Primitive tenting in Virginia is all about discovering the suitable campsite. That excellent spot beside a babbling stream or looking onto an unforgettable view.
Whether or not you’re new to tenting or an professional backpacker, the huge Virginian wilderness has the proper primitive campsites for you!
Learn on for descriptions of what makes every web site price a go to and all of the sources it’s essential to plan your journey!
Newbie Journeys
1. James River State Park
Gladstone
An attractive, winding river by means of Buckingham County and rolling inexperienced hills make James River State Park the proper primitive tenting vacation spot in Virginia.
Throughout the park, you’ll discover over 10 primitive campsites all through three totally different campgrounds. However the Canoe Touchdown Campground undoubtedly has the very best spots.
Nestled into the timber by the river you’ll discover delicate, grassy lawns. Good for pitching tents and hanging hammocks. Picnic tables and a big firepit are additionally provided at these websites. One in all which is even large enough to host 42 folks!
Being at a campground means there are facilities which may not be provided at different primitive tenting spots in Virginia. So that is excellent for people who find themselves simply beginning to let their wild facet out.
2. New River Path State Park
Max Meadows
Pack your floaties and prepare for an amazingly lazy afternoon at one of many New River Path State Park’s primitive tenting websites in Virginia!
Three primitive campgrounds and many enjoyable actions, like horseback driving, make it straightforward to take pleasure in your stunning environment.
On the Cliffview and Millrace campgrounds, you’ll discover a lantern publish, picnic desk, non-flush rest room, and consuming water. Additionally they provide a universally accessible web site for disabled campers. Guaranteeing that everybody will get to benefit from the nice outside!
For a extra backcountry, primitive tenting expertise in Virginia, the Double Shoals campground is the one you need. Its two personal campsites run on a self-pay honor system and are first-come, first-serve. Offering a extra secluded expertise.
3. Powhatan State Park
Powhatan
Subsequent on this listing of the very best primitive tenting spots in Virginia are the 9 canoe-in or hike-in campsites provided in Powhatan State Park.
Centered round a 12 by 12 and a 16 by 16 tent pad, these websites make sleeping on the bottom straightforward. Immerse your self in nature with out sacrificing a great evening’s sleep or consolation!
What actually makes Powhatan so particular is the surroundings. Throughout your journey, discover the wealthy ecosystems alongside the paths and within the ponds. Numerous forms of forest habitats all through this park give your stroll a magical really feel like no different!
4. Sky Meadows State Park
Delaphane
Sky Meadows State Park is the proper tenting expertise for newcomers who’re able to dip their toes right into a extra intermediate-style primitive tenting journey in Virginia.
On the finish of a one-mile hike alongside Hadow Path, you’ll discover 18 solo, buddy, or group primitive campsites overlooking the plush, inexperienced pastures that make the park so charming.
With out direct entry to water, primitive tenting on this Virginia state park will probably be a bit more difficult. However nice views and delightful campsites with tent pads, lantern hooks, hearth pits, and bear lockers make all of it price it! Some even have hammock posts that will help you profit from the views.
5. Caledon State Park
King George
Soak up Virginia’s wealthy historical past at a paddle-in campground that hugs the sandy shores of the Potomac River and joins with the Captain John Smith Chesapeake Nationwide Historic Path in Caledon State Park!
As you paddle 5 miles into Jones Pond, you’ll be following within the footsteps of certainly one of America’s first European explorers! Seeing all of the wonderful surroundings that made him fall in love with the land.
Whenever you arrive, arrange camp on the location’s massive, sand-filled pad that comes geared up with a picnic desk, hearth ring, and lantern publish. And you’ll want to discover the pure reserve on the opposite facet of the pond to get probably the most out of your keep!
Intermediate Journeys
6. Rose River Loop
Syria
Begin the Rose River Loop with a two-mile hike downhill that brings you to a number of the coziest spots for primitive tenting in Virginia. Calm down between two trickling streams and benefit from the sounds of nature for a stupendous evening within the forest!
To seek out the trailhead, park within the lot at mile marker 49.4 on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah Nationwide Park. Then search for the path marked by a big cement publish throughout the highway and comply with the river because it rushes downstream and over small waterfalls.
Since it is a backcountry primitive tenting expertise in Virginia, you may camp wherever you’d like alongside the path. However the very best spot is simply earlier than you cross the bridge.
With 900ft of elevation, the 2 miles up the hearth highway to your automobile will probably be a bit tougher. However you received’t discover one other hike with lush nature fairly like this in Shenandoah!
7. Greenwood Level Campground
Sizzling Springs
Huge, sandy inlets and delightful, teal water fill your journey and vacation spot at this wonderful primitive tenting space within the far west of Virginia.
After a 3.3-mile hike from Bolar Mountain Leisure Space’s Third Campground or a five-mile canoe from the Fortney Department Boat Ramp, you’ll end up on the secluded seaside of Greenwood Level Campground by Lake Moomaw, surrounded by forested hills.
The cove that holds your campsite retains the water good and calm. Good for spending sunny days floating on the water. Plus, the big garden that every one the campsites look out on supplies the proper frequent space for actions!
8. Mount Nice Loop
Amherst
A six-mile hike by means of the Mount Nice Scenic Space supplies wonderful east and west-facing mountain views for a magical sundown and dawn tenting journey!
After parking on the Mount Nice parking space, which may be discovered by following the directions on the official web site linked above, head to the top of the entry highway and begin your hike following the blue blazes of the Pompey Path.
This secluded path has a number of the finest bird-watching and wildlife out of all of the climbing trails in Virginia. Catch sight of peregrine falcons, woodpeckers, and over 10 different forms of birds as you make your strategy to the summit.
Sunny meadows of wildflowers and butterflies additionally pepper the mountainside. Each step will carry you additional into this seemingly untouched wilderness, excellent for a primitive tenting journey in Virginia!
9. Riprap Wildcat
Grottoes
Discover cascades, streams, and a stupendous turquoise swimming gap on the wonderful Riprap Wildcat path by means of Shenandoah Nationwide Park!
The ten-mile trek may be damaged up nonetheless you want with the multitude of wonderful spots to arrange camp alongside this path. Simply begin by heading north on the Appalachian Trailhead off the Riprap car parking zone at mile marker 90 on Skyline Drive and see the place the day takes you!
If you would like an early first day, arrange by the water on Riprap Path. Or you may break the 2 days in half and cease within the woods of Wildcat Ridge Path. You may as well make the primary day longer and camp by the stream additional alongside Wildcat Ridge.
Needless to say this primitive tenting journey in Virginia is fairly fashionable on the weekends, so it’s finest to go on a weekday.
Professional Journeys
10. General Run and Beecher Ridge
Bentonville
Hike alongside two of the best waterfalls in Shenandoah Nationwide Park earlier than arriving at primitive tenting websites massive sufficient to suit teams of 10 folks on this distinctive journey by means of General Run and Beecher Ridge Path!
Your journey begins on the south facet of the General Run Trailhead car parking zone at mile marker 21.1 of Skyline Drive. There, you’ll comply with the Appalachian Path earlier than turning proper on the first intersection to get onto the Tuscarora and General Run Trails.
Shortly after passing the place the Tuscarora Path veers proper, you’ll discover a tiny facet path that brings you to the proper little swimming gap for a mid-hike cooldown. After getting your fill, begin your seek for a campsite.
A complete of 10 to 14 miles makes for lengthy days. However with little or no elevation, this hike is an superior strategy to introduce your self to extra skilled backcountry tenting journeys!
11. False Cape State Park
Virginia Seaside
Six to 9 miles of coastal sights and breezy climate stand between you and the astonishing seaside campsites at False Cape State Park!
For knowledgeable campers who’re as much as the problem of unpredictable climate and fast tides, these websites may be a number of the most stunning and distinctive spots you’ll ever spend an evening.
The white dunes and tall grass provide the proper backdrop for the pleasant wildlife. Should you’re fortunate, you would see something from whales and turtles to foxes and wild horses!
12. Three Ridges Loop
Roseland
The 14.2-mile loop within the Three Ridges Wilderness of Nelson County provides incredible primitive tenting websites in Virginia full of astonishing views and valleys!
Begin from the Three Ridges parking space off the Blue Ridge Parkway and head south on the Appalachian Path. As you go up and down the numerous ridges you’ll discover numerous totally different locations to camp.
Should you’re searching for dry campsites with wonderful views, there’s an unmarked spot on the prime of the second knoll close to the start of the path and one on the Chimney Rock Overlook nearer to the top.
Or maintain following the path till you get to the second intersection with Mau-Har Path. Right here you’ll head proper, following Mau-Har’s blue markers earlier than arriving at a big tenting space at Campbell Creek surrounded by waterfalls so that you can discover!
13. Whiteoak Canyon and Nicholson Hole
Luray
In your journey to Whiteoak Canyon and Nicholson Hole, hike alongside a few of Shenandoah Nationwide Park’s unique trails, beside a stupendous canyon full of dashing waterfalls throughout this primitive tenting journey in Virginia.
Begin your day with an uphill climb out of Whiteoak Canyon parking at mile marker 42.6 on Skyline Drive. From right here you’ll soar from path to path as you make your means down the canyon. When you’ve made it to Nicholson Hole Path you can begin searching for locations to camp.
All through your hike, you’ll be crisscrossing the stream, utilizing bridges or rocks, and discovering picturesque swimming holes in every single place you go! A complete of 16.1 miles makes this the longest journey on this listing.
14. Rocky Mount Path Loop
Elkton
Should you’re searching for a singular primitive tenting vacation spot in Virginia that’s really distant, look no additional!
The official Rocky Mount Path Backcountry tenting information has you selecting a spot on the Hole Run path to arrange camp. However the very best place to camp is an unofficial spot overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah River.
Simply park on the grass in entrance of the Rocky Mount Path Head at mile marker 76.1 on Skyline Drive, and begin your ten-mile journey uphill. When you’re 3.3 miles into the trek there will probably be a small path to your left that results in a secluded spot large enough to your tent.
Sleeping at this spot looks like tenting alone on the fringe of the world!
Wrapping Up the Finest Spots for Primitive Tenting in Virginia
Take pleasure in solely the very best America has to supply with certainly one of these primitive tenting websites in Virginia! From newbie campgrounds to expertise backcountry websites, this listing has all of it.
For extra data on getting ready to your journey, take a look at these 7 Important Abilities for a Profitable Primitive Tenting Journey!