Beartree
George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
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.
Beartree Lake is also located within the recreation area, providing an ideal spot for fishing.
- There are 35 camping units in Chipmunk Circle and 35 units in Beaver Flats available for tents and RVs. Some sites are available for reservations while others are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Each unit has a parking spur, lantern post, fire grill and picnic table, and most sites are secluded from other sites.
- Bathhouses with toilets, warm showers, sinks, and drinking water are provided.
- Four walk-in tent group sites and 4 paved RV group sites are available in Group Loop for reservation.
- Recreation vehicles up to 40 feet can be accommodated in some units.
- Picnic area and group picnic shelter is available at beach area.
- A dump station (no water) is located on the left side of the road before the contact station as you enter the campground.
Notifications and Alerts
In a partnership project with The National Wild Turkey Federation and Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Beartree Lake will be drained to 1/3rd of its standard capacity. The Mount Rogers NRA will lower the 14 acre lake this summer to allow the silt and organic build up in the lake to dry prior to the anticipated removal of the material this fall. Removal of silt and organic build up will improve recreation activities and access to natural areas around the lake.
CLOSED effective immediately:
- Beach pavilion bathrooms and water-fountains
- Sections of the Beartree Lake Trail will be closed intermittently for maintenance
- Swimming and paddling on the lake
LIMITED access effective July 31st
- Fishing will still be allowed though we ask the public to use caution in accessing the lake as conditions will be muddy
- A location closure has been issued, and the facility is closed at this time. Reservation-holders will receive an email with additional information. Please check back for location closure updates.
This location is closed until further notice due to significant impacts from Hurricane Helene. Please continue to monitor this location’s facility page on Recreation.gov for status updates or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gwj/alerts-notices/?aid=91026 for details. Keep in mind, local personnel may be attending to this urgent situation and not available to provide updates immediately.
Need to Know
You may email questions to: SM.FS.MRNRA@USDA.GOV
No hookups are available at campsites
This campground has first-come, first-serve sites and reservable sites
Check-in is at 2pm and check-out is at 12pm.
- Limit one RV per parking spur
No Cell phone coverage
The beach is closed to swimming.
- Click here for more information on George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Natural Features
The campground is located in diverse vegetation, and Beartree Lake is surrounded by dense trees that meet the shoreline.
The Mount Rogers Scenic Byway passes near the campground, highlighting the impressive valleys, mountains, forests and rural countrysides of western Virginia.
Nearby Attractions
Hike the Appalachian Trail, which extends more than 2,175 miles throughout the Appalachian Mountains across 14 states. The trail was designated as the first National Scenic Trail. The Virginia Creeper Trail, Hungry Mother State Park and Grayson Highlands State Park are nearby.
Recreation
The campground offers a 14-acre lake with two fishing piers. Smallmouth bass, sunfish, rainbow and brown trout are all possible catches.
Self-propelled or electric trolling-motor boats only.
State fishing and boating regulations and licensing requirements apply.
The Beartree Lake Trail, which circles the lake, is excellent for hiking. Half of the trail is paved for an easier walk.
Contact Information
Mailing
20993 Beartree Gap Road Damascus VA 24236
Physical
20993 Beartree Gap Road Damascus VA 24236
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From I-81, take exit 19 at Abingdon, Virginia. Turn onto Route 58 east and continue for about
20 miles, passing through Damascus. The Beartree Recreation Area entrance will be on the left.
Available Campsites
- Site 010, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 070, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 060, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 078, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 085, Loop GRP RV, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 057, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 072, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 052, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 082, Loop Group Tent, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site 050, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 047, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 056, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 081, Loop Group Tent, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site 084, Loop Group Tent, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site 088, Loop GRP RV, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site 086, Loop GRP RV, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site 005D, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 079, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 059, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 049D, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 083, Loop Group Tent, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site 077, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 053, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 087, Loop GRP RV, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site 055, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site SHEL1, Loop SHEL, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 071, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 069, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 054, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 037, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 048, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 076, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 068, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 063, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 075, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 051, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 066, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 064, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 067, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 058, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 073, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 062, Loop Loop Beaver Flat, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop CHIPMUNK CIRCLE, Type Standard Nonelectric
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