Quiet tent camping with hiking in Virginia (Laurel, Forest: loft, theater)

[smcgiv]

We're planning a camping trip for May 14-17. Can anyone offer advice on peaceful, semi-private tent camping areas? We're not "hike until we find a good spot" people, we need a parking spot! We don't really care about bathrooms, showers, etc, we just want access to hiking with beautiful views and a place to come back and sleep where the next campers aren't 20 feet away talking at all hours of the night. I've read some people recommend going over to WV, and we're not opposed to that, although we'd like to stay pretty close to the border. Oh, we also have 2 camping/hiking pugs that will be joining us, so wherever we go has to allow them! Thank you!!

edit: I've browsed through the state park websites, etc but really what I want to know is whether these places are quiet or if the campsites are on top of each other, and the websites don't tend to offer that info!

[Dr.Jim]

Find the Big Meadows camping online. It is part of Shenandoah Natl Park.
The campsite area is large,..with alot of sites,....BUT if you look at the map of it, there are several ;remote; sites that are down long paths into the woods where people are NOT on top of each other at all. And the AT runs right though/past this site too......very good hiking.

[smcgiv]

That sounds perfect, thank you!!

[sregorat3]

Also check into Cold Mtn. in Amherst County. Great trails, camping meadow w/ parking area, abuts the Mt Pleasant Wilderness Area. One trail has a bald at 4000' elevation. This article gives a great description.

[SRose59]

You want privacy? Hiking? Do you mind "rough"? Try Hidden Valley off Route 19 out of Abingdon, VA OR if you want gorgeous waterfalls, camping on a mountain and lots of hiking...Tumbling Creek Recreation Area (National Forest) off Rt. 80 out of Meadowview VA. (I think it is located in Smyth County or on the line anyway).....Fresh water available at Hidden Valley with porta john....don't know about Tumbling Creek (aka- Laurel Bed Lake) as it is being updated and did not have either last year...BUT it is spectaular!!

[sregorat3]

My first link didn't link.
Cold/Cole Mtn., Amherst Cty

[EricD]

The best sites at Big Meadows are the ones in the 50's... but you can't reserve them.

The tent sites at the bottom of the map are in a field-like setting, where-as the ones near the top of the map are more in the actual woods, in a more hilly area.

One night I did get scared though, because a large amount of deer (over 10) went stampeding through our camp site after someone scared them. Luckily none crashed into our tent, but I was so worried about getting an antler through the chest...

[SCBeaches]

I highly recommend The Breaks Interstate Park, which is in SW VA and runs into Kentucky. They have very nice camping accomodations, hiking trails, beautiful views, a nice restaurant at the top, a store, an old still and cabin, an amphitheater for summer concerts, a pool, etc. You can be as remote as you want but still have some conveniences nearby. I've been 3 times and plan to go back.

[sweetpotater58]

If you camp in Shenandoah-Big Meadows is not the quiet place unless going on a non summer weekday-try Loft Mountain Campground instead, or the Mt. Pleasant locale-both are a lot quieter.

[smcgiv]

Thanks for all the help everyone! Looks like we're definitely going to have to plan more than one trip this summer (darn!)