service site. Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with some dispersed camping areas requiring high-clearance vehicles or careful navigation on unpaved forest roads. Cell service is notably limited in the mountainous terrain, especially in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, where campers should plan to be offline during their stay. Established campgrounds like Hungry Mother State Park provide more reliable amenities, including electric hookups, showers, and drinking water year-round.
Waterfront camping opportunities receive particular praise from visitors to the region. One camper described their forest service site as having "a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease." Several campgrounds feature creek or lakeside sites that provide both scenic views and the practical benefit of water access. Hikers appreciate the proximity to notable trails, including the Appalachian Trail and Mount Rogers paths. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, with Grayson Highlands State Park's wild ponies being a particular highlight for many visitors. Campers consistently mention the peaceful mountain setting as a primary draw, though several reviewers note that some dispersed areas suffer from occasional trash problems and advise fellow campers to practice Leave No Trace principles.
Best Campgrounds near Glade Spring (201)
1. Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park
"We stayed here for an overnight stop on our road trip through Virginia, and it was lovely!"
"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"
from $27 / night
Check Availability2. Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park
"With camping just a moderate day hike away from Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, this campground is a hiker's paradise."
"Campground Review: There are two campgrounds in Grayson Highland SP which is located by The Mouth Of Wilson, VA, near the North Carolina border."
from $27 - $98 / night
Check Availability3. Grindstone
"Doesn’t get much more relaxing, electric, water hook-ups and a short drive to downtown Damascus VA.. AT, Virginia Creeper, White Top Mountain and Mount Rogers all near by."
"We like to hike and there are TONS of trails in this area. One trail leaves directly from the campground and will bring you to the top of Mt. Rogers, also intersecting with the Appalachian Trail."
from $24 - $36 / night
Check Availability4. Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground
"Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, this campground is close to enough activities to fill a whole week of outdoor fun!"
"Large secluded campsites surrounded by rhododendron bushes with a mountain spring creek meandering through the campgrounds."
from $55 / night
Check Availability5. Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
"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."
"Only downside was the spot I set up camp was very close to the road and headlights from passing cars would light up the spot. However the road was quiet most of the night."
6. Camp Burson Campground — Hungry Mother State Park
"This was our first visit to a Virginia State Park and we were impressed."
"Has multiple pull through sites, bath house and laundry close by. We were there during off season so some of the park was closed and they collected payment through honor system."
from $37 - $41 / night
Check Availability7. Whitetop
"30 minute drive to Grayson Highlands"
"They just reworked the rd so it was an easy drive in our class c rv"
8. Hurricane Campground
"Amazing little campground in the heart of Mount Rogers recreational area in Western Virginia. Wonderful fall colors crisp, clean, mountain air was totally the best!"
"This camp ground is located well off any main roads under a nice quiet canopy of Hemlocks and Laurel trees. Easy walking distance to several well maintained and very clean outhouses."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability9. Laurel Creek RV Park
"We were in Damascus for the Appalachian Trail Days Festival and needed an RV spot but didn’t think we could get one because we were so late in looking for one."
"Great location also because it is close to restaurants and the center of the small town. It does have water and power and a picnic table. Being right on a little river is great too."
from $55 / night
Check Availability10. Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground
"Just across the Virginia state line, this national forest offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Beaver Dam Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant."
"Stayed in Campsite #1 Even though it is within view of the road, the running water sound of the creek behind us lulled us to sleep."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 45 min from Kingsport, TN
- 50 min from Johnson City, TN
- 1 hr 21 min from Blacksburg, VA
- 1 hr 37 min from Beckley, WV
Recent Camping Photos near Glade Spring, VA
345 Photos of 201 Glade Spring Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Rainbow Campground
Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground
Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground
Riverside Campground
GrindstoneS
Camp Burson Campground — Hungry Mother State Park
Creekside Campground — Hungry Mother State Park
Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park
Creeper Trail Campground
Fox Creek Horse Camp
Hurricane Campground
Recent Reviews near Glade Spring, VA
993 Reviews of 201 Glade Spring Campgrounds
Windy W.ScoutDoe River Landing
Beautiful Place, Ugly host, Oct 2026
Let me first start by saying that this campground is absolutely beautiful. I have lived in this area my entire life and the Doe is one of my favorites. I am a avid camper and have camped all over this area. I decided to give this place a try, I own a small pop-up camper and knew it was going to get cold 10/20/2026-10/22/2026, so me and my sister rented the RV at Doe River. #1 check in is not until 3pm, I always order a load of wood from a local guy who delivers to camp sites, I do all my cooking in a Dutch oven over the fire or burgers and dogs in the fire, what is a camping trip without a nice warm fire. The owner came over to my campsite and asked if I had ordered this wood and I replied yes, she then asked what I was going to do with it all, I replied I am going to burn it. So, I told Carl (the wood guy) where to stack it, the owner then said that I need to leave it in my truck bc if I didn't use it all I would have to put it back on my truck and take it home with me, I said really? It's just a unspoken rule that if you don't use all your wood that you pay it forward and leave it for the next camper?? She said absolutely not, So we moved the wood from his truck and into mine. She then asked again why I needed so much wood and that most ppl just buy small bundles from her. And just like that I understood! Carl the wood man and his wife also made a comment about how rude she was about the wood. It does not end there, Not only does she have camaras on some of the out blds which I get, but I don't get why they are pointing directly at camp sites, We felt like we were in a fish bowl the entire time. Every single time we went to the bathroom she showed up abt 5 mins later, There is a camara right above the bathroom door, One on the pavilion, and one on each side of the bathhouse, at the entrances and who know where else. So much for privacy in the great outdoors. I didn't even feel comfortable hiking, we felt like we were being watched constantly. She was constantly there, walking her dog which was not friendly and so big she could hardly control him on the leash which was really scary, she also was driving through several times throughout the day. Then came the kicker, about 1 o'clock in the morning we were freezing, I had turned the heat on in the camper before going to bed and heard it come on, Well the propane ran out between 11pm and 1am, I called her at least 10 times we had every blanket and was still freezing, We decided we would go to the bath house bc it had a mini split hanging on the wall, Out of luck there, it was set on air conditioning with no way to change it, so we found a blow dryer trying to get warm, still the entire time trying to call the owners, We finally ended up in our car until the husband arrived. He acted so annoyed at us and said all u have to do is fip the switch on the propane tanks outside! We had never stayed in a travel trailer before and according to them all we had to do was show up and start glamping!! So, I was supposed to know to go outside at 1 am and switch over propane tanks?? No, It should have been FULL when I got there!!! With attitude he said,"Its Basic Camping" No sir it's not, what I do is basic camping, I was told on the phone that I was glamping, She, the owner also said we should have called 911 when we could not get hold of them so that Carter County police officers could come and wake them up!!! Not sure if that is putting our tax dollars to good use?? Like I said it is truly a beautiful place and has great potential, we left that second night at 11pm because again the heat was not working, we have not asked for any refund we just took the loss. it would be to much of a hassle. We just know better next time. With owners like that they can keep it. Windy Wells/Debra Price
- RRonnie C.
TravelerSugar Hollow Campground
3 stars only because it says water hookups but they are far and few between communal. No spigot at individual sites. Need long hose(s)to reach the connection. Good T-Mobile 5G but too wooded for StarLink. Quiet, shady, somewhat level sites were available. $20/night.
Jacob A.TravelerWhitetop
The road was very bumpy but I got up on my 2WD Honda Odyssey. A couple people came during the day to take photos, but the night was peaceful. A couple campsites on the drive up, less secluded though. View was gorgeous and the sunset was amazing. Amazing spot for stargazing.
Bonnie H.ScoutDoe River Landing
Kylie T & Andrew W. Review not accurate
My husband and I arrived at Doe River Landing for 3 nights and enjoyed everything the resort offered. While there we read the 2 reviews posted by Kylie T, and by Andrew W, who gave the resort a 1 star rating. Not knowing the facts that caused the rating by them, and occurred prior to us, we approach the owner and asked.
The owner showed us videos from their security cameras. These adults has stated in Kylie T review and confirm by Andrew W review that they were a group of 20 adults and "every single one of us is over 21 and family". So why are these adults playing "hide and seek" under the pavilion as they stated? Andrew W stated, "It was not blocked off", yet they had to crawl on the ground and around bushes to get under the pavilion. When the owner yelled at them approximately 10 adults that were under the pavilion crawled out which was captured on the security cameras. Andrew W stated in his review the owner called them hooligans, which is rowdy, destructive persons and from the security cameras, that description is correct. There was no mention of damages in their reviews such as the Adirondack chair they broke or possible damage to the water pipes and electric wires under the pavilion, which the owner was currently checking.
Once we read these two reviews by Kylie T and Andrew W and saw the owners security videos, we felt future customers deserved to know another opinion based on our findings.
These entitled adults justified their review of a 1 star by stating they paid money to use the campground.
I would ask these adults "why do you think it is OK to treat someone else's property in this destructive way?"
Kyle T.ScoutDoe River Landing
Unprofessional hosts that ruins a place with good potential
We brought our whole family out and rented almost every cabin on the property, plus the event center, for the weekend— we gave this place a lot of business. And honestly, the stay itself was great— nice place, no complaints about the cabins. The owner is the problem. He came flying in in his blue F-150 doing 20–30 mph where the posted speed limit is 5, and started screaming at us over something that could've been handled with a simple conversation. His exact words:"Where are your parents? This is a family establishment. I will not have hooligans running around here." Every single one of us is over 21 and family. All we were doing was playing hide and seek— which isn't against any of the property's rules— and there were no other guests to disturb, since we had the entire area rented. He still threatened to call the police, even though it wasn't even quiet hours. Before anyone could get a word in, he peeled out so fast the gravel sprayed up at us and our cars. Then on his way out he drove the wrong way down the property's one-way road, so apparently the rules only apply to guests. It's sad, because the property itself is great, and we were never anything but nice to the owners the whole weekend. To be treated in such an unprofessional manner— screamed at, threatened, and never given so much as an apology afterward— put a real dent in the weekend. We won't be back
- AAndrew W.Scout
Doe River Landing
Beautiful place ruined by unprofessional ownership
Our group of about 20 rented nearly every cabin at Doe River Landing for my friend's wedding weekend, with the reception held on site. The cabins were nice and well-equipped, and the only other guests were in a cabin half a mile away through the woods. Unfortunately, the hosts ruined the stay. One night, some of us were playing hide and seek in an area that wasn't blocked off or against any rule. The host's husband came speeding in at roughly 30 mph(the posted limit is 5), jumped out of his truck screaming that he"will not have child hooligans running around the campground," told us to"go back to the motel we crawled out of," and demanded to see our parents— despite all of us being adults in our twenties. He then peeled out so aggressively he sprayed gravel at us and our cars. It wasn't even quiet hours, and we weren't disturbing anyone. Afterward, the host called us again, passive-aggressive, and questioned our ages— even though you have to be 21 just to rent a cabin there. The property is lovely, but the hosts' behavior put a real damper on what should have been a joyful wedding celebration. It's a shame they treat people paying good money this way. We won't be back.
- SSheila B.Scout
Wytheville KOA
From check in to our stay, large big rig drive through lot. Quiet and clean park. Even had pizza and delicious wings delivered right to our coach. Next time through we hope to stay again.
Juliana J.
GuideWashington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
Epic Spot Near Iron Mountain and Rush Trails
I wandered a bit and took a left up a gravel road near where the sites indicated were located and just drove for a few miles. Found an awesome spot with a fire pit and lush surroundings. The road was unpaved (but as are all to the best spots) and there were definitely some large rocks and potholes to navigate. Would suggest higher raised vehicle. Saw nobody else and felt like I had my own slice of paradise.
Guide to Glade Spring
Camp sites near Glade Spring, Virginia sit within the scenic Appalachian range at elevations typically between 2,000-5,000 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during day and dropping to the low 60s at night, making camping comfortable even in mid-summer. Most forest service roads leading to dispersed sites remain unpaved with varying conditions that can deteriorate after heavy rainfall.
What to do
Bike the Virginia Creeper Trail: Located just minutes from Grindstone Recreation Area, this popular trail offers 34 miles of converted railroad trail. "Make this trip twice a year would add a third if time allowed. AT, Virginia Creeper, White Top Mountain and Mount Rogers all near by," notes one visitor who considers Grindstone among their favorite places.
Fish in mountain streams: Multiple camping areas offer direct access to stocked trout waters. At Hurricane Campground, you'll find "a beautiful campground located alongside a stream with trout fishing," according to one camper who visited in spring 2021.
Sunrise viewpoints: Whitetop Mountain provides exceptional vantage points for early risers. "I had my best views to in the field to the side of the road toward the picnic & homestead area," reports a camper who visited Grayson Highlands after a 25-year absence, noting how the higher elevation makes Mt. Rogers more accessible than from the valley.
What campers like
Forest privacy: The natural growth between sites at Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground creates secluded camping areas. "The sites were built in a forest of rhododendron and there is so much privacy compared to most other campgrounds. As a result, it seems quieter," explains one regular visitor who has camped there for over 25 years.
Wooden tent platforms: At Grayson Highlands State Park's Hickory Ridge Campground, many sites feature elevated platforms. "All campsites are on platforms, which makes it very nice to set up your stuff. The sites have the usual amenities like a picnic bench and table, a firepit, and a lantern pole," writes a camper who particularly appreciated this thoughtful design.
Mountain swimming holes: The creek access at Backbone Rock Recreation Area provides natural water features. "Beaver Dam Creek runs behind the campsite and is absolutely gorgeous with clear water, fish, and beautiful rhododendrons and trees that keep the area shaded," shared one visitor who camped with small children at site #5.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most national forest campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Beartree Campground only operates "April 15 to October 31," while Hurricane Campground faced opening delays in 2021 "because of difficulty getting a campground host."
Variable road conditions: Access to dispersed camping spots often requires preparation. When visiting Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites, one camper advised that a vehicle "larger than 20 feet as the potholed road and the tight turns to get up to the camp from the road would be tough. 4WD highly recommended, especially in mud season or winter."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies dramatically by location. At Grindstone Recreation Area, a reviewer noted there is "no cell phone service," making it ideal "if you want to escape it all." Similarly, another camper mentioned "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."
Tips for camping with families
Sites with play areas: Some campgrounds include designated recreation spaces. Hungry Mother State Park has "a nice area for a picnic with swings and other things for kids," which complemented their "clean" bathroom facilities according to a family that camped there in June 2018.
Creek play spots: Look for shallow water access at Camp Burson near creek-side sites. "The creek was right next to our site, and the boys enjoyed playing in it," shared a camper who appreciated that their site was "very large and well situated" though "not shaded or private."
Animal viewing opportunities: Beyond the popular ponies, wildlife sightings are common. "We saw several deer, some turkey but no bears," reported a visitor at Grayson Highlands, though they still advised awareness when moving around the campground.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: The positioning of utilities varies by campsite. At Camp Burson, one RVer noted their site "was level" and "water and electric were well-placed" at site #43, which was "on the end of a row with our patio facing a hillside next to a stream."
Tree clearance concerns: Some sites have overhanging branches that can damage tall vehicles. At Hungry Mother State Park's Burston Campground, a visitor mentioned "the only problem we had were that some of the trees need to be trimmed back and scratched the upper sides of our coach."
Pull-through availability: Several campgrounds offer easier access sites. Laurel Creek RV Park in Damascus provides convenient camping "directly on the Creeper so that makes up for it! Great location also because it is close to restaurants and the center of the small town."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Glade Spring, VA?
What camping is available near Glade Spring, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Glade Spring, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 201 campgrounds and RV parks near Glade Spring, VA and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Glade Spring, VA?
Which is the most popular campground near Glade Spring, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Glade Spring, VA is Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 42 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Glade Spring, VA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Glade Spring, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Glade Spring, VA.
What parks are near Glade Spring, VA?
What parks are near Glade Spring, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 parks near Glade Spring, VA that allow camping, notably Blue Ridge Parkway and John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir.
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