Camping in Southwest Virginia

Outdoor enthusiasts will find ample parks, trails, and places to camp in Virginia’s southwestern region.

It is easy to find places for camping in southwest Virginia on a national and state park level. Southwest Virginia offers a variety of campsites, accommodating both the adventurous backpacker and the drive-in camper.

National Parks

The well-known Appalachian Trail crosses through the Mt. Rogers region of the southwest portion of Virginia. The Appalachian Trail is a 2,200-mile trail stretching from Maine to Georgia.

One fourth of the trail lies in Virginia.

Mt. Rogers is the tallest mountain in Virginia, reaching 5,729 feet. The top of the mountain offers a magnificent view of highland meadows and the surrounding country.

This portion of the trail is ideal for backpackers looking for solitude. Because of the challenging climbs and changes in elevation, this section of the trail attracts fewer visitors than the flatter, more popular areas.

Backpackers can camp along the trail. They must bring their own provisions.

Campers looking for a more luxurious stay at Mt. Rogers may choose to camp at the Mt. Rogers Beartree Campground, complete with 39 standard, drive in campsites.

None of these campsites have water or electric hookups, but restrooms and clean drinking water are both available to campers, as is the 14-acre lake for fishing or swimming.

The Grindstone campground is located in the Mt. Rogers recreation area. This campground has 100 sites, 37 of which have hookups.

The Grindstone campground has both restrooms and a swimming pool.

RV Campers will enjoy the Racoon Branch camping area. This campground has eight sites with 15 amp electric service. The campground is adjacent to a stream and several trails.

State Parks

Several state parks in the southwest region of Virginia offer campgrounds.

Natural Tunnel State Park’s main attraction is an 850-foot tunnel carved through a limestone ridge over what is speculated to be several thousand years.
Visitors to the park can enjoy cave tours and any of the park’s seven hiking trails.

The Natural Tunnel State Park has two campgrounds.

The Cove View Campground has 16 electric and water hookups. The Lover’s Leap Campground has 18 electric and water hookups.

Both sites permit two vehicles per site. Each site is equipped with a fire ring, a grill, and a picnic table.

Campers looking for a more primitive experience may enjoy Wilderness Road State Park.

This park features Martin’s Station, a reconstructed museum depicting life on the Virginia frontier in 1775.

The park’s Wilderness Trail connects to the 50 miles of trails in the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

The park can accommodate up to 50 campers at a time. Campers must bring their own drinking water. There are portable toilets, but no showers.