Best Tent Camping near Ripplemead, VA

Tent campers near Ripplemead, Virginia can find several established campgrounds with primitive tent setups along the New River corridor. Camp Success offers tent-specific sites with picnic tables and trash disposal, while Walnut Flats Campground in Pearisburg provides more developed tent camping areas with drinking water, fire rings, and toilet facilities. Dragon's Tooth, located about 30 miles east, offers free tent camping with vault toilets and trash receptacles for hikers accessing the Appalachian Trail.

Most tent campsites in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Walnut Flats requires four-wheel drive vehicles to navigate the access road, while other areas like Camp Success can be reached with standard vehicles. Sites typically include fire rings and some have picnic tables, though many lack running water. Vault toilets are common at established campgrounds, but primitive backcountry sites may have no facilities. Seasonal operation varies, with Walnut Flats open from April through early December. One camper noted that "the road up needs a 4x4" but praised the hand pump water and vault toilets at Walnut Flats.

The tent camping experience in this region offers direct access to natural features and recreational opportunities. Many sites provide proximity to the New River for fishing, swimming, and paddling. Dragon's Tooth connects directly to the Appalachian Trail, making it popular with hikers seeking overnight accommodations. The terrain varies from riverside sandy areas to more forested settings with moderate tree cover. Sites are generally well-spaced, offering reasonable privacy between tent campers. A recent review described Dragon's Tooth as "a fine place to park overnight" with "some campsites right off the trailhead that are level with rock firepits if you prefer to camp."

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Best Tent Sites Near Ripplemead, Virginia (35)

    1. Camp Success

    2 Reviews
    Narrows, VA
    7 miles
    Website

    "I didn’t camp here, but I took out my kayak at the boat ramp and looked around. Vault M/F toilet, BYOTP. No hookups and I didn’t see a water spigot. Plenty of shade. Closed during flood."

    "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."

    2. Whitt Riverbend Park

    1 Review
    Ripplemead, VA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (540) 921-0340

    $5 / night

    "Cozy little site not too far from the main highway! Checked this out on my way to Tennessee.

    Primitive camping but has plenty of natural wonders to keep you busy!"

    3. Walnut Flats Campground

    2 Reviews
    Staffordsville, VA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 552-4641

    "Nice campground outside Bland, VA. The road up needs a 4x4. Nice vault toilets and a hand pump water. There are 5 sites at this location."

    "Good hikes nearby, nothing too difficult and all are beautiful. The Appalachian Trail is close to the site, find some thru hikers and make some trail magic!"

    4. White Cedar Horse Camp

    1 Review
    Staffordsville, KY
    14 miles
    Website

    "No showers but there is a store 10 minutes away where you can pay to take a hot shower. In back of store."

    5. Indian Mills Camping Area — Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    Bluestone Lake, WV
    15 miles
    +1 (304) 466-3398

    "You’ll have quite the drive to get here, but once you’ve arrived, you’ll be incredibly grateful for all the effort."

    6. Bull Falls Campground — Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area

    3 Reviews
    Pipestem, WV
    19 miles
    +1 (304) 466-3398

    "You’ve struck gold here at Bull Falls Campground if you’re looking to get away from it all, discover solitude in the heart of West Virginia’s lush, verdant nature garden of Eden."

    7. Old Mill Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park

    5 Reviews
    Nimitz, WV
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 466-2805

    "Camp ground was clean, bathhouse was clean and neighbors were all spaced out pretty good. Staff was kind and helpful. We enjoyed ourselves and will for sure go back."

    "West Virginia at its finest! Blue stone state park is right next door to the lake so there are wonderful water activities here."

    8. East Shore Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park

    2 Reviews
    Nimitz, WV
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 466-2805

    "site: some shaded sites. some sites along water. semi-private sites. amenities: a few campground options. pretty clean. attractions: near town. fishing. near pool. hiking. nature activities."

    9. Keatley - Bluestone WMA

    Be the first to review!
    Bluestone Lake, WV
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 466-3398

    10. Dragon's Tooth

    3 Reviews
    Salem, VA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 552-4641

    "The trailhead connects to the Appalachian Trail, so there were several other cars parked overnight as well. It is a gravel lot, pretty level. There is a little road noise until about 1030 PM."

    "dragons tooth is off a path that is part of the Appalachian Trail, there is a good amount of parking with a bathroom and garbage, once you begin the trail there are a few dispersed obvious camping spots"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 35 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Ripplemead, VA

574 Reviews of 35 Ripplemead Campgrounds


  • Dave V.
    May. 26, 2018

    Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Epic River Views and Access steps from your campsite!

    RANGER REIVEW: PRIMUS 4-SEASON STAINLESS STEEL 0.3L MUG AT GRANDVIEW SANDBAR CAMPGROUND, NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER, WV

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW:

    Grandview Sandbar Campground situated along the New River, just outside of Prince, WV off Route 41 offers upclose and personal riverside camping. https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

    This and the other riverside campgrounds in the New River Gorge National River offer a minimal number of sites, no water, no electric, no modern facilities…however, they are free and its all about location. Site availability is first come, first served. Length of stay is limited to 14 days.

    On the higher, wooded loop to the right as you travel down a very narrow, serpentine gravel road, there are 10 campsites. There are gravel parking pads that could accommodate a small RV/Camper/Pop-up…and a couple Pop-ups were present. How they navigated the winding steep park gravel road, is a mystery to me…the rains were eroding corners causing my truck to scrape.

    The sites do have a picnic table, lantern post and firepit. Depending on thr site you choose, the initial sites to the right are all below the campground roadway you wind down. The pit latrine is a short walking distance and directly next to the host site in the River Access parking lot and boat ramp area.

    The 8 tent sites are located on the far side of the boat ramp parking area and all but the two Handicap sites require a short walk to reach.

    Numbers are on the lantern posts and blend together but are distinguished by the firepit. These are directly on the sand "beach" area of the New River…and as seen in my photos are not only a bit angled, they can be a dangerous choice.

    The two handicap accessible sites are bordered by timbers, leveled and much more desirable, but you must possess a handicap placard/permit. It is not permissible to utilize them as overflow without a placard/permit.

    The walk-up tent area has its own pit latrine. Nothing special…but private.

    There is a river trail that will take you to Glade Creek and additional trails. Within a short drive are several additional nice hiking trails in the New River Gorge and nearby State parks.

    Note: This is a busier campground with the public access boat ramp and very busy on weekends. A very popular spot for locals. While alcohol is prohibited, there was substantial physical evidence to the contrary, mere steps from the dumpster. Also keep in mind, during rains, tributaries flow into the New River causing it to overflow its banks with some regularity in thr spring and early summer.

    Spring weekdays still saw several campers, even with the torrential rains and flooding. Free is a big draw.

    PRODUCT REVIEW:

    PRIMUS 4-SEASON STAINLESS STEEL 0.3L MUG

    https://primus.us/products/four-seasons-mug-35l-stainless-steel?variant=358039683090

    The Primus 4-Season Stainless Steel 0.3L Mug is a great option for the outdoorsperson searching for a do-all cup.

    With it's all stainless steel double wall construction, it offers rust resistance, a clean appearance, the ability to keep contents their desired temperature longer, and remains odorless/tasteless. The mug is lightweight at just under 4 ounces.

    The 0.3L/10 oz. mug is convenient and held single servings of beverage and food. However, I might migrate to Primus' other offering in the 0.2L/8 oz. mug for the volume I prefer.

    The only potential achilles heel, would be the same with any other mug and that is the handle. Though I experienced no issues and don't foresee any…if there were to be one, it's likely with a mug's handle.

    All in all, a great mug choice!

  • H. K.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Free, centrally located & meh

    Stone Cliff campground is a sandy, walk in campground. There is one site that you can park beside which I think is supposed to be ADA accessible. The rest of the sites require a short walk in or down about a flight of steps.

    We camped right below the stairs. There was a pole for a lantern but no picnic table (although there are some near the parking area), no fire ring (previous campers had made one out of stone that we used), and no flat tent pad area. We pitched our tent in the flattest spot and it was acceptable.

    There are vault toilets up the stairs and across the parking lot. They smelled awful and needed to be cleaned. Although it didn't seem like Stone Cliff was a busy campground (we only had a couple neighbors) the rafting companies put in right there and bring bus loads of rafters who use the vault toilets so they are used by lots of people.

    You have to bring your own water. There are garbage cans in the parking area above.

    It is right on the New River on a sand bar which is nice except there was SO MUCH BROKEN GLASS. Honestly it was the most broken glass I've seen on a beach. There was also quite a lot of litter which is obnoxious.

    Overall it was fine. It was free and it was close to the Visitor's Center and most of the trails I wanted to hike. But it wasn't a beautiful or serene nature setting.

  • Shannon M.
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Rocky Knob Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Clean wooded caampground

    On BRP near Floyd, VA. A lot of amenities in town and hiking trails nearby. Clean and quiet: no generators allowed in tent camping area and quiet hours after 10pm. Tent sites $20 per night at time of my stay.

  • Heather P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 9, 2022

    Babcock State Park Campground

    Choose your site wisely

    My suggestion is take a good look at the sites before setting up camp.

    With 51 sites, maybe 20 were populated.  

    While we had no rain, you could tell some sites could easily be washed out or have

    a nice stream that would run through your site with heavy rains.

    Picnic table and fire ring in sites.  Firewood can be purchased from the check in building.

    NO Alcohol allowed in campground!

    Restrooms and the campground was well maintained.

    Checking out the Glade Creek Grist Mill is a MUST!!

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 6, 2020

    Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Good spot for the night

    Stopped by on my way up north. Beautiful view of the river, which was high. There’s 5 pull in sites and 5 walk in tent sites. Multiple bathrooms, including ADA friendly, all clean. There were 2 other campers on a Saturday night, which was nice and quiet. It’s about 5 miles down a nice dirt road, easy to drive on. There’s no AT&T service upon arrival. A few spots you could locate a bar to send a message, but that’s it. Lots of trees to hang a hammock. Each site had a fire ring, picnic table and a pole to hang food from. No electricity or water so be sure to bring your own. Overall, enjoyed my stay!

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2023

    Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Only The Noise of Flowing Water

    GLADE CREEK - New River Gorge (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good 70 yr olds in 17’ trailer: Overall Rating: 4.5 Price. Free Usage during visit: Trailer sites usually filled up by the end of the day. Site Privacy: 2. Little understory plants Site 1 is very private. Site Spacing: 5. Very large sotes Site surface: Gravel/ mud Reservations: First come, first serve Campground Noise : 5. Very little Road Noise: 4.5 Glade Rd is behind site 1., but not close. Site 1 is still the best trailer site. Traffic can hardly be seen through the trees. Minimal traffic and minimal noise . Through Traffic: Access to the boat ramp is through the campground. Though, traffic is minimal, folks on the way to the ramp and picnic area often drive pretty fast. Electricity: No Water: River only - bring drinking water. Sewer: No Dump: No Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Nice pit toilet near site 2(a nice handicap site.
    Showers: No Pull Throughs: Most sites Cell Service (Verizon): No Setting: 5. We can hear the river from all sites, which is just a short walk away. Weather: Rain, clouds, sunshine Bugs: None Solar: Minimal and surely less when the trees leaf out more. Site 2 looks to have the best solar for a roof mount. Still minimal . Host: None Rig size: Limited by a narrow one lane . bridge on Glade Rd . A 30’ trailer arrived. There is plenty of room in the 5 trailer sites.
    Access: 20 minute drive from 41 on maintained and pretty smooth gravel road. UPON ARRIVAL, IF PULLING A TRAILER , I SUGGEST THAT YOU OCCUPY THE FIRST SITS YOU SEE. That is because reentry into the campground, while pulling a trailer, requires extra driving away from the campground entry for turn around. Sites: Site 1 is best for a trailer - isolated from the rest . Site 2 is a handicap site, which is not enforced by park service . Sites 3-5 are nice and large but not very private . Site 6, as looping back around, is the absolute best site, right on the river. It is suitable for truck campers, vans, and tents. A small trailer which can be hand maneuvered will also work there. There are some walk-in tent sites I did not evaluate.
    Notes: There are reports from others of safety concerns. I checked with park ranger officers and they said there are no safety concerns, “especially way back here.” We didn’t experience any issues. That said, this issues reported in other reviews took place at the boat ramp, which is in ear shot of the walk-in sites, for sure.

  • D
    Apr. 5, 2022

    Meadow Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Beautiful Spot but Now Tent ONLY

    The ranger informed us someone who stayed here in a rv had a close call crossing the train tracks and now they have decided to make this campground a tent only place. Which is very unfortunate since this place is beautiful and the sites were big enough for rv and tent use. You have to cross train tracks to get here and it’s 4 sets of tracks all are very active with trains coming as often as every 20 minutes and they do not stop. The have a vault style toilet one for men and one for women. No water and no electric. There is a river nearby but it has a very strong current. The trains are fun to watch but very loud and frequent. The wind here is also very strong and without strong anchors could easily pull up your tent. We were having to restake the corners throughout our stay and thought we might loose our rain fly a few times. The wind just seemed to come out of nowhere being in a small valley the storms were very strong. We have Verizon and had 1-2 bars of service while here. It’s a shame they felt they had to close it to all rv and trailer use because of one careless act but that is what happens.

  • Dave V.
    Sep. 1, 2017

    Dixie Caverns

    Camping at the Crossroads

    Dixie Caverns is a privately owned campground, slash tourist site ( dixiecaverns.com ) located at the outskirts of Salem, VA.

    Warning: In the website, they do state the campground is "directly off I-81," and it is. The fact is, you are surrounded on three sides by roadway...and the actual Dixie Cavern is at the base of a mountain, so all the road traffic is above the campground and the noise reverberates off the mountain and surrounding walls 24/7. Trust me when I say, semi-truck noise is loud during the twilight hours when the din of the day has disappeared.

    We spent two different multiple-day stays at Dixie Caverns in the Spring, partly out of necessity and partly because of its close proximity to a desired venue in Salem. So I can attest to the traffic noise never letting up.

    The Positive: Dixie Caverns Campground serves a need...a campground close to Salem. The next closest campground is an hour's drive and in heavy traffic...longer. It is also one of the closest campgrounds to several of Virginia's most popular hiking trails (AT) and scenic overlooks (Dragon's Tooth, Tinker Cliffs, etc). So people will use this as a "base camp" of sorts.

    The personnel that run the Dixie Cavern Gift Shop, are also those you see to pay for a camping site...and I found them very friendly and helpful.

    If you are visiting there to tour the Dixie Caverns...you are a hundred feet away from the mountain doorway.

    The campground is tiny, as in footprint, but they have carved out a number of RV/Camper sites along the mountain base and the inner loops...and during our stays very few openings were observed. Water, electric and cable is provided at each of those pull-through sites. They are of adequate size for the largest of RV's, but they are side-by-side the length of the loop. No vegetation exists between or on those sides but some grass and some spaced large trees. Perhaps the RV/Camper clan camp there out of necessity and convenience too. Though there is a limit on the days of your stay, it appears that some are exempt from this rule. Some campers are permanent fixtures...others that were not, were still in the same location from the first visit to the next visit 30 days later. Several employees live full-time on site.

    Tent camping is in the grass along the creek that runs down to the Roanoke River across the roadway. During the heavy rains we received, I had concerns that this raging creek would overflow its banks, but it did not. Trash was visible washed along its banks. The sites are marked only by a picnic table and rock fire ring...no other designation, so you chose a side of the fire ring to pitch your tent. Even with the heavy rains, I did not notice low, soggy areas. There is several large hardwood trees that provide a nice canopy, but no foliage between tenting areas...so the entire campground is line of sight. I believe there were only six tent sites (technically), but overflow tent sites are also along the grassy field across from the Gift Shop. Important note: If you are considering a good night's sleep in a tent (not sure of the sound dampening qualities of RV/Campers), ear-plugs are a must!

    The showerhouse/restroom are located at the beginning of the campground, which is just the other side of the day use picnic area and the Gift Shop/Attraction parking lot. The doors are locked 24/7 and only campers receive the "push-button" door code (which the code did not change from both visits...not a secure safety protocol). The showerhouse/restroom has running water, flush toilets and several showers, and an electric outlet. It shows its age and looks like a heavily used campground facility. For tent campers, its the only potable water source.

    There is both cell service and free wifi...which is amazing! I can count on my one finger how many campgrounds in W.VA and VA that had cell service.

    The Negative: You must leave the campground for anything you'd like to do, other than the Caverns...and sitting in your camp chair.

    There are no trails or other amenities...and the trails closeby...are still a 20-30 minutes drive on a good day.

    Whether or not tenters are in the tent area, this is the dog walking area. They are required to pick up...but it is aggravating...because if it doesn't pour, the smell remains.

    Did I mention the truck traffic noise? The overall condition of Dixie Caverns appears dated, a bit run-down, and dirty.

    Would I stay there again? Odds are I will spend one more collegiate softball post season and World Series staying at Dixie Caverns Campground next spring, purely out of convenience and necessity.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2024

    Little Beaver State Park Campground

    Nice stop

    Nice 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.


Guide to Ripplemead

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.

Tips for tent camping near Ripplemead

  • Old Mill Campground provides reservable sites and essential amenities like toilets, making it a convenient choice for families and first-time campers.
  • Walnut Flats Campground features a rustic setting with nearby hiking trails, perfect for those who enjoy exploring nature while camping.
  • Floating Heaven offers unique treehouse camping experiences, ideal for families with young kids looking for a whimsical getaway.

Local activities for tent campers

  • At East Shore Campground, you can enjoy fishing and hiking, with some sites offering semi-private access to the water.
  • Camp Success is located along the New River, making it a great spot for kayaking and fishing enthusiasts.
  • Indian Mills Camping Area provides access to numerous hiking trails and the tranquil New River, perfect for a day of exploration.

Tent camping features to enjoy

  • Glen Lyn Town Park & Campground has electric hookups and water access, making it a comfortable choice for those who want a bit more convenience.
  • Whitt Riverbend Park offers a cozy site with picnic tables and a natural setting, ideal for enjoying campfire meals and stargazing.
  • Bull Falls Campground is known for its serene environment, allowing campers to immerse themselves in the peaceful sounds of nature.

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.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Ripplemead, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 35 tent camping locations near Ripplemead, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.