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Best Campgrounds near Lebanon, VA

593 Reviews

Camping in southwestern Virginia near Lebanon provides several options ranging from established campgrounds to dispersed sites. Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area offers free dispersed camping with a required Virginia Wildlife Access permit for up to 14 days. Riverside Campground in Abingdon, about 20 miles southwest of Lebanon, provides tent and RV sites with hookups along the North Fork of the Holston River. Sugar Hollow Campground near Bristol and Rainbow Campground in Jefferson National Forest round out the established options within a 45-minute drive.

Accessibility varies significantly throughout the region, with some areas requiring navigation on steep forest roads. "The road up is a pretty harsh grade for 4 miles. Our short bus Skoolie had some troubles with it," noted one visitor about Hidden Valley WMA. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Winter camping options become limited, though Sugar Hollow Campground remains open year-round. Elevation changes affect temperatures, with higher sites offering cooler conditions during summer months. Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas, particularly in the Jefferson and George Washington National Forests.

Waterfront camping locations consistently receive positive feedback from visitors to the region. Sites along the North Fork of the Holston River at Riverside Campground provide direct water access, while Hidden Valley WMA offers camping near a lake. According to reviews, "Dispersed camping free permit with Va wildlife, fishing, or use permit up to 14 days. Porta Jon available at campground and boat dock." Some locations like Rainbow Campground feature the therapeutic sounds of nearby creeks. Many campgrounds maintain clean facilities with varying levels of amenities—from basic vault toilets at dispersed sites to full hookups and showers at developed campgrounds. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the area, with deer frequently spotted at higher elevation sites, though some reviews mention encounters with venomous snakes at certain lower elevation campgrounds.

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Best Camping Sites Near Lebanon, Virginia (140)

    1. Riverside Campground

    7 Reviews
    Abingdon, VA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 628-5333

    $28 - $40 / night

    "Close to charming Abingdon VA with great local restaurants, the Barter Theater and the Virginia Creeper Trail."

    "There are about 8-10 sites that are right behind the pool and more sites down a short hill all along the river. This campground accommodates tents, pop ups and RV's comfortably."

    2. Hidden Valley WMA

    4 Reviews
    Willis, VA
    3 miles
    Website

    "This spot is very nice, close to the water’s edge (although no camping allowed lakeside). There’s quite a few rings, bear bins, and a porta-loo. We had the place to ourselves which was really great."

    "Easy to access in a vehicle several campers campsites available Lake is calm and clean for water recreation. Has the portable restroom and plenty of firewood."

    3. Sugar Hollow Campground

    9 Reviews
    Bristol, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 645-7275

    $20 / night

    "Trails right off the campground to walk around the park, not huge but nice. Close off the highway but no road noise."

    "From the road you wouldn’t guess there’s a giant park beyond the entrance. The rangers at the entrance were super friendly, but they patrol a lot, so often no one is actually at the gate house."

    4. Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park

    41 Reviews
    Marion, VA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 781-7400

    $25 - $45 / night

    "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"

    5. Little Oak Campground

    23 Reviews
    Shady Valley, TN
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 735-1500

    $12 / night

    "**Holston Lake is absolutely beautiful. The campground is deep in the national forest, out on a series of peninsulas, making all the campsites quite close to the water."

    "This campground is located about an hour or so from our home but it feels like a million miles away — in a good way!"

    6. Rainbow Campground

    1 Review
    Saltville, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 944-4243

    $28 - $43 / night

    7. Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park

    56 Reviews
    Troutdale, VA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 579-2374

    $25 - $40 / night

    "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."

    8. Breath of Dawn

    1 Review
    Mendota, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 880-8551

    $28 - $150 / night

    9. Breaks Interstate Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Breaks, VA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 865-4413

    $20 - $38 / night

    "What it offers in terms of a get away from it all makes it the go to destination for everyone who’s just about had enough of everything average.  

    First of all, where the heck is it? "

    "It was surrounded by a lot of trees, so it had shade. It was a short walk to the bathhouse which was very clean with nice showers. 

    The campground has 4 different loops."

    10. Observation Knob Park

    5 Reviews
    Shady Valley, TN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 878-1881

    $25 - $35 / night

    "We do lots of walking, so this campground has many drives to walk. Takes no time at all to walk a mile plus without going the same drive. Many shaded sites, lots seem to be seasonal."

    "Older but absolutely beautiful park located right on the lake. The park is very well maintained and the staff are super friendly. The views of the mountains meeting the lake are absolutely stunning."

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Recent Camping Photos near Lebanon, VA

261 Photos of 140 Lebanon Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Lebanon, VA

593 Reviews of 140 Lebanon Campgrounds

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Observation Knob Park

    On the water

    Beautiful, popular park. Not all sites are level. Sites are fairly close together. Excellent scenery.

  • William F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Creekside Campground — Hungry Mother State Park

    Great Spot!

    Sites are a little close and sharp turns coming in. Pads are level, bathrooms are clean. Everything is kinda spread out as far as bathrooms houses or playgrounds for the kids. Really nice and quiet tho.

  • Bailey R.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Cardens Bluff Campground

    Lake side camping

    This relaxing little camp site has such pretty spacious camp site. We went day of in September and found a spot on the lake no problem. Do bring cash as it’s cash only if you pay the day you show up. Camp host were super nice and the price was wonderful. There weren’t as many bathrooms as I would have liked due to most being worked on. There is really good cell service on the camp site.

  • Theresa S.
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the location, Left because of the owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • Shane N.
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Camp Stonefly

    Great small peacefully time

    Me and wife passing through. Stayed over weekend loved it

  • Gary S.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the Location, Left because of the Owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • xGYABx L.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Great Getaway and stay

    We spent 1 night out here on a Saturday Night it is very secluded away from everything only downside was had 2 drive at least 10 miles 2 get cell service and the site is close 2 the road so we can hear a lot of traffic

  • Carol J.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Breaks Interstate Park Campground

    Great spot for nature lovers

    This is a very well maintained park, with many hiking and overlook opportunities.  White tail deer are frequent, and very tame.  Bathrooms are clean and well maintained.  Lots of hot water and water pressure in the showers.  There is a pool and waterpark on site, and a gift shop and camp store.  Was disappointed that the Visitor Center was only open on the weekend (and it was still prior to Labor Day).  Staff was helpful and friendly, although there was no camp host on site on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday nights.

Guide to Lebanon

Camping near Lebanon, Virginia offers sites across rugged Appalachian terrain ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 feet elevation. The region's limestone geology creates unique watersheds with numerous streams flowing into the Holston River system. Air temperatures at higher elevation campgrounds can be 8-12 degrees cooler than valley locations during summer months.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At Hidden Valley WMA, visitors can enjoy lake fishing in a secluded setting. "Easy to access in a vehicle several campers campsites available. Lake is calm and clean for water recreation," notes Kathleen B. Fishing licenses and access permits are required.

Hiking trails: The area offers varied terrain from gentle lakeside paths to challenging mountain trails. "The campground has plenty of room and space for your truck/boat/trailer. The campfire setup worked out well and the view of the lake was unbeatable," explains Kace L. about Little Oak Campground, located about 40 minutes from Lebanon.

Therapeutic creek sounds: For campers seeking natural sound therapy, Rainbow Campground in Jefferson National Forest provides creekside camping. "An amazing Campground, and area! This is early March with decent water levels, The Roar of the creek at the base of the campground is very therapeutic. They stock the creek twice a month with trout," writes zach P.

What campers like

Waterfront access: Lake and river camping remains popular throughout the region. "Very spacious campers camp sites every site is right on the lake with amazing sunsets every night," reports Tiffany G. about Little Oak Campground. Many sites offer direct water access for swimming, fishing, or launching small watercraft.

Affordable pricing: Budget-conscious campers appreciate value options within driving distance. At Sugar Hollow Campground in Bristol, "You can't beat the price and your secluded but yet close to Sam's and Walmart and even a Chick-fil-A 10-day maximum," according to Mike. This park stays open year-round with winter camping options.

Secluded spots: Campers seeking quiet can find isolated options away from crowds. At Breath of Dawn, a small established campground with only six sites, you'll find "Plenty of space with short grass. Small rock fire pit and log bench. Excellent views and lots of deer and birds about," reports N Monroe H.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating steep mountain roads. At Hidden Valley WMA, "The camp area is alright - 4 ish areas to pull up to and a few tent sites… pretty and quiet. Only downside is that the road up is a pretty harsh grade for 4 miles. Our short bus Skoolie had some troubles with it," warns Zoey T.

Wildlife encounters: The region supports diverse wildlife including deer, turkeys, and occasionally bears. Some lower elevation sites have reported snake sightings. At Riverside Campground, one camper warned "The place is crawling with Venemous Copperheads. Do not recommend tent camping here." However, most reviews are positive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Lebanon?

The Lebanon area offers excellent camping options for all preferences. Grayson Highlands State Park is a hiker's paradise with its proximity to Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia. For riverside relaxation, Riverside Campground provides a peaceful setting near the Holsten River, with convenient access to Abingdon's restaurants and the Virginia Creeper Trail. Other notable options include Natural Tunnel State Park for primitive camping and Warriors' Path State Park with its ridge sites overlooking Fort Patrick Henry Lake.

Are there any free camping options in Lebanon?

Hidden Valley WMA offers free dispersed camping (technically requires a Virginia Wildlife Access pass for $4). This area features fire rings, bear bins, and a porta-potty, with spots close to the water's edge. Washington & Jefferson National Forest also provides free dispersed camping options along Bear Creek, where you can enjoy hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling. The forest sits at the intersection of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state lines, offering access to both the Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail.

What amenities are available at Lebanon campgrounds?

Sugar Hollow Campground offers affordable sites ($20/night) with phone service and Wi-Fi in some areas. It accommodates various RV sizes including 25ft class C vehicles, with both level and adjustable sites available. At Backbone Rock Recreation Area, you'll find large, shaded campsites along a beautiful tree-lined road surrounded by mountains. Many campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and toilets, while developed sites often include water hookups, electric connections, and shower facilities.

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