Best Tent Camping near Austinville, VA

Campground Review:

Located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area of SW Virginia, the Gindstone Campground is tucked away midway up the mountain.

Grindstone Campground consists of three site loops, named Opossum, Raccoon and Groundhog...100 sites in all. Being early spring, the campground officially just opened and we were one of four campers in the entire campground. Gotta love shoulder season midweek!

We chose site 92, a tent specific site with no electric or water. The tent pad was level and is constructed of finer gravel/crushed limestone, so ground cloths or tent footprints are a must. The site was spacious and most of it was the finer gravel so no mud was present even with the persistent rains. The fire pit was about 20 feet from the tent pad, which I appreciate...blowing embers are always a concern. Picnic tables are made from thick lumber and stationary...but level. One metal pole, is cemented between the fire pit and picnic table (with double sided hooks, convenient for hanging a trash bag or lantern).

All the bath houses are centrally located in each loop and consist of one shower, a sink and flush toilet. They are clean and functional. Water spigots are also centrally located in the tent specific loop (the other two loops have water spigots and electrical at each site).

The campground has a day use parking (fee required), which I was informed that hikers use it to summit of Mount Rogers and parts of the AT.

Numerous mountain springs meander down through the campground and adjoining trails, so water is available while hiking with a filter.

Our site was perfect and secluded in early spring, during the week...but might be a bit noisy during season as the sand volleyball court was located a hundred feet up the slope...along with a basketball hoop and small playground for the kids. There is also a man-made wading reservoir area from Whispering Waters (a larger mountain stream). The Whispering Waters trail is a pleasant 1 mile trail on the mountainside that crosses over the stream several times via wooden foot bridges. The trail is clearly marked and numerous markers exist along the trail, ending at the top of the ampitheater. The white noise of the gurgling brook drowned out all other noise.

The Mount Rogers trail is 7 miles to the summit, with switchbacks the entire length. Two and a half miles from the campground road, the trail intersects with the AT for the remainder to the summit (5,729 ft elevation). The trail is easy to follow but did have a bit of deadfall to climb over and around. If you decide to summit Mount Rogers plan on at least 8 hours roundtrip. Most take at least two days, staying at either one of the campsite or shelter areas. The winds were very strong during our stay, with powerful gusts. Being late April/early May at elevation, the leaves had not yet popped but tree tops still swayed crazily dropping branches small and large (firewood gathering was plentiful). Rain constantly moved in and out.

Campground hosts (one couple for each loop) were very friendly and informative...working nonstop to make the campground clean.

A larger stream, located across the roadway from the campground, looked to afford some good trout fishing, along with great falling cascade photo ops.

Product Review

As a review Ranger for TheDyrt, I am honored occasionally to test and evaluate products. At this campground, I tested the [Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe](http://Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe) sleeping pad.

For the past year I have been searching for a more comfortable inflatable pad for backpacking/paddling/car camping. So when the opportunity presented itself to test the Klymit Inuslated Static V Luxe sleeping pad I didn't hesitate, as it was high on my list.

I am of average height and weight (6/185), but deal with a permanent severe low back injury...so comfort is imperative. Klymit website claims of 3" thick and 30" wide, along with the comfort of side sleeping attracted my interest.

Upon arrival, I inflated and measured the pad against the website specs...right on the money 76"x30"x3." It took me 20 deep puffs to inflate the pad for the first time, which was in line to the website's claim of 20-30.

In truth, I have now used the Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe in 9 states, at 14 campgrounds for the past 50 days. Temperatures range from mid 20's to mid 80's, from dry cold conditions to steamy hot conditions. I possess no scientific way to gauge the 4.4 insulating R factor, but I can tell you that I slept directly on the bare pad in the mid 20's with my down bag unzipped and draped over me like a quilt...and I was cozy.

In the fine art of inflatable pad pressure, I preferred my pad at 19 deep puffs. Obviously, it is infinitesimally adjustable. With 2 valves, your tentmate can assist you with inflation, under duress or persuasion. Those two valves also make quick work of deflation. Quick one minute video on deflating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RBBzNvUw98&authuser=0

Klymit's claim is accurate...I slept comfortably on either side...on my back...and miraculously, on my stomach (not one of their claims). The 30 inch width permits tossing and turning without disturbing your tentmate. The Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe was so highly coveted, to keep family peace, I purchased two more. Keep this 30 inch width in mind, because I did not. Consider your tent dimensions...I did not. Fortunately, my 3 person tent is 60 inches wide and two Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe pads take up every inch of real estate in our tent, rendering it a 2 person tent very quickly.

The "V" chambers do several things. They do limit air movement internally which adds support and comfort. They also permit some airflow in the space between the "V's" so I never got sweaty nor stuck to my pad while sleeping in direct contact with it. I also found benefit with my heels resting deep between the air baffles, which took the stress off my knees.

The fabric is 75D polyester which I found soft against my skin, and had just enough profile to prevent me from sliding off the pad when we pitched on angled terrain. I also believe the Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe material was quieter than competitors pads, not having that "crinkly paper" sound or feel.

Deflation is rapid. Less than a minute to deflate and roll it up. It easily slides back into its stuff sack, which has a bonus pocket with a provided patch kit. I estimate the stuff size like that of a football and at 2.1 lbs. plenty light enough for me. I am no Ultra Light hiker, but if I was...I still wouldn't skimp on my sleeping pad. I'm looking forward to many years of comfort and service from our Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe sleeping pads!

My only wish, that it would inflate itself...which exposes my inherent laziness. Other than that, it is a coveted addition to my equipment.

Hungry Mother State Park, just a short drive off I-81 in southwestern Virginia, is an easily accessible gem offering modern cabins, yurts, and campgrounds equipped for tents or RVs, with limitless activities.

We stayed in one of the cabins after Hurricane Michael rained out our plans for tent camping. This was our first time in one of the VSP cabins, and will not be our last. There are three types of cabins; log exteriors, part of the original Civilian Conservation Corps structures; wooden frame cabins with wooden interiors, and cinderblock exteriors with tile floors. Cabins range from economy to three bedroom, and all have a kitchen with microwave, stove, and refrigerator/freezer, a bathroom with a shower, and a fireplace, as well as heating and air conditioning. Most cabins also have covered porches, exterior picnic tables, and exterior fire rings.

The Creekside Campground loop has water and electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. The layout is similar to most water/electric sites in state and national parks in Virginia; not much privacy between the sites, but fairly shaded, and a quiet atmosphere. This loop is true to its name, and right on the creek running through the park. We were there during the rains from Hurricane Michael and the creek was running so high that sites 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, and 19 looked like they were in danger of flooding.

The Royal Oak campground has platforms for tents set into the mountain rather than dirt or gravel tent pads, however as there are hooks in each of the pads to anchor your tent they can only accommodate tents with a 20x20 footprint. These sites have picnic tables and fire rings on the dirt beside the platforms. The two VSP Yurts at Hungry Mother are in the Royal Oak loop, along the entrance that are set up from the road. This loop overall offers a lot more privacy for each site that I have typically seen in state parks due to the platforms, though you will still see/hear your neighbors. Both camping loops have bathrooms with electricity, flush toilets, and showers with warm water.

Amenities in the park include a lake with a swimming area, boat/canoe rentals, fishing (with license), a restaurant, hiking, biking, and ranger programs. The park office also has several cool displays of local wildlife and history of the area, as well as backpacks you can check out with books and gear for tree, wildflower, and animal identification. Hiking varies from short and easy trails with minimal elevation gain, to the difficult Molly’s Knob trail with one of the most epic sunset views I’ve ever hiked in Virginia.

I love Virginia State Parks, and this is definitely a new favorite. I’m skeptical of the comfort of the wooden platforms for future tent camping trips, but the cabins will definitely be a future stay for us, particularly during the winter months, and there is so much to do in this park even the most reluctant adventurer will find fun.

**Product Review **

As as Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time — on this trip I tested the RōM pack, from RōM Outdoors.

I was skeptical about this pack when I first received it—it felt extremely heavy for a day pack, particularly as it doesn’t have a hip belt, and while I was impressed with the removable pockets, it didn’t seem like the pack itself had a lot of cargo capacity.

After using this pack on our trip, I am a convert. We used it to pack clothes for my husband and I, knowing we would be able to leave our clothes at camp when we went hiking. This freed up space in the car that would normally go to a larger backpack, and we got to take advantage of the pack’s ability to convert to both a poncho and a blanket, not just for review purposes, but out of necessity.

The poncho’s rain resistance held up well, considering we were hiking in the outer bands of a hurricane. The first hike we took this on we started in the rain, and my husband wore the poncho—he stayed dry for the first half mile of our hike, but by end of our mile the water had started leaking through so he did get a little wet—though mostly around the the seams/openings. On our second hike he wore it as a backpack. Because it was raining when we set out and we anticipated needing the poncho feature again, we elected not to bring the detachable pockets, but the interior of the pack was enough to hold our 5 year old’s day pack once she got tired of carrying it.

It stopped raining by the time we got to the summit of our hike, and we tested the blanket feature of the pack for a picnic. It unfolds to a size that was perfect for our family of four. The canvas is thick enough to make a great picnic blanket—it protects from damp ground and sharp rocks, and the lining makes for a very soft surface to sit on. On the way back I took advantage of the poncho. By this point it had gotten extremely windy and was getting dark quickly, and the poncho was excellent at keeping me warm. It’s very heavy, which was welcome in the strong wind, though it did make it hard to hear with the hood over my ears.

Pros to this pack:

-Versatility. In one trip we used the backpack, poncho, and blanket feature, and were grateful for all three.

-Durability. This is definitely a well-constructed pack, with heavy materials that seem like they will last for a long time.

-User-friendly. The pack looks intimidating at first, but it unfolds/folds from pack to poncho/blanket very easily. Combined with the drawstring inner pack and detachable pockets it’s easy to convert while still keeping track of your gear.

Cons to this pack:

-Space. This is great to bring on a camping trip where you can bring additional packs/bags for your gear, but it doesn’t hold much on its own.

-Weight. It only weighs in at 4.6lbs, which is less than a lot of backpacking packs, but as the pack doesn’t have the hip belt it’s a high starting weight.

-Thin straps. The width of the straps is comfortable, but they could use a little more padding.

At the intersection of the North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state lines, sits this national forest which offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Bear Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant.  The Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail are just minutes away, as well as some easy whitewater paddling fun on the White Top Laurel Creek.

Most of campsites are large, very shaded, along a beautiful treelined road, and surrounded by mountains. There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we often spend about 20-30 minutes cleaning these sites upon arrival. Please Leave No Trace! 

Our site had a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease. We stayed at this camp for 3 weeks during the pandemic shutdown and it was a perfect place to ride out this crazy storm and decompress from some anxiety. 

The closest town is Damascus, VA, about 12 miles away. The town is small, but draws thousands of tourists each year who are either hiking the Appalachian Trail or cycling the famous Virginia Creeper bike path. It is equipped with a decent sized grocery store, gas, and couple of restaurants, and a cute downtown area. There is absolutely no cell service at this camp, you have to go into town or hike a local mountain to get service up high.

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.

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)

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.

This site should not be confused with any other sites in area by similar name. You have to make a reservation with the park office for your site and drop by the ranger station to pick up your permit. The sites have NO vehicle access at all, you have to hike a mile into the campsite. The hike in is excellent, as it follows the river along the way.

There is NO clean water source, you have to bring a filter system with you. There are no picnic tables but each site does have wood logs as seats. There are fire pits and food storage lockers on site. 

The site is surrounded by excellent hiking trails and is a great place to set as "base camp" for day hikes.