Primitive tenting in Virginia is all about discovering the appropriate campsite. That excellent spot beside a babbling stream or looking onto an unforgettable view.
Whether or not you’re new to tenting or an knowledgeable backpacker, the huge Virginian wilderness has the right primitive campsites for you!
Learn on for descriptions of what makes every website price a go to and all of the sources it is advisable plan your journey!
Newbie Journeys
1. James River State Park
Gladstone
A fantastic, winding river by means of Buckingham County and rolling inexperienced hills make James River State Park the right primitive tenting vacation spot in Virginia.
Inside the park, you’ll discover over 10 primitive campsites all through three completely different campgrounds. However the Canoe Touchdown Campground undoubtedly has the very best spots.
Nestled into the bushes by the river you’ll discover delicate, grassy lawns. Good for pitching tents and hanging hammocks. Picnic tables and a big firepit are additionally supplied at these websites. One in every of which is even sufficiently big to host 42 individuals!
Being at a campground means there are facilities which may not be supplied at different primitive tenting spots in Virginia. So that is excellent for people who find themselves simply beginning to let their wild aspect 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 using, make it straightforward to take pleasure in your lovely environment.
On the Cliffview and Millrace campgrounds, you’ll discover a lantern put up, picnic desk, non-flush bathroom, and consuming water. In addition they provide a universally accessible website for disabled campers. Guaranteeing that everybody will get to benefit from the nice open air!
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 record of the very best primitive tenting spots in Virginia are the 9 canoe-in or hike-in campsites supplied 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 night time’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. Varied kinds 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 right tenting expertise for learners 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 likely 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 take advantage of 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 one in every of America’s first European explorers! Seeing all of the superb surroundings that made him fall in love with the land.
While you arrive, arrange camp on the positioning’s massive, sand-filled pad that comes outfitted with a picnic desk, hearth ring, and lantern put up. And you should definitely discover the pure reserve on the opposite aspect 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 few of the coziest spots for primitive tenting in Virginia. Quiet down between two trickling streams and benefit from the sounds of nature for an attractive night time 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 put up throughout the street and comply with the river because it rushes downstream and over small waterfalls.
Since it is a backcountry primitive tenting expertise in Virginia, you possibly can 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 fireplace street to your automobile will likely be a bit of more durable. However you received’t discover one other hike with lush nature fairly like this in Shenandoah!
7. Greenwood Level Campground
Scorching Springs
Vast, sandy inlets and delightful, teal water fill your journey and vacation spot at this superb 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 massive garden that each one the campsites look out on offers the right widespread space for actions!
8. Mount Nice Loop
Amherst
A six-mile hike by means of the Mount Nice Scenic Space offers superb east and west-facing mountain views for a magical sundown and dawn tenting journey!
After parking on the Mount Nice parking space, which might be discovered by following the directions on the official web site linked above, head to the tip of the entry street and begin your hike following the blue blazes of the Pompey Path.
This secluded path has a few of the greatest bird-watching and wildlife out of all of the mountaineering trails in Virginia. Catch sight of peregrine falcons, woodpeckers, and over 10 different kinds of birds as you make your strategy to the summit.
Sunny meadows of wildflowers and butterflies additionally pepper the mountainside. Each step will deliver you additional into this seemingly untouched wilderness, excellent for a primitive tenting journey in Virginia!
9. Riprap Wildcat
Grottoes
Discover cascades, streams, and an attractive turquoise swimming gap on the superb Riprap Wildcat path by means of Shenandoah Nationwide Park!
The ten-mile trek might be damaged up nonetheless you want with the multitude of fantastic 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 possibly can break the 2 days in half and cease within the woods of Wildcat Ridge Path. You too can 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 common on the weekends, so it’s greatest to go on a weekday.
Knowledgeable Journeys
10. Total 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 individuals on this distinctive journey by means of Total Run and Beecher Ridge Path!
Your journey begins on the south aspect of the Total 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 Total Run Trails.
Shortly after passing the place the Tuscarora Path veers proper, you’ll discover a tiny aspect path that brings you to the right 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 Seashore
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 might be a few of the most lovely and distinctive spots you’ll ever spend an evening.
The white dunes and tall grass provide the right backdrop for the pleasant wildlife. Should you’re fortunate, you could possibly 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 presents implausible 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 a lot of completely different locations to camp.
Should you’re searching for dry campsites with superb 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 tip.
Or hold 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 authentic trails, beside an attractive 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 leap from path to path as you make your approach 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 all places you go! A complete of 16.1 miles makes this the longest journey on this record.
14. Rocky Mount Path Loop
Elkton
Should you’re searching for a singular primitive tenting vacation spot in Virginia that’s actually 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 likely be a small path to your left that results in a secluded spot sufficiently big in 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 one in every of these primitive tenting websites in Virginia! From newbie campgrounds to expertise backcountry websites, this record has all of it.
For extra info on getting ready in your journey, take a look at these 7 Important Expertise for a Profitable Primitive Tenting Journey!