Best Tent Camping near Palmyra, VA

State parks and public lands surrounding Palmyra, Virginia offer diverse tent camping opportunities along rivers and lakes. James River State Park provides several tent-only camping areas including Canoe Landing Group Campsite and Walnut Grove, both featuring walk-in tent sites with river access. Lake Anna State Park Campground, located about 30 miles northeast of Palmyra, offers year-round tent campsites with both primitive and serviced options. For those seeking more seclusion, Phantom Hill Forest Farm in Louisa provides large primitive tent sites with basic amenities, while Warren Ferry Landing offers tent camping with direct river access.

Tent campsites in the Palmyra region vary from developed sites with amenities to primitive backcountry locations. Most tent-only areas feature level gravel or dirt pads with fire rings and picnic tables. Walk-in tent sites often require carrying gear from parking areas, with some campers noting distances of 50-75 feet at riverside locations. Bear boxes are provided at many sites, particularly in James River State Park, where proper food storage is essential. Drainage can be problematic during heavy rain, as tent pads at some locations may collect water. Summer heat and humidity can be intense, making spring and fall the preferred seasons for tent camping in this region. Most campgrounds require reservations, and permits may be needed for backcountry tent camping.

During weekdays, tent campers frequently experience greater solitude and quiet at most campgrounds. One visitor to Phantom Hill Forest Farm noted, "The sites are large and primitive. We had no trouble getting down there in the jeep." At Cloverdale Farms, a camper appreciated "the peace and quiet and privacy that you don't get in a campground." Walk-in tent sites often provide better separation from neighboring campers, with a reviewer at James River State Park mentioning "the campsites are far away from each other." Access to water is a highlight for many tent campers, with trails leading to swimming areas, fishing spots, and launch points for canoes and kayaks. Sites with shade trees are particularly valuable during summer months when temperatures can remain high even overnight.

Best Tent Sites Near Palmyra, Virginia (13)

    1. Phantom Hill Forest Farm

    1 Review
    Mineral, VA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 894-7901

    "The sites are large and primitive. We had no trouble getting down there in the jeep. We appreciated the dishes/kitchen set up, games, and the adorable outhouse!"

    2. Lake Anna State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Mineral, VA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 854-5503

    "For being a state park, Lake Anna is one of the best I've been to. Although we only tent camped, I noticed a lot of things about the campground that would welcome RVs as well."

    "Good site with excellent drainage. Unfortunately, at the time we were here, the dump station was not working! Will go back!"

    3. Cloverdale Farms

    3 Reviews
    Cumberland, VA
    20 miles
    +1 (804) 346-7306

    $40 / night

    "You just set up camp wherever you feel like it on her little farmette and enjoy the peace and quiet and privacy that you don’t get in a campground."

    "This historic property has gently rolling hills, with a little creek amidst a couple acres of cleared, open, secluded woodland perfect for pitching a tent and listening to nature."

    4. Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park

    27 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    35 miles
    Website

    $15 - $80 / night

    "Ranger led park programs are offered year round, this week included a natural history boat tour in the lake, and a naturalist talk on loons."

    "We stayed at site 11 in location 2 on the Lake James campgrounds; it’s a paddle-in-only location. Getting there required canoeing in, which was easy for us to do on the lake’s dock."

    5. Warren Ferry Landing

    2 Reviews
    Scottsville, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 231-2278

    $21 - $60 / night

    "We're so excited to have this property on our platform! These flat, well maintained sites are perfect to pitch your tent or park your RV. The sites are large and offer ample shade."

    6. Lovers Lane FarmStay

    1 Review
    Barboursville, VA
    19 miles
    +1 (571) 888-6278

    $35 - $55 / night

    "Ashley here with The Dyrt, we're happy to welcome this new listing to the platform. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love!"

    7. Walnut Grove — James River State Park

    11 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 933-8061

    $15 - $18 / night

    "Lake James is a true gem, clean and beautiful, with amazing views of Linville Gorge, Shortoff Mountain, and Table Rock. The State Park has several camping areas."

    "This is a lovely little campground set on the shores of James Lake. Sites are big enough for 2 small tents or 1 largish family tent. All sites have a picnic table, fire pit with grate, and bear box."

    8. Branch Pond — James River State Park

    9 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    34 miles
    Website

    $15 - $18 / night

    "Located in the middle of nowhere off of narrow Virginia secondary roads, we were surprised to get good Verizon reception. We stayed on site 15 which is a long pull-thru."

    "First of all, the ranger over the campgrounds is awesome. He’s really, really nice. Secondly, this campground will always be a favorite for us."

    9. Daybreak Glamp Camp

    2 Reviews
    Amelia Court House, VA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (804) 223-4223

    $25 - $150 / night

    "I tent camped there for 4 nights and it was amazing. It was quite peaceful and the weather for the most part was great. I had camp fires every night."

    10. Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Shenandoah National Park, VA
    43 miles
    Website

    "It’s a decently private spot with the trail close by, bugs weren’t bad only gripe was bears were constantly checking out our tent during night, we had one beef stick (trash thrown in our hang bag of course"

    "This campsite is another one we found on a list provided by Shenandoah’s park rangers and was listed as moderate hike and easy camping."

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Showing results 1-10 of 13 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Palmyra, VA

725 Reviews of 13 Palmyra Campgrounds



Guide to Palmyra

Tent camping near Palmyra, Virginia offers a delightful escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful retreat.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Cloverdale Farms, guests can enjoy a serene environment with access to drinking water, picnic tables, and firewood for cozy campfires.
  • Phantom Hill Forest Farm provides large, primitive sites along with kitchen setups and games, making it a great choice for families.
  • Warren Ferry Landing features spacious sites with picnic tables and firewood, perfect for a relaxing camping experience.

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $40

Local activities to enjoy while tent camping

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Palmyra, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Palmyra, VA is Phantom Hill Forest Farm with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Palmyra, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Palmyra, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.