Upon arrival, we will show you to your reserved campsite and provide an orientation as to the layout of the property, explain the amenities, provide relevant river safety suggestions and answer any other questions you may have. Beyond that, we believe in leaving the entertainment portion of the program to Mother Nature.
Hidden River has a total of five (5) Campsite Areas, but in the interests of guest privacy, we normally book only 2 campsites at a time (#1 and #3). Each private Campsite Area can accommodate multiple add'l tents for family, groups and/or guests. Campsite Areas each have their own fire rings and picnic tables and are usually vehicle-accessible, either at the site or very nearby. Per diem pricing for campsite areas is $25 (includes 2 adult campers), plus $10 for each add'l camper. Children under 12 camp for free when accompanied by a parent.
Space #1 is our most secluded riverside spot with it's own private, clean and fully-stocked Comfort Station. It is a short walk or drive (about 300ft) to the "Common Area". The Common Area contains the River Access point, the Tree Swing, an enclosed fresh water shower and another clean and fully-stocked Comfort Station.
Space #2 is an open sunny area just uphill from Space #1 with a "river view" and because of the sunny location, more appropriate to the fall/winter season.
Space #3 is riverside, very nicely wooded and adjacent to the Common Area, so while it is slightly less private in that regard, it is more convenient to the facilities, including the river access.
Space #4 (containing the Hidden River Cabin), is a well-shaded "river view" space that can also be used for tent camping.
Space #5 (also called the Promenade) is a large landscaped (1/2 acre+) open grassy meadow that contains the Monarch Butterfly Waystation and a newly planted fruit orchard (peaches, cherries, blueberries, plums and goji berries, so far... and can accommodate groups for parties, office picnics or other larger daytime gatherings.
The wide (about 200 feet across) and usually shallow Staunton River is not only gorgeous, but very suitable for a cool refreshing dip or for tubing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing or just wading on a hot summer day. During the summer, our "Hidden River" is crystal clear, with a soft sandy bottom. After a heavy rain, however it can become deeper and less friendly. So keep an eye on the weather if you intend to be a weekend river otter! LOL.
There is also plenty of free firewood (gather/cut/chop your own) on-site. I do also have a limited supply of locally-sourced split logs at $1 per piece. We do not have a camp store, neither do we provide camping supplies, but the Altavista Walmart is only about a 15 minute drive away.
Immerse yourself for a day or two in the sounds, scents and scenes of unspoiled Nature. Wildlife sightings as well as bird watching are great here. We have an abundance of wildlife including lots of turkeys, rabbits and deer that nest or forage in the uncleared areas of the property. From flutter-by's of butterflies to the unusual call of the pileated woodpecker and the screaming hawks and bald eagles, at Hidden River Camping you will find total immersion in Nature without a hint of the sirens, traffic and hassles of the city. Hidden River is a place where peace and tranquility abounds.
Be also prepared for the nocturnal sights and sounds of rural America. There is nothing quite like the experience of standing beneath a sky peppered with bright twinkling stars and colorful planets while fireflies dance and sparkle among the trees! From farm dogs and coyote, crickets, frogs and other creatures that buzz, croak and call out in the night, to the rhythmic sounds of the coal train that rolls along the far side of the river... at Hidden River you will experience the kind of unique in-country sleep that ultimately culminates in the morning aromas of coffee, bacon and eggs popping and sizzling over a crackling fire.
The crushed stone road leading to the campsites is somewhat steep and can be slippery after a good rain. 4WD or AWD vehicles are recommended or we can help get your gear to/from your campsite using our 4wd pickup. There is no access for trailers, campers, RV's, pop-ups or anything else that may be towed, but we do have a storage lot for all such vehicles at the top of the hill.
All campsite areas are kept neatly mowed, but because we are a Certified Wildlife Habitat, much of the grounds at Hidden River Camping are kept as near-natural as possible and include the normal perils of Nature. Camping at Hidden River is always At Your Own Risk.
Camping is only available Friday through Monday. Please... no requests for "Same Day" reservations after 6pm. Also, try to arrive here before 8:00pm. It's much easier to find your campsite and set up while it is still light out. Late arrivals can be arranged, but remember, we are just normal go-to-bed-early country folks (LOL).
- Check in: After 2PM
- Check out: Before 12PM
- Cancellation policy: Flexible
- On arrival: Meet and greet
- Minimum nights: 1 night
- Accepts bookings: 6 months out
- Response time: Within an hour
- Response rate: 100%
You know what would make this trip even better?
Take advantage of these offers available to add to your trip to Hidden River Tent-Only Camping
Orientation
We will tour the property with you and show you your private campsite area, explain the amen...Read more
Firewood bundle
Start your trip off right with a bundle of firewood waiting for you at your camp for your fi...Read more
Activities
Offered on the Host's property or nearby.
Boating
Canoeing and kayaking are great when the water is right, which is most of the Summer and Fall.
Fishing
Folks are catching trout, catfish, stripers, smallmouth bass and other species native to the river in this area. It's an absolu...Read more
Hiking
Within an hour of Peaks of Otter. Wonderful well marked hiking trails (from novice to experienced) and gorgeous waterfalls.
Paddling
This river is GREAT for kayaking! It's about 150' wide and mostly shallow. For more experienced kayakers, launch upstream in ...Read more
Swimming
Swim or wade in the shallows. The river is clean, clear (usually), shallow and Oh SO Refreshing in the summer!
Whitewater paddling
There are a few mild whitewater areas in the river between Altavista and here. Be safe and ENJOY!
Wildlife watching
Where to begin??? We have mammals, like deer, possums, raccoons, river otters, beaver, ground hogs... heck, I even found a stra...Read more
Terrain
Natural features you'll find at Hidden River Tent-Only Camping in Virginia.
Forest
Visit Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest in Lynchburg... about 45 min away.
Mountainous
We are located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Majestic mountain scenery abounds at almost every turn. The Blue...Read more
Prairie, meadow, or plain
We also have large grassy areas available for recreation. Throw a football or a baseball; set up your Cornhole or horseshoes. ...Read more
River, stream or creek
Words cannot describe the natural beauty and majesty of this river, officially designated as one of the "12 Scenic Rivers of Vi...Read more
Swimming hole
It's all about getting in the river!
Wetlands
Being in a natural riparian area, there are also wetlands on the property. We have planted shade and butterfly gardens and Mot...Read more
Farm
We farm landscape shrubs and perennials for a local garden center. During the growing season, we also usually have a selection...Read more
Ranch
We farm landscape shrubs and perennials for a local garden center. During the growing season, we also usually have a selection...Read more
The vibe at Hidden River Tent-Only Camping
Places to see near HIDDEN RIVER CAMPING
I don't normally take time to write reviews for people but in this case I'm making an exception. The site was immaculately kept, beautiful, and absolutely serene. But what truly impressed me was the kindness and consideration of our host. Steven went far out of his way to assist us and make our stay even more wonderful, while giving us absolute privacy during our time at the site. We will definitely be returning.
This was the best camping site I've ever stayed at and I'm not talking just what I've booked through Hipcamp. Steven and Tracey are some of the nicest people I've met. They gave us a tour of the property then we never saw them again but they were always available just up the hill, if needed. The care and detail they put into each site is amazing. Tons of space and privacy. It had rained the night before we arrived so the river was flowing good and brown but we dropped in our kayaks anyway and paddled around and did some fishing. I caught a bass and a pike. Tons of fun! This hidden gem is great and were already talking about booking my next trip during the drive home.
Hey Ryan! Thanks for great review. I was concerned that the river was not going to play nice that weekend. Boy was I wrong! A bass and a Pike! I think the River Goddess must like you guys. LOL. Come back and get some more of all of it. You are more than welcome.
Hidden River blew our expectations out of the water! Three of us and a puppy went on a last minute trip Memorial Day weekend and were lucky enough to stumble across Steven and Tracy’s listing. Our site was perfectly maintained and we had plenty of room to set up tents, chairs and had just the right amount of tree cover that it was all shaded (plus we could hang our hammocks). Firewood was easy to collect as they had large piles of downed trees we were able to pull logs off and chop. Very dog friendly, the pup loved being free to explore and got to meet their friendly lab upon our arrival. Our hosts went above and beyond to make sure we got a thorough tour when we got there, and their shower/restroom tent set up were the perfect bit of comfort on a camping trip. There was a large communal area that was perfect for a game of catch in the sun. We had never been to the Staunton River but it’s shallow middle allows you to swim around and relax, but also stand on the sandy bottom even in the middle, the perfect way to cool down. At night the fireflies put on an incredible light show. Our only regret was that we didn’t stay for a longer trip, I have already started planning a return trip!
Tips: if you have the option book one of the water front campsites, it was almost 10 degrees cooler where we were set up than on the hill
Thank you for sharing your experience at Hidden River. It is indescribable how good it feels to be able to provide this much fun and enjoyment for others to enjoy. You are great examples of how people can thoroughly enjoy being out in Nature, without destroying it. Y' kk were great guests!
Hidden River was an absolutely beautiful and serene setting. It was a perfect place to get away! We had an amazing time. It was hot during the day, so when we weren't in the river cooling off, we were grateful to have the shade from the trees! Steven has done a wonderful job taking care of the property, maintaining some areas for camping, but leaving other areas completely natural for the wildlife. That was really nice to see. Our nights, even in late June, were nice and cool. My only complaint would be the mosquitos, but being in the south in the summer time, it's expected! Just make sure to take pants and long-sleeved shirts for twilight time!
Thank you for you kind words, Jaclyn. Honoring Nature around here is a favorite pastime!
A+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thanks to Steven and his wife we were able to enjoy our stay at the Hidden River . They were very kind and friendly and the environment was great, clean and very well maintained . I highly recommend this camp site if you want to be completely secluded with your own section.
Thank you Skarleth for sharing your experience at Hidden River and for your nice compliments! You and your lovely family are always welcome back.
Steven and Tracey were some of the most welcoming hosts we'd ever met! Their impressive knowledge of the native plants and wildlife that exist throughout the campground was really helpful and we were given a comprehensive list of all nearby activities and a map to help guide us, along with a personal tour of the space. Since they usually only rent 2 out of 3 sites, there’s a ton of privacy. The cold river and plentiful shade at our well-maintained site made summer camping very doable, especially during a heatwave! We took advantage of the river even at night- when the stars were super bright and visible. Having access to the well water and firewood that’s available at the site made cooking and rinsing off that much easier. Hidden River is a little over two hours away from Richmond, so it's a great place for a weekend camping getaway.
Hey Celeste. What an extraordinary review... and from an experienced Field Scout! We are so pleased that you found all these wonderful things to write about. Please come back and have some more. We would ♥️ to see you again!
Holy cow, this property was best designed campsite I have been to on hipcamp. The site was a wonder area of spaced out trees and grass perfect for tents and hammocks. All around the property we appreciated all of the botanical touches that have been planted in the common area. Plenty of groomed meadow for the kids to run. River was amazing. The sounds of nature where impressive. So many different sounds, butterflies, grasshoppers, trains going by. We were sad to go and will be back... Actually several of us decided to stay an extra night.
Thank you Jeff for your wonderful review and spot-on suggestions. It was truly a pleasure hosting you and your group. Please join us again sometime.
This space was simply ideal for three couples and four children to spend a weekend relaxing, connecting, and enjoying nature. The hosts were so kind and welcoming, and really shared their love for the beautiful place they call home. The river access was great for cooling off, and the depth was perfect for wading with our kids (and they definitely enjoyed the rope swing!). The pit toilet was pristine and within easy walking distance, and the outdoor shower was the best thing ever.
We experienced hardly any bugs, which was amazing considering being that close to water. The only things I feel need mentioning is that the sites are located across the river from a railroad track, and the occasional train does come through. There is also some sort of dog kennel across the river, and barking occurs at various times. However, I would happily camp there again, anytime. It was truly a beautiful experience for everyone in our group.
Thank you Christine! You, Kevin and Donovan will always be welcome guests at Hidden River.
I spent a great camping day and night with my group of friends and the host was very kind, flexible, and welcoming. We would all recommend others to this spot, it includes a lot of amenities to make your stay more comfortable.
Thank you Anna. Come back and camp with us again sometime!
- Property
- HIDDEN RIVER CAMPING
- State
- Virginia
- $25/night
- 5 Sites
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Hey John, I just learned that I can respond to reviews. Thanks for posting yours. Hopefully others will come to experience the solitude and natural beauty that we have found in this place. Please do come back again.