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George Washington & Jefferson/Beartree
Overview
Beartree Campground offers a secluded mountain escape within the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Managed as part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, this facility sits at an elevation of approximately 3,000 feet, providing a refreshing retreat from the summer heat. The campground is centered around a picturesque 14-acre lake, surrounded by dense hardwoods that offer exceptional privacy and a true sense of wilderness for every visitor seeking a quiet getaway.
Location & Surroundings
Located just a short drive from the town of Damascus, Virginia, this park is nestled deep in the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains. The surrounding terrain is characterized by steep ridges and lush valleys, creating a quiet atmosphere far from the noise of major highways. Travelers will find themselves immersed in a landscape dominated by towering oaks and maples, with the serene Beartree Lake serving as the scenic centerpiece of the local environment throughout the seasons.
Amenities & Park Features
While this is a more rustic destination, it provides essential comforts for RV travelers. The sites feature gravel parking pads, picnic tables, and fire rings, with most locations offering significant shade and natural screening. Visitors have access to flush toilets and hot showers, which is a welcome luxury in a National Forest setting. It is important to note that there are no electric or water hookups, making it a premier choice for those who are prepared for a dry camping experience.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do, as the park is minutes away from the famous Virginia Creeper Trail. Hikers can explore the Beartree Lake Trail or venture onto the nearby Appalachian Trail for a more challenging trek. The lake itself is perfect for fishing and swimming, with a sandy beach area available for families to enjoy. The proximity to Damascus allows easy access to bike rentals and local shuttle services for regional trail expeditions.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for RVers who prioritize a quiet, nature-first experience over modern resort amenities. It is a favorite for hikers, anglers, and mountain bikers who want to stay close to world-class trails. Because of the high elevation and thick forest canopy, it is the perfect destination for travelers seeking to escape the humidity and enjoy the crisp mountain air of southwest Virginia in a peaceful setting.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Emma Poole
A beautiful recreational area for hiking and a picnic. We walked the loop trail around the lake and stopped on the beach for some play time. The park was working on maintenance in 2024 for the beach area and bathrooms but has since suffered from hurricane damage and may not open in 2025. It's still available to visit, you just have to use the port-a-johns. The lake is stocked with trout and the only other person we saw there had quite the trout haul! If you park at the trailhead we did, you can actually use a stroller all the way to the beach. However I would come the same way back because the other side of the lake trail isn't as stroller friendly. Very family friendly area, our toddler had a blast walking over bridges and playing on the beach.
Snak8y8s
Great spot for a weekend camping. Bathrooms, showers, rv waste water dump, kids playground, great hiking trails, biking trails, motorcycle off road trails by FR90 and they have a BEACH to chill on. Only real down side is price. $24 a night and up is a little silly for camping in the woods.
Advencharests
I want to give this place 5 stars for the sheer beauty and solitude of the campground, however there were some very serious issues that need to be addressed and was torn between 3 and 4 stars because of it. The campground itself, fantastic! Large spacious sites, tall trees and lush foilage, a trickling creek right in our campsite, really, what more could we ask for? It was private, quiet, peaceful and with no hookups at all, it was dark and lovely. Staff: What interaction we had was pleasant, helpful and friendly. We knew this would be dry camping, and all information led to the impression that there would be water fill spigots around the park, bath houses with "hot showers", and a dump at the park exit. We are self contained and put a bit of fresh water in our tank before we arrived. It's sure good we did because the water from the spigots was a strange deep yellow color. The bathhouses in our entire loop were closed, no toilets other than porta potties and no "hot showers", in addition, when we checked out and tried to dump, the dump was a mess. It was full and there was "dump" and toilet paper all around. In addition, it's on the wrong side, so you have to try to turn your rig around and go in backwards to be on the right side... which of course doesn't matter because you can't use it. We asked a volunteer about the bathhouses and yellow water. He replied that he'd been drinking the yellow water for a few months and was fine... hmmm... I'm not willing to take that chance. He also informed us that 1 of 2 pumps in the lift station died 4 years ago and was not replaced because they can't get the parts .. in 4 years???? Then last year the other pump died, so they are "working on it" .... for a year! That's unacceptable. However, the beauty of the place overwhelms and makes it worth going if you just don't need the other stuff. Take your full tanks down the mountain to a place you can dump I suppose.
Debbie Hodge
Love hiking around the lake here, it is so relaxing. The terrain is flat and views are beautiful.
Medical Records
Really enjoyed our stay. We had a scout troop. I was very impressed that everyone around us, minus the coyotes, observed the quiet hours from exactly 10pm to 7am. It was beautiful there. We took a hike up the trail to the old shelter on the Old AT trail. We were there for the Virginia Creeper Trail. The water looked dirty but we had water, no big deal. The guy doing the survey was so helpful, he gave us pointers as to the more interesting hike, so we took his advice and enjoyed our hike.