Claytor Lake State Park campground offers seasonal yurt camping near Pearisburg, Virginia, approximately 30 miles from town. The yurts provide a compromise between tent and cabin camping with heated and cooled structures situated within the wooded sections of the park. Campers can access several hiking trails directly from campsites, making day excursions convenient without requiring vehicle transportation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Claytor Lake provides excellent bass fishing conditions, with shoreline access points throughout the park. "[Claytor Lake] has a camp store/visitor center. Our site included a fire ring, two lantern posts, and a picnic table. Firewood and ice are available at the entrance station (can use credit card), and wood is available from the camp host (cash only)," notes one Claytor Lake State Park Campground visitor.
Kayaking and canoeing: Greenbrier River Campground offers river trips directly from their property. "I grew up on this campground. It's a great campground with kayak and canoe trips. Lots of fishing and swimming available. Tubing is the best trip from Ronceverte to the Campground on the Greenbrier River if you have a full day to just unplug and take in all the sites, sounds and smells around you," shares a regular visitor.
Disc golf access: Camp Success provides recreational alternatives to hiking and water sports. "Beautiful spot on the New River in Giles County, VA located right outside downtown Narrows. There's a Disc Golf Course, Fishing, Camping, and Community Events. Well kept, clean, and perfect," according to a camper who visited the area.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower access remains a priority for visitors camping in yurts and cabins around Pearisburg. "Very clean with great water pressure and hot water. There is also a small laundry room. Sites have water and electric," mentions a review from Little Beaver State Park Campground.
Private sites: Campgrounds in the region offer varying degrees of site privacy. "Claytor Lake was a great campground for families. The campsite was large and quiet which was nice. It felt somewhat private because of the trees and design of the site," says one visitor.
Off-season availability: Several campgrounds maintain availability during cooler months. "Did some Jeep camping here in November. Nice bathroom facilities and showers. Very clean. Hiking trails all accessible from the camp areas. My spot had electric and water hook ups," notes a camper who visited during the off-season.
What you should know
Terrain and leveling: Some sites require effort to achieve level setups. "Most sites looked like it may take some work to get level. We were in site 20 with a 23 ft TT and got level fairly easily but a longer rig may have difficulty in that site," explains a camper at Little Beaver State Park.
Cell service limitations: Reception varies significantly across the region's campgrounds. Gatewood Park & Reservoir Campground visitors note connectivity challenges: "There's no cell service but they upgraded the WiFi and it's very good. This campground is miles from anywhere so make sure you have what you need or the trip into town will take a while."
Weather considerations: Flash flooding can affect riverside camping areas, particularly in spring. "This was a peaceful, nice area but when there is a lot of rain there is definitely the chance it'll flood," warns a visitor to Grandview Sandbar Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Ranger-led programs enhance the yurt camping experience for families with children. "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 a family that visited Claytor Lake.
Water recreation options: Wytheville KOA offers structured water activities beyond natural settings. "It seems like a great place for kids with a pool with a waterslide. The camp store is well provisioned and each site that I saw has a patio and a fire bowl," notes a camper.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds feature regular wildlife sightings close to camping areas. "A nice playground for children. Lots of deer about. The tent sites have water, fire ring, table and nice shade. Lots of lovely trails to explore," mentions a visitor to Little Beaver State Park.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Kairos Wilderness Resort offers excellent trails but requires careful navigation. "The hill to climb to get there is SUPER sketchy but it's a gorgeous location. If you want to go ride dirt bikes or UTVs this place is definitely the spot. The staff are excellent, they brought us firewood in the rain and stayed to chat with us for a bit."
Highway proximity: Fort Chiswell RV Park provides convenient overnight access. "Located not too far from I-81, easy to get to. This CG does a lot of overnight business, there is a parade of campers arriving from mid afternoon to after dark. In the morning there is a gradual exodus. Sites are mostly level, hookups are convenient."
Winter camping options: Some RV parks remain operational year-round with adjusted amenities. "Fast curbside check-in took us straight to our site. We only stayed overnight left in the morning but it was nice and quiet easy on and off of 81," notes a Wytheville KOA visitor who appreciated the streamlined process.
