We ended up in Beartree at the end of our Virginia trip because it was near Damascus (and therefore convenient to the Virginia Creeper trail and it had weekend availability a couple weeks out. Beartree Campground is a part of the Mount Rogers Recreation Area.

The campground is very primitive – no hookups although a dump station is located near the entrance. There did not seem to be a dedicated water fill station. It would be necessary to use a water bandit at one of several fresh water spigots. However, the bathrooms seemed clean and offered flush toilets and showers.

The sites themselves are situated in two loops, Beaver Flats and Chipmunk Cove. The two areas are connected by a trail and the playground area.

Most of the sites are remarkable for being deep and private. Rhododendron completely surround the area, so even a nearby neighbor is mostly obscured. The road into the area dead ends at the campground, so little noise comes from through-traffic.

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay. This campground would be idea for tenters looking to explore the area or RVers hoping to get away from it all. It is a nice option for those wanting to explore Damascus, only about 20 minutes away. Although we did not explore the lake, it seemed to offer fishing and a swim area in less-COVID times. Mountain biking also seemed like a popular pastime.

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