Beartree
George Washington & Jefferson National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Damascus, VA, VA
Price: From $24 per night
Price range: $24–$55 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (132 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Showers, Dump Station, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/beartree to be notified when sites open up.
Beartree offers a 14-acre lake with two fishing piers plus a creek running through the campground, making it excellent for anglers. Located in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, it provides hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing opportunities within a scenic mountain setting.
Wildlife alert: Eastern Hellbenders and Yonahlossee Salamanders present in the area—stay on designated paths near water features. Coyotes documented in the region; secure food and keep distance from wildlife.
Insider tips for Beartree: Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand and limited availability Bring your own hookups or use self-contained RV; most sites have no electric/water/sewer hookups despite dump station availability Fish both Beartree Lake (14 acres with piers) and the creek flowing through camp for variety
Skip Beartree if: You need electric hookups at your site—only some sites have them and booking notes say 'no hookups at most sites'. You require year-round camping—seasonal May-October operations only. You're visiting outside May-October window.
Best time to visit Beartree: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Fox Creek Horse Camp (Marion, VA), Old Virginia Group Horse Camp (Marion, VA), Hurricane Campground (Sugar Grove, VA), Backbone Rock Campground (Unicoi, TN).
Cell Phone Coverage at Beartree
Cell signal at Beartree (Damascus, VA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand and limited availability
Bring your own hookups or use self-contained RV; most sites have no electric/water/sewer hookups despite dump station availability
Fish both Beartree Lake (14 acres with piers) and the creek flowing through camp for variety
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Beartree Campground is located at 20993 Beartree Gap Road, Damascus, VA, approximately 9 miles from the town of Damascus. From I-81 South take exit 29 and turn left on Hwy 91 South for 13 miles. In Damascus, at the intersection of Hwy 91 South and US 58, continue to US 58 East for approximately 7 miles. The campground is on the left. From I-81 North take exit 19. Turn right and continue on US 58 East for 12 miles to Damascus. Continue on US 58 East another 7 miles to the campground on the left.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — George Washington & Jefferson National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at George Washington & Jefferson National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Beartree cost per night?+
What season is Beartree open?+
Does Beartree have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Beartree?+
How do I make reservations at Beartree?+
What is the cell service like at Beartree?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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