Best Tent Camping near Roanoke, VA

The Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Roanoke, Virginia offer several tent-only camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Dragon's Tooth campground, located near the Appalachian Trail, provides primitive tent camping with vault toilets and bear-proof trash receptacles but no drinking water. Catawba Mountain Shelter on the AT offers both lean-to and tent sites for hikers seeking backcountry tent camping experiences. Breeden Bottom Campground, situated on the James River about 25 miles north of Roanoke, features numbered sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and level tent pads for drive-in or paddle-in campers.

Most tent campgrounds in the region have minimal amenities, requiring campers to bring their own water and supplies. Dragon's Tooth sites include rock fire pits near the trailhead, while the actual camping area may be limited due to environmental protection measures. Dispersed camping sites off Forest Road 812 provide a more remote option with several flat areas for tents and access to hiking trails and streams. Waltons Campground offers a small, clean facility with a porta-potty, water spigot, and firewood available for purchase. Surface conditions vary from gravel parking areas to forest duff, with most sites featuring minimal grading and natural terrain.

Tent campers at Breeden Bottom report extremely private and spacious sites. According to one visitor, "Sites are extremely private and spaced out; we couldn't see or hear anyone." The campground provides direct river access with "a good, shallow walk-in into the water." At Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812, campers note the large open space can accommodate multiple tents with a central fire circle. One reviewer described it as "a wonderful group site tucked back a couple miles from 501" with "a giant fire circle in the middle and enough room to fit about 10 vehicles/groups." Cell service is limited or non-existent at most primitive tent sites, offering a true disconnect from urban life while providing access to the region's extensive trail networks.

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Best Tent Sites Near Roanoke, Virginia (19)

    1. Dragon's Tooth

    3 Reviews
    Salem, VA
    13 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"

    2. Catawba Mountain Shelter on the AT

    1 Review
    Hollins, VA
    10 miles
    Website

    "You get a lean-to and tent sites.

    Near water (collect water with a filter only)

    I was able to make a fire but make sure it's okay when you go.

    Lots of space for many people."

    3. Breeden Bottom Campground

    4 Reviews
    Buchanan, VA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 261-7334

    $40 - $70 / night

    "No water, no electricity available. Not for RVs. There is a railroad track that runs along the James River near the sites, but it never bothered us. Great fishing."

    "This site was in a great location and right on the crystal clear water. The train was loud at times, but we knew that would happen when we booked the site, so no surprises there."

    4. Willville Motorcycle Camp

    7 Reviews
    Woolwine, VA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (469) 614-8620

    $150 - $200 / night

    "Just less than a mile west of the Blue Ridge Parkway on US 58 Business, Willville is THE motorcycle camping slot for me in Virginia.

    thwres a community fire ring where Will has a fire most nights."

    "It is motorcycle only, but he has limited space outside the campground proper for trailers should that be your thing."

    5. Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812

    2 Reviews
    Glasgow, VA
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    "Large open space with several flat areas for tents. There are several spots on this road, maybe 6 but this is the furthest off the road. There are hiking trails and easy access to the stream."

    "It is a very rocky path, about 50 feet long, to get into the campground, but then it is smooth and well laid out."

    6. Shirleys’ River Retreat

    1 Review
    Covington, VA
    40 miles
    +1 (540) 620-7110

    $40 - $60 / night

    7. Lynchburg KOA (formerly Wildwood Campground)

    1 Review
    Big Island, VA
    40 miles
    +1 (434) 299-5228

    "It’s quiet and peaceful, and the surrounding area is gorgeous."

    8. Whitt Riverbend Park

    1 Review
    Ripplemead, VA
    40 miles
    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!"

    9. Ryans Branch

    Be the first to review!
    Henry, VA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 629-1847

    10. Camp Success

    2 Reviews
    Narrows, VA
    47 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."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Roanoke, VA

462 Reviews of 19 Roanoke Campgrounds


  • RL
    Oct. 2, 2019

    Breeden Bottom Campground

    Wonderful Trip

    Our site was RIGHT on the river. It was peaceful and private. No water, no electricity available. Not for RVs. There is a railroad track that runs along the James River near the sites, but it never bothered us. Great fishing.

    A little additional info from the internet:

    BREEDEN BOTTOM CAMPGROUND is located on the James River about 1/4 mile down stream of the Arcadia bridge about 5 mile drive from our canoe livery in Buchanan, VA. It is situated about 6 river miles downstream of our Buchanan based canoe livery location near river mile marker 19. This campground can accommodate both paddle in and drive in campers. Each site is numbered and include a fire ring, picnic table, parking area, and level tent pad. Portable toilets and a dumpster are conveniently located in the center of the campground. Guests will need to bring their own water as no potable water source is provided. $36.00 per site for up to 4 campers.

  • Hannah V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2018

    Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Great Trails

    This is a huge campground it has 137 sites that is right in between two mountains. Each site has picnic tables, lantern poles, tent pads, food storage lockers, and campfire rings. 63 of their sites are available for advanced reservation and then 79 first come-first serve basis. The bath house has flush toilets, water spigots, but no showers. There is also no electric, water, or sewer hook-ups.

    Lots of hiking trails, but make sure you look at the map because we unfortunately did not look at it well enough and thought that the trail was a loop when it led to the opposite side of the mountain and we had to hitch hike back to the campsite. The trails are well marked and lead to awesome views. Rate is $20 a night.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Brett T.
    Mar. 22, 2017

    Roanoke Mountain — Blue Ridge Parkway

    No longer open for camping

    This used to be an awesome quick getaway for camping near Roanoke, but it's been shut down, as a campground, due to budget cuts. It's still open for day use, but no overnight stays... :-(

  • Kevin M.
    Mar. 18, 2017

    Rocky Knob Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Great overnight camping stay!

    Rocky Knob Campground is right outside of Floyd, VA off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Southwest region of the state.

    Why stay here? It's right outside of Floyd. They host Floyd Fest each year as well as a Yoga Jam. It's right off the Blue Ridge Parkway if you are traveling. Did I mention it's to Chateau Morrisette Winery?!

    Our family stays here multiple times a year, it's a nice little getaway, yet still close to home. This Campground offers toilets and running water, but no showers so remember to bring your dry shampoo and bug spray depending on the time of year.

    Sites are pretty close together, but we didn't mind. We pitched an 8 person tent, a hammock, and were quite cozy in front of the fire ring. Can't wait to visit again.

    Good for families (kids ride their bikes through Campground), couples, singles.

    What this Campground offers: -Friendly Park Ranger -$16 bucks per night if you drive up, $20 online, can't beat that! -Rest and relaxation -Picnic table -Fire ring -Bathhouse (no showers or paper towels) -trash collection near front entrance -camping for tents or campers -dog friendly -short distance from Rocky Knob -right off the Blue Ridge Parkway -close to Chateau Morrisette Winery -right outside of Floyd, VA (Dogtown Roadhouse, Floyd County Store, Oddfellas, etc)

  • Joe H.
    Sep. 7, 2019

    White Rocks Campground

    Beautiful, quiet, and relaxing.

    This is a great spot to get away from almost everything. No cell, no wifi, no hook ups, no showers. 

    Lots of hiking with a short 1.3 loop mile trail right out of the campground, and several trails nearby, including a few different connectors to sections of the AT. 

    Usually few if any campers here, but lots of wildlife to be seen and heard in and around the campground. 

    Theres a camp host who takes care of both bath houses, which have sinks and  flush toilets. No hot water, and no showers. There are a few water hydrants throughout the campground for water.

  • Brittany V.
    Oct. 1, 2022

    Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Not Big Rig Friendly!

    I have to admit that it was an amazing campsite! Double decker with picnic table, lantern pole, and fire pit up stairs and over looking your paved campsite. We were walking distance to the dumpster and public bathroom ( no showers). It also offered no hookups which was fine, there was a dump station on site… The biggest downer for us was just getting to and leaving the site! RVLife took us up and down some insane switchbacks that were just not appropriate for anything larger than maybe 30ft tip to tail?? I wouldn’t advise staying here unless you’re a class B/C, pop up, or 20ft TT. Lodge is nice and has decent prices.

  • Gail B.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Horseshoe Point

    Quiet, Secluded Campground

    I stayed one night at Horseshoe Point. The drive there through the mountains and backroads was pretty but make no mistake, this place is remote. There is no WiFi and my T-Mobile was useless there. There is a nice lake with trails nearby. There is a clean bath house with hot showers. The sites have a picnic table, fire ring, and gravel parking spaces. The sites are among the trees and well kept. They do not allow dogs near the beach. As a dog owner, this saddens me as I like to swim and I can’t if my dog is with me. The campground hosts were very friendly and welcoming.


Guide to Roanoke

Roanoke, Virginia, offers a variety of tent camping options that allow outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the comforts of well-equipped sites.

Local Attractions and Scenic Views

  • Experience breathtaking views and hiking opportunities at Dragon's Tooth, where the trail connects to the Appalachian Trail and leads to stunning vistas.
  • Enjoy the serene environment of Vic Thomas Park, located along the Roanoke River, perfect for fishing and relaxing by the water.
  • Discover the unique charm of Floating Heaven, featuring terraced hiking paths and quirky decor, ideal for families looking for a memorable getaway.

Tent Camping Prices

  • Tent camping at Breeden Bottom Campground typically costs around $36 per site for up to four campers, offering a peaceful riverside experience.
  • Rates at Waltons Campground are affordable, with options for cash or Venmo payments, making it convenient for campers.
  • For a unique experience, Catawba Mountain Shelter offers free camping with access to beautiful hiking trails, perfect for budget-conscious adventurers.

Amenities Tent Campers Appreciate

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Roanoke, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Roanoke, VA is Dragon's Tooth with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Roanoke, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.