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Best Tent Camping near Stanley, VA

921 Reviews

The George Washington National Forest surrounding Stanley, Virginia offers several tent-only camping options, including Emerald Pond Primitive Campground and Veach Gap Backpacking Site. Little Fort Campground, located about 20 miles north of Stanley, provides free dispersed tent camping with basic amenities. South Fork Shenandoah River sites offer riverside primitive tent camping with dirt surfaces ideal for staking tents. These public lands provide backcountry tent camping experiences ranging from walk-in sites to more remote hike-in locations, with most requiring minimal preparation.

Most tent campsites in the Stanley area feature dirt or gravel surfaces with minimal site preparation. Little Fort Campground offers designated tent pads, though some campers report the surface can be too hard for tent stakes. Vault toilets are available at several locations, but potable water is scarce. Campers should pack in all necessary water or bring filtration systems for natural sources. Bear activity is common throughout the region, particularly at Switzer Lake and South Fork Shenandoah River sites, requiring proper food storage. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most primitive tent camping locations, with reception improving only when returning to main roads.

Walk-in tent sites at Emerald Pond provide a good introduction to backcountry tent camping. According to one visitor, "Once you get to the pond, there are several cleared spots to put up a tent. One of the spots could hold about 4 tents, great for friends going out together." At Veach Gap, campers report a challenging but rewarding 4-mile hike to reach tent sites with "breathtaking views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains." Little Fort Campground offers a simpler experience, where campers select sites by flipping a washer on a board from green to red. The tent-only areas throughout the region provide varying levels of seclusion, with fall and spring typically offering the most comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds.

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Best Tent Sites Near Stanley, Virginia (30)

    1. #1 Rock Tavern River Kamp

    4 Reviews
    Luray, VA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 843-4232

    $45 - $225 / night

    "We are located on the Shenandoah River! Our waterfront unique kamp offers yurts and tent sites along with a well maintained bathhouse! Of course I feel we are 5 stars!"

    "River access, hiking near by and if you forget something town is 8 minutes away."

    2. Emerald Pond Primitive Campground

    2 Reviews
    New Market, VA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 265-5100

    "If you would rather not hike it, there is a Forest Access road, but I'm not sure how often it is open and if permits are needed to drive on it. "

    "We didn’t see a ton of trash- but the trash we saw would fit into one plastic grocery bag and it was in the fire pits. I agree that it’s the locals hanging out here, that’s been confirmed."

    3. Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Shenandoah National Park, VA
    8 miles
    Website

    "It’s a decently private spot with the trail close by, bugs weren’t bad only gripe was bears were constantly checking out our tent during night, we had one beef stick (trash thrown in our hang bag of course"

    "This campsite is another one we found on a list provided by Shenandoah’s park rangers and was listed as moderate hike and easy camping."

    4. Hazeltop Summit Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Syria, CT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    "Found this spot from a recommended list provided by Shenandoah park rangers, and I’m glad we choose this one."

    5. Crisman Hollow Road Camp

    1 Review
    Mount Jackson, VA
    9 miles

    "There was one really nice hiking trail by the bridge. Cons: Some roads were closed. Some spots were full of trash."

    6. Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm

    6 Reviews
    Singers Glen, VA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 560-4847

    $25 - $30 / night

    "If you are tent camping or have a camper van the area is fine. Large RV will have a difficult time setting up in the camp area.  The camp area is quiet and there is plenty of firewood for use."

    "We're excited to welcome this property to the platform. Camp out under a canopy of Red Cedar Trees and make yourself comfortable. Free firewood! Give this place a go and leave your review here."

    7. South Fork Shenandoah River

    2 Reviews
    Rileyville, VA
    15 miles

    "Not too many spaces so it can fill up quick. There is a launch in the middle, so there is a bit of come and go."

    8. Little Fort Campground

    6 Reviews
    Woodstock, VA
    20 miles

    "The campsites have a fire ring, a picnic table, and a flat area to pitch a tent. They have parking spots next to them. There are permanent structure Vault toilets/ out houses."

    "There are 9 campsites, each with at least one fire ring, a tent pad and a picnic table, and there is a vault toilet in the middle."

    9. Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap OHV System

    1 Review
    Woodstock, VA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 984-4101

    "Great place to camp at if your car can handle it, if you like to offroad this place is for you or if you like hiking this is also for you"

    10. Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site

    2 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    23 miles
    Website

    "I've both day hiked this and backpacked here several times."

    "Breathtaking views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains. Very much worth the 4 mile hike up to the site. 1,200ft elevation difference from the trailhead to the site."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Stanley, VA

45 Photos of 30 Stanley Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Stanley, VA

921 Reviews of 30 Stanley Campgrounds

  • RL
    Apr. 13, 2021

    Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    Great views, primitive camping

    We hiked the one mile into the campground and stayed for a night. It was a pretty flat walk from the overnight parking area to the campground. In the campground there is one bathroom facility with two vault toilets (although one of the doors was locked while we were there, which was unpleasant with a full campground). No running water or showers in the bathhouses. Non-potable water pump is near the restroom. Boil water at least three minutes before consuming. There are two areas with firewood (purchase when you check in or pay $6 cash at the kiosk - honor system). Each site has a bear box, fire ring, picnic table, tent pad with pea gravel, and a lantern pole. Definitely will be back!

    The park has wide open rolling hills and mountain views. Lots of families picnicking and flying kites 🪁💙

  • Nick C.
    Jul. 25, 2022

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Centralized spot in Shenandoah - hot showers!

    I stayed in the tent only / non generator sites which is definitely the way to go. My site was actually a walk in. So I had to park and lug my gear up some steps about 200 feet. The site was shaded with a nice spot for a hammock. Including a fire ring and grill grate, picnic table and a bear box. You are close to the road, so you get noise and headlights in your tent sometimes. Deer and skunk walk through camp all the time. Heard some owls at night. Whooooooo

  • Corey B.
    Jun. 15, 2018

    Little Fort Campground

    Great Stay

    Small and simple campground with a handle full of sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Sites are semi secluded from each other. Some sites have direct access to the Peter's Mill Run OHV complex. Vault toilet for all sites to share. No water, no electricity. Have to pack trash out. Sites were first come first serve. Free to camp.

    We camped so we could spend two days on the OHV Trails with the Jeep. Had an incredible time. We'll be back.

  • Mary S.
    Oct. 12, 2018

    Loft Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Camping in the national park is the best!

    Loft Mountain was the third stop on our tour of Shenandoah National Park. First stop traveling south on Skyline Drive was Mathews Arm and second was Big Meadows at about the halfway point. Loft Mountain is at about the 3/4 mark. These parks are well spaced for viewing and hiking in between each campground.

    I'm a big fan of campgrounds in national parks. Why do I like this one? Pretty much the same reasons as I liked the other Shenandoah campgrounds:

    • All the basic needs are available in a scenic setting.

    • Generator-free sections (because I hate noisy generators)

    • About 75% of the sites are first-come, first-served sites so you should always be able to find a site if you arrive early.

    • The $15 price is a bargain and our Lifetime Senior Pass cuts the fee in half.

    • Hiking: There's a lot to keep you busy in the entire national park, but rainy, foggy weather kept us from exploring as much as we'd like. We'll be back!

    Things to Know About the Sites

    • Some sites have food storage boxes. Use them as an alternative to keeping food locked in your vehicle.

    • Walk-to tent sites: It's not a long walk to your site from a designated parking spot.

    • I was surprised to see that most sites (other than walk-to tent sites) have long, pull through parking pads, and most have a grass buffer (and possibly a few trees) separating the site from the road. These asphalt pads can accommodate RVs of all sizes and have a spacious area behind the pull through with a picnic table, fire ring and room for a tent. Great sites!

    • Generator-free sites in loop F and part of G are reservable sites. If you want one of these sites, I recommend a reservation. See the site map photo.

    Amenities

    • Restrooms with a utility sink outside some of them

    • Potable water and trash/recycling stations are spread throughout the park. These are all shown on the site map photo.

    • Camp store with ice, wood and limited food choices is a short walk from the campground entrance.

    • Showers: $1.75 for 5.25 minutes. These are located in a restroom near the campstore and look new. There is a handicapped accessible shower/bathroom combination.

    • Laundry facility near the camp store

  • Terri S.
    Sep. 23, 2019

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Beautiful , well maintained

    Big Meadows Campground was wonderful. Facilities were clean and well maintained. Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife. Fire ring with grate was available. Large site size. We had site 23. Highly recommend!

  • Carol B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2025

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Full campground, but a happy overnight

    I tent camped for one night at the start of Easter weekend. Lots and lots of folks about, but still enough space to NOT feel encroached upon. Level grass spot for a tent, fairly level paved parking area if car camping, picnic table, fire ring with grill grate. I was on the no generator loop, but in a non electric site (vs tent walk in type). Warm bathrooms, utility sinks in several, pay hot showers, lots of greenery. I will visit again! NO Verizon cell service at all!

  • Cindy D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2019

    Loft Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Shenandoah National Park

    We did not have a reservation and were lucky to get a site. It is a large campground with 200 sites for RV's & tent campers. The site we had was primitive, no water or electric, but had a picnic table, fire ring, & a bear box. Although the sites were close, they were situated to maximize privacy. The campgrounds had plenty of restrooms with flush toilets & sinks. The camp store has laundry facilities and showers that you must pay for, $1.75 for 5 minutes. The grounds and facilities are very clean. An added bonus, you can access the Appalachian Trail right from the campgrounds that provides amazing views

  • Lucas B.
    Jul. 2, 2017

    Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    Awesome foray into backpacking

    Came here for the first time in February 2017 to do a shakedown on some new backpacking and camping gear. Super friendly staff and easy check in process. Parking is in a locked lot steps away from trail head which leads to campsites about a mile away. Campsites are in a wooded area of park well away from other park attractions so it's very quiet. Sites are spaced far apart and come with tent pad, picnic table, fire pit and lantern pole. Non potable water is available via hand pump near rest rooms. Rest rooms are very nice and clean. No showers. This was one of my favorite camping experiences ever and I will definitely be back!

  • Elliott B.
    Jul. 11, 2017

    Dundo Group Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Very open group campground

    Very large and very open group campground situated on either side of the picnic area road back out. Each of the campsites provides plenty of tent space, a couple picnic tables, fire pit with grills, bear boxes, potable water, and a shared vault toilets in the middle of the sites and nearer to the picnic area and parking for up to five vehicles at each site. Firewood, ice, laundry, showers and camp store are available three miles north at the Loft Mountain Camp Store.

Guide to Stanley

Nestled in the heart of Virginia, Stanley offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to nature lovers seeking adventure and tranquility.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm, campers can enjoy electric hookups, drinking water, and a cozy atmosphere under cedar trees.
  • Shenandoah River Outfitters Camp Outback provides essential amenities like showers, toilets, and picnic tables, making it a convenient choice for families.
  • For those looking for a unique experience, #1 Rock Tavern River Kamp offers river access, fire pits, and well-maintained facilities, perfect for a relaxing getaway.

Local activities for tent campers

Tent campers should check out these features

  • Emerald Pond Primitive Campground is a hidden gem with a beautiful pond, ideal for swimming and relaxing after a day of hiking.
  • The South Fork Shenandoah River provides a peaceful setting with dirt campsites and fire pits, perfect for enjoying evenings by the water.
  • For those seeking a rustic experience, Little Crease Shelter offers a secluded spot with a fire ring and nearby water source, making it a great choice for backpackers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Stanley, VA is #1 Rock Tavern River Kamp with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 30 tent camping locations near Stanley, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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