190 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Marion, Virginia spans developed campgrounds with full amenities to mountain campsites set among the highlands. Hungry Mother State Park has both regular campsites and cabins for those who want more comfort, with clean bathrooms, shower facilities, and a lake where you can swim or boat. Many campers head to Grayson Highlands State Park to see the wild ponies while enjoying mountain campsites and hiking opportunities nearby. The sites at Claytor Lake State Park Campground come with tables and fire rings, plus you can use the marina or go swimming at the beach area. Some camping spots have more trees between sites for privacy, while others are more open. Most areas have enough trees to provide good shade during hot days. You should book ahead of time, particularly on summer weekends and holidays when sites fill up fast. Spring and fall bring comfortable temperatures for camping in this area. Summer can get pretty hot, and winter camping works if you bring the right gear for cold nights.
"Campground review: Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, VA. This park has something for everyone. Hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, swimming. There are interesting campfire get togethers too."
"Hungry Mother State Park, Royal Oak Campground, Marion VA...site 3. https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/hungry-mother Campground Overview: Located outside of Marion VA
Hungry Mother State Park is"
from $27 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"The town of Marion has what you need and nearby towns, like Saltville, with its museum, are fun to explore."
"This was our first visit to a Virginia State Park and we were impressed."
from $37 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, there are multiple free national forest camping spots along the creek, just off Hwy 58. The sound of the creek seemed to drowned out all road noise."
"Free spot, right next to a gorgeous creek. It was totally empty in March - we didn’t see a single soul. Got a beautiful campsite right on the creek."
"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 Availability"Raccoon is the trailhead for a 2 1/2 mile one way trail TO THE TOP. There is some awesome overlooks and scary drop offs. It’s well worth the climb!"
from $20 - $27 / night
Check Availability"The lake is amazing. hey have canoes, paddle boards and kayaks. Pretty quick at night and the kids around the around rode bikes for ever! The wifi did not work."
from $37 / night
Check Availability"I'm not positive what size rig this campground says can be here, but the biggest of big would be able to navigate the roads and the sites are wide or long or both."
"Close to highway and easy dump station/water station across the street."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability
GuideI'm kinda biased about national park campgrounds because I'm an NPS employee. The Parkway is Awesome and the campgrounds are great. They don't have hookups or showers in the bath houses but the peace and quiet is incredible. We spent 5 nights on the blue ridge parkway and Shenandoah skyline drive. Great trip. Love the National Parks!!!
ScoutCampsites are great and the host will go out of his way to ensure you're having a great stay. Highly recommend
ScoutSpent 3 days and 3 nights, and we were very pleased. Curtis is the man. Very attentive and has some great stories to share. The property is well kept and the provided toilet & shower were a very welcome after a couple days in the tent. We plan on making our way back soon!
TravelerCamped here Aug 7-11. What a great place; the hosts were fantastic and the people were very friendly. If craft beer is what you like there are four (Im sure there is more) interesting breweries within 30 miles. There are also trails to take if you are a jeepster like myself. I'm going back in Sept!
TravelerI was the only one at the campsite other than two semipermanent RV trailers. It was quiet, clean, and remote. Tent sites cool under nice tree cover. Elevation was great and views were as at our home in north Georgia.
I was camping in a rooftop tent and the ground was adequately level, not muddy, and marked OK, with minimal detraction from the beauty of nature. Had picnic table.
Might have been nice to have an electric outlet close enough to run my extension cord, but I was minimalist camping with a Bluetti power storage unit, DC refrigerator, and my own water supply.
The bathroom facilities were minimal, but adequate. The showering area could have been a little more inviting, perhaps, but again, I didn't use them anyway.
I would stay again, especially if they were situated between me and my ultimate destination as they met my short-stay needs.
Ron
TravelerWe spent a Friday and Saturday night at site 23, which is a great spot. This is a spot for a smaller camper and has water and power only. The plug for power is a little further away than usual, so if you are plugging in to power you may need an extended cord. It’s a short walk to the bath house, which was well maintained. The dog walking area was spacious and also very clean. They also have a washer and dryer on site for laundry.
ScoutNice quiet campground about 1.9 miles out of boone NC. Lots to do here family friendly and pets freindly. Worth the stop.
ScoutThe campground is beautiful and extremely well maintained. The entire staff is friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Very quiet, adjoins the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the small community of Fancy Gap is interesting.
GuideIt was a long day of travel for me anyways. I arrived around 17:15 and the ranger was nowhere to be seen. Honor system was full out the form and pay cash before you go find your site.
This place is better for tent campers and those with rigs 20ft and under. Our 30ft bumper-pull was no match for the narrow sites due to trees. Most sites were not level either. As advertised, no sewer hook-up, and bring at least a 50ft hose for water…better yet, bring a 100ft hose and an additional splitter. The birds were nice to hear. It was quiet throughout the night also, mainly because there were only about 10 campers in the whole park (it holds about 78).
The bathhouses were clean and bright; but only shower curtains for doors on the toilets—reminded me of my deployment to Afghanistan.
Fuel…the hill to get in and out of the park is very steep! And if you spend time trying to fit your rig into any site you might think you can fit into but can’t, you’re going to need enough fuel to make it to the next gas station! If your rig is longer than 30ft and it’s not a 5th wheel, look elsewhere.
Personally, I won’t be stopping here again. The overall park was nice; but for $20/night, it wasn’t worth the stress.
Dispersed camping near Marion, Virginia offers several mountain and forest settings from 2,000-5,000 feet elevation. The Jefferson National Forest surrounds the area with multiple recreation areas for primitive and developed camping. Average summer temperatures range from 75-85°F daytime to 55-65°F at night, with spring and fall offering 15-20 degree cooler temperatures than summer.
Hiking to waterfalls: The Creekside Cabin trail in Grayson Highlands State Park offers a challenging path to a waterfall. "The Creekside Cabin hike is very technical as in tree roots and rocks, but so worth the exertion! Very cool waterfall and aside from some modern day trash there is still the old wood stove and pantry in the cabin."
Bike the Virginia Creeper Trail: Located near Grindstone Recreation Area, this popular trail offers easy riding options. "Takes reservations, nice sites... Creeper trail is a must do." The trail extends 34 miles with shuttle services available from Damascus for downhill riding.
Night sky viewing: Dark skies at higher elevation campgrounds provide excellent stargazing opportunities. "The night sky was one of the most memorable moments from our trip. I've never seen so many stars!" Many campgrounds have minimal light pollution due to their distance from towns.
Platform tent sites: Royal Oak Campground at Hungry Mother State Park offers unique tent platforms. "We tent camped here in the Royal Oak section. Campsites in this section are tent only and very nice and have platforms." These elevated platforms keep tents dry during rain and provide a level surface.
Creek-side camping: Multiple campgrounds feature sites adjacent to running water. "We had site 17. It was long and wide enough. Trees kept us cooler. Very clean. Restrooms and showers very clean. Had a store." The sound of water provides natural white noise for sleeping.
Privacy between sites: Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground offers secluded camping. "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." Rhododendron bushes create natural barriers between campsites.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have minimal or no connectivity. "There is no cell phone service. The campsite is wooded and the spaces are distanced well." Download maps and information before arriving.
Campground access challenges: Some locations have steep or narrow access roads. "Grayson Highlands has a front gate where you can pick up your packet if pre-registered. I'm not sure what I picked at online registration other than electric and water but I had the choice of over 10 sites."
Weather variability: Mountain elevations cause quick weather changes. "I was very much hoping to take photos of the night sky, but there was a storm with wild winds and cold, so that didn't happen!" Pack layers and rain gear regardless of forecast.
Swimming options: Camp Burson at Hungry Mother State Park offers a beach area. "The lake is beautiful and has boat rentals and a swimming beach! Great place to kayak!" A small fee applies for beach access during summer months.
Kid-friendly biking: Several campgrounds feature paved roads for beginners. "The whole place is paved so it was great for scooters. It's a 3/4 mile loop around the campground." Many sites connect to easier sections of longer trails.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Wild ponies are a major attraction. "Wild horses and ponies. (Short hike from the campsite). This campsite had everything we needed- Firewood, fire starters, etc. for purchase right there at the campsite." Morning and evening offer best viewing times.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Stony Fork Campground accommodates larger RVs. "This National Forest CG is located only 4 miles from I-77 (left from exit 47) and has paved roads and sites. About half of the 50 sites don't have facilities but about a dozen have W/E (30A) while the other dozen have just electric hookup."
Tree clearance considerations: Watch for low-hanging branches at some campgrounds. "The tree branches along the road in the cg could use a good trim in a couple of places." Some roads within campgrounds have tight turns for larger rigs.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with hookups have on-site dump stations. "Nice level spots with great hookups. Very quiet. Close to highway and easy dump station/water station across the street." Plan ahead for waste disposal needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Marion, VA campgrounds?
Camp Burson Campground offers large sites with full sewer hookups, making it ideal for RVs. For travelers looking for convenient amenities, Fort Chiswell RV Park provides easy highway access and facilities suitable for all types of rigs. Many campgrounds in the area offer basic amenities like restrooms, water access, and designated camping areas. Some locations like Sugar Hollow Campground provide a more nature-forward experience while still offering phone service and Wi-Fi in certain spots, with sites that accommodate various RV sizes at affordable rates.
What are the best campgrounds near Marion, VA?
Marion offers excellent camping options, with Hungry Mother State Park standing out as a top choice. This park features two distinct campgrounds: Royal Oak and Camp Burson, with activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, and swimming. For those seeking a more rugged experience, Grayson Highlands State Park is within driving distance and offers access to Mount Rogers, Virginia's highest point. The park's Hickory Ridge Campground is perfect for hikers wanting to truly disconnect, as there's little to no cell signal. Both parks provide a great blend of natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Are there any free or budget-friendly camping options in Marion, VA?
Yes, the Marion area offers several affordable camping options. Hidden Valley WMA provides free camping (with purchase of a Virginia Wildlife Access pass for only $4), featuring fire rings, bear bins, and a porta-potty. For those willing to venture slightly farther, Washington & Jefferson National Forest offers dispersed camping along Bear Creek, with opportunities for hiking, fishing, and paddling. Sugar Hollow Campground is another budget-friendly option at $20 per night, providing a natural setting with sites that aren't too close together. These options allow for affordable outdoor experiences without sacrificing access to beautiful Virginia landscapes.
Keep Exploring
