Dispersed camping near Pearisburg, Virginia offers access to the Appalachian Trail and Jefferson National Forest. Located in the New River Valley at approximately 1,600 feet elevation, the area features a mix of mountain forests and riverside sites. Weather varies significantly with summer temperatures reaching 85°F while winters can drop below freezing, affecting camping accessibility on forest roads.
What to do
Tubing adventures: At New River Junction Campground, campers can rent tubes and float down the river with shuttle service back to camp. "Bring your fishing pole for some great catch and release fishing, or rent a inner tub or canoe and float down River to a shuttle bus that brings you back to the campgrounds," notes Robert J.
Hiking trails: Walnut Flats provides direct access to hiking paths with the Appalachian Trail just across the road. A camper observed, "Trail right through the campground and the Apalation trail just across the road," making it convenient for day hikes.
Water recreation: Fishing, swimming and boating opportunities exist at multiple locations including lakes and rivers. One visitor at Claytor Lake State Park mentioned, "We paddled around the lake on Sunday; there are a couple of different boat launches in the park. The cliffs are freaking amazing from the launch closest to the park entrance."
What campers like
Free camping options: Walnut Flats provides no-cost camping with basic amenities. "This is a wonderful spot. It has five established camp sites with fire rings and picnic tables. The bathroom is a pit style but it was still clean and didnt smell," reports Alice S.
River proximity: Many campsites offer immediate water access. At Eggleston Springs Campground, "The campsite was great! Right up against the river with beautiful mountain back drop. Most camp sites have electricity and a fire pit," according to Amanda J.
Natural sounds: The natural environment creates a peaceful atmosphere, though with some exceptions. "I loved sitting by the river at night with a fire going; whole different vibe than any other campground I've visited!" writes Alicia L. about Riverview Campground.
What you should know
Train noise: Railroad tracks near several campgrounds can disrupt sleep. At Gentrys Landing, one camper noted, "The issue though is the highway the camp is next to, and the railroad across the river. The train do use it every other hour and do use their brakes and horns."
Cell service limitations: Communication can be challenging in more remote spots. At Walnut Flats, "There is no internet access but there is enough signal you can get text sometimes. You need to drive about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage."
Seasonal conditions: Spring flooding can affect campground availability and conditions. One camper at Eggleston Springs reported in early May that "flooding in the area... wiped out their entire campground, leveled their bathhouse, and even moved their office building several feet."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Pipestem Resort State Park Campground offers numerous family activities. "They have zipling, axe throwing, disc shooting and archery, play grounds and splash water park," reports Marie B., making it ideal for families needing entertainment options.
Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with room for kids to play. At Claytor Lake State Park, one camper mentioned, "The campsite was large and quiet which was nice. It felt somewhat private because of the trees and design of the site."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs. "We hiked, played at the lake and attended the roving ranger talks. Our camp hosts were great at keeping us informed and sharing ideas to make the weekend fun," shares Angela J. about her family's experience.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Claytor Lake State Park Campground, RV campers should research specific sites. "This campground is good for a one night stopover and we would return for that purpose. Clean, convenient sites off highway 81. Not much privacy between sites because they're quite close together but there are trees. Sites 11 and 12 have more privacy space," advises Kathy L.
Hookup locations: Check the placement of utilities before setting up. At Pipestem Resort, "Electrical hook up was on the opposite side of where they should be and in the middle of the small area. Water pressure was good and there was sewage hookups."
Size limitations: Larger RVs may struggle at some campgrounds. One camper at Kairos Wilderness Resort mentioned, "The hill to climb to get there is SUPER sketchy but it's a gorgeous location," indicating access challenges for larger rigs.
