Saved Account Join
A white Tacoma with a camper shell parked on a rise above a broad, empty basin under building cloud.

Forest Service campground

Beartree

Forest Service campground in George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, Washington County, Virginia. 3,306 feet. 8.2 miles from Chilhowie.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
Elevation
3,306 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
46 38 standard non-electric, 4 group tent only area non-electric, 4 group rv area non-electric
Longest rig
50 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
Water
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Washington County

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • scenic drive
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Beartree

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated May 12, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

Join Overlanding Life
Saved Account

Start with a region

Browse the directory