If you're searching for a place to camp with pets near Paint Bank, look no further. Camping is an adventurous and unique way to escape the city—and you can bring along your furry friend. Each pet-friendly campsite offers quick access to one or more of Paint Bank's most popular destinations.
$45 / night
Cabins
To camp at Douthat State Park you must have with you either your reservation number(s) or confirmation letter at check-in. If you've arranged for someone else to check in for you, make sure that person has your reservation number as the number is needed to enter the cabin. All cabins are pet-friendly; there is a fee per pet per night. Camping and cabin guests should be prepared to show a valid ID if requested. Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 10 a.m.
Camping
Douthat is known for delightful, inviting campsites and makes great camping near Richmond. Some offer a splendid view of Douthat Lake. Camping is available year-round in Whispering Pines campground. (Note: Water is unavailable at individual campsites from November through March because of freezing weather. As hot water is still available in the bathhouse, camping fees are not reduced.) The campgrounds are pet-friendly. Generators may not be used in any campgrounds.
Lodges
Please note that the cancellation fee for Douthat Main Lodge, Creasey Lodge and Beard's Mountain Lodge is higher than it is for cabins.
Douthat Lodge (atop mountain): Six-bedroom, rents Saturday - Saturday
This log lodge overlooks the park. It was built by the CCC. It sleeps 13 and allows 15. There are six bedrooms: one queen bed, one queen bed, one queen bed, four twin beds, two twin beds and one twin bed. It has a fireplace, two bathrooms, a washer and a dryer.
Creasey Lodge (behind park's main office). Five-bedroom. Weekly rentals start on Friday when a week-long stay is required. Fully universally accessible.
This one story wood-frame lodge is next to the park office. It accommodates up to 18 guests. There are five bedrooms: one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds. It has a fireplace and three bathrooms.
Beards Mountain Lodge: Six-bedroom, maximum occupancy is 16. Weekly rentals start on Sunday when a week-long stay is required.
This frame-built facility is midway up the mountain and is universally accessible. It accommodates up to 16 guests. There are three bathrooms and six-bedrooms; queen, queen, two twins, two twins, two bunk beds, two bunk beds.
$20 - $40 / night
Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is a great destination for visitors looking for a fun getaway on Lake Moomaw. The area provides plenty of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, camping and hiking. There is little to no cell service, so be ready to disconnect!
Boating, canoeing, water skiing and relaxing on the beach are popular activities at the lake. Anglers fish for brown and rainbow trout, bass and crappie. A boat ramp is located at the Bolar Flat Marina, which has a modern dock with boat slips. Bolar Mountain boasts 11 miles of hiking trails that lead to two impressive scenic overlooks: Islands Overlook Spur and Grouse Point Overlook. Looking for a more primitive experience? Hike or boat to Greenwood Point for dispersed camp sites.
The campground sits on the northern end of Lake Moomaw, a manmade lake covering 2,530 acres along the Jackson River. The lake is held by Gathright Dam, constructed in the 1980's by the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control. The lake's average depth is 80 feet and it has 43 miles of wooded shoreline making it the second largest impoudment in western virginia.Bolar Mountain is part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest which span 1.8 million acres across Virginia and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. The forest protects 40 tree species within mostly Appalachian hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, 60 species of mammals and 200 species of birds.
Hidden Valley is a short drive from the lake and has ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiast: Hike or ride your horse along the Jackson River, all the way to Poor Farm, cast a line for trout, and stay at the Hidden Valley Campground or even better the historic bed and breakfast. Warm Springs has restaurants, shopping and a Historical Society for Bath County in addition to other typical amenities.
$30 / night
Our campsites offer beautiful scenery, exciting activities and HOT showers! All of our listings lie on 500 gorgeous acres run by Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing. There are local on-property trails to explore and all the campsite amenities that make for the perfect family getaway!
Bordered by 500 yards of Craigs Creek along the front of our property and mountains in the rear, Wilderness Adventure offers our guests extensive trails to hike and bike, ponds for fishing and swimming, canoeing and tubing. We offer Giant Swing, Team Building, Low Ropes, High Ropes, Caving, Rock Climbing, Mountain Bike lessons and guided trips!
Wilderness Adventure is more than just a campground or lodge. Along with our wide range of camping and lodging options, we also offer free and paid adventure activities like tubing, canoeing, hiking, biking, disc golf, and more!
Activities for Guests:
Hiking, mountain biking, and trail running on our onsite trails, disc golf, canoeing, tubing, swimming or fishing in our pond, creek sitting, fire pits, sand volleyball, horseshoes, corn hole, and endless open space to wander and relax.
Basecamp Adventure Activities:
Tubing/Shuttle: $20/trip/person
Canoe Rentals/Shuttle: $40/trip/boat
Sit on top Kayak Rentals/Shuttle: $30/trip/boat
Mountain Bike Rental: $25/half day, $50/full day
Area Activities:
Hiking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bikepacking, 4-wheeling
Virginia's Triple Crown - Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs
Roaring Run and Hoop Hole
North Mountain/Dragons Back
Carvin's Cove
Mill Mountain
Douthat State Park
Craig’s Creek
Food, Summer Events and Festivals:
Throughout the summer we have delicious made-to-order meals from our Outpost from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast.
Our camp store is open during select hours. You can purchase firewood, ice, sunscreen, beverages, merchandise, and other items you may enjoy during your stay. (hours vary or by appointment)
Other Cool Stuff Nearby:
The Swinging Bridge Restaurant - Paint Bank VA
Lemon & Vale Cakery, New Castle, VA
Bibos Pizzeria - New Castle, VA
The Mill Mountain Star - Roanoke VA
Parkway Brewing Company - Salem, VA
And so much more!
Don't miss out on our group program offerings like retreats, corporate gatherings, youth groups, and weddings.
Retreat Center, Group Program, Corporate Retreats, Family Reunions:
https://www.wilderness-adventure.com/groups
Check out our event calendar for all upcoming events!
Annual Events Include:
DiscVenture
Mother’s Day Brunch
Camp Reckoning
Yoga Venture
WA Fest
Appalachian Mountaineer
Whether you’re organizing a group retreat or looking to get away for a weekend with the family in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, let us be your Basecamp for Adventure. Wilderness Adventure offers an extensive list of adventure activities for any group along with easily accessible rentals for quick getaways. All of our listings lie on 500 gorgeous acres run by Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing. Bordered by 500 yards of Craigs Creek along the front of our property and mountains in the rear, Wilderness Adventure offers our guests extensive trails to hike, ponds for fishing and swimming, canoeing and tubing. Wilderness Adventure offers exciting, unforgettable experiences like Giant Swing, Team Building, Low Ropes, High Ropes, Caving, Rock Climbing, Mountain Bike lessons and guided trips.
$25 - $75 / night
$35 / night
The Peaks of Otter Campground is nestled between the bases of two dominating mountains in the rolling hills of Virginia. Campers enjoy a rare serenity in this rustic setting. Relax, and leave your cares behind!
The 24-acre Abbott Lake is one of the biggest attractions the Peaks of Otter Park has to offer. The lake is well-stocked with small mouth bass and bluegill. A crystal-clear mountain stream winds through the nearby picnic area. Numerous hiking opportunities range from demanding, scaling the area's high mountain peaks, to the moderate short, flat trail around Abbott Lake. Hikers are likely to stumble upon one of the mountain meadows, filled with wildflowers and migrating butterflies in the spring and a fantastic assortment of colors in the fall. Abundant wildlife like deer and wild turkey are spotted daily at the Peaks of Otter Campground, and many rare species of birds reside or migrate along the mountain ranges. Summer interpretive programs are provided for visitors to learn about the wildlife as well as the history of the area.
Three mountain peaks sitting atop a thick blanket of forest make up the Peaks of Otter-- a recreational oasis spanning acre upon acre of rolling landscape along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that follows the high crests of the central and southern Appalachians for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
The Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant are located within walking distance of the campground, as is the Sharp Top Country Store. Restaurant dining, grab-and-go meals, snacks, souvenir items, camping supplies, firewood, and ice are all readily available to campground patrons. The Johnson Farm, an old mountain farmstead restored and preserved to look as it did in the mid-1800s, is just a short walk away. Another restored historic structure, Aunt Polly's Ordinary, sits on the northeastern shore of Abbott Lake.
$30 / night
Open from April through October, the Greenbrier River Campground is located on the banks of the Greenbrier River with tree-lined RV sites, wooded riverside tent camping, and rentals that include four comfortable, fully-equipped cabins, a vintage Airstream and a 1964 Shasta. Our guests have access to a thousand feet of riverfront for great fishing and one of the best swimming holes on the river. We also offer full-service tubing, kayak, and canoe trips in the very heart of the best paddling waters on the Greenbrier. There’s Class I thru Class III action for all levels of paddling skill.
$7 - $45 / night
The Pines is a rustic campground in a wooded setting, located adjacent to Barbour's Creek, a stocked trout stream. Most of the campsites are designed for tents, but small recreation vehicles can be accommodated. Jeep enthusiasts can experience some of the most challenging 4-wheeling in Virginia at nearby Potts Mountain Jeep Road.
Ideal for swimming, camping, hiking and picnicking, Claytor Lake is known for sport fishing and boating. The park has a full-service marina with docking slips, supplies, fuel, boat rentals and refreshments. Three lodges and 15 cabins overlook the 4,500-acre lake, offering visitors a scenic retreat. There are 103 campsites, 39 offering electric and water hookups. The park also offers 4 yurts (no electricity).
$40 / night
Scout
There were a ton of things for the kids to do here which was great. I really enjoyed the water park myself as it was in the high 90's/low 100's when we were there. Our campsite was fine near the river, nothing spectacular though as we were on the end of the row and our site had a bit of a slope to it. I'd stay here again.
Scout
Absolutely loved this park! We camped near the end of October for 5 days, so there weren’t a ton of other people, but the park was clean and quiet. The bath house was pretty nice and had three showers. The water had some issues while we were there (as in the sink was so hot it physically hurt to wash your hands) but seemed to be a fluke and was fixed by the time we left. We camped at site 21, which was the middle of a loop and it was space and flat. It had another site next to it but it was further apart than other sites. Some of the edge site, like 19 had some sloping issues Roads through the park from the campground to the main part of the park are really narrow and seem like you aren’t supposed to be there but are well maintained. Hiking was great and my young children hiked all of it with us. Overall, highly recommended.
Scout
This campground was pretty much washed out by Hurricane Helene. It apparently was owned by the family that owns the gas station on site. The gas station was flooded out and will need to be completely rebuilt.
The dirt under the campground remains and there are a few campers here still despite there being no more services available. Two tents were set up. One had a generator. One trailer was here. The water level is down now but there's still debris that needs cleaning up. The roads were not washed out so this is still a fairly easy to access site being it is right off I-81.
GuideThis place has tons of activities for kids and teens. This place has a family feel to it.
Traveler
We had the absolute best time. It was so peaceful being by the creek and just relaxing. You are off the road of the national forest so cars come by but nobody bothers you and it stays quiet. Will definitely be back soon!
Ranger
All 12 non-electric sites appeared to have fire ring, picnic table, trash can, flat parking area. They did vary a bit in size. I was there on Friday and Saturday and there were no more than 4 other sites occupied. I was surprised that the bathrooms had running water! Overall, everything was quiet and relaxing. Some traffic from people driving by, but not bad at this time of year. It was delightful falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the creek! There are miles and miles of trails, I hiked 16 and only encountered 1 couple. The other campgrounds in the park have more amenities, too.
GuideMultiple road sites that fit my van with room to spare - 80% were full on a beautiful fall Friday evening around 6pm but still snagged one
Guide
Very nice spot, right by the river with plenty of spaces to hammock down by there. We were lucky and got one of the last spots, there’s only 11. Fire rings with grill, and bench at each site. The ground is great for tents, no rocks. If you’re planning on coming here, make sure and come early. Pit toilets also available.
LegendOne of three campgrounds in Camp Creek State Park; this is the primitive one (the other two are a horse camp and a developed one with hookups). Most sites are on the creek, but the road runs right past them. On a weekday in the fall, the road was very quiet, but I imagine that in the summer when carloads of people head to Campbell Falls, it would be a different story and would take away from the peacefulness of the campground.
This campground would not be suitable for large RVs, but our campervan fit just fine in the mostly level (but rooty) sites, Obviously, good for tents.
There are two vault toilets – one for women and one for men. They were in reasonably clean condition.
Campbell Falls is just down the road from the campground and there is access to many hiking trails.
No one other than us was there on a weekday in mid-October so it was very peaceful and quiet.
Scout
Stopped here for a quick overnight and this beautiful campground had us wishing we could stay longer.
Scout
Do not stay here!
Sex offenders & homeless people come knocking on your doors at night!
Corrupt & not safe!
Cracker Barrel across the street & lovely campgrounds off 81exit 84
ScoutNot sitting in a field!!! Pretty and quiet. Lovely
Legend
This campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet.
GuideNice spot to stop for a night on our way north - level private spot for our rooftop tent. Sites 38-45 have the most privacy. Check website as we were there during a fire ban.
Scout
Staff were friendly campground was nice with shade pull throughs and fairly level.
Traveler
Nothing to write home about but it’s pretty. There’s a road that runs right in front that has some noise. Not all that different from most national forests, which isn’t bad.
Scout
Douthat is really four separate campgrounds. Three of them (i.e. not Whispering Pines) are located near the lake. Each one had a campground host (volunteer) and wood for sale.
White Oak Campground is larger, wooded, and has a significant elevation change between different sites. Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles.
Beaver Dam Campground is relatively flat and similarly wooded while also providing equestrian facilities.
Lakeside Campground is smaller but the front row sites provide great lake views. Unfortunately swimming is only allowed in the Beach area which is not directly connected to this campground.
Whispering Pines is a few miles away along the entry road and has a different character. It’s a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites.
The Lakeside Camp Store is nice and has a to-go counter for food. The facilities, overall, were well maintained and clean. Firewood is for sale for $6 per bundle.
TravelerThunder BRidge is a unique property tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Near Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia, the campground was once a CCC camp. Now it is home to many quiet tent sites, screen cabins, log cabins, and even some fully furnished rental cabins.
The campground is about 60% wooded, the rest is open ground with buildings from the camp's earlier days. The open area includes several artists' studios. At one edge is a forest creek, great for wading.
The campground is mostly tenting sites and rustic cabins, but there are RV sites in the open area.
This is not a "resort" but you won't find a more beautiful, quiet campground!
ScoutAugust 31, 2024, Labor Day weekend camping trip. Spent a night here camping with my younger sister. She could only do one night, as she lives up north and had to be back up by Monday to go back to work on Tuesday. 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. We visited the Natural bridge, which was about 20 minutes or so from the camp site. It did some light rain from around 8p til sometime after midnight, but stayed comfy and dry.
Traveler
Pretty much what a campground should be. Absolutely 0 service. No place to get ice if you’re out. Make sure you have a full tank of gas.
Traveler
We stayed a night on a long trip up the coast and had a great experience. The shop was well appointed with necessities and wine from local. It was easy to get around the campground, and there were many nice spots and cabins to choose from. We had plenty of room to park our RV and there was a very nice new swingset Nearby. Noticed multiple people utilizing the fishing pond and there was a cornhole tournament going on at the other side of the park. That looks like a lot of fun. The only downside was that the shower house had one shower stall per gender and was not very clean. It also would’ve been nice to have some more places to set belongings or hooks.
Traveler
This is the most peaceful and quiet campground. The mountain and water views are stunning. Camp hosts are phenomenal! So glad we found them gem. Can’t wait to come back.
ScoutCute place off the freeway with water access and a playground, 6 mile hiking trail to waterfall and not far from town. There is a train station nearby and the trains are loud. They come by every now and then night and day, they do live music some nights and church gatherings where a man basically yells all night long. Lots of freeway noise so the nightly fee is kinda stupid considering you won't get any sleep if you stay here. The river is super planted so I wouldn't swim here either sadly.. and the showers have NO water presser yet you gotta pay for a bathroom key otherwise there's porta-potties by the dumpster.
ScoutWe came for this site specifically but it was already occupied so we kept going down the road. Luckily there were 4-5 additional site & we got one for 3 nights. They are all lovely & creekside with fire pits & there is a hike at the end of the road that takes you to a gorgeous summit & links to AT!
TravelerThe Campground is small...Maybe 15 sites. It was full when we arrived. Luckily, there are 2 or 3 dispersed sites along the road into the Campground. They are on the river, too. Perfect for an overnighter.
Scout
THE TRAINS: HOLY HELL. The trains alone are reason enough not to camp here. Especially with a tent. Five trains between midnight and 5am. Every one of them blew the horn well past the crossing. This is not an exaggeration; it sounded like the trains were going to come through the tent. We might as well have been on the tracks themselves. We had to cover our 3yo daughters ears to keep her from getting scared awake during every train passing. The tent camping is closest to the tracks which makes zero sense to me as the RV's would be less subject to the noise and would block a lot of it from reaching the tents. The train schedule probably varies, but I assure you, it's not worth the roll of the dice. I would find somewhere else to camp, especially if you like the peace and quiet(which is a huge part of camping). I know this isn't really in their control, but it kind of is. They do mention that the trains do come through and that the guests don't usually mention it after the second night(probably because they leave after the first night LOL JK). They definitely sugar coat it. However, they need to have that in BOLD RED LETTERS"THE TRAINS ARE LOUD AS F**K". I would've just canceled the trip immediately and camped elsewhere. They need one of those huge sound blocking walls you see along the interstate. The Bathrooms: Bathrooms need work. The toilet seats are gross, the walls have mold on them, the shower curtains are piss yellow. All of which would cost around$80 to fix. Those are the"Campers Only" bathrooms. The"Tubing Showers" are basically a wooden shack with a pull string valve. Looks like something out of a horror film. Not sure why they even have them because the river will get you cleaner than those ever will. The River: The river is beautiful. Great views of the mountain sides. The views and fishing were the only saving grace. I was able to catch a small-mouth bass pretty quickly and missed a few others. The water ranges in depth, but nothing deeper than waste deep really. It's rocky and slippery so it's dangerous and not very family friendly. Especially for young children and older people. Honestly, my wife hated the river because it was so hard to move around. So while it looked nice and fished well, that was about it. Tubing: I didn't do the tubing, but I had family with me that did and they said it was NOT worth the money. The water level was said to be good for it, but they said they dragged their butts the majority of the way. I also think that their base level tubes they rent out are not enough to keep you high enough out of the water. They look like inner tubes from some sort of truck and they are not beefy enough for this application, you'll just droop through the middle. If you do tube, bring your own river tube or rent the premium versions with the bottom sewn in. The People: The people were very nice to us during our short stay. This was a non-issue. However, I think they should worry less about the grass and more about the amenities getting updated(build a new bathhouse building). For Young Kids: Nothing really available for younger kids to play on. No playgrounds or anything other than a few ride around toys and a basketball hoop. They have plenty of room for an awesome playground for much younger kids, but I don't think that's their focus. Conclusion: Would I ever stay at New River Junction again? Absolutely not. For me, camping is about getting away from the noise and my house is quieter than this place and I live on a busy street. The trains are awful for tent camping and I'm sure the thin-walled travel trailers too. Had it not been for the trains, the place would have been okay, but even the good parts weren't that great. I didn't set this trip up, a family member did. I'll never let her live this one down lol. Don't let the positive reviews mislead you. The majority of the reviews are from people there just for tubing. In all my years of tent camping, this was the worst trip I've ever had.
Guide
Campsite was clean, campsite were close to other campsite. There are no showers. The staff were friendly and were able to help with all questions I had. They went above and beyond to help make you stay a good experience.
Discovering pet-friendly camping options near Paint Bank, Virginia, opens up a world of adventure for you and your furry companions. With a variety of campgrounds that welcome pets, you can enjoy the great outdoors without leaving your four-legged friends behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Paint Bank, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Paint Bank, VA is Greenbrier State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Paint Bank, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 91 dog-friendly camping locations near Paint Bank, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
