Best Campgrounds near Natural Bridge, VA

Natural Bridge camping options range from basic to well-equipped sites throughout the area. Natural Bridge City Park Campground has simple setups with picnic tables and fire rings. Natural Bridge Area State Park provides more facilities including restrooms and clean water. If you want a more remote experience, the National Forest has dispersed camping sites away from crowds. Natural Bridge Recreation Area draws many campers with good hiking trails and nice views. The area has plenty of wildlife, so store your food properly to keep bears away. Watch for fire bans during dry periods. Some camping areas require permits, so check the rules ahead of time. Book early for popular campgrounds, especially during busy times. Natural Bridge County Park Campground works well for families with its playgrounds and open spaces. Several campgrounds have showers and laundry machines if you're staying longer. Spring and fall bring the best camping weather with mild temperatures. Summer can get hot, so bring extra water and sunscreen. Winter camping is doable but pack warm gear. Remember to practice Leave No Trace to keep the area beautiful for future campers.

Best Camping Sites Near Natural Bridge, Virginia (108)

    1. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    29 Reviews
    Natural Bridge, VA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2770

    $35 / night

    "We stayed at the Natural Bridge KOA for one night on our way further north and loved it!

    They opened the pool a week early, and although the water was still ICE COLD (75 degrees?)"

    "Nice little store, gas station at the entrance. Very clean bathroom as and showers. We love our spot “99”! So much to do here in Natural Bridge and Lexington. Go to Pink Cadillac Diner - 4347 S."

    2. Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp — George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

    18 Reviews
    Natural Bridge Station, VA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Very close to natural bridge and caverns. The lake is very cold but fun. Sites are pretty private with half on a cute creek."

    "These sites are slightly more rugged, and best for smaller tents; site 35 however is both large, flat, and private, and is next to the trailhead to one of the campground's hiking trails."

    3. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge

    15 Reviews
    Natural Bridge Station, VA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2727

    $39 - $241 / night

    "If that isn’t enough, there is a lake with a big blow up slide and more in the center and also has river access. You can get free life jackets to use and can rent out boats for the river."

    "Right next to the James River for all of your fishing needs. Have a pool, splash pad, pond/lake with a slide, beach, inflatable obstacle course, have an arcade room, and 2 additional water slides."

    4. Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    21 Reviews
    Thaxton, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 586-7321

    $30 / night

    "Picked for price

    Quiet

    Enjoyed Blueridge parkway

    NIce retreat in SW Virginia"

    "It was a pull-through site with an additional area containing a picnic table and fire ring, accessible via a small set of steps up the hill."

    5. George Washington National Forest off 812

    12 Reviews
    Glasgow, VA
    9 miles
    Website

    "There are multiple spots along the road - some are drive in and some require you to park and walk in. Definitely get there early to get a prime spot."

    "We arrived around 10:30am, we got everything set up before we ventured out. Very nice spot we found, very quiet except for nature. Best sounds ever."

    6. Otter Creek Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    14 Reviews
    Big Island, VA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 299-5125

    $30 / night

    "Great all around virginia campsite"

    "Alternative to crowded Shenandoah campgrounds, although is a good drive away <60+ miles away from entrance."

    7. Natural Bridge KOA

    8 Reviews
    Natural Bridge, VA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 562-8514

    "Also, the KOA is just a few miles from Natural Bridge State Park. I found it to be worth the $9 admission fee.

    I had excellent cell service on Verizon."

    "Normally we camp with our tent, but we decided to make the trip to check out Natural Bridge State Park at the end of December."

    8. Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA

    14 Reviews
    Big Island, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 299-5228

    "Hiked Natural Bridge which is a must on your bucket list.   Being a Veteran the highlight was visiting the D Day Museum in nearby Bedford.  Very emotional."

    "This campground had the friendliest staff, awesome, well maintained grounds, plenty of activities and a great location near many attractions such as the blue ridge parkway and natural bridge."

    9. North Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Buchanan, VA
    7 miles
    Website

    $30 / night

    "Our camping trip in Virginia was a step into serene simplicity for just $15. Nestled in a beautiful forest, we found peace with no electricity, no internet, and no phone signals—just pure nature."

    "The gravel road going around the tent loop was really loud, and there was a cabin behind our site that had a lot of activity and noise for awhile, but all was quiet after 10p."

    10. Middle Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Buchanan, VA
    8 miles
    Website

    $20 - $85 / night

    "It was early season, mid- may, so there were few other campers around. We took a site up their gravel road away from the main campground area."

    "They mostly lazed around all weekend and watched people coming and going. The RV sites are directly across from the camp store, but the tent sites were tucked back into the woods."

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Showing results 1-10 of 108 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Natural Bridge, VA

655 Reviews of 108 Natural Bridge Campgrounds



Guide to Natural Bridge

Camping near Natural Bridge, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. Many campers enjoy the nearby hiking options. One reviewer mentioned, "The campground is located very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline drive. What a beautiful drive on the parkway."
  • Swimming: Enjoy the refreshing waters at local lakes. A camper at Sherando Lake Campground said, "The lake is beautiful and refreshing. You can swim out to an Island if you want to."
  • Fishing: Cast a line in the local lakes. A visitor at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area noted, "Our neighbor was catching nice fish out in his boat. Many different kinds of fish and very nice sized brown trout."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Douthat State Park Campground stated, "Restrooms were in good shape with running water and showers."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites with privacy. A camper at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA mentioned, "The sites are small and close to each other, but well maintained."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground hosts. One visitor at Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp said, "The staff is friendly and go out of their way to answer questions you may have."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Sherando Lake Campground noted, "There isn’t any cell service so they will call him, the host called for us."
  • Water Availability: Some campgrounds may have water issues. A visitor at Douthat State Park Campground mentioned, "Major water problems with the entire park. The bath house by the beach, the small restrooms and a good deal of water spigots are closed or off."
  • Seasonal Access: Check the campground seasons before planning your trip. For example, Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is open from April 4 to December 5.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly activities. A review for Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge said, "During the summer months they have activities 7 days a week from 9a-9p."
  • Safety First: Ensure kids understand campground rules, especially near water. A camper at Crabtree Falls Campground mentioned, "Dogs were hard to manage in this trail with two kids as the rocks are slippery."
  • Space for Everyone: Choose campgrounds with spacious sites. A visitor at Otter Creek Campground noted, "The sites had great space. Dog friendly."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the necessary hookups. A camper at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA said, "The electric and water hook up. Site was not level but OK."
  • Plan for Noise: Be prepared for noise from nearby campers. A visitor at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area mentioned, "The main downside with this site seems to be the problem endemic to most campgrounds where people bring their motor boats."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of the beautiful scenery around. A camper at Peaks Of Otter Campground said, "The campground sits at the foot of the iconic Sharp Top mountain but there is hiking galore here."

Camping near Natural Bridge, Virginia, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Natural Bridge, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Natural Bridge, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near Natural Bridge, VA and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Natural Bridge, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Natural Bridge, VA is Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Natural Bridge, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Natural Bridge, VA.

What parks are near Natural Bridge, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Natural Bridge, VA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.