Good tent camping place in southwest Va?
 

We'd like to tent camp in sw Va. We're 60-something and would like to see beautiful sights (mts, woods, etc) and possibly be near a small interesting town. I've been researching Independence, Va and the New River Campground. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Grayson Highlands and Mt Rogers area is as scenic as it gets. The campground in GH State Park is nice. Plus it is above 4000' so cooler. If you are up for hiking the 8 mile round trip to Mt Rogers from Massie Gap in GHSP is superb (there is not much in the way of strenuos ascents and you don't have to go all the way up to Mt Rogers, the views are spendid the entire hike)

Abingdon VA is a nice town.

One thing you may like would be to rent a bike in Damascus and get shuttled up to Whitetop Station to cruise back downhill on the VA Creeper Trail. It's 17 miles to return, but all downhill through beautiful country.

I would second the Grayson Highland area! The area around Abingdon and Damascus are very interesting - the VA creeper is 30+ miles of a very nice dirt packed trail with lots of people on it hiking, biking, etc... In Damascus I would recommend trying Barter theater - lots of good shows playing thoughout the year.

Well, we're back from our camping trip. We ended up driving 6 hrs & camped at Independence, Va in a pretty place on the river but way too many people! It's our 1st camping trip & we'll have to learn how to find the good spots (beauty + privacy!). We did drive through Damascus & it looked so interesting. I wouldn't mind going back there (would only take us 3 1/2 hrs to drive). Does anyone know of a good camping place there? The bike ride on the VA Creeper sounds nice!