Hopper Creek Group Camp
Hopper Creek Group Camp offers a rustic atmosphere under the trees for group camping. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area welcomes visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and relaxing atmosphere.
More like this: reservable in Virginia · tent only in Virginia · group sites in Virginia · dark sky in Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group tent areas | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | Gravel | Partial | 50 / 12 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Dark sky | 4.9 miles from Natural Bridge State Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
The group camp can accommodate up to 50 people. It is designated for tent camping only, and tent pads are provided. The site is equipped with 12 picnic tables, a pedestal double grill, a large campfire circle and a vault toilet. Showers are available at nearby Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area - at the beach bathhouse. A day use fee would apply to Hopper Creek campers entering Cave Mountain Lake.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | mid-March to late-November |
| Forest | George Washington & Jefferson National Forest |
| Booking | Hopper Creek Group Campground Reservation Information |
| Fees | $20 per night 1 - 25 people, $40 per night 26 - 50 people (maximum 50 people). Showers available at Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area; day use fee required. |
| Rules | No trailers, pop-ups, or RV's. Tent camping only. |
George Washington & Jefferson National Forest recreation page ↗
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-81 North, take Exit 175 just south of Natural Bridge. Go north on U.S. Highway 11 toward Natural Bridge (left turn facing the Exxon station). From Natural Bridge, follow Route 130 East at the intersection with U.S. Highway 11 (right turn at the Natural Bridge parking lot).
| Nearest town | Natural Bridge Station, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37.5603° N, 79.5089° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Drinking water is not provided; campers must bring their own supply.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Sharp Top Store ↗ | 9.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | MT Joy RV ↗ | 11.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 26.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1.2 miBelfast2.7 mi trail · hiking
- 1.8 miWildcat Mountain ↗4.9 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 1.8 miHunting Creek1.8 mi trail · hiking
- 1.8 miPanther Knob0.9 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 2.6 miSulphur Spring ↗5.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.6 miSprouts Run ↗3.3 mi trail · hiking · national_recreation_or_other
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
- inGeorge Washington and Jefferson National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,487,961 acres
- 0.5 miThunder Ridge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 2,427 acres
- 1.9 miJames River Face Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 8,907 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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Natural features
A small stream gurgles past the camping area flowing downstream into Hopper Creek on its way to the James River. The campground sits at an approximate elevation of 1,100 feet at the base of Thunder Ridge.
Recreation
A mowed, grassy area is available for games and organized activities. Hiking trails surround the area, offering everything from short walks in and around Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area to a full day hike along the nearby ridges. Backpacking opportunities are also available on the nearby Appalachian National Scenic Trail, in the James River Face Wilderness or in the Thunder Ridge Wilderness.
Nearby
Hopper Creek is 3 miles from Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area, which offers a day use area with sandy beach, designated swimming area and covered picnic shelter. Natural Bridge State Park is within an 8 mile drive and offers visitors views of the 215 foot tall Natural Bridge and limestone gorge, 6 miles of hiking trails, a Monacan Indian village and the 30 foot cascades of Lace Falls. Natural Bridge State Park is also a great place for unobstructed sky views and star gazing on mowed paths. Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are available in the nearby James River.
Guidebooks for Virginia
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Hopper Creek Group Camp?
Sites at Hopper Creek Group Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Hopper Creek Group Campground Reservation Information Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Hopper Creek Group Camp?
$20 per night 1 - 25 people, $40 per night 26 - 50 people (maximum 50 people). Showers available at Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area; day use fee required.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Hopper Creek Group Camp?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Hopper Creek Group Camp open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season mid-March to late-November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Hopper Creek Group Camp have?
1 site, including 1 group tent area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Hopper Creek Group Camp?
Hopper Creek Group Camp is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Hopper Creek Group Camp?
Showers are available at nearby Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area - at the beach bathhouse.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Hopper Creek Group Camp good for stargazing?
Natural Bridge State Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 4.9 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Hopper Creek Group Camp?
A mowed, grassy area is available for games and organized activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Hopper Creek Group Camp?
Natural Bridge Station, Virginia. Hopper Creek is 3 miles from Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area, which offers a day use area with sandy beach, designated swimming area and covered picnic shelter.
Source: Getting there
What if Hopper Creek Group Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp (1.8 mi), Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp (1.8 mi), and North Creek (4.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby