Mountain camping options around Pembroke, Virginia extend well beyond the glamping experiences at Claytor Lake. The New River Valley region combines mountain terrain with river access, creating diverse camping opportunities between 1,500-2,500 feet elevation. Most camping areas require reservations during peak season (June-August) when weather typically ranges from 60-85°F.
What to do
Fishing spots with bathhouse access: At Little Beaver State Park Campground, fishing enthusiasts appreciate the well-maintained lake. "Beautiful trails. Clean and quiet campground with easy pull through sites," notes one camper about Little Beaver State Park Campground.
Waterfront activities for non-glampers: Camp Success offers primitive tent camping directly on the New River. A visitor reports, "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," showing the range beyond luxury accommodations.
Seasonal motorized recreation: For those seeking more adventurous options beyond paddling, Kairos Wilderness Resort provides extensive trails for off-road vehicles. "It sits on 1500 acres and has 41+ miles of trails," explains a reviewer, making it suitable for UTVs and dirt bikes when conditions permit.
What campers like
Privacy options for tent campers: Unlike the more developed glamping sites, Greenbrier River Campground offers secluded spots. "Tent sites on the river, RV sites, RV and cabin rentals and float trips. Lots of space for kids to play," notes one camper at Greenbrier River Campground.
Pet-friendly alternatives: For those traveling with pets, Fancy Gap-Blue Ridge Parkway KOA has specialized facilities. "In addition to a pet play area, there are a few sites (51, 43& 45) with pet backyards, fenced in areas for your pet to roam and play," shares a visitor at Fancy Gap-Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Year-round camping availability: While many canvas tent options close during colder months, Fort Chiswell RV Park remains open. A camper mentions, "Fort Chiswell RV park in Virginia is a very clean park beautiful trees paved driveways and a bathroom that is very clean and at the end of the bathrooms actually have tables at Pavilion."
What you should know
Winter closure schedules: Unlike Claytor Lake's year-round accommodations, most primitive sites close seasonally. A visitor to Little Beaver State Park noted, "Just a quick FYI, there is no camping in the winter. We stopped by for an overnight while enroute to Ohio."
Cell service limitations: Many camping areas around Pembroke have limited connectivity. At Gatewood Park & Reservoir Campground, "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."
Accessibility challenges: Some yurt camping locations require navigating difficult terrain. As one Kairos visitor warns, "The hill to climb to get there is SUPER sketchy but it's a gorgeous location."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Ranger-led programs supplement the natural setting. "We hiked, played at the lake and attended the roving ranger talks. The bathrooms and shower facilities were clean and convenient to our campsite," shares a family at Claytor Lake.
Safety considerations: Sites with water access require careful supervision. At Greenbrier, a parent advises, "I love the swimming area my kids had such a great time. I will be going back there as much as I can. Bath house was so clean and amazing."
Playground proximity: When selecting a family campsite near Pembroke, check for dedicated play areas. "A nice playground for children. Lots of deer about. The tent sites have water, fire ring, table and nice shade," notes a camper at Little Beaver.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: For larger rigs exploring yurt camping territory around Pembroke, Little Beaver offers accessible sites. "Just stayed for one night passing through and we were sad we couldn't stay longer. Sites are big and spread out. We had site 19 which is one of the few pull thrus. We have a triple axl, had plenty of room."
Seasonal hookup options: Winter camping requires full hookups in the region. A visitor at Wytheville KOA shared, "Like a lot of the other reviewers I used this as a stopover but the campground is very nice with a lot of cool features, including some clever cabins."
Dump station locations: Know where to find dump facilities when booking partial hookup sites. At Fort Chiswell, a traveler advised, "You are just about .25 miles from the freeway, but you do not hear it. Staff is very friendly. They have propane and a little store for those that might need."
