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Best Tent Camping near Keezletown, VA

1,002 Reviews

The George Washington National Forest surrounding Keezletown, Virginia offers numerous primitive tent camping options within a 30-mile radius. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping provides tent-only sites along forest roads with established fire rings and flat tent pads. Little Fort Campground features designated tent campsites with picnic tables and vault toilets, while Emerald Pond Primitive Campground offers walk-in tent sites near a spring-fed pond. Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm provides a unique tent camping experience under a canopy of cedar trees with amenities including drinking water and showers.

Most tent campgrounds in this region require preparation for primitive conditions. Sites at Switzer Lake have dirt surfaces suitable for tent stakes but lack potable water and formal restroom facilities. According to campers, the access road requires careful driving: "Once you turn onto Switzer Lake Road from U.S. 33, be prepared to drive another 2 miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road." Little Fort Campground offers more established tent pads but campers report the surface "is too hard to use pegs." Bear activity is common throughout the area, particularly at backcountry tent sites like Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed, where proper food storage is essential. Cell service is minimal or nonexistent at most locations.

Fall brings ideal conditions for tent camping with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. At Emerald Pond, tent sites accommodate multiple tents, with one visitor noting "one of the spots could hold about 4 tents, great for friends going out together." The pond provides water that requires filtering and offers "an amazing view of the night sky." Tent campers at Veach Gap backcountry sites enjoy ridgeline views after a 4-mile hike with 1,200 feet of elevation gain. Little Fort Campground uses a unique site selection system where campers flip a washer on a board from green to red to claim their spot. Most primitive tent sites throughout the region follow Leave No Trace principles with pack-in, pack-out requirements for all trash and supplies.

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Best Tent Sites Near Keezletown, Virginia (31)

    1. Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm

    6 Reviews
    Singers Glen, VA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 560-4847

    $25 - $30 / night

    "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."

    2. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Brandywine, VA
    21 miles
    Website

    "Duration of Stay: Oct 16-18, 2020 Average Daily Temp: 61 Average Evening Temp: 30 On Site Parking: ✅ Potable Water: 🚱 Restrooms: 🚫 Firewood: 🚫 Cell Service: 📵 4x4: ✅ Wildlife and Fishing: ✅

    Amazing"

    "It was an established site with a fire ring. It had a large clearing with a pretty flat spot for my tent. I accessed the site on my motorcycle. You wouldn't get a car/truck to the site."

    3. Emerald Pond Primitive Campground

    2 Reviews
    New Market, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 265-5100

    "If you would rather not hike it, there is a Forest Access road, but I'm not sure how often it is open and if permits are needed to drive on it. "

    "We didn’t see a ton of trash- but the trash we saw would fit into one plastic grocery bag and it was in the fire pits. I agree that it’s the locals hanging out here, that’s been confirmed."

    4. Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Shenandoah National Park, VA
    20 miles
    Website

    "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."

    5. Hazeltop Summit Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Syria, CT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    "Found this spot from a recommended list provided by Shenandoah park rangers, and I’m glad we choose this one."

    6. Crisman Hollow Road Camp

    1 Review
    Mount Jackson, VA
    23 miles

    "There was one really nice hiking trail by the bridge. Cons: Some roads were closed. Some spots were full of trash."

    7. #1 Rock Tavern River Kamp

    4 Reviews
    Luray, VA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 843-4232

    $45 - $225 / night

    "We are located on the Shenandoah River! Our waterfront unique kamp offers yurts and tent sites along with a well maintained bathhouse! Of course I feel we are 5 stars!"

    "River access, hiking near by and if you forget something town is 8 minutes away."

    8. Augusta County Natural Chimneys Park and Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Mount Solon, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 350-2510

    9. Little Fort Campground

    6 Reviews
    Woodstock, VA
    37 miles

    "The campsites have a fire ring, a picnic table, and a flat area to pitch a tent. They have parking spots next to them. There are permanent structure Vault toilets/ out houses."

    "There are 9 campsites, each with at least one fire ring, a tent pad and a picnic table, and there is a vault toilet in the middle."

    10. South Fork Shenandoah River

    4 Reviews
    Rileyville, VA
    33 miles

    "Not too many spaces so it can fill up quick. There is a launch in the middle, so there is a bit of come and go."

    "We stayed right at the end of the road, since we have a 30 foot RV, but there are sites you can walk to all the way down the river. I saw one other site before ours."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Keezletown, VA

53 Photos of 31 Keezletown Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Keezletown, VA

1002 Reviews of 31 Keezletown Campgrounds

  • Nick C.
    Jul. 25, 2022

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Centralized spot in Shenandoah - hot showers!

    I stayed in the tent only / non generator sites which is definitely the way to go. My site was actually a walk in. So I had to park and lug my gear up some steps about 200 feet. The site was shaded with a nice spot for a hammock. Including a fire ring and grill grate, picnic table and a bear box. You are close to the road, so you get noise and headlights in your tent sometimes. Deer and skunk walk through camp all the time. Heard some owls at night. Whooooooo

  • Corey B.
    Jun. 15, 2018

    Little Fort Campground

    Great Stay

    Small and simple campground with a handle full of sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Sites are semi secluded from each other. Some sites have direct access to the Peter's Mill Run OHV complex. Vault toilet for all sites to share. No water, no electricity. Have to pack trash out. Sites were first come first serve. Free to camp.

    We camped so we could spend two days on the OHV Trails with the Jeep. Had an incredible time. We'll be back.

  • Mary S.
    Oct. 12, 2018

    Loft Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Camping in the national park is the best!

    Loft Mountain was the third stop on our tour of Shenandoah National Park. First stop traveling south on Skyline Drive was Mathews Arm and second was Big Meadows at about the halfway point. Loft Mountain is at about the 3/4 mark. These parks are well spaced for viewing and hiking in between each campground.

    I'm a big fan of campgrounds in national parks. Why do I like this one? Pretty much the same reasons as I liked the other Shenandoah campgrounds:

    • All the basic needs are available in a scenic setting.

    • Generator-free sections (because I hate noisy generators)

    • About 75% of the sites are first-come, first-served sites so you should always be able to find a site if you arrive early.

    • The $15 price is a bargain and our Lifetime Senior Pass cuts the fee in half.

    • Hiking: There's a lot to keep you busy in the entire national park, but rainy, foggy weather kept us from exploring as much as we'd like. We'll be back!

    Things to Know About the Sites

    • Some sites have food storage boxes. Use them as an alternative to keeping food locked in your vehicle.

    • Walk-to tent sites: It's not a long walk to your site from a designated parking spot.

    • I was surprised to see that most sites (other than walk-to tent sites) have long, pull through parking pads, and most have a grass buffer (and possibly a few trees) separating the site from the road. These asphalt pads can accommodate RVs of all sizes and have a spacious area behind the pull through with a picnic table, fire ring and room for a tent. Great sites!

    • Generator-free sites in loop F and part of G are reservable sites. If you want one of these sites, I recommend a reservation. See the site map photo.

    Amenities

    • Restrooms with a utility sink outside some of them

    • Potable water and trash/recycling stations are spread throughout the park. These are all shown on the site map photo.

    • Camp store with ice, wood and limited food choices is a short walk from the campground entrance.

    • Showers: $1.75 for 5.25 minutes. These are located in a restroom near the campstore and look new. There is a handicapped accessible shower/bathroom combination.

    • Laundry facility near the camp store

  • Terri S.
    Sep. 23, 2019

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Beautiful , well maintained

    Big Meadows Campground was wonderful. Facilities were clean and well maintained. Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife. Fire ring with grate was available. Large site size. We had site 23. Highly recommend!

  • Carol B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2025

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Full campground, but a happy overnight

    I tent camped for one night at the start of Easter weekend. Lots and lots of folks about, but still enough space to NOT feel encroached upon. Level grass spot for a tent, fairly level paved parking area if car camping, picnic table, fire ring with grill grate. I was on the no generator loop, but in a non electric site (vs tent walk in type). Warm bathrooms, utility sinks in several, pay hot showers, lots of greenery. I will visit again! NO Verizon cell service at all!

  • Cindy D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2019

    Loft Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Shenandoah National Park

    We did not have a reservation and were lucky to get a site. It is a large campground with 200 sites for RV's & tent campers. The site we had was primitive, no water or electric, but had a picnic table, fire ring, & a bear box. Although the sites were close, they were situated to maximize privacy. The campgrounds had plenty of restrooms with flush toilets & sinks. The camp store has laundry facilities and showers that you must pay for, $1.75 for 5 minutes. The grounds and facilities are very clean. An added bonus, you can access the Appalachian Trail right from the campgrounds that provides amazing views

  • Elliott B.
    Jul. 11, 2017

    Dundo Group Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Very open group campground

    Very large and very open group campground situated on either side of the picnic area road back out. Each of the campsites provides plenty of tent space, a couple picnic tables, fire pit with grills, bear boxes, potable water, and a shared vault toilets in the middle of the sites and nearer to the picnic area and parking for up to five vehicles at each site. Firewood, ice, laundry, showers and camp store are available three miles north at the Loft Mountain Camp Store.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Spruce Knob and Spruce Knob Observation Tower

    Peak Bagging Coolness!

    Spruce Knob is West Virginia's highest peak and on a clear day offers breathtaking 360 degree views from the Observation Tower.      https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recarea/?recid=7053

    Because of the thick conifer growth, long mountain views don't occur till nearly to the top and that only along the western roadway...but once you climb the observation tower...(as mentioned, on a clear day) you are rewarded with wonderful views of WV and VA mountains.  Watching storm clouds or simple clouds roll in and envelope the Knob offers a wonderful experience.

    I've taken the opportunity to camp on Spruce Knob on several occasions, once to the NE of the parking lot just into the pines, once a couple hundred yards down the Seneca Backcountry trail to the right and once directly south of the Tower in the pines.  Each offered a differ experience.  There is no cost, which is a huge plus!

    In the pines, just below the summit, it is eerily quiet and muffled.  I've never seen another camper when I've stayed, so the solitude is glorious.

    If you want shelter and a picnic table for cooking/eating...they are available, but only along the parking lot.  Pit latrines are nearly on the summit in the parking lot near the trailhead for the Observation Tower.  So practice leave no trace when camping and hiking!! No water, so bring enough with you. There are waste receptacles but be wise and take trash with you. 

    There are two levels to the concrete Observation Tower...and best views are from the upper level. I've often though about cowboy camping on the second level after the last sightseer has left for the night, but haven't seen, heard or read if its forbidden or permitted...so I haven't...yet.

    Obviously, on a clear night, star gazing is incredible as there no ambient light. It is much cooler at this elevation, even in the summer...and the winds on the summit cut through like a knife. 

    Note: utilize good camping practices and set camp on a previous location where there is an established fire ring. Again, use caution with campfires because of the wind.

    If you desire a more established campground, Spruce Knob Lake Campground is not too far away...down the mountain.

    Spruce Knob summit camping is a family highlight!

  • Jon N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 2, 2022

    Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site

    My favorite Hike in the area

    I've both day hiked this and backpacked here several times. You will want to drive in and park at the Veach Gap Trailhead which is listed on Google Maps, then follow the trail and make the left when it comes to the intersection. It is about 4 miles up, so not too bad, but there is no water after the first mile. I have seen a small trickle part way up the mountain, but don't count on it. Pack up all the water you will need for the day/evening/morning. Once you get to the top there are several sites with little fire rings, and since it is on the ridgeline, the views are breathtaking. I've had good luck finding wood from dead trees at the top, but just make sure you're being safe and treating nature kindly. Follow the Leave no Trace rules so the next campers can enjoy this spot too.

Guide to Keezletown

Tent camping near Keezletown, Virginia, offers a variety of beautiful locations where nature lovers can enjoy the great outdoors. With options ranging from serene lakeside spots to secluded forest retreats, there's something for every camping enthusiast.

Tips for tent camping near Keezletown

  • For a peaceful experience, consider staying at Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping, where you can enjoy quiet surroundings and beautiful views.
  • Be prepared for limited access roads; some sites like Emerald Pond Primitive Campground require a hike-in, making it essential to pack light and plan your route.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles, especially at spots like Little Fort Campground, where maintaining the natural beauty is crucial for future visitors.

Tent campers should check out Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm

  • Experience a unique camping atmosphere at Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm, where you can explore the mushroom farm and enjoy the cozy setting under cedar trees.
  • This site offers essential amenities like drinking water and electric hookups, making it a comfortable choice for tent campers.
  • The friendly host provides a welcoming environment, ensuring a pleasant stay while you immerse yourself in nature.

Local activities for adventurous campers

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Keezletown, VA is Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm with a 5-star rating from 6 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 31 tent camping locations near Keezletown, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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