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Best Campgrounds near Pennington Gap, VA

320 Reviews

Campgrounds around Pennington Gap, Virginia provide access to both developed facilities and natural settings in southwestern Virginia's mountainous terrain. Established options include Leeman Field Park in Pennington Gap, which offers full hookups for RVs, tent sites, and amenities including showers and picnic areas. Natural Tunnel State Park, located about 15 miles from Pennington Gap, provides diverse accommodation including cabins, RV sites with electric and water hookups, and primitive tent camping areas. Smaller private campgrounds like Misfit Farmz Campground and Jessie Lea RV Park complement the public options with family-oriented facilities.

Many sites in the region require reservations, particularly during summer months when occupancy rates peak. The terrain varies significantly with some campgrounds situated along rivers while others occupy woodland settings at higher elevations. Most developed campgrounds maintain year-round operations, though primitive sites may have seasonal restrictions. Roads to more remote campgrounds can present challenges, as noted in visitor experiences at Clinch River Family Campground: "Be prepared for 7 mile drive from main road... most of the final road to campground is paved with exception of last mile, it's wide enough but slow going. You will lose cellular pretty quickly when you turn on that road."

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the area, with several campgrounds positioned along rivers like the Clinch and Powell. The proximity to natural features receives consistently positive feedback, with campers highlighting both the scenery and recreational opportunities. Visitors to Kingdom Come State Park mention excellent hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities, with one camper noting that "the views from the outlooks are amazing. There is a lake for swimming, and plenty of trails." Local campgrounds provide convenient access to outdoor activities like tubing, fishing, and hiking, with many sites serving as gateways to nearby attractions including Natural Tunnel State Park and the Devil's Fork Loop Trail. Family-friendly amenities at locations like Leeman Field Park include playgrounds, swimming pools, and walking trails that connect to local services.

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Best Camping Sites Near Pennington Gap, Virginia (100)

    1. Natural Tunnel State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Duffield, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 940-2674

    "There's a trail to the tunnel or you can take a chairlift. There's a museum, several gift shops, camp store, visitor centers. The staff is helpful and friendly. Many educational activities."

    "However, the temperatures were in the lower 90s outside, and once we walked inside the yurt, it was like walking into an oven. The temperature had to be somewhere around 110 degrees inside."

    2. Leeman Field Park

    2 Reviews
    Pennington Gap, VA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (276) 298-5177

    "Nestled nicely in the hills in the Pennington gap . Lots to do within easy driving distance. Overall a great experience"

    "Great little park located in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia beside of Leeman Field park in Pennington Gap. Easy sites to get into with full hookups."

    3. Jessie Lea RV Park and Campground

    8 Reviews
    Big Stone Gap, VA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 523-0055

    "Great surprise in the mountains of Virginia! beautiful creek nearby!"

    "We visited the local museums and walked the green belt. The green belt is next to the camp ground within walking distance. We will be back!"

    4. Clinch River Family Campground

    6 Reviews
    Duffield, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 254-6247

    "A few friends and I visited this campground in June of 2018 so we could visit the Natural Tunnel and the Devil's Fork Loop Trail."

    "What a great experience for the whole family and kids and enjoyed the privacy water was a little cold this time of year but I had a great fire next to the river Under the Stars roasting s'mores"

    5. Kingdom Come State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cumberland, KY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (606) 589-4138

    $14 / night

    "If you like fishing there is a small lake which is regularly stocked with Trout. Bass, Blue Gill, Sunfish, and a few others. It's just a short walk from the campsites."

    "There are 6 tent sites (7 if they allow you to reserve the one next to the duck pond), each with a gravel drive, mulch tent pad big enough for two smallish tents, fire ring, and picnic table."

    6. Cave Springs (VA) — George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

    1 Review
    Dryden, VA
    7 miles
    Website

    "There are trails nearby, however several trails had bridges that were rotted away and not passable."

    7. Misfit Farmz Campground

    1 Review
    Pennington Gap, VA
    9 miles
    +1 (276) 265-0443

    $15 - $50 / night

    8. Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping — Natural Tunnel State Park

    3 Reviews
    Duffield, VA
    17 miles
    Website

    $15 / night

    "Water spigot at top, a little walk, uphill, for water."

    "Just happened to be the one day a year the tunnel is open to walk through (it’s an active railroad and closed otherwise)."

    9. Lover's Leap Campground — Natural Tunnel State Park

    3 Reviews
    Duffield, VA
    17 miles
    Website

    $35 / night

    "The cabins look fantastic from the outside. For more adventures you can also rent a yurt. There is also a little campstore that has firewood and some essentials. The area is very scenic."

    10. Cove View Campground — Natural Tunnel State Park

    3 Reviews
    Duffield, VA
    17 miles
    Website

    $35 / night

    "Also the crows - smarter than normal haha they WILL wake you up earlier than the other birds demanding you make breakfast and leave so they can then hop around your camp."

    "Amazing trails, well maintained with breathtaking views. Camp site was clean. Accessible. Camp store had all the needed supplies and then some. Friendly staff. Well monitored for safety."

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Recent Camping Photos near Pennington Gap, VA

127 Photos of 100 Pennington Gap Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Pennington Gap, VA

320 Reviews of 100 Pennington Gap Campgrounds

  • e
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Wilderness Road Campground

    Nice National Park Campground

    Pretty park. Sites are wooded and not too close together. Most sites need leveling blocks. The bath house is small. 2 stalls and sinks in the bathroom . 2 individual shower rooms. There appeared to be only 2 bathrooms/bath houses for the entire campground. Water pump at bathroom area. No dish washing station. Some sites had electricity, but not all of them. There are lots of hiking trails and a great visitor center. I hope to go back when I can spend more time in the park. Three star rating mainly due to the inadequate number of showers/bathrooms.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Panther Creek State Park Campground

    Panther creek camping

    I had a very cute camp spot up in the woods away from the road it was number 50 it was so cute and quieter than the rest of the spots. It also had two fire pits one up by the tent area and one down by the picnic table

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Baileyton KOA Holiday

    Nice overnight stop

    We are headed from Atlanta to Fredericksburg VA for a wedding. This is a very nice place for an overnight stop, probably one of the nicest for a KOA. Very clean and tidy campground. Mostly level, gravel sites. But some grass between sites! Some shade. Full hookups. Clean bathroom & shower. Pool, playground, driving range, big water slide. The internet is VERY slow. Also lots of road noise from I-81. Gift shop & convenient store in office. We’ve taken our travel trailer to 48 states, and have found KOAs generally convenient, but not much more. This place is definitely above average

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Around Pond RV Park

    Very nice stop over campground

    Stayed for one night as a stop over on our trip home. Easiest check in we have ever had. Pulled up to the staging area near the office and didn’t even have to get out of the truck. Guy came up on a golf cart and confirmed my name. Took us right to our spot which was a full hook up pull through. Site was gravel and completely level. A lot of full time campers here but that doesn’t bother us at all. Nice little pond to walk the dogs around or just sit and relax. There is no store or pool but we never use those anyway. There is a laundry on site and a good size area with grills and picnic tables to use if you want. Sure it’s not a KOA with all the amenities but for a stop over or even a few day stay it’s fine. And ONLY $39 a night ! Btw KOA right down the road wouldn’t accept our reservation because they require a 2 night minimum.

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Clinch River Family Campground

    Be prepared for 7 mile drive from main road

    We chose this campground because it was close to Natural Tunnel and Devils Fork trail (30-45 min). Both of these are worth doing if you are in the area. We chose to only hike to Devils bathtub (about 2 miles one way). It was exceptional but difficult.

    Most of the final road to campground is paved with exception of last mile, its wide enough but slow going. You will lose cellular pretty quickly when you turn on that road.

    Campground is well maintained, lots of playground equipment for kids and a launch for tubes/kayaks. At main road there is a public launch if you want to put in there and then float to campground.

    No laundry. Bathhouse is just ok, dated but functional.

    Owners are nice, and communicate quickly by email or phone. We had issue with the site we reserved and just moved over one site when setting up late and in the rain…told owner next day and it was no problem.

  • Overland O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Wilderness Road Campground

    Very nice campground.

    This campground is very clean and well maintained. I am in my van and stayed in loop B. I don't normally get dites with electric but with my lifetime interagency pass, my site with electric cost $12. I have a constant 3 bars with Visible which is Verizon. They have signs up that warn bears are very active in the campground right now so I have not walked around much, but it is beautiful here.

  • Jeff B.
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Horse Creek Recreation Area

    Be prepared to haul your stuff

    To be clear, there is only one site that you can drive to. (Site 14) When it says the sites are “walk-in”, it does not mean you can drive near your site and walk over into it. It means you have to park in a parking lot and haul your stuff up to 200 or 300 yards away along a trail over bridge. That being said, it is a lovely little campground. Very pretty right along the creek. Also hiking trails in the area. Be cautious though we had two local people in the area talk to us about people stealing things there and how there used to be a real homeless problem where a church about 30 miles away started dropping off homeless people they were tired of dealing with… typical 🙄. We did not see anything too shady during our visit, however. Just be cautious. The camp host was very nice and helpful. The bathhouse had one shower per side and on a scale of 1 to 10 for cleanliness, I would give it a 6.

  • Polly J.
    Jun. 5, 2025

    Carr Creek State Park Campground

    Disgusting

    Bbathrooms are disgusting.  Half don't work and handicap doesn't have lock. Only 1 shower worked. Water leaking from toilet and sink. The beach wasn't open so it couldn't have been beach water. It's been like this for 5 years.  They don't seem to care.

  • D
    Jun. 2, 2025

    Wilderness Road Campground

    Clean, friendly , and well maintained

    The Rangers are fantastic, and the facility is beautiful

Guide to Pennington Gap

Camping near Pennington Gap, Virginia provides access to Appalachian mountain terrain with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet. The area receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forests and active waterways throughout the camping season. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with several offering year-round access despite occasional winter road challenges.

What to do

Hiking to rock formations: Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping offers nearby access to unique geological features. "The tunnel is spectacular. Make sure you ride the chairlift (dogs allowed to ride with you) down to see the tunnel and creek," notes a camper who also recommends planning "a quick trip to see the blockhouse and learn about the history."

Swimming in mountain lakes: Kingdom Come State Park Campground provides water recreation opportunities during summer months. According to a visitor, "There is a lake for swimming, and plenty of trails. Bugs are minimal." The park maintains this swimming area from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Tubing on local rivers: Clinch River Family Campground provides direct water access with "a launch for tubes/kayaks. At main road there is a public launch if you want to put in there and then float to campground," explains a camper. Tube rentals typically cost $10-15 per day, with floats lasting 2-3 hours.

Fishing for trout: Kingdom Come State Park offers regularly stocked fishing. A long-time visitor notes, "If you like fishing there is a small lake which is regularly stocked with Trout. Bass, Blue Gill, Sunfish, and a few others. It's just a short walk from the campsites."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Natural Tunnel State Park Campground offers well-spaced camping areas. "We stayed in Lovers Leap Loop, site specific reservable. All these sites are roomy, but often back or butt to the next site," reports one camper. Another mentions, "The sites are very spacious and private. It comes with the usual amenities like a fire ring, picnic table, and a lantern pole."

Clean facilities: Natural Tunnel receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Campground and park are clean, well maintained and up to date," writes one visitor. Another notes, "The bathhouse is extremely clean. The showers are separate from the restrooms."

Walking trails: Leeman Field Park provides easy access to paved pathways. A camper highlights "a gorgeous walking and biking trail beginning at Leeman Field that winds along the river leading to a local grocery store and restaurants. Maps are available for ATV trails that can be accessed from campground also."

Riverside settings: Jessie Lea RV Park and Campground offers water-adjacent sites. "Our campsite was on the bank of the river with a fire pit and very level soft ground," shares one visitor. Another describes it as "Gorgeous, creek side camping" with "free firewood and even had metal rings for a fire."

What you should know

Access road challenges: Several campgrounds require navigating rural roads. At Clinch River Family Campground, "most of the final road to campground is paved with exception of last mile, its wide enough but slow going. You will lose cellular pretty quickly when you turn on that road."

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Pennington Gap, VA from Kingsport, TN for weekend camping trips?

Pennington Gap, VA is approximately 60 miles from Kingsport, TN, making it ideal for weekend camping trips with a drive of about 1-1.5 hours depending on route. For camping options closer to Kingsport, consider Bristol-Kingsport KOA, a serene campground in a bucolic setting away from traffic with budget-friendly tent sites. Warriors' Path State Park is another excellent option near Kingsport, featuring ridge sites positioned to maximize space for RVs and situated on Fort Patrick Henry Lake, providing beautiful water views and recreational opportunities.

Where are the best camping spots in Pennington Gap, VA?

Leeman Field Park is one of the best camping options in Pennington Gap, offering full hookup sites in a quiet, safe environment nestled in the Appalachian mountains. The campground features clean facilities, a group picnic area, outdoor fireplace, and horseshoes. For those seeking a more primitive experience, Flag Rock Recreation Area Campground is within driving distance, offering beautiful mountain views, clean bathhouses, picnic tables, fire rings, and access to biking/hiking trails. Fishing and kayaking opportunities are available just a half-mile from this campground.

What camping is available near Pennington Gap, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Pennington Gap, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 100 campgrounds and RV parks near Pennington Gap, VA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Pennington Gap, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pennington Gap, VA is Natural Tunnel State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pennington Gap, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Pennington Gap, VA.

What parks are near Pennington Gap, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 parks near Pennington Gap, VA that allow camping, notably Carr Creek Lake and Cumberland Gap National Historic Park.

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