If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Ripplemead, look no further. With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Ripplemead campgrounds for you and your tent. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Old Mill Campground offers 44 rustic campsites. This campground is not suggested for larger RVs and campers. The campground has a central bathhouse available for all guests.
This small, primitive campground is well suited for tent camping but also accommodates small recreation vehicles. It has shaded sites clustered around a grassy opening surrounded by forest. Flat Top Mountain Trail System, the Appalachian Trail, Dismal Creek (a stocked trout stream), and the Falls of Dismal are close by.
Floating Heaven is a treehouse site with a cabin. You can sleep in the small, zinc-roof-covered 'casita' or cabin, which can accommodate two adults and two (small) children. Or you can sleep on the deck platform in a hammock (we have one to rent), or a tent (bring your own or rent our 2- or 4-person tents). One platform is 10 x 10 ft. and the other is 10 x 12 ft. Eight trees pass through and support the platforms, situated 21 feet off the ground. A sturdy low-riser step leads you up (no climbing necessary). An acre of heavily forested trees and a meadow surround the site, which is not a primitive campground (i.e, far removed from civilization) but insulated from the town on the ex-urban perimeter. The term, floating heaven, refers to the tree-anchor bolts that allow the platforms to "float" when the tree canopies (60-80 feet tall) move in the wind.
We'll get you going with some kindling and a few logs; lots of down branches and tree trunks on the property for making a nice bonfire, or you can use a small fire pit (e-stove) for a cozier setting. We have tables, chairs, a very slow drip-camp shower (unheated), a biodegradable commode (one just for urinating), and a full biodegradable unit on the ground. There is a charcoal grill for your use at no charge. There is also a 3-outlet outlet for charging up your phones or using other electric devices. Ours is an ex-urban location; you are just two miles from Virginia Tech (5 minutes from Starbucks, and Mexican. pulled-pork, fast food, subs, and Thai restaurants) but you are nestled under a nice hardwood canopy. Its the best of all possible worlds.
R U L E S
1). Must arrive before sunset so we can show you around; after all, it is a treehouse and there are safety issues you should be apprised of.
2). You will forfeit your reservation if you arrive after 8 p.m without prior approval.
3). While 6 people is the maximum, the standard book rate includes 4 campers; additional campers over 12 years old should pay an extra $15 a person. Thus far, The Dyrt hasn't figured out how to pay for the fifth and sixth guests so be prepared to pay cash or via Venmo or Zelle.
4). Parents must take care that their children obey the safety features. There are trails around the property that are nicely graded and gravel-covered.
5). All electronics and loud conversation ends after 9 p.m.; sounds carry in the valley.
6). We recycle: two wastebaskets exist for trash and another for recyclables (aluminum, glass, cardboard, plastic). Please carry wastebaskets up and leave on the driveway. We'll separate and dispose of them.
7). A camping ethic to which we adhere is that you take out of the forest what you bring into it; be considerate. This is not a trailer park. Leave trash at the top of the driveway.
9.) We are proudly LGBTQ-friendly.
$55 - $80 / night
Whitt-Riverbend Park features 28 acres on the New River. The park is open to the general public for fishing, taking leisurely walks on the paved walking trail or river bottom trail, picnicking, canoeing and camping. The park features nearly a mile of river frontage. The park is located at the junction of Walkers Creek and the New River.
$5 / night
Built in 2006, this campground is located on top of Flat Top Mountain. It is perfect for camping with horses; there is plenty of shade and every site has a metal pipe corral. White Cedars main attraction is its proximity to a 20 mile system of intersecting trails of varied lengths and levels. You can ride directly from your campsite to the Flat Top Trailhead.
This tent only campground located near the historic railroad town of Thurmond offers 7 walk-in sites, 5 on the sandy beach of the New River and 2 in the nearby forest. There are no drive-in sites at this location. RV, camper, or car camping is prohibited. The Stone Cliff Trailhead also starts at the campground.
Looking for a remote experience? Then East Shore Campground is for you. The campground offers 39 primitive sites that are accessible by boat only. East Shore campsite availability depends upon the Army Corps of Engineer (ACE) Phase 5 renovation/construction of the Bluestone Dam project. Call the park for further information. Remember, when experiencing this camping venue, please pack-out what you pack-in and keep the area clean and green.
This campground overlooks the New River. There is no vehicular access to the campground. There is a short hike to the sites from the parking lot. There are 21 primitive tent camping sites. Note: This campground is 24 miles from Cliffview Campground.
All sites are timbered and marked. Each has a fire ring, lantern post, picnic table, access to the New River Trail and non-flush toilet. Drinking water is available. One site, MR012, is universally accessible and is reserved last if not required for a disabled camper. There is no life-guarded swimming. The New River's current is unpredictable and potentially dangerous; underwater hazards are possible.
Reservations are required. Same-day reservations are permitted. Campers must leave their confirmation letter on their dashboard for overnight parking. Campers will need access to a fax machine or need to pick up the letter at the Foster Falls office if there is insufficient time to receive the letter by mail.
Directions: From I-77, take Exit 24. Go east on State Route 69 to SR 52. Go north to SR 608. Go east and follow signs.
Number of sites of each type: Primitive Tent, 21
$20 - $25 / night
Scout
This campground was pretty much washed out by Hurricane Helene. It apparently was owned by the family that owns the gas station on site. The gas station was flooded out and will need to be completely rebuilt.
The dirt under the campground remains and there are a few campers here still despite there being no more services available. Two tents were set up. One had a generator. One trailer was here. The water level is down now but there's still debris that needs cleaning up. The roads were not washed out so this is still a fairly easy to access site being it is right off I-81.
Scout
We were able to spend a couple of weeks enjoying the park. We stayed in one of the cabins after the high season. Comfortable and cozy, we really enjoyed our morning walks along the trails and lake. We spent one evening playing in the arcade room where I may currently hold the high score on one of the pinball machines and got to have lazy days around the park. We enjoyed the area so much! The staff was extremely friendly and helpful.
They are continuously improving the park love seeing what they are doing as they keep going.
Guide
I’ve stayed here several times. It’s always been a great visit. There are around 12 sites with tables, grills, and fire rings. Pit toilet and dumpster. The place is monitored via videocamera as signed. No RVs- that is enforced. 1 bar of unboosted cell service with ATT with some drop off if raining, but fine for streaming videos. The coal trains run through at all hours of the night- and blow their horns (earplugs). Open year round- a no hunting campsite.
Ranger
All 12 non-electric sites appeared to have fire ring, picnic table, trash can, flat parking area. They did vary a bit in size. I was there on Friday and Saturday and there were no more than 4 other sites occupied. I was surprised that the bathrooms had running water! Overall, everything was quiet and relaxing. Some traffic from people driving by, but not bad at this time of year. It was delightful falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the creek! There are miles and miles of trails, I hiked 16 and only encountered 1 couple. The other campgrounds in the park have more amenities, too.
Guide
Very nice spot, right by the river with plenty of spaces to hammock down by there. We were lucky and got one of the last spots, there’s only 11. Fire rings with grill, and bench at each site. The ground is great for tents, no rocks. If you’re planning on coming here, make sure and come early. Pit toilets also available.
Guide
Great place along the river. Low traffic, spots are large and spread out, there is s nice trail (5.6miles). Down side, no tmobile cell service, and a train runs on the other side if the river every few hours
LegendOne of three campgrounds in Camp Creek State Park; this is the primitive one (the other two are a horse camp and a developed one with hookups). Most sites are on the creek, but the road runs right past them. On a weekday in the fall, the road was very quiet, but I imagine that in the summer when carloads of people head to Campbell Falls, it would be a different story and would take away from the peacefulness of the campground.
This campground would not be suitable for large RVs, but our campervan fit just fine in the mostly level (but rooty) sites, Obviously, good for tents.
There are two vault toilets – one for women and one for men. They were in reasonably clean condition.
Campbell Falls is just down the road from the campground and there is access to many hiking trails.
No one other than us was there on a weekday in mid-October so it was very peaceful and quiet.
Scout
Stopped here for a quick overnight and this beautiful campground had us wishing we could stay longer.
ScoutDo not stay here!
Sex offenders & homeless people come knocking on your doors at night!
Corrupt & not safe!
Cracker Barrel across the street & lovely campgrounds off 81exit 84
ScoutNot sitting in a field!!! Pretty and quiet. Lovely
RangerNice NPS campground. There are 17 sites, all free FCFS tent only sites. We thought we’d have a hard time finding a spot on a Friday night but it was less than half full the whole 4 nights we were there. Only one vault toilet was open. Sites are flat, large and spaced out. However the trees are very newly planted so they provide no shade or privacy. Quick access to 64 and Sandstone Visitor Center. The biggest con to this is the multi-track railroad right next to the campground. They go by pretty frequently at all hours of day and night and are so loud you can feel the vibrations. But otherwise was a good base camp for exploring New River Gorge.
Legend
This campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet.
GuideNice spot to stop for a night on our way north - level private spot for our rooftop tent. Sites 38-45 have the most privacy. Check website as we were there during a fire ban.
Traveler
Camped over night twice. Bathrooms stay open 24/7. Made fire no problems. River does rise alittle overnight if camping with tent. Very quiet & peaceful at night.
ScoutGGreat location to Main Street, Galax and New River Trail park. Scenic location overlooking Chestnut Creek, clean Bathhouse, great price. No Picnic tables or firepits. Nearby roadway noise fades by dark. Would stay there agai n.
Traveler
Best campground I’ve stayed at on a bike. Very welcoming, quiet and peaceful. Few small town stores about a mile away including gas. Nice bath houses with shower. We had a fire every night and good conversation. Great stop, 10/10 I will make a point to be back!
Traveler
This is the most peaceful and quiet campground. The mountain and water views are stunning. Camp hosts are phenomenal! So glad we found them gem. Can’t wait to come back.
Guide
Staff were GREAT!! Very clean bathrooms and hot showers. Grounds were clean and well maintained. 50+ sites with 4 bathrooms scattered in campground and 2 host sites. Wildlife abundant.
ScoutCute place off the freeway with water access and a playground, 6 mile hiking trail to waterfall and not far from town. There is a train station nearby and the trains are loud. They come by every now and then night and day, they do live music some nights and church gatherings where a man basically yells all night long. Lots of freeway noise so the nightly fee is kinda stupid considering you won't get any sleep if you stay here. The river is super planted so I wouldn't swim here either sadly.. and the showers have NO water presser yet you gotta pay for a bathroom key otherwise there's porta-potties by the dumpster.
TravelerGreat quiet spot. All primitive, does have a bathhouse with toilets only. Pretty good drive to any stores, so pack in what you need. It is about a 7 mile ride down a gravel road. I did the trip on a motorcycle so the road isn’t bad. I got there at 6pm on a tuesday and got the last spot! Get there early to make sure you get a spot. Very well maintained.
TravelerThe Campground is small...Maybe 15 sites. It was full when we arrived. Luckily, there are 2 or 3 dispersed sites along the road into the Campground. They are on the river, too. Perfect for an overnighter.
Scout
THE TRAINS: HOLY HELL. The trains alone are reason enough not to camp here. Especially with a tent. Five trains between midnight and 5am. Every one of them blew the horn well past the crossing. This is not an exaggeration; it sounded like the trains were going to come through the tent. We might as well have been on the tracks themselves. We had to cover our 3yo daughters ears to keep her from getting scared awake during every train passing. The tent camping is closest to the tracks which makes zero sense to me as the RV's would be less subject to the noise and would block a lot of it from reaching the tents. The train schedule probably varies, but I assure you, it's not worth the roll of the dice. I would find somewhere else to camp, especially if you like the peace and quiet(which is a huge part of camping). I know this isn't really in their control, but it kind of is. They do mention that the trains do come through and that the guests don't usually mention it after the second night(probably because they leave after the first night LOL JK). They definitely sugar coat it. However, they need to have that in BOLD RED LETTERS"THE TRAINS ARE LOUD AS F**K". I would've just canceled the trip immediately and camped elsewhere. They need one of those huge sound blocking walls you see along the interstate. The Bathrooms: Bathrooms need work. The toilet seats are gross, the walls have mold on them, the shower curtains are piss yellow. All of which would cost around$80 to fix. Those are the"Campers Only" bathrooms. The"Tubing Showers" are basically a wooden shack with a pull string valve. Looks like something out of a horror film. Not sure why they even have them because the river will get you cleaner than those ever will. The River: The river is beautiful. Great views of the mountain sides. The views and fishing were the only saving grace. I was able to catch a small-mouth bass pretty quickly and missed a few others. The water ranges in depth, but nothing deeper than waste deep really. It's rocky and slippery so it's dangerous and not very family friendly. Especially for young children and older people. Honestly, my wife hated the river because it was so hard to move around. So while it looked nice and fished well, that was about it. Tubing: I didn't do the tubing, but I had family with me that did and they said it was NOT worth the money. The water level was said to be good for it, but they said they dragged their butts the majority of the way. I also think that their base level tubes they rent out are not enough to keep you high enough out of the water. They look like inner tubes from some sort of truck and they are not beefy enough for this application, you'll just droop through the middle. If you do tube, bring your own river tube or rent the premium versions with the bottom sewn in. The People: The people were very nice to us during our short stay. This was a non-issue. However, I think they should worry less about the grass and more about the amenities getting updated(build a new bathhouse building). For Young Kids: Nothing really available for younger kids to play on. No playgrounds or anything other than a few ride around toys and a basketball hoop. They have plenty of room for an awesome playground for much younger kids, but I don't think that's their focus. Conclusion: Would I ever stay at New River Junction again? Absolutely not. For me, camping is about getting away from the noise and my house is quieter than this place and I live on a busy street. The trains are awful for tent camping and I'm sure the thin-walled travel trailers too. Had it not been for the trains, the place would have been okay, but even the good parts weren't that great. I didn't set this trip up, a family member did. I'll never let her live this one down lol. Don't let the positive reviews mislead you. The majority of the reviews are from people there just for tubing. In all my years of tent camping, this was the worst trip I've ever had.
TravelerPit toilets, but was nice to have something ++ FREE. Super cool river near by, great scenery.
Traveler
We arrived from Cleveland late on a Thursday evening and every one of the 7 sites was full, luckily we met another couple who let us share their site for the night which was great because they let us have their site when they left in the morning. We were on site 2/3 which are right at the bottom of a large staircase down from the parking lot. We put our tent a few feet away from the water facing the river and our canopy further up in the woods by the firepit. Access to a hiking trail at the end of the parking lot - Stonecliff Trail, garbage bins and bathrooms available, no running water so bring hand sanitizer, Dunloup waterfall ~8 min down the road right off the side of the road was beautiful and a great place to swim, hiked a few trails down to town of Thurmond which is a a great little historical train town with a nice visitors center
Cons - No picnic tables on any of the sites, carrying our things up the 3 flights of stairs to the parking lot was a little exhausting but not bad if you’re more of a minimalist camper, road access to campground is well paved but is very very narrow and windy so be careful of other cars flying around the bends, trains go by on other side of the river ~2-3 times per night, be careful of glass in the sand as well as bees, sites 2-5 are all right on top of each other (within 10 feet) with minimal trees in between so they’re good for groups but not if you don’t want to be right next to people.
Scout
Dyrt says $40-$42. Price now is $56. Decent place. Easy on off off IH77. Prefer this to most KOA’s for value. Nice, tree filled sites, clean and well lighted shower rooms, rural setting, but near a city. Definitely would recommend.
Traveler
The site is nice, tent stakes went in easily, and the shower is close by, clean and has hot water. The people running this are also very nice. 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.
Traveler
Most campground reviews are from the RV crowd. This is from the tent camper perspective, particularly motorcycle tent camping. The roads/lanes in the park are paved, but otherwise where you would ride are lousy for motorcycles. The "gravel" parking lot from the road to the office and in the RV/electric loop is more like rocks, and you stand a good chance of dropping your bike. Park your bike on the asphalt drive and walk up to the office. In addition, the tent parking spots are sloped upwards with some very slick crushed rock and are challenging for a motorcycle. The office closes at 5 (4 on Sunday and probably Saturday) and there is no campground map posted to see where the tent camping area is. They have copies of the campground map in the office and I suggested they put one on the outside of the office door so people arriving after they close have a map to view. The tent camping (primitive) is off a paved lane a lot further down the hill past the office. The sign for the lane says primitive. Straight up at the top of the hill for that lane is site 6 which is somewhat acceptable for motorcycle parking although you are not going to get good enough of a cell signal there to use any internet apps. You might get one bar to make calls or text. At the top of that hill, take a left and go up a steep hill to the shower house and where sites 1 &2 are at. At sites 1&2 and outside the shower house you can get a good enough signal (2 bars) to use internet apps. The campground does have an open wifi, but it doesn't reach to the tent camping sites. They should add some directional antennas to extend to that area. Sites 1&2 are best for motorcycles if you can reserve one of them. 2 has a wide enough turn around that you could easily park a group of motorcycles there. When you check in you are assigned a 4 digit code to unlock the shower house doors. If you arrive after hours you'll have to ask another camper if they'll share their code with you like we had to. Don't bother trying to call the campground number after hours to check in or ask for a code because you'll just their voicemail. Bring a hammer or find a rock to hammer your tent stakes in because the ground where you would want to pitch a tent is mostly rock. Being primitive there is no electric at the tent sites. There is an outlet by the sink in the shower house if you need to charge your phone. There aren't any external outlets at the shower house. There is a spigot outside the shower house, but I did not open it to make sure it worked. We got our water using the shower house sink. The rate as of July 2024 is $10.50 PER TENT per night. There is no discount for only using one site with several tents. We (four bikes with 4 tents) stayed there four nights. We would have left after the first night, but had paid for all four nights and also didn't want to have to pack everything up to look for a different campground.
Nestled in the scenic beauty of Virginia, Ripplemead offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ripplemead, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ripplemead, VA is Camp Success with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Ripplemead, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
