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Big Island, Virginia

Looking for the best camping in Big Island? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Big Island. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Camping Spots in and near Big Island

  • Amherst, Virginia

    Swim at Panther Falls

    5.0
    0.7 mi / -100 ft gain
    From Lexington or Buena Vista, Virginia, take Rt. 60 east for several miles. As soon as you pass under the Blue Ridge Parkway, look for a gravel road on your right marked Panther Falls Road. This is a fairly bumpy gravel road, so take it easy. Follow Panther Falls Road down the mountain for just ...
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  • Rustburg, Virginia

    Explore the Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center

    4.3
    If you love everything outdoors, the Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center is the place for you! You can do almost any activity you can think of here. If you aren't affiliated with Liberty University, you can't rent their equipment, but you can bring you own to use. The main attraction is the lake wh...
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  • Amherst, Virginia

    Mount Pleasant Loop

    4.6
    5.98 mi / 1427 ft gain
    From the Mount Pleasant Parking Area, take the blue blazed Pompey Mountain Trail that is just beyond the horse gate. As it's a loop, you can start at either entrance, but I prefer heading left to get the longer leg of the hike before the summit (always better to have an easy journey down in the a...
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  • Tyro, Virginia

    Spy Rock via Cash Hollow

    4.9
    5.71 mi / 1191 ft gain
    The hike is part of the George Washington National Forest, and can easily be combined with nearby Crabtree Falls (300ft cascading waterfall with a hike to the top). The entire trip is 5.7 miles, and there are nice campsites at the base of the summit (no water source) if you want to add on this pr...
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  • Meadows Lane, Virginia

    Camp near Crabtree Meadows in GWNF

    5.0
    As stated, the campsites are free. They do not require reservations or permits and are on a first come, first served basis. Regardless of which direction you're coming from, you will be traveling on Crabtree Falls Highway until reaching Meadows Lane. This is a gravel access road that requires 4WD...
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  • Goshen, Virginia

    Hike Goshen Pass

    4.3
    5.6 mi / 1200 ft gain
    The parking for the trailhead is down an unmarked gravel/dirt road about 1.5 miles upriver from the Virginia Wayside rest area on Route 39 West. You'll see the swing bridge out across the river and the road will be immediately after this on your right. The road goes back about 200 yards to the pa...
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  • Raphine, Virginia

    Saint Mary's Wilderness

    4.5
    6.03 mi / 538 ft gain
    Saint Mary's Wilderness is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Vesuvius, Virginia.
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  • Roseland, Virginia

    Backpack Reeds Gap to Rockfish Gap

    5.0
    20 mi
    Note: We usually get a chance to take this trip in the summer, so please pay attention to the weather and pack accordingly. This description is for a July/August hike and the temperatures were in the 80s during the day and 60s at night. During this time of year rain showers are always a possibili...
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  • Lyndhurst, Virginia

    Backpack Three Ridges Loop

    4.6
    14.2 mi / 3960 ft gain
    From the parking area at Reids Gap, start off on the white-blazed A.T heading south as the trail begins on the left side of a clearing. You will begin climbing Meadow Mountain shortly and in .8 miles arrive at the top of the ridge, where you will continue on downhill for another .8 miles until y...
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  • Lyndhurst, Virginia

    Camp at Sherando Lake

    4.0
    Sherando Lake is a beautifully maintained dog/family friendly campground situated between two lakes. Upper Sherando Lake is available for fishing only but the larger, 25 acre, Lower Sherando Lake offers swimming, fishing, kayaking, and relaxing on the beach.  The campground is divided into three ...
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  • Roseland, Virginia

    Camp at Devil’s Backbone Basecamp

    5.0
    This place has it all : a bomb fire pit, live music, distillery, restaurant, 48 taps, mountain views, and more!  Not to mention, it’s in a great location for exploring. It’s close to tons of breweries, wineries, and cideries, it’s just a few miles from the Appalachian trail, and close to Shenando...
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  • Salem, Virginia

    McAfee Knob

    4.7
    7.79 mi / 1296 ft gain
    Intro McAfee Knob is one of the most photographed and picturesque locations along the Appalachian Trail. Once you reach McAfee Knob, you'll have almost 270 degree views of the the Roanoke Valley to the East, Catawba Valley and North Mountain to the West, and Tinker Cliffs to the North. Due to t...
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  • Catawba, Virginia

    Virginia Triple Crown

    5.0
    29.24 mi / 5531 ft gain
    The Virginia Triple Crown is a combination of three of the most spectacular and popular hikes in the region. It combines the Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee’s Knob, and Tinker Cliffs hikes into one long multi-day hike along the Appalachian Trail. It makes for an excellent 2 day backpacking trip, with many...
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  • Hot Springs, Virginia

    Backpack around Lake Moomaw

    5.0
    6.6 mi / 1200 ft gain
    On your way to the trailhead don't forget to pull off the road at the scenic outlook to take in the vast expanse of Lake Moomaw (you won't miss it!).Start off your adventure by parking at the end of Twin Ridge Drive (37.976545, -79.985582). From this point, hike down the little paved driveway int...
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