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Best Tent Camping near South Boston, VA

332 Reviews

Tent campers seeking established sites near South Boston, Virginia will find several options within driving distance. Eno River State Park Campground in Durham, North Carolina provides primitive tent sites approximately 60 miles southeast of South Boston, while RodneysRaptors in Virginia offers tent-specific camping areas closer to the region.

Eno River State Park's tent campsites require a 1-1.2 mile hike from parking areas, making them suitable for backpackers comfortable with carrying gear. The sites feature gravel tent pads, fire rings, and primitive facilities with vault toilets but no running water. Campers must pack in all water or filter from the river. Permits are required for all sites and cost approximately $13. Gates at the Cole Mill parking area close at 7:30pm and reopen at 7:00am, providing additional security for tent campers. The pack-in requirement naturally limits the number of campers at these walk-in tent sites.

The camping experience at these locations emphasizes natural surroundings over amenities. Tent sites along the Eno River offer peaceful settings where campers can hear rapids at night. Spacing between sites varies, with some offering more privacy than others. Most primitive tent campgrounds in the area have fire pits, but campers should verify fire regulations before arrival. MST Section 23 Falls Lake Camping provides free tent sites but requires hikers to follow specific Leave No Trace guidelines. As noted in feedback on The Dyrt, "The sites are always clean. The primitive sites are spaced far enough apart that it truly feels like solitude." Fall and spring months typically offer the most comfortable tent camping weather, with summer bringing higher humidity and winter requiring proper cold-weather gear.

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Best Tent Sites Near South Boston, Virginia (5)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near South Boston, VA

12 Photos of 5 South Boston Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near South Boston, VA

332 Reviews of 5 South Boston Campgrounds

  • Katy S.
    Aug. 4, 2020

    MST Section 23 Falls Lake Camping

    A great spot for MST hikers

    This is a hidden gem for a MST hiker. The campground is located on a private land, has a shelter, a fire pit, and a number of tent sites. It's a hike in only campground, located approximately 1 mile from the roadside parking on Red Mill Road, Durham NC. 

    The information can be found here:

    There is an authorized camping area available on private property in this section of the Falls Lake Trail(between Red Mill Road and Old Oxford Road). Follow the blue-blazed trail off the MST approximately 1 mile west of Red Mill Road. NOTE: This campsite is on private property. It is a HUGE PRIVILEGE to be allowed to camp at this location. Vandalism, neglect or any trash left at this campsite could result in closing of this campsite by the landowner. No water or toilet facilities are provided. There are seven established campsite pads for 2-person tents. Campsite rules:(1) Practice Leave No Trace ethics.(2) Do NOT leave any trash. Pack it in= Pack it out.(3) There is a 2-night maximum stay.(4) Do NOT explore past a 75 yard radius of the Shelter.(5) NO FIRES except in the established fire pit.

  • k
    Aug. 2, 2022

    Lake Gaston Americamps

    Clean, friendly

    Went tent camping here. Employees are friendly and they have a small shop on site. Bathrooms were clean but had to drive to them from the tent sites. Luckily they have a set of porta potties closer to the sites for easy use. The tent only sites are on the water so the view is pretty, but not private. The picnic tables and fire rings are at the bottom of hill so when it rained, water ran down the hill and it became very muddy where we eat. My kids were able to play in the water and we could fish right from our site which was the best part. Another plus is they pick up trash right from your site.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2020

    Staunton River State Park Campground

    State Park Campground with Trails for Hikers, Bikers, and Horses

    The campground at Staunton River State Park has lots of shade, water and electrical hookups, level sites, are not on top of each other, and… gravel sites. I understand the reason for gravel sites, but it is NOT good for tent campers, especially for campers that do not have freestanding tents. The first two attempts at driving tent stakes in resulted in bent stakes. Even though I said the sites are not on top of each other, they are still close enough that you do not get much privacy. The noise from other campers was fairly loud. Two units(e.g., camper+ tent) are allowed, but there is little room for anything, especially since campers are supposed to keep everything within the boundaries of the“timbers.” We got one of the largest sites, and it still was crowded. There was a fire ring with a grate, a picnic table, and two lantern poles, but again, everything was tight. Fitting two vehicles within the limits was nearly impossible. I know we weren’t supposed to set anything up outside the boundaries(please forgive us), but we set up our dining canopy and hammocks outside of the timbers. Despite the campsite limits, I still think this campground and the state park were great. There were many miles of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. We rode our bikes along a couple of the trails, but we had to steer around horse poop(not always successfully). The trail itself was scenic at times when we rode by the river, and it was not too difficult. There are enough“bumps” for bikers to get their heartbeats jumping, but the trails are easy and moderate. Kayaking and fishing seemed to be two of the more popular activities. There is a boat ramp, and beside the boat ramp, there were several people fishing. Many kayakers came and went as we put our kayaks into the water. The one thing kayakers have to be aware of is the presence of speed boats. We got hit by passing boaters several times. Other activities at this campground/state park are disc golf, playing on the playground, tennis, and swimming. Unfortunately, the swimming area is closed for 2020 because of the pandemic. However, several people were swimming at the boat landing. When it is open, the swimming pool area is exceptional for a state park. There is a water slide and a really nice swimming complex. Staunton River State Park is also designated as an“International Dark Sky Park.” Unfortunately, we did not take advantage of that. After biking and kayaking all day and camp cooking during the evening, we were exhausted. There is no shortage of things to do, and I wish I could have stayed at least a couple more days. Overall, the park is a fairly nice place, but if you take a tent, make sure it is a freestanding tent.

  • KB H.
    Jun. 7, 2021

    Eno River State Park Campground

    Perfect weekend getaway!

    This was my first time ever visiting Eno River State Park. My partner and I camped at Fanny’s Ford at one of the primitive sites. The sites are well spaced but not a lot of privacy. We didn’t mind and everyone was cordial. On Friday there were a few logs left for campers at the entrance to the sites, which we appreciated given the recent rain. The proximity to the water is amazing and you can hear the nearby rapids at night. Recommendations: bring in your own water, or at least your own containers to fill up at the picnic area parking lot, bring a sleeping pad (the gravel on each site is unforgiving), don’t be afraid to contact the park rangers if you need something (folks were camping without permits in our reserved space and the rangers helped sort everything out)

    Big tip: instead of following the ~1 mile trail to the sites, park at the canoe access and walk down to Fews Ford, cross the river via the Ford and continue right until you see a fannys Ford camping sign on your left. It will make your trek SO MUCH easier!

  • sandy B.
    Sep. 29, 2021

    North Bend Park

    Location Location Location

    Great inexpensive State park right on the Kerr Lake reservoir. Large gravel pads with fire ring, picnic table and on our site a beach where we could swim and launch our kayaks from. We are tent camping. Other sites for tents, and RV’s have electric. Easy online reservation.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 24, 2022

    Paradise Lake Family Campground

    Low Water Pressure & WIFI Out of Order

    PRO 

    Good Sam Club discount saved $10.60 

    Reserved 138 days prior to arrival 

    Very friendly check-in staff 

    Entrances exit gates controlled with key card given to registered campers with return box at the gate 

    Shady site 

    Gravel site surrounded by grass with a concrete patio 

    Moveable wooden picnic table 

    Concrete pavers with metal wheel rim insert for the campsite fire ring 

    Clean toilet/shower building 

    Mostly quiet except for road noise and distant train whistles 

    2 laundry facilities;$3 wash and$2.75 dry 

    Lake and a pool! 

    Appomattox Court House National Historical Park 10 miles from Park

    CONS 

    Horribly low water pressure. Staff reported park has only well water not city provided water so only 35 psi.  We removed all our water filters to get slightly better pressure 

    Park WiFi out of order to be repaired in June according to staff 

    Site unlevel side-to-side 

    Pull-thru site too short to leave tow vehicle hitched 

    One of the laundry buildings locked the entire 2 days we were here 

    Most sites occupied by seasonal campers so many not at their sites during the week 

    No privacy from neighbor sites 

    Absolutely no TV reception 

    2 bars Verizon

  • M. B.
    Oct. 2, 2021

    Kimball Point Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    Beautiful lake but tight tent sites

    Tent sites are a bit confusing as some share the same car access but split into two lower.

    Some of the lots are marked as tent OR RV which I guess they are but we would probably not boondock here again as it isn't flat but the RV sites look amazing.

    Bathrooms: 5/5 clean & air-conditioning in all of them.

    Sites: 3/5 just average/fine

    Pools: 0/5 no pool

    Beach: 3/5 private beach but not upkept. Loads of rock/Carolina clay/trash sea grass

    Waterfrontness: 5/5 weird water but pretty to look at

    Closeness to other sites: 1/5 you are up each other's buttcracks

    Dog rating: 4/5 no problem but also SO dog friendly we had to be very mindful of others not having their dogs on leash.

  • Kelley E.
    Apr. 5, 2020

    Eno River State Park Campground

    Beautiful, Spread-out campsites

    Eno River State Park has amazing backpack in camping that is well worth the beautiful walk through the woods. The last trip here was so wonderful that we extended it by two nights! 

    I’ve camped here numerous times, at different sites each time and have not had a bad experience yet. The hike to get to the campsites winds around the river and across bridges. The actual hikes do not gain much elevation so while it’s not as easy as walking on pavement, it does not take an advanced hiker to reach the remote camp sites. Each campsites I’ve stay at has been fairly spread out from other sites, while you’ll be able to see and hear others these are not uncomfortably close sites. 

    There’s plenty to explore, so its definitely worth staying for multiple nights. It’s on the Mountain to Sea Trail so a lot of campers around us were through hikers and only stayed one night, but we spent four here and it was four of the most peaceful and relaxing days I can remember. All the sites I’ve stay at have had fire pit rings and tent pads. There’s never been a picnic table, just a rustic wood bench, so I recommend a camp chair or my personal favorite- a tree hammock as there are plenty of places to hang on. 

    With rivers running through  the whole park, we packed minimal water and used a life straw. The rivers here are very clean and didn't not give us any second thoughts to drink it. The cool, delicious water is better than anything bottled :) 

    I've gone in both September and April and the weather was perfect both months, cool at night and around 70 during the day. 

    This is hands down, one of my favorite State Parks to camp at in both North and South Carolina.

  • Martin T.
    Jun. 20, 2024

    Occoneechee State Park Campground

    Very Nice Lakefront Camping

    Spent 4 nights here (during a heat wave, no less) and really enjoyed it. Campsites are large and not right on top of each other, and especially if you can book one of the campsites that are on the water, they really do have beautiful views (see pictures).

    Pros: 

    Kid-friendly. We spent an afternoon at the splash pad, which is a great way to cool off in the summer and free once you're in the park. I never felt unsafe with my kids running around up to the bath-house or the loop, felt very secluded and safe.

    Lake is scenic, we saw fireflies at dusk, it was a great setting for a camping trip.

    Everything seems pretty well-maintained. Bathrooms are aging but were cleaned at least once a day, it was fine. There is firewood at every bathhouse you can take on the honor system and pay for via cashbox, which is nice. Campsites are clean and well-maintained.

    Lots of lake recreation options (boat rental, fishing, etc.) in or near the park. 

    Cons:

    Maybe it was just our campsite, which backed up to a large wooded area, but they were the most aggressive squirrels I've ever come across. If we went to the bathroom for five minutes and left food on the table, the squirrels would be there eating it when we came back. And would hover at the edge of the campsite or get into the car if the hatchback was open.

    Camp store is....fine, pretty minimal in terms of provisions. But not a big deal because Clarksville is five minutes or so away and has plenty of stores.

    Tents pads are all gravel. Didn't bother us but definitely would not want to tent camp here if you didn't have a good high-quality sleeping pad.

    The biggest con was that there is no swimming area/beach in the park. You can try to wade in from the campsite but that generally requires scaling up/down some fairly treacherous rocks, and navigating driftwood and rocks in the water. We drove a few minutes away outside the park to find one, but would be really nice to have some kind of little swimming area inside the park, very strange to me they don't have one.

    But all in all a lovely place for a camping trip, we all had a great time.

Guide to South Boston

Tent camping opportunities near South Boston, Virginia often involve primitive sites within driving distance. Eno River State Park's elevation ranges from 490 to 750 feet above sea level, providing campers with moderate hiking terrain and river access throughout different seasons. Temperatures average 70-90°F in summer and 30-50°F in winter, requiring appropriate seasonal gear.

What to do

River activities: At Eno River State Park Campground, campers can enjoy swimming and cliff jumping during warmer months. "Great quarry for easy cliff jumping and swimming in the summertime," notes Daniel P. The park's varied terrain offers water-based recreation beyond just hiking.

Hiking exploration: Multiple trail systems accommodate different skill levels around the South Boston region. "We hike and swim Eno nearly weekly and are so thankful this resource is so close to us," shares Sarah W. Trails range from easy riverside paths to moderate inclines, with distances from 1-4 miles common throughout the area.

Wildlife observation: Camping areas provide opportunities to spot local fauna. "The hike to the grounds was by far the best part. A beautiful walk along Eno river with lots of animals along the way (including deer)," reports Sydney S. Dawn and dusk offer the best wildlife viewing times.

What campers like

Secluded atmosphere: The walk-in requirement for many tent sites creates natural separation between campers. "The primitive sites are spaces far enough apart that it truly feels like solitude," according to Sarah W. This separation provides a more immersive natural experience for tent campers.

Riverside locations: Sites positioned near water receive consistently positive feedback from tent campers. "If you can camp close to the river, I recommend, it's great to fall asleep to the sounds of the river," advises Samantha P. at RTP Lakefront Campsite. Waterfront sites tend to book faster than others.

Educational opportunities: Some camping areas offer learning components alongside natural experiences. "We loved the educational experiences at this park. Very knowledgeable and clean," notes Elizabeth V. Programs may include ranger talks, interpretive trails, or informational displays.

What you should know

Campsite surfaces: Not all tent pads provide optimal comfort. "The campground had a gravel base and picnic table with fire pit. The gravel was very painful to sleep on," mentions Sydney S. Bringing appropriate sleeping pads is essential for comfort at these primitive sites.

Reservation processes: Some campgrounds have non-standard booking requirements. At Lake Michie Recreation Area, "It's quite difficult to reserve sites here as you have to call the county to get a permit," explains Jeff K. Contact information and lead times vary by location.

Pack-in necessities: Most primitive tent sites require bringing all supplies. "Packing everything in and out was fun but there was no running drinking water at the site," notes Sydney S. Water sources are limited, and campers should plan to carry 1-2 gallons per person per day.

Tips for camping with families

Trail difficulty assessment: When tent camping with children near South Boston, consider hiking distances carefully. "Piper Creek is our favorite. Flat and easy 1.2 mile hike in along the river," recommends Sarah W. For families with young children, sites under 1 mile from parking areas are most manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near South Boston, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near South Boston, VA is Eno River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 21 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near South Boston, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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