The best beach camping near Buena Vista

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In Buena Vista, you’ll find over 640 camping spots with easy access to the beach, making it a magnet for anyone who wants sand between their toes and the sound of water close by. Expect campsites where pets are welcome, campfires are allowed, and showers are available—essentials that matter after a day out. Prices average $40 a night, with some spots from $30, so you won’t break the bank. Top picks like Twin Poplar Farm (69 reviews) or Shirley's River Retreat (13 reviews) put you right by the water and close to horseback riding trails, wildlife-watching, and swimming holes. The terrain here mixes open riverbanks with shady groves, so you can pitch a tent steps from the water or under tall trees. If you want a straightforward beach camping experience, Buena Vista delivers without the fuss.

100% (100) 26 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Buena Vista

Twin Poplar Farm

1. Twin Poplar Farm

99%
(87)
25mi from Buena Vista · 3 sites
The Farm is located on 65 private acres of Woods and Field on the Tye River. This is a place for people who love nature and want to be out in it. We have chosen to prioritize conservation over ease of access, so though the sites are all walk in only [or paddle in!] this means you will camp on the grass or leaves not the gravel of a parking lot. There are only 3 sites on the land so you can soak up nature without noisy neighbors. "Twin Poplar" refers to the Tulip Poplar's extraordinary tenacity, after being cut down, like the Phoenix who returns to life after death, a Poplar will often regrow as two "twin" trunks. A chance for a new life and growth! For more follow us on Instagram @TwinPoplarFarm
Campfires
Toilets
Potable water
from 
$50
 / night
Shirley's River Retreat

2. Shirley's River Retreat

100%
(29)
35mi from Buena Vista · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
Bring your own Camper,RV,Tent,Hammock, or just a sleeping bag under the stars, at this secluded primitive campground reconnect with nature at this unforgettable riverfront escape. Alleghany Outdoors is right down the road and you can rent kayaks, tube, paddle boards, to float on the lake or down the Jackson River, they also rent electric bikes fancy a ride down the Jackson River Scenic trail . With an epic 80’ Falling Springs Falls right down the road, along with the amazing manmade Lake Moomaw.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$45
 / night
Jefferson National Forest

3. Jefferson National Forest

98%
(28)
National forest 113mi from Buena Vista · 488 sites
Literally thousands of miles of hiking trails can take you anywhere you want to go.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
George Washington National Forest

4. George Washington National Forest

99%
(51)
National forest 33mi from Buena Vista · 487 sites
Come and experience the magic of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachia
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Douthat State Park

5. Douthat State Park

97%
(17)
State park 27mi from Buena Vista · 58 sites
Can’t decide between lake or mountain? Douthat—one of Virginia’s original state parks—has both.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
James River State Park

6. James River State Park

96%
(15)
State park 31mi from Buena Vista · 25 sites
Discover the scenic beauty and outdoor adventures at James River State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Monongahela National Forest

7. Monongahela National Forest

96%
(52)
National forest 62mi from Buena Vista · 599 sites
John Denver knew there was something special about West Virginia and today you can let those country roads take you home to Monongahela National Forest! A super lush and diverse forest awaits hikers and bikers at Smoke Hole Canyon, where a misty morning fog will greet you along the river. Spruce Knob and Seneca Rocks are highly skilled routes for rock climbers wanting a challenge or photographers wanting that perfect panoramic shot! Fish or canoe down the Potomac or meander down the Highland Scenic Byway, there are plenty of campgrounds or overnight forest adventures to keep you here til the moonshine has run dry! Monongahela produces a special kind of mountain majesty, bring your mountain mama self out and explore for yourself!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Holliday Lake State Park

8. Holliday Lake State Park

State park 46mi from Buena Vista · 5 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Holliday Lake State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Smith Mountain Lake State Park

9. Smith Mountain Lake State Park

100%
(9)
State park 47mi from Buena Vista · 24 sites
A relaxing lake with an ice cream boats making deliveries? Count us in! RV hookups and cabins, too!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires

In Buena Vista, you’ll find over 640 camping spots with easy access to the beach, making it a magnet for anyone who wants sand between their toes and the sound of water close by. Expect campsites where pets are welcome, campfires are allowed, and showers are available—essentials that matter after a day out. Prices average $40 a night, with some spots from $30, so you won’t break the bank. Top picks like Twin Poplar Farm (69 reviews) or Shirley's River Retreat (13 reviews) put you right by the water and close to horseback riding trails, wildlife-watching, and swimming holes. The terrain here mixes open riverbanks with shady groves, so you can pitch a tent steps from the water or under tall trees. If you want a straightforward beach camping experience, Buena Vista delivers without the fuss.

100% (100) 26 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Buena Vista

Twin Poplar Farm

1. Twin Poplar Farm

99%
(87)
25mi from Buena Vista · 3 sites
The Farm is located on 65 private acres of Woods and Field on the Tye River. This is a place for people who love nature and want to be out in it. We have chosen to prioritize conservation over ease of access, so though the sites are all walk in only [or paddle in!] this means you will camp on the grass or leaves not the gravel of a parking lot. There are only 3 sites on the land so you can soak up nature without noisy neighbors. "Twin Poplar" refers to the Tulip Poplar's extraordinary tenacity, after being cut down, like the Phoenix who returns to life after death, a Poplar will often regrow as two "twin" trunks. A chance for a new life and growth! For more follow us on Instagram @TwinPoplarFarm
Campfires
Toilets
Potable water
from 
$50
 / night
Shirley's River Retreat

2. Shirley's River Retreat

100%
(29)
35mi from Buena Vista · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
Bring your own Camper,RV,Tent,Hammock, or just a sleeping bag under the stars, at this secluded primitive campground reconnect with nature at this unforgettable riverfront escape. Alleghany Outdoors is right down the road and you can rent kayaks, tube, paddle boards, to float on the lake or down the Jackson River, they also rent electric bikes fancy a ride down the Jackson River Scenic trail . With an epic 80’ Falling Springs Falls right down the road, along with the amazing manmade Lake Moomaw.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$45
 / night
Jefferson National Forest

3. Jefferson National Forest

98%
(28)
National forest 113mi from Buena Vista · 488 sites
Literally thousands of miles of hiking trails can take you anywhere you want to go.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
George Washington National Forest

4. George Washington National Forest

99%
(51)
National forest 33mi from Buena Vista · 487 sites
Come and experience the magic of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachia
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Douthat State Park

5. Douthat State Park

97%
(17)
State park 27mi from Buena Vista · 58 sites
Can’t decide between lake or mountain? Douthat—one of Virginia’s original state parks—has both.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
James River State Park

6. James River State Park

96%
(15)
State park 31mi from Buena Vista · 25 sites
Discover the scenic beauty and outdoor adventures at James River State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Monongahela National Forest

7. Monongahela National Forest

96%
(52)
National forest 62mi from Buena Vista · 599 sites
John Denver knew there was something special about West Virginia and today you can let those country roads take you home to Monongahela National Forest! A super lush and diverse forest awaits hikers and bikers at Smoke Hole Canyon, where a misty morning fog will greet you along the river. Spruce Knob and Seneca Rocks are highly skilled routes for rock climbers wanting a challenge or photographers wanting that perfect panoramic shot! Fish or canoe down the Potomac or meander down the Highland Scenic Byway, there are plenty of campgrounds or overnight forest adventures to keep you here til the moonshine has run dry! Monongahela produces a special kind of mountain majesty, bring your mountain mama self out and explore for yourself!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Holliday Lake State Park

8. Holliday Lake State Park

State park 46mi from Buena Vista · 5 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Holliday Lake State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Smith Mountain Lake State Park

9. Smith Mountain Lake State Park

100%
(9)
State park 47mi from Buena Vista · 24 sites
A relaxing lake with an ice cream boats making deliveries? Count us in! RV hookups and cabins, too!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field