Top Camping Spots Near Payne Gap, KY: Discover Nature's Beauty in the Heart of Appalachia
Nestled in the stunning Appalachian Mountains, Payne Gap, KY, offers a variety of camping options that immerse outdoor enthusiast in the region's breathtaking landscapes. For those seeking the comforts of home while enjoying nature, RV camping is available at nearby campgrounds like the Letcher County Park, which features spacious sites with essential amenities and beautiful access to local hiking trails. Tent campers will find the serene surroundings of the Daniel Boone National Forest ideal, with designated campgrounds such as the Red River Gorge that boast stunning rock formations and lush forests. Adventurous spirits can opt for dispersed camping, allowing for a more secluded experience among the towering pines; the area's vast public lands, including sections of the Cumberland District, provide opportunities for primitive camping where you can truly connect with nature. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the rich biodiversity, from deer to various bird species, adding a unique element to every camping trip. Whether you're pitching a tent under the stars or parking your RV amidst the mountains, Payne Gap is a hidden gem for outdoor lovers seeking unforgettable experiences in Kentucky's picturesque Appalachian foothills.
Pound River Campground is located in the Clinch Ranger District, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (2 hrs 3 min north of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 1,733 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 21 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 21 sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, floating sports.
Cranesnest Campground in Dickenson County is located 1 hr 46 min north of Bristol, TN with an elevation of 1,425 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites including 15 boat sites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 15 sites can accommodate RVs up to 55 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 15 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $28.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Littcarr Campground in Knott County is located 1 hr 54 min northwest of Kingsport, TN with an elevation of 1,050 feet. There are a total of 45 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 54 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include shower, swimming, marina. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Lower Twin Campground in Dickenson County is located 1 hr 46 min north of Bristol, TN with an elevation of 1,425 feet. There are a total of 33 campsites including 8 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 25 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 26 and 41 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 25 sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Breaks Interstate Park Campground is part of Breaks Interstate Park in Virginia (2 hrs 5 min north of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 1,800 feet. There are a total of 134 campsites including 10 cabins. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. 122 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 62 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. 114 sites have electric and water hookups. 1 site has water hookups. Fees range from $21.00 to $231.00.
Natural Tunnel Campground is part of Natural Tunnel State Park in Virginia (39 min northwest of Kingsport, TN) with an elevation of 1,315 feet. There are a total of 52 campsites including 18 cabins. The campground is open all year. 41 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 38 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 34 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $35.00 to $386.00. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Trace Branch Rec Area is located in the Redbird Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 44 min southeast of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 1,073 feet. There are a total of 29 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 28 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 28 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $60.00. Some amenities include dump station, playground, swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Buckhorn Campground is located in the Redbird Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 43 min southeast of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 1,025 feet. There are a total of 37 campsites including 6 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 28 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 35 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 28 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $14.00 to $60.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, swimming, marina. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Little Oak Campground is located in the Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (43 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 1,773 feet. There are a total of 65 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the beginning of November. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $12.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Backbone Rock Campground is located in the Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (49 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 2,238 feet. There are a total of 11 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 90 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $10.00 to $20.00. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, rock climbing.
Chief Logan Campground is part of Chief Logan State Park in West Virginia (1 hr 7 min southwest of Charleston, WV) with an elevation of 681 feet. There are a total of 26 campsites including 1 cabin. The campground is open all year. 19 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 14 sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). 12 sites have electric and water hookups. Prices start at $31.13 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, ohv trails nearby, hiking trails.
Love's RV Hookup-Bulls Gap TN 787 in Greene County is located just 27 min east of Morristown, TN with an elevation of 1,169 feet. There are a total of 9 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. All sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, wifi, general store, laundry facility, restroom, gasoline pump, ice, flush toilets.
Beartree Campground is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (1 hr 8 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 3,363 feet. There are a total of 73 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. 72 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $24.00 to $85.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, playground, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Cardens Bluff Campground is located in the Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (32 min east of Johnson City, TN) with an elevation of 2,031 feet. There are a total of 40 campsites including 36 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. 4 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $12.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Hungry Mother Campground is part of Hungry Mother State Park in Virginia (1 hr 11 min southwest of Bluefield, WV) with an elevation of 2,617 feet. There are a total of 113 campsites including 35 cabins. The campground is open all year. 67 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 22 and 85 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 67 sites have electric and water hookups. 1 site has electric hookups. Fees range from $25.00 to $343.00.
East Fork Campground in Wayne County is located 58 min south of Huntington, WV with an elevation of 1,028 feet. There are a total of 160 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 159 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 142 sites have electric and water hookups. 18 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $30.00 to $40.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, general store, playground, boat ramp, swimming, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Dennis Cove Campground is located in the Watauga Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (40 min east of Johnson City, TN) with an elevation of 2,620 feet. There are a total of 14 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $10.00 to $20.00. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Grindstone Campground is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (1 hr 5 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 3,801 feet. There are a total of 82 campsites including 16 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of November. 66 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 35 and 120 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 44 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $36.00. Some amenities include playground. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Hurricane Campground is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (1 hr 21 min southwest of Bluefield, WV) with an elevation of 2,908 feet. There are a total of 25 campsites including 7 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of November. 18 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 40 and 125 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $20.00 to $40.00. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Fox Creek Horse Camp is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (1 hr 6 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 3,445 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of November. Max equipment length is 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $5.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding.
Rock Creek Rec Area is located in the Unaka Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (just 26 min south of Johnson City, TN) with an elevation of 2,422 feet. There are a total of 34 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. 24 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 1 site has electric and water hookups. 32 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include shower, playground, swimming, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Old Virginia Group Horse Camp is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (1 hr 10 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 3,515 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of November. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding.
Raccoon Branch Campground is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (1 hr 13 min southwest of Bluefield, WV) with an elevation of 3,341 feet. There are a total of 17 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of November. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 5 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $27.00. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Grayson Highlands Campground is part of Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia (1 hr 33 min east of Bristol, TN) with an elevation of 4,665 feet. There are a total of 96 campsites including 5 cabins. The campground is normally open from the beginning of March to the beginning of December. 79 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 55 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. 62 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $15.00 to $109.00. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
Zilpo Campground is located in the Cumberland Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 35 min northeast of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 728 feet. There are a total of 165 campsites including 12 cabins. The campground is normally open from mid March to the end of October. 143 sites can accommodate RVs between 16 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 3 sites have electric and water hookups. 30 sites have electric hookups. 1 site has water hookups. Fees range from $25.00 to $85.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, sewer hookup, dump station, general store, boat ramp, swimming, restroom, trash dumpster, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Boat Gunnel Group is located in the Cumberland Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 16 min northeast of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 748 feet. The site is normally open from mid March to the beginning of November. Prices start at $130.00 per night.
Twin Knobs Campground is located in the Cumberland Ranger District, Daniel Boone National Forest (1 hr 23 min northeast of Richmond, KY) with an elevation of 807 feet. There are a total of 202 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid March to mid November. 198 sites can accommodate RVs between 18 and 96 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 9 sites have electric and water hookups. 101 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $28.00 to $115.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, general store, playground, boat ramp, swimming, restroom, trash dumpster, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Moxley Branch Campground is part of Beech Fork State Park in West Virginia (just 22 min southeast of Huntington, WV) with an elevation of 603 feet. There are a total of 86 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 40 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 22 sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). 17 sites have electric and water hookups. 47 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $34.90 to $42.45. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, laundry facility, playground, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Four Coves Campground is part of Beech Fork State Park in West Virginia (just 23 min southeast of Huntington, WV) with an elevation of 603 feet. There are a total of 87 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 40 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. All sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $34.90 to $37.73. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, laundry facility, playground, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Blue Springs Gap Cabin is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (1 hr 21 min south of Bluefield, WV) with an elevation of 3,774 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
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