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

Sara D

September 19, 2021

5

Private sites. Clean bathrooms.

Whit S

September 28, 2021

4

Camp site was nice and peaceful. Very nice visit and close to Damascus where we rode the Creeper trail by using Sundog Outfitters-- they are terrific and took really good care of our group of 13 Scouts and Leaders

Erik M

October 1, 2021

5

Nice private spaces, clean washrooms, friendly and helpful camp host.

Ed N

October 6, 2021

5

Well spaced, shady, quiet, fairly level sites. Host very friendly.

Donna D

October 7, 2021

3

I've been camping at Beartree for 40 years and am a bit sad to see how old the facilities are. I heard they are contracted now, but please fix them up before they decline further. The roads and campsites themselves are wonderful, but it is no longer organized like days gone by. Yes, I will be camping there again next year, even though I feel the cost is not going to improving the campground.

Alan C

October 8, 2021

5

We camped at Beartree (chipmunk loop) the last week of September and loved it. The campground is very secluded, peaceful, and quiet. It is at an elevation close to 3,400 ft. The only noise was the wildlife and the breeze through the trees. The facilities are cleaned daily. Damascus and access to the Virginia creeper trail are within 10 mi. Grayson highlands SP is within 40 minutes. No cell phone service at the campground, but you can go to Damascus during the day to get your fix. Love the relaxed and free spirit of the surrounding area. We plan to go back soon.

Robert F

October 10, 2021

5

Great campground. Nice hot showers and clean bathrooms. Hosts were terrific!

Julie G

October 12, 2021

2

It is ridiculous to me that the entire campground is not open. Even considering COVID restrictions, outdoor spaces should be open and maintained. Mowing and general maintenance should be completed, outdoor picnic spaces should be available, and wood should be able to purchase on sight. The campground (all federal campgrounds) are using this as an excuse to not complete their responsibilities. Our family will continue to use private campgrounds that allow us to safely be outside without compromising the possibilities to explore.

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!

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.

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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Managed by the USDA Forest Service