Beartree Lake  in the Fall
BEARTREE SHELTER
Beartree Tents
Drive to the Beach
Beartree Lake 10.18.2023

Featured amenities

Showers Showers
Playground Playground

Available sites

8 total sites

About Beartree

Beartree offers a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere and a variety of recreational activities. Located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, the campground boasts a sprawling layout with both group and individual campsites. A small creek flows through the campground, offering a refreshing spot to wade and fish. Beartree Lake is also located within the recreation area, providing an ideal spot for fishing.

Seasonal information

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 13 to Oct 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers Showers
Playground Playground
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Playground
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
  • Lake Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

8 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 081, Loop: Group Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Full shade
⛺ 082, Loop: Group Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Full shade
⛺ 083, Loop: Group Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Full shade
⛺ 084, Loop: Group Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Full shade
🚐 085, Loop: GRP RV RV
Pet Friendly · Paved
🚐 086, Loop: GRP RV RV
Pet Friendly · Paved
🚐 087, Loop: GRP RV RV
Pet Friendly · Paved
🚐 088, Loop: GRP RV RV
Pet Friendly · Paved

Reviews (138)

What Guests Are Saying

Beartree offers a pleasant camping experience with good privacy and a clean bathhouse, complemented by warm showers and a friendly camp host. Although there is only one shower per gender, the campground's low occupancy made it manageable. However, some guests noted that the bathroom facilities include a pit toilet.

Review Summary

4.3
138 reviews
5
56.5%
78
4
25.4%
35
3
11.6%
16
2
3.6%
5
1
2.9%
4

Frank H

October 24, 2021

5

Well maintained campground. Plenty of woods. Clean bath houses.

William M

October 21, 2021

5

The campground was very well maintained. Bathrooms were kept very clean and the campsites were as well. The hosts, Jim and Patty, were very friendly and helpful. I can't offer enough praise for the way they watched over everything. The campground is very close to the Virginia Creeper Trail and also to many fabulous hikes especially in Grayson Highlands.

Randy F

October 20, 2021

4

Very Quiet

Angela O

October 20, 2021

4

Our family has been going to Bear Tree for several years and it is one of our favorite destinations within a reasonable drive from our home. We have a 31 ft travel trailer with two slides and most campsites accommodate our camper well. Since there is no electricity, water or sewer hook up at the sites, you will need to plan accordingly but the privacy, the rhododendrons and wooded sites are well worth the sacrifice of full hook ups. You are allowed to operate a generator for limited times during the daylight hours and there is a dump station. There are faucets to get fresh water when needed.The bath houses could benefit from improvements and expansion. The three women's bath houses in Chipmunk Circle each have two stalls and one shower. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a must see in the area and we recommend biking/walking the trail in the spring and in the fall so that you can appreciate the different landscape. The section from White Top Station to Damascus is very doable even for families with small children.

Gregory M

October 19, 2021

2

The park appears as if it has not been maintained for several months. Public areas need mowed.

Paul M

October 18, 2021

4

I was there through the weekend. Was crowded but the 10pm quiet hours seemed to be observed and respected. Everyone was gone by Sunday afternoon so probably much more peace and quiet during the week. Sites had more than the allowed number of vehicles, tents , occupants. Wish the rules and regulations were observed and enforced more. Facilities were clean with hot water. All in all the facility and host were top notch.

Jason R

October 17, 2021

5

Great spaced out campsites. Highly recommend this campground!!

Deborah B

October 17, 2021

4

Beautiful accessible campground in one of the most beautiful places in the country to experience fall. campground only about 1/3 full mid week. Lots of trails, including easy access to the Virginia Creeper rail trail.
City of Damascus only a 20 minute drive away. Allowing pets is a bonus, beautiful, private sites, shielded with Rhododendron.

Mary A

October 15, 2021

2

It's a great location about halfway on the Damascas side on the trail. However, don't think we will be staying there again. No hand soap one of the restrooms. Bathroom and sinks are on the push-up timers so the bathroom sink stayed on for two seconds and the shower was the same. The bathroom didn't get swept out for our 5 day stay during in the fall so leaves were everywhere. Our car broke down and there is no cell service there. We asked the camp hosts for help and they just said they didn't have cell service either. Did not ask if they could help another way or put us in touch with a park ranger. The grill over the firepit was not functional and the firepits were full of ash. It was very quiet and peaceful during the week. It was too cold for lake activities when we were there.

Steve M

October 14, 2021

4

We got rained out in early October so had only a passing glance. We did set up camp and were helped immeasurably in getting situated by the friendly and hard working campground hosts. The bath house we visited was all we needed (showers, sinks and commodes) with dishwashing areas attached. The camp sites were spacious and the had good privacy owing to the foresight of some brilliant person who did NOT cut down all the surrounding trees and shrubbery. There is a nice lake close-by that we just looked at on the way out (still raining). I think it's important to note that Bear Tree is only about 3 mi from Damascus as the crow flies but takes about 30 minutes to drive in, following the course of Serpentine Creek. We will definitely return. Oh yeah, we passed a bear headed in our direction on the way in!

Location & Directions for Beartree

20993 Beartree Gap Road, Damascus, VA 24236 United States

Elevation: 1,025 ft

Nearest town

Damascus, VA - 12 mi

About 27 min to downtown

Highway access

Beartree Family Camp is accessible via US Highway 58, approximately 11 miles to the north, and Interstate 81 is about 20 miles to the west.

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

2PM

Check out time

12PM

General

  • You may email questions to: [email protected]
  • No hookups are available at campsites 
  • This campground has first-come, first-serve sites and reservable sites 
  • Limit one RV per parking spur
  • No Cell phone coverage
  • The beach is closed to swimming.  
  • Click here for more information on George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
  • Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
  • A trailer waste disposal station (water is not available) is located near the campground’s exit.  

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Explore Damascus, VA

Population: 772

Nearby larger city

Johnson City, TN

Approx. 47 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,926 ft

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