Doughton Park Campground

W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir

7659 W. Highway 268

Nestled along the southern shores of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, Warrior Creek Campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts to discover western North Carolina's natural playground. This waterfront haven offers 61 thoughtfully designed campsites, from secluded tent-only spots perfect for stargazing to full-service RV sites equipped with electrical and water hookups. Two spacious group sites welcome family reunions and outdoor clubs. Whether you're casting a line at dawn, exploring winding mountain bike trails, or hiking through ancient forests, Warrior Creek serves as your basecamp for adventure. Modern bathhouses, a community amphitheater for evening programs, and a playground for young explorers ensure comfort meets wilderness in perfect harmony.

W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir

W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir

667 Jess Walsh Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697-0182, USA

Discover your perfect outdoor escape at Bandits Roost Campground, where 102 thoughtfully designed campsites await your arrival. Choose from 85 sites equipped with water and electric hookups for RV enthusiasts, or embrace a more rustic experience at one of 17 peaceful tent-only sites. Perched along the stunning W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, this hidden gem invites you to cast a line into pristine waters, explore winding mountain bike trails, trek through scenic hiking paths, or launch your boat for a day of aquatic adventure.

1534 S. RECREATION ROAD, WILKESBORO, NC, 28697, USA

Nestled along the pristine northern shores of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, Fort Hamby Park beckons families and outdoor enthusiasts to experience the perfect blend of modern comfort and natural splendor. Here, children's laughter echoes from the sandy beach while parents relax under towering hardwoods, knowing that hot showers and clean facilities await after a day of adventure. Whether you're shooting hoops on the basketball court, exploring winding hiking trails, or simply watching the sunset paint the lake in golden hues, Fort Hamby creates memories that draw visitors back season after season.

W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir

W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir

Nestled right beside the dam at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, this ADA-accessible conference room offers the perfect blend of indoor comfort and outdoor adventure. With tables, seating, and convenient access to restrooms and a water fountain, you'll find everything you need for your gathering, while a fascinating museum, boat ramp, picnic shelters, and scenic trails wait just steps away.

W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir

Perched right beside the impressive W. Kerr Scott Dam, Fish Dam Creek Shelter welcomes visitors with sweeping views across 1,475 acres of shimmering reservoir waters. This well-appointed day-use area combines accessible picnic facilities, vault restrooms, and classic horseshoe pits with direct access to miles of multi-use trails and exceptional lake recreation—making it an ideal basecamp for adventure or a peaceful afternoon by the water.

1956 Rendezvous Mtn Rd, Purlear, North Carolina, 28665, United States

Discover the hidden gem of Rendezvous Mountain, where adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts find their perfect day-use escape. This captivating park invites you to explore its dramatic landscape of plunging ravines and thundering waterfalls, all connected by exceptional hiking trails that reveal breathtaking vistas at every turn. Whether you're seeking a challenging trek or a peaceful commune with nature, Rendezvous Mountain delivers an unforgettable outdoor experience.

3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, North Carolina, 28668, United States

Nestled in the heart of the West District, this wilderness campground offers an authentic backcountry experience where adventurers can disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature. The expansive open-space tent sites provide a true camping experience under star-filled skies, perfect for those seeking solitude and outdoor adventure.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Tucked away in the historic Basin Cove within Doughton Park, this primitive backcountry retreat offers eight secluded campsites accessible only by trails that wind 1,500 feet down from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring, lantern post, and food storage box, inviting you to experience true wilderness camping year-round in a landscape steeped in Appalachian history.

1481 Mt. Jefferson State Park Rd, West Jefferson, North Carolina, 28694, United States

Perched high in the North Carolina mountains, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area beckons adventurers with its breathtaking vistas and pristine wilderness. This hidden gem welcomes visitors free of charge, offering a perfect blend of accessibility and untamed beauty. Well-appointed picnic shelters and grills dot the landscape, providing comfortable spots to savor a meal while soaking in the spectacular mountain views. Miles of winding trails lead through ancient forests, revealing scenic overlooks that will leave you breathless.

358 New River State Park Road, Laurel Springs, NC 28644

Escape to New River State Park, where time seems to slow alongside one of North America's most ancient waterways. Whether you're seeking solitude at a primitive walk-in site tucked among wildflower meadows, settling into an RV spot with modern conveniences, or gathering with friends at spacious group camping areas, this park offers the perfect basecamp for your mountain river adventure. Here, rugged Appalachian hills cradle pastoral valleys in a landscape that has captivated visitors for generations.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Near Virginia's two highest mountains, the park offers scenic views of alpine-like peaks, waterfalls, camping, a visitor center and miles of hiking trails.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Near Virginia's two highest mountains, the park offers scenic views of alpine-like peaks, waterfalls, camping, a visitor center and miles of hiking trails.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Near Virginia's two highest mountains, the park offers scenic views of alpine-like peaks, waterfalls, camping, a visitor center and miles of hiking trails.

Grayson Highlands State Park

The park is home to plenty of wildlife and offers camping, picnic shelters, lodging, boat launches and numerous types of trails. Canoeing is popular here.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Near Virginia's two highest mountains, the park offers scenic views of alpine-like peaks, waterfalls, camping, a visitor center and miles of hiking trails.

Grayson Highlands State Park

The park is home to plenty of wildlife and offers camping, picnic shelters, lodging, boat launches and numerous types of trails. Canoeing is popular here.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Grayson Highlands Campground sits at over 4,500 feet elevation within Grayson Highlands State Park, offering a peaceful high-mountain camping experience in southwestern Virginia. The campground provides access to the park's famous wild ponies that roam freely near the Appalachian Trail, which passes through the park. With approximately 135 sites including pull-through spaces, campers enjoy well-spaced, quiet sites surrounded by stunning ridge scenery. The area is known for its cooler temperatures even in summer, making it an ideal escape from the heat. Popular activities include hiking the Twin Pinnacle and Wilburn Ridge trails, wildlife viewing, and stargazing in the clear mountain air.

1946 Laurel Valley Road, Troutdale, VA 24378, USA

Tucked away at 3,800 feet in Virginia's highlands, Grindstone Campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its cathedral-like canopy of mixed hardwoods and native rhododendrons. This mountain sanctuary serves as your gateway to the legendary Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, where ancient trails wind through misty forests, crystalline streams teem with native trout, and mountain biking routes challenge riders with their rugged beauty. Here, mornings begin with birdsong echoing through the trees and evenings end with the gentle rustle of leaves in the mountain breeze.

3714 Highway 16, Marion, VA, 24354, USA

Nestled in the heart of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Old Virginia Group Horse Camp beckons equestrian adventurers to experience the magic of trail riding through Virginia's stunning high country. Here, your group can wake to misty mountain mornings, saddle up for days exploring endless trail networks, and gather around the campfire as horses graze peacefully nearby. The gentle murmur of a nearby stream provides nature's soundtrack to your basecamp, where picturesque mountain vistas frame every sunset and create memories that last long after the dust settles from your last ride.

3714 Hwy 16, Marion, VA, 24354, USA

Perched at nearly 4,000 feet in the heart of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Fox Creek Horse Camp beckons equestrian adventurers with its promise of boundless exploration. This high-altitude haven serves as your gateway to hundreds of miles of pristine trails, where you and your horse can embark on unforgettable journeys straight from your campsite. The expansive open fields along babbling Fox Creek create an idyllic basecamp for riders seeking both summer adventures and the camaraderie of fellow horse enthusiasts.

2021 Hurricane Camp Road, Sugar Grove, VA, 24375, USA

Tucked away in the rolling mountains of southwest Virginia, Hurricane Campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its pristine creeks and towering forest canopy. Here, where Hurricane Branch meets Comers Creek, campsites nestle beneath a cathedral of mixed oak and hemlock trees, their branches creating natural shade pavilions over soft, grassy clearings. Adventure awaits just beyond your tent flap, with direct access to the legendary Appalachian Trail and the scenic Hurricane Knob Trail winding through the surrounding wilderness.

6416 Sugar Grove Highway, Sugar Grove, VA 24375, USA

Perched in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Raccoon Branch Campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its stunning mountain vistas and direct access to pristine hiking trails. Here, where Dickey Creek meets Raccoon Branch, campers discover a perfect blend of comfort and wilderness. Choose from primitive sites for a back-to-basics experience or electric hookups for modern convenience. Well-maintained flush toilets, fresh drinking water, and a convenient dump station ensure a comfortable stay, while the absence of showers keeps you connected to the authentic camping experience. Towering pines and hardwoods create a natural canopy overhead, while vibrant rhododendrons and rolling grassy meadows paint the landscape in seasonal colors.

3158 Blue Spring Road, Rural Retreat, VA, 24368, USA

Perched high atop a secluded mountain peak, Blue Springs Gap Cabin beckons adventurers seeking an authentic wilderness retreat. This charming rustic cabin combines the solitude of mountaintop living with essential modern conveniences—electricity illuminates your evenings while flush toilets (available seasonally) provide comfort without compromising the wilderness experience. Though you'll need to bring your own water and handle your own housekeeping, the cabin's basic furnishings and spectacular isolation create the perfect basecamp for those ready to disconnect from the world below and reconnect with nature's grandeur.

3714 Highway 16, Marion, VA 24354, USA

Tucked away in the serene wilderness of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Comer's Rock Recreation Area offers a peaceful escape from the crowds. This hidden gem features primitive campsites where you can truly disconnect, a charming historic log picnic shelter crafted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and miles of hiking trails that wind through untouched forest. Whether you're casting a line in the nearby waters or seeking out panoramic vistas from scenic overlooks, Comer's Rock provides an authentic backcountry experience for those who prefer their adventures off the beaten path.

1195 CC Camp Road, Speedwell, VA

Nestled in the heart of equestrian country, Hussy Mountain Horse Camp beckons riders and their four-legged companions to experience the freedom of primitive camping at its finest. Three thoughtfully designed group camping loops await, each equipped with sturdy hitching rails where horses can rest after a day on the trails. Around weathered wooden picnic tables, riders gather to share stories while flames dance in stone fire rings under starlit skies. The gentle murmur of East Fork Dry Run Creek provides a natural soundtrack and fresh water source for thirsty horses. Modern conveniences blend seamlessly with the rustic setting, including potable water stations and well-maintained vault toilets. Before saddling up for adventure, riders simply need to present their negative Coggins certificate—then the vast network of horse trails becomes their playground.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Tucked away in the historic Basin Cove within Doughton Park, this primitive backcountry retreat offers eight secluded campsites accessible only by trails that wind 1,500 feet down from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring, lantern post, and food storage box, inviting you to experience true wilderness camping year-round in a landscape steeped in Appalachian history.