Camping In Natural Bridge, Virginia

Natural Bridge is a natural rock formation famous for its beauty and history. The geological formation is a result of Cedar Creek, a tributary to the nearby James River, which carved a small gorge through the surrounding limestone mountains. The result was a natural bridge formation that stands 215-feet tall and spans 90-feet across the gorge. Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounded by National Forests, Natural Bridge is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

National Forest

Natural Bridge is sandwiched between the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The two national forests offer multiple camping options from primitive backcountry camping along the Appalachian Trail to developed campsites along forest roads. There are over 2,000 miles of trails to explore in the area after your visit to Natural Bridge. Wherever you decide to camp in the National Forests remember to plan ahead and always employ "leave no trace" techniques so that future visitors can enjoy the pristine streamsides and mountaintops on their visit the the Natural Bridge area as well.

Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area

Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area is the closest developed campground to Natural Bridge. Located in the nearby Jefferson National Forest, the 7-acre Cave Mountain Lake offers a 42-unit campground with each site having a picnic table, tent pad, parking spurs and access to warm showers at a bathing house near the lake. There is also a group camping site that accommodates up to 30 campers. Swimming, boating, fishing and many other outdoor activities are allowed at Cave Mountain Recreation Area. The site is surrounded by multiple hiking options, from leisurely walks along the lake to multiple-day loop hikes along the James River Face Wilderness area and access to the 2,000-mile long Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp
811 Cave Mountain Lake Road
Natural Bridge Station VA 24579
540-291-2188

State Park Camping

Those looking for a little more pampering after their days of outdoor adventure in the Old Dominion should look toward Douthat State Park. Located less than an hour's drive away from Natural Bridge in the Allegheny Highlands, Douthat State Park offers a range of camping options from single tent sites with common facilities to private mountain cabins available for rent. The State Park also offers further outdoor adventure activities among its 26 trails—24 of which allow mountain biking—and 50-acre lake open to boating, fishing and swimming to visitors.

Douthat State Park
14239 Douthat State Park Road
Millboro, VA 24460
540-862-8100
douthat@dcr.virginia.gov

Wilderness Canoe Company

Located 5-miles away from Natural Bridge, Wilderness Canoe Company offers seven primitive camping sites for tents, trailers and RV's along the historic James River. There are no electrical or water hookups at the campground, but each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Wilderness Canoe Company also offers canoe and kayak rentals with guided or unguided trips on the James River that allow you to paddle right back to the campsite. Outdoor enthusiasts can also explore the miles of hiking trails in the surrounding national forests after a visit to Natural Bridge or a day on the river.

Wilderness Canoe Co., LLC
631 James River Road
Natural Bridge Station, Va 24579
540-291-2295
info@wildernesscanoe.biz

RV Camping

The KOA campground at Natural Bridge is located less than 10 miles from the Natural Bridge Park entrance and offers a range of services and activities to meet all your camping needs. The KOA offers over 100 accommodation options ranging from tent sites, facilities for RV’s of all sizes as well as a few small cabins available for rental. With a seasonal pool, weekend hay-rides and a playground for kids, all situated in a lush mountain valley, KOA offers a comfortable, convenient base to explore Natural Bridge and the surrounding mountains.

Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA
214 Kildeer Lane
Natural Bridge, VA 24578
540- 291-2770
nbkoava@hughes.net