Dispersed camping spots near Hot Springs, Virginia offer a range of experiences within the Allegheny Mountains, where elevations range from 1,600 to over 4,000 feet. The mountainous terrain creates distinct microclimates, with temperature variations of 10-15 degrees between valleys and ridges. Cell service is notably unreliable throughout the region, with Verizon providing the most consistent coverage though still spotty in remote camping areas.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Moomaw: Access the water directly from Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, where you can enjoy the 2,530-acre lake surrounded by forest. "This place is amazing. I could stay here every weekend and not get tired of it. Warm water, fresh air, no service," notes a camper at Bolar Mountain.
Mountain biking trails: Douthat State Park features extensive trail systems for all skill levels. "Fun trails to go ride around on your bike all day," shares one visitor, while another mentions, "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!"
Trout fishing: The region offers excellent fishing opportunities at Morris Hill Campground, particularly below Gathright Dam. "The spillway located down in the bottom of the dam offers great trout fishing area as well," explains one visitor who added, "The US Army Corp of Engineers has a welcome center located just down from the campground with a replica of the lake inside along with boating information."
Hiking nearby trails: Lake Sherwood offers multiple hiking options including some with water crossings. "We hiked - the trail around the lake is beautiful," one camper reports, while another adds, "Great hiking trails - we chose the one with multiple water crossings."
What campers like
Lake views: Many campers praise the waterfront sites at McClintic Point Primitive Campground for their privacy and scenic settings. "No neighbors. Maybe we just got lucky. I encourage," writes one visitor. Another adds, "Nice, first come, first served campground... two sites back up to the lake. There is access to the lake for canoes/kayaks."
Clean facilities: Despite being rustic, many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. At Morris Hill, "The campground has 3 shower/bathroom location within the campground loops... Each Bathhouse has a sink in the rear (outside) for washing dishes and cleaning fish," according to a recent visitor.
Swimming options: Dedicated beach areas provide safe swimming at several locations. "On the opposite side of the boat parking area there is a beach area for swimming. Soft sand and also a Volleyball net," describes a camper at Morris Hill, while another at Bolar Mountain notes, "The water was beautiful, temperature perfect for swimming."
Diverse camping experiences: From primitive tent sites to RV hookups, the area offers various accommodation types. A visitor to Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA explains, "It has plenty of trees and sites for all different sized vehicles and tents. The cabins and bathrooms are nice and clean."
What you should know
Weather changes rapidly: Pack for temperature swings, especially at higher elevations. "Weather conditions change very rapidly in the mountainous terrain. It gets super cold at night even in the summer," reports a camper at Blowing Springs.
Water sources vary: Some campgrounds have limited drinking water access. "For water, we walk across the street from the entrance, and back in the woods there's a pipe coming out of the rocks with super cold, fresh water. Takes some effort hauling your water containers," explains a visitor to Blowing Springs.
Site availability concerns: Popular waterfront sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. At Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area, "There are maybe 5 ish spots to camp next to a river in this mountain valley. I took the one and only site just before the proper camp site (it was the best one IMO)."
Limited supplies: Most campgrounds are far from stores. A Lake Sherwood visitor notes, "This is off the grid and does not really have provisions especially after Labor Day. It is a stretch to call it a store but it did have ice, drinks, bait, peanut butter and few other essentials."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Lake Moomaw offers sandy beaches with swimming areas safe for children. "We spent Labor Day weekend 2021 enjoying Lake Sherwood... Located beside picturesque Lake Sherwood, this facility features a family-friendly campground as well as fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, swimming, and other outdoor activities," shares a visitor.
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play equipment for children. At Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, "The campground itself has a pool, open seasonally, a game room, and a playground. It's an old school playground but the gkids love it."
Educational opportunities: Douthat State Park Campground provides nature programs for various ages. "A favorite of our for years! All types of sites and hookups plus cabins. Fishing, lake swimming, hiking, educational opportunities galore. Security is good but not overwhelming," reports a frequent visitor.
Wildlife viewing chances: Kids can spot diverse wildlife throughout the region. "We saw tons of wildlife in the area. The hike around the lake was awesome and all our kiddos loved the island and beach," mentions a Lake Sherwood camper, while another at Morris Hill notes, "Watched some deer walk thru a few times they didn't seem fazed by me or my dog."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Many campgrounds have limitations for larger RVs. "Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles," warns a Douthat State Park visitor, who continues, "Whispering Pines is a few miles away along the entry road and has a different character. It's a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites."
Hookup options: Full-service sites are limited in the immediate Hot Springs area. The Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA offers "Lots of pull thru sites, full hook up, even have dog park and laundry," according to a recent visitor.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. One RVer at Douthat State Park notes, "We stayed here 4 days and 3 nights in November. We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing)."
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires additional preparation. A Douthat State Park camper advises, "We stayed here 4 days and 3 nights in November... The sites are large but there really aren't trees between sites although we were on a corner and so had some sense of privacy. The bathrooms were incredibly clean and heated."
