Norton, VA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Virginia camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Norton, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
The Main Campground campsites are equipped with water and electric hookups. All campsites also include a grill and fire ring. Restrooms and heated showers are available.
For your convenience, you can purchase firewood at the camp store during your stay.
$20 - $30 / night
$20 / night
$14 / night
LITTLE OAK CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE. CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. Little Oak Campground hugs the shores and inlets of beautiful South Holston Lake in Sullivan County, Tennessee. With a view of the Holston Mountain ridgeline and lake islands, Little Oak campsites are a relaxing setting for your vacation. There are 69 universally accessible campsites improved in 2012 including warm showers and a paved access road. Campground hosts are available on site to answer your questions.
Fishing is a popular activity for campers at Little Oak, with a concrete boat launch within the campground. Numerous campsites have easy access to the lake shore for tying off your boat. There are nearby trails for hiking and horseback riding. Children and adults enjoy riding their bikes on the roads between camping loops. There is also a lakeside grassy area popular for swimming and picnicking. There is an array of wildflowers to enjoy throughout the season, resident deer and turkey and other natural wonders for the naturalist in your group.
South Holston Lake is a 7,580-acre hydroelectric reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. Holston Mountain and nearby Iron Mountain provide habitat for an array of wildlife including a healthy population of black bear.
Little Oak Campground is within 30 minutes of Bristol, Tennessee, and nearby Bristol Motor Speedway. Backbone Rock Recreation Area is approximately 30 minutes away up beautiful Shadey Valley, and just five minutes past Backbone Rock is Damascus, Virginia. Jacobs Creek Campground and Swim Area is 25 minutes away for another view of South Holston Lake.
$10 - $12 / night
Strategic Location for peaceful camping with lots of nearby options. Camping is very primitive and rustic as new amenities come online in planned future. The best time of booking is the weekend at present.
We have:
Wooded/Grassy hills with plenty of tree cover and open space to spread out . A uniquely positioned community fire pit is available with an impressive view. It is very rustic and primitive, but well kept, quiet, secluded, with developing surroundings.
There is direct access to Jefferson National Forest and miles of hiking, biking and horseback trails. Equestrians encouraged, but is Bring your own horse and Tie Line.
Nearby sites include Bark Camp Lake, Guest River Gorge, Bear Rock, Little Stony Falls, Chief Benge Trail, Devils Bath Tub, and High Knob. We are also located along several driving and scenic routes to include: Backroads of the Cumberland's, Appalachian Backroads, Virginia Wildlife and Birding Trail, and Thomas Jefferson Scenic Byway (Rt. 72). In addition, within a short drive there is an ATV trailhead in the local town. The Clinch River is not far at all as well.
There is a small quaint downtown less than 5 miles with grocery, gas, supplies, and a few places to eat.
Mission:
The original idea for CR Adventure Outpost came many years ago. We grew up visiting "Grandma & Grandpa" in Wise County and developed a deep love for the area, the outdoors, and all it had to offer. There came a point, , when we realized that the amount of outdoor activities and authentic cultural experiences could indeed support visitors. It could also support many business opportunities once everyone became aware of what was all around them. At that point, a process began of research and planning on ideas some thought were pointless. People deeply want to get back to nature and withdrawal from a fast paced materialistic society, at least long enough to realize what is really important in life. There is a huge need and vast opportunity to take advantage of the many beautiful landscapes in Southwest Virginia.
$20 - $35 / night
$22 / night
Primitive Camping
Natural Tunnel's primitive camping site is in a partially wooded area about half a mile from the main campgrounds and bathhouses. Parking is available at the site, but RV’s and camping units are not allowed. Reservations for Primitive Camping can be made by calling the park office at 276-940-2674.
Amenities:
Five 15 ft. x 15 ft. tent pads. Common area with fire ring. Covered eating area with four picnic tables. Utility building with electricity and lights suitable for storage or food prep (no cooking inside the shed).
Parking for up to five vehicles. (Limited overflow parking available at the campground entrance). No RV or camping trailer parking is available. Potable water spigot at the entrance to the primitive camping area. Two portable toilets. (No showers on site.)
$15 / night
The Main Campground campsites are equipped with water and electric hookups. All campsites also include a grill and fire ring. Restrooms and heated showers are available.
For your convenience, you can purchase firewood at the camp store during your stay.
$20 - $30 / night
$20 / night
$14 / night
Ranger
Very scenic place!! We spent 6 nights here, hiked & biked a lot. Off season, so some of the amenities were closed (pool looks awesome). The campground itself isn't really all that great, prepare for some levelling. We lucked out in the B loop, as a small trail (Grassy Overlook trail) took us to see the northern lights one evening. I highly suggest stopping here for a few nights, an under rated area.
Traveler
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. Highly recommend!
Guide
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. Camping is free, technically. (you need to purchase an Access pass from Virginia Wildlife for 4 dollars online, and add a camping authorisation to your account). The road was clear of Hurricane damage and very easy to get to. Would stay again!
Scout
Quiet campground with a private pond for fishing.
Guide
We arrive very late, after all day travels from Florida. My phone had three bars, Verizon 5G ultra wide signal.
RangerLarge County campground with electric and water with two pump out stations. spacious, hilly sites with some tree coverage along lake with boat ramp and capacity to tie your boat up at your site.
Recommend a surge protector on your camper as there are no breakers on the electric hook up at the site (clustered elsewhere).
Stayed here for a National water dog competition and the beach area was perfect for our group.
GuideDispersed camping free permit with Va wildlife, fishing, or use permit up to 14 days. Porta Jon available at campground and boat dock. Plenty of dead wood for fires. Trash cans available. Rocks for fire pits and no tables.
Guide
Hosts were nice and helpful. Thanks to Robbi and Darell. Everything was very clean and well kept. Cell service was 3 bars. Lake was beautiful!!
Scout
Paid in full in 2023 for 2024. Checked in May 2024, all good on reservations, stated looking forward to seeing me in September. August 31, 2024, received an email stating they could not accommodate me for the agreed upon reservation. Tried to call, went straight to voicemail, mailbox full.
Scout
My site was B82. Plenty of shade, very private on one side and pretty level,-1 from front to back. Most sites will require at least some leveling in the back and on the right side. The site was gravel and clean. Water and electric(30 amp) were fine. I was there a Monday thru Friday and it was VERY quite, I was the only one in my loop. I don't know if it's always like that or if it was a result of the campground only opening the Friday before my arrival due to damage/high water in the lake caused by Hurricane Debbie. It must be really busy on the weekends because they have a separate gate for campers already registered. Based on shade, privacy and level, I would recommend the following sites in B loop 10, 79, 80, 81 and 82. All sites in B loop had more trees between the next site as compared to Loop C. The downside to loop B is there is a lot of tent camping which can cause a lot of people in the showers. Loop B has it own 2 stall dump station, which was clean. There is a 4 station dump on the main road for the other loops. There were a lot of mosquitoes. I don't know if this was a result of the high lake water. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The Rangers patrolled on a regular basis. Now to the bathrooms. I agree with all the other comments. I don't know if it's always this way but the"comfort" station(toilets only) was only open Friday-Sunday. It only has cold water at the sink and no soap. The toilet stalls at the shower house were covered in spider webs. The sinks were filled with mosquitos. The floor wasn't swept or mopped during my stay. The doors of the shower stalls were very short. So short that any other user of the shower area could see entirely into the shower. Your fellow campers would know you very well. I drove thru Loop C and here are my observations. Loop C seems to be the favorite loop of the locals. It's has more lakefront sites which allows for boat docking. The sites didn't appear to have as much gravel as B. The shower house is MUCH better the the one in loop B. It had been remodeled and was clean and the shower doors were of a height that offered privacy. The water turn on is motion sensor and is activated when you enter the shower so be prepared. The water temperature is preset. The other loops were closed due to lake levels and hurricane damage so I could not observe them. The beach is small and not much. To access the bathroom at the beach you have to go to the adjoining campground loop bathroom. Verizon was 2 bars in the entire park. No local TV channels but some like Me TV, etc. No WIFI
Guide
Me and my wife were looking to get away from theater apartment for a couple of days during a remodel. Well we didn't Wana travel to mountains to camp. And by Luck,we found one right basicly in the city close to everything,with great spots and Really great fishing for Trout,as This stream has been on many different Fishing platforms and Program. Is my new favorite spot overtaking the Blue Ridge parkway even.
Guide
Booked a 3 night stay over the weekend and had the primitive camping area to ourselves. 5 spots with tent pads, picnic tables, fire pit, hanging poles, and bear box. Then there is a very large, communal fire pit, and an open but covered shelter with picnic tables and an outlet to charge your tech things. Water spigot at top, a little walk, uphill, for water. The camp store people said they are unable to use spigot nearby common shelter because it’s no good. 🤷🏻♀️ Glad we brought our large bladder so we weren’t constantly going up and down the hill for water. Camp store with some basics at entrance, and person on golf cart drives around checking on things. Trash dumpster, up the hill just past water spigot. Couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful place, especially for the price, $15/night. Took advantage of some of the hiking trails, which were well maintained and marked. Also, went and checked out the natural tunnel via chairlift. The other two campgrounds looked nice, with big, fancy bathhouses. And the cabins, wow, fancy! Hooray for Virginia State Parks!!
Guide
This is an enjoyable State Park with a lot to offer. The rangers and staff may be the nicest we’ve encountered. They have a full docket of activities, ranger-led hikes, games, crafts and wildlife lectures offered throughout the day. In addition to camping they have a full marina with canoe, kayak and paddle board rentals. It houses an acclaimed mountain bike trail area. Nearby you can golf and ride horses. Cell coverage varies from LTE to 5G all over the park.
The main camping section was laid out long ago, with older style short sites and water/electric only. Many of the sites are narrow and some have challenging access. Be sure to read site descriptions and check the suggested trailer size- they seriously mean the max size!! Each site has a fire ring, and small grate grill and a picnic table. The sites up on the ridge are probably sized only for tents and Class B units; many are sloped. The newly updated section, Moody Bluff, has FHU and a number of pull-through sites. It only has trees around the edge of one side giving it an open field feeling.
The main campground has its own boat ramp for access to the reservoir. The camp store has a small offering of RV accessories and ice for$2.00. The main campground shower units are individual and separate from the bathrooms. There are ADA shower stalls, bathrooms, and ramps. While the bath house is older and could use fresh paint it was meticulously clean all week.
We spent a long weekend with several other RV couples. Nearby Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium provides engaging planetarium shows, a herpetarium, wildlife sections with bobcats, foxes, gray wolves, and raptors, as well as hiking trails. Restaurants, grocery stores and big box retail stores are 10 minutes away in Kingsport.
Our site(62) was narrow and a little short for our 23’ trailer. We had to park the truck sideways at the entrance. Our stairs opened right on the concrete pad for the table and we had very little room for our chairs. Our group host had enough room on their site(58) that they could erect two shelters for our meals. The forest was right up to our sides and we had lovely birdsong to awaken us every morning. I would definitely return, especially if the larger sites were available.
Scout
The place is crawling with Venemous Copperheads. Do not recommend tent camping here.
ScoutOverall was impressed with the grounds! Well kept, and huge park. Only reason for 4 stars, is no sewer hookup on site. Several Dump stations on grounds, though they are free for guests. Very friendly Park Rangers at the check-in station. 30 amp hookups. Water hookup. Several Lake front spots. Shower and bathroom buildings on site. Several pavilions. Dumpsters, Lots of walking trails. As well as a boat ramp. For $25 a night, with my 28ft pull behind, I was very pleased with my stay! Will come back again!
Traveler
Did a couple of days at Around the Pond Campground in Greenville Tennessee.( mtns.) It was a awesome trip with our friends Ronni Herold& Dean. And our new friends we met Nancy Riegelsperger& her husband Herb.Campground was clean and the staff was very friendly.
Scout
There are 2 main campgrounds here for rvs and tents. Is it a nice safe place for families. Pets welcome. 30 and up a night with a good security faculty.
GuideStayed 4 nights in section D. Our site was ok. There were a lot better sites to stay though. Staff was helpful and friendly. We had full hookups. Lots of shade.
Scout
Their website is from 2018. They have new owners and have let transit stay there campers look terrible. The place is really went downhill. It used to be really nice. Beware if you have a new camper. Looks like that newest campers like a 2010.
Scout
Nice clean campground with affordable pricing, I highly recommend this camp
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! We're excited to have this campground on the Dyrt and ready for you to book, check them out and make sure to leave a review!
ScoutWe stayed for the Bristol Rhythm & Roots festival in the glampers and loved the romantic atmosphere at night. The trees are lit up with a warm glowing light. The pond fountain whispers you to sleep. The manager and staff were awesome and accommodating. They truly want you to make a lifetime of memories on your visit.
Scout
The sites are small, the gravel is thin, and they are muddy. This campground is a hodgepodge of half executed thoughts and rework, on a shoestring budget. Wifi is horrible, and cell service is worse. The "lake" is a pond. There is a pig roaming around getting into garbage, and rubbing mud all over your stuff. There is pig crap everywhere. Owner seems not to care, but if your dog leaves a pile, they will threaten to charge you to clean it up... Apparent sewer issues, as the alarms were constantly sounding off during our stay. The cops were there multiple times for domestic violence issues. Dogs bark all night. The owner appeared to be intoxicated most all the time.
Scout
Great staff. Isolated area. Quiet neighbors. All around wonderful place to camp
TravelerGreat place to camp along side the creek or rv lots with mountain views. Walking distance to Clinch River. Kayak, Hiking, Biking, spacious lots
GuideVisiting my family in 2021,me and my wife decide instead of a hotel to go camping. Now growing up in this area in the 80 and 90's u could just freely disspearsed camp, but we were surprised to see that they made an actual camp ground around their by some private land owners , who are the nicest couple you could ever meet. The beautiful grounds, peacefulness, of it all is so nice and inspired those childhood memories of Trout fishing with my father who had passed 5 yrs ago. The $25 dollar charge is very well worth it. With bathrooms and nice people. I will be back , before my brain cancer takes me, just recently diagnosed an looking forward to doing something, but living on SSDI is hard
Guide
A “secret spot” that holds a special place in my heart.
I spend on average 10 days at a time camping in the primitive grounds (April/May, Aug/Sep & end of October 2023 ) all five spaces are nicely kept and a large communal fire pit is wonderful. Even when all sites are full. There’s plenty of space. Porter Johns on site as well (and nicely maintained for what that’s worth! )
By far - the best camp ground I’ve visited in terms of Hosts, rangers, amenities if needed, scenery and solitude.
Take bear and coyote warnings SERIOUSLY my friends. I’ve seen plenty out there but never had a problem taking proper precautions. Also the crows - smarter than normal haha they WILL wake you up earlier than the other birds demanding you make breakfast and leave so they can then hop around your camp.
Your cell service will be spotty / non existent on trails around the area… even when you see a road running parallel to your hike .. plan accordingly. (And bear spray people. Please. Just take it)
Plenty of wood split ($4 a bundle. Ice $2 a bag) and hosts will graciously bring wood to your camp site <3
The “trail” off the primitive site doesn’t seem to be on a map - and I heard many different variations of where it went. So I hiked the whole thing just for y’all! It’s an in and out(maybe a mile give or take total) that dead ends to PRIVATE property. (So obviously don’t proceed past gate) Lots of beautiful growth, cool in the summer with shade - nice quiet trail for dogs - half way is definitely less of a beaten path. Use caution.
HIGHLY recommend getting in before last light. Especially if you’re towing anything, roads are steep and winding getting to and from camp/cabins. And lotssss of deer / rabbits at dawn and dusk jumping around.
In a nutshell - this park gets a 10/10 from a solo female camper. Everyone is mindful of one another’s space and solitude - however in true Appalachian fashion everyone also looks out for you and always ready to lend a helping hand.
Camping near Norton, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Norton, Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Norton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Norton, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 88 campgrounds and RV parks near Norton, VA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Norton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Norton, VA is Natural Tunnel State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Norton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Norton, VA.
What parks are near Norton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 parks near Norton, VA that allow camping, notably John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir and Carr Creek Lake.
