Find the Best Tent Camping Sites in Virginia
Summer is here, and we’ve just started to think about tent camping. As we gear up for our summer trips, we’re looking back at our last tent camping experience, and we’re trying to figure out what we should do differently next time. Should we practice the same camping as we did last year, or should we go to another state and try something new? Well, the decision is yours to make, but if you may ask, tent camping in Virginia is on a new level.
Camping is a great outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by all ages. In Virginia, you can camp in the mountains, on the shore of the ocean, or in the forests. Virginia is a beautiful state, full of natural beauty and beauty in the great outdoors - a great place for camping. There are many great things about tent camping, but one of the biggest is the fact that it allows for a flexible schedule. You can camp whenever you want, wherever you want, and enjoy a more modern experience. Sometimes you may not even want to go too far from home.
Virginia is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. It’s often the home of America’s best universal weather conditions and the birthplace of the American Revolution. While Virginia’s not a destination for a typical tourist, a small-town traveler may find a lot to experience in the state’s many cities and towns.
As the state that invented summer and invented camping, Virginia has created an abundance of great sites for camping. One of those sites is the George Washington National Forest, which spans over 1.5 million acres and can be found in both Virginia and West Virginia. The forests of the George Washington National Forest make for some of the best camping in the state, and the mountains of the West Virginia side have a similarly picturesque setting.
Things to Know About Tent Camping in Virginia
Virginia is a state that honors its history, encouraging travelers to explore the past by exploring its countryside. One of the things you can do in Virginia is camp out.
When most people think of camping, they think of an outdoorsy experience. Many think about taking their kids to the local state park or camping in the mountains. Other people think of staying in a hotel or RV park; others think about taking an RV to an RV park. Well, tent camping in Virginia is a great way to spend time outside in one of our state’s most beautiful areas, but there are a few important things to know when you go. Such as the following:
You need a state camping permit, which can be a pain to get unless you’re a resident of the state.
Virginia is a humid state with a long growing season. This means that, during the summer, you’ll want to bring a tent that gets plenty of ventilation.
Virginia is a going-to-be-very-dry state, so you’ll want to be careful about what you bring with you since you don’t want to become one of these poor fellows who was charged with bringing too much water!
The weather can be tricky to predict. Even in the summer, temperatures can vary drastically. If you’re planning on being out in the woods, it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast before you go.
Try to go during the day or during the week for the best weather. You can also check the Virginia Department of Forestry’s website to see if any forest-related events are being held in the area.
Virginia is one of five states that officially allows tent camping in the state. The laws in Virginia are for “Tent Camping,” meaning that any camping is allowed in a tent or other approved shelter. A campground with amenities is not required, but it can be helpful in some situations.

The Top Places to Camp in Virginia
1
Crabtree Falls Campgrounds
We stayed over the weekend on site 58 the beaver point primitive site.
2
Loft Mountain Campground
"Excellent sites, great for tent camping."
3
Peaks Of Otter Campground
"Public campground with good facilities for tent and RV camping."
4
McClintic Point Primitive Campground
5
North Bend Park & Campground
"Good experience tent camping."
6
Oronoco Campground
"Rustic camping, great place to go if you plan correctly."
7
Misty Mountain Camp Resort
"We tent camp and Love site #1 because it is central to all the buzz."
8
Otter Creek Campground
"Tent pad was not level and would have done a good job of creating ..."
Bedford, VA · In Otter Creek Recreation Area
9
Middle Creek Campground
"Cheap tent camping a stone's throw from the AT."
10
Outlanders River Camp
"Lots of tent sites as well."
Important Camping Gear for Virginia
As you camp in Virginia, you may want to consider some of the important camping gear. Camping in Virginia is much different from camping in other states because of the climate and the lack of facilities. For example, Virginia does not have much in the way of big, open spaces to camp in. Virginia is a state that is made up of a large number of hills and mountains. It is a state that has a hot, humid climate in the summer and a cold, damp climate in the winter. It is a state that has a combination of a lot of different kinds of forests. The ground can be muddy, wet, or rich in rocks and roots. Virginia is a state that has many streams and rivers.
Moisture is difficult to keep out of tents, but there are some things you can do to minimize the risk. First, make sure your tent is fully enclosed. When you’re camping in Virginia, this usually means using a rainfly. Second, line the inside of the tent with plastic, then loosely cover it with a tarp. Finally, run a plastic ground cloth along all of the tent’s edges. If you do this, you’ll have a good chance of keeping the inside of the tent dry during any rainstorm.
Being a tent camper in Virginia comes with its own set of challenges, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some great gear to help you enjoy your time in the great outdoors. Depending on where you choose to camp, there are a range of ways to make a camp space comfortable and functional.

Planning Your Camping Trip
Best Time of Year to Tent Camp in Virginia
Camping offers many benefits to people of all ages, but it can be hard to know when to start camping for the first time, or how to get the most out of your camp or even just find the best camping spot. Camping in Virginia is a great way to experience the outdoors and meet new people. So, when is the best time to start camping in Virginia?
Autumn is the best time for Virginia camping when the golden sunlight and clear breeze replaces the summer humidity. The days are made for walking through the forest and paddling along creeks. At night it’s great campfire weather. Virginia is a great place for tent camping because it’s not too hot during the summer months but not too cold in the winter.
Tent camping is a great option for those who want to be self-sufficient and travel light. Camping in a tent is less expensive than many other options: you will need to bring only a sleeping bag and a few other basic camping supplies and tools, and then you can enjoy the time and experience of tent camping to your heart’s desire.
There are many camping areas to choose from, and there are many options for places to stay, like cabins, hotels, and even resorts. At this time of year, the weather is usually mild, around the 70’s Fahrenheit. Virginia’s biggest campgrounds are located along the New River, which runs through Virginia, and there are many other great campgrounds in the area.
Average Temperatures By Month in Virginia
Month |
Avg Low °F |
Avg High °F |
January |
26.7°F |
45.1°F |
February |
28.7°F |
48.7°F |
March |
35.1°F |
57°F |
April |
43.9°F |
67.1°F |
May |
53°F |
74.9°F |
June |
62.2°F |
82.9°F |
July |
66.4°F |
86.3°F |
August |
65.2°F |
84.9°F |
September |
58.2°F |
78.8°F |
October |
46.8°F |
68.8°F |
November |
37.9°F |
59°F |
December |
29.8°F |
48.2°F |
Learn More Camping Tips for Beginners