The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping in Virginia

3,287 Reviews

Virginia's diverse landscapes provide varied tent camping experiences, from established state park campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. The Washington & Jefferson National Forest offers free dispersed tent camping with drive-in and walk-in options, while Sky Meadows State Park provides hike-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings year-round. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping remains popular among tent campers seeking free primitive sites with lakefront access.

Most tent campsites in Virginia state parks feature level tent pads, picnic tables, and nearby vault toilets. James River State Park campgrounds like Branch Pond and Canoe Landing offer tent-specific sites with fire rings and picnic tables, though permits are required. Dispersed tent camping in national forests generally lacks amenities - campers should bring all supplies including water, as most primitive areas have no potable water sources. High-clearance vehicles may be necessary to access certain tent camping areas, particularly at Switzer Lake where the access road can be rough from certain approaches.

Tent campgrounds throughout Virginia offer unique natural settings and varying levels of solitude. At Sky Meadows State Park, the backcountry tent sites are positioned on hills providing privacy even when the campground is full. The hike-in requirement (approximately one mile) helps maintain a more serene tent camping experience. Several campsites at Switzer Lake offer direct water access, with one visitor noting that "most vehicles should be fine coming in off of 33, but it is rough coming the other way with anything other than something that can scale rocks." James River State Park provides well-maintained tent sites with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, including deer, owls, and numerous bird species.

Map showing campgrounds in VirginiaExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites in Virginia (82)

    1. Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park

    27 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    Website

    $15 - $80 / night

    "Ranger led park programs are offered year round, this week included a natural history boat tour in the lake, and a naturalist talk on loons."

    "We stayed at site 11 in location 2 on the Lake James campgrounds; it’s a paddle-in-only location. Getting there required canoeing in, which was easy for us to do on the lake’s dock."

    2. Lake Anna State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Mineral, VA
    Website
    +1 (540) 854-5503

    "For being a state park, Lake Anna is one of the best I've been to. Although we only tent camped, I noticed a lot of things about the campground that would welcome RVs as well."

    "Good site with excellent drainage. Unfortunately, at the time we were here, the dump station was not working! Will go back!"

    3. False Cape State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Knotts Island, NC
    Website
    +1 (757) 426-7128

    $20 / night

    "We hiked in on the East Dike trail through Back Bay, about 5.4 miles, with everything for the weekend on our backs."

    "False Cape is a primitive campground that can only be accessed by walking or biking through the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge along the southern coast of Virginia."

    4. Walnut Grove — James River State Park

    11 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    Website
    +1 (434) 933-8061

    $15 - $18 / night

    "Lake James is a true gem, clean and beautiful, with amazing views of Linville Gorge, Shortoff Mountain, and Table Rock. The State Park has several camping areas."

    "This is a lovely little campground set on the shores of James Lake. Sites are big enough for 2 small tents or 1 largish family tent. All sites have a picnic table, fire pit with grate, and bear box."

    5. Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Paris, VA
    Website
    +1 (540) 592-3556

    "It was a pretty flat walk from the overnight parking area to the campground."

    "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."

    6. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Brandywine, WV
    Website

    "Duration of Stay: Oct 16-18, 2020 Average Daily Temp: 61 Average Evening Temp: 30 On Site Parking: ✅ Potable Water: 🚱 Restrooms: 🚫 Firewood: 🚫 Cell Service: 📵 4x4: ✅ Wildlife and Fishing: ✅ Amazing"

    "It was an established site with a fire ring. It had a large clearing with a pretty flat spot for my tent. I accessed the site on my motorcycle. You wouldn't get a car/truck to the site."

    7. Branch Pond — James River State Park

    9 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    Website

    $15 - $18 / night

    "Located in the middle of nowhere off of narrow Virginia secondary roads, we were surprised to get good Verizon reception. We stayed on site 15 which is a long pull-thru."

    "I've seen complaints about the tent pads holding water but since there are plenty of trees for hammocks, we did not use a tent."

    8. Willville Motorcycle Camp

    7 Reviews
    Woolwine, VA
    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."

    9. Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm

    7 Reviews
    Singers Glen, VA
    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."

    10. Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    7 Reviews
    Damascus, VA
    Website
    +1 (540) 265-5100

    "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."

    "Only downside was the spot I set up camp was very close to the road and headlights from passing cars would light up the spot. However the road was quiet most of the night."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 82 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Virginia Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos in Virginia

120 Photos of 82 Virginia Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews in Virginia

3287 Reviews of 82 Virginia 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 🪁💙

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 12, 2017

    Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park

    Lake James

    North Carolina certainly puts its state park system as a priority! I am very impressed. This park is beautifully maintained, has myriad opportunities for recreation, and is in a scenic setting along Lake James and the Catawba River at the base of the Blue Ridge mountains. The park is quite large, and has an extensive set of trails for mountain biking as well as hiking, and the National Intermountain Historic Hiking trail also runs through the park. Water recreation includes kayaking, canoeing and boating with rentals available right in the oark, fishing, including trout fishing on the Catawba and feeder streams to it, and just lying on their beautiful beach—yes, even in December! Ranger led park programs are offered year round, this week included a natural history boat tour in the lake, and a naturalist talk on loons. The park encompasses several peninsulas and bays on Lake James, we were at Paddy Creek where there are nice drive in tent sites, but there are also more secluded walk in or hike in tent site options. The drive-in tent campground has a year round campground host, a brand new shower house and nice bathrooms, plentiful water pumps, and each tent site has a picnic table, steel fire ring, tent pad, and a well built “Bear Box.” Yes, this is bear country! Your food needs to be locked away in a bear box or you will have visitors

  • 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!

  • liz J.
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Sandy Bottom Nature Park

    A great place to hike and camp if you can't get out of the area

    The park is centrally located with easy highway access.  Plentiful parking, lots of trails to choose from.  The staff was top notch and super kind and helpful.  They were very insistent about the "no alcohol" rule.    

    Sites are first come, first served.  Must reserve in person.  Visitor's center is open 9-6.  

    The sites were located about 1/4 mile from the parking lot down a trail.  They were spaced nicely apart and had nice sand tent platforms with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate.  Trash cans were very close by, which was super nice.  The bathrooms were flush toilets and running water faucets and located behind the parking lot, so a bit of a hike in the dark if you need to go.  Other than that, expect no amenities.  Bugs weren't terrible but were present.  Definitely bring bug spray.  

    The biggest negative was that no matter where you were in the park, there was significant noise from the highway.  Horns honking, sirens blaring, the general rush of cars going by.  There is no sound barrier between 64 and the park so every noise just filters right through the trees.  Not anyone's fault, but definitely a downside.  

    Overall when you consider the dirt cheap price of 10.60 per night, this campground delivers as advertised.

Guide to Virginia

Virginia offers a diverse range of tent camping experiences, from serene lakeside spots to secluded forest retreats, perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Local Activities for Tent Campers

  • Enjoy fishing and kayaking at the beautiful Breeden Bottom Campground, where sites are right along the river, providing easy access to water activities.
  • Explore the scenic trails and encounter wild ponies at Scales Trailhead Basecamp, a well-reviewed spot located near the Appalachian Trail.
  • Experience the thrill of tubing on the Shenandoah River while camping at Shenandoah River Outfitters Camp Outback, which is just a short walk from the river.

Unique Attractions Nearby

Tent Camping Prices in Virginia

  • Tent camping at Cavitts Creek Park starts at around $10 per night, offering a peaceful setting with beautiful lake views.
  • Rates at Willville Motorcycle Camp are approximately $20 per night, providing a welcoming atmosphere for motorcycle campers.
  • Enjoy a unique experience at Floating Heaven, where tent camping is available for around $30 per night, complete with charming hosts and scenic trails.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities should I expect at Virginia's tent campgrounds?

Virginia tent campgrounds offer a range of amenities depending on the location. At Sandy Bottom Nature Park, primitive sites include access to bathroom facilities, plenty of trails, and designated camping areas. For backpacking experiences, Sky Meadows State Park Campground provides vault toilets, a locked overnight parking area, and established sites in a wooded area. Many primitive campgrounds have basic facilities like pit toilets and fire rings, while lacking electricity or running water. Dispersed camping in national forests typically offers no amenities beyond what you bring yourself. Most developed state parks provide picnic tables, access to water sources, and restroom facilities, though exact amenities vary by park. Always check specific campground information before your trip to ensure it meets your needs.

What are the best tent camping locations in Virginia?

Virginia offers exceptional tent camping destinations for every preference. Breeden Bottom Campground provides peaceful, private riverside sites perfect for fishing enthusiasts, though without water or electricity. For backpackers seeking adventure, Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site offers a moderate 4-mile hike to scenic camping spots. Those who enjoy dispersed camping should explore Washington & Jefferson National Forest, where multiple sites along Bear Creek provide excellent access to hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling opportunities. For water lovers, James River State Park features canoe-in sites and beautiful riverside camping. Other notable options include False Cape State Park for coastal camping and Shenandoah National Park for mountain views. Virginia's diverse landscape ensures tent campers can find their ideal setting, whether seeking mountain vistas, riverside relaxation, or forest seclusion.

When is the best season for tent camping in Virginia?

The ideal tent camping season in Virginia is generally spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) when temperatures are moderate and humidity is lower. At Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites, the shoulder seasons offer comfortable temperatures and beautiful scenery without summer crowds. Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park is particularly stunning in fall when foliage colors peak. Summer camping (June-August) is popular but brings higher temperatures, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms, especially in lower elevations. Winter camping is possible but requires proper cold-weather gear and preparation. The mountains tend to be cooler year-round, making them more comfortable for summer camping, while coastal areas have milder winters. Always check weather forecasts and campground seasonal availability before planning your trip.

Do I need reservations for tent camping in Virginia state parks?

Reservation requirements vary across Virginia's state parks and campgrounds. For many state parks like James River State Park, reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons (summer weekends and holidays). At Leesylvania State Park Campground, reservations are typically required and can be made online or by phone. Some smaller parks and primitive areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis - for instance, at Sandy Bottom Nature Park, individual campsites cannot be reserved in advance and must be secured in person upon arrival. The reservation window for most Virginia state parks opens 11 months in advance. During off-peak seasons (late fall through early spring), finding walk-up sites is generally easier, but popular parks can still fill up on weekends. For the best camping experience, check specific park reservation policies and book well in advance when possible.

Keep Exploring