Cranesnest Campground
The John W. Flannagan Dam & Reservoir Area boasts an expansive lake nestled in the rolling green Cumberland Mountains of southwest Virginia, offering visitors an oasis of recreation in the summer months. The nearby dam, built primarily for flood control for the Cranesnest and Pound Rivers, creates a breathtaking lake that is maintained at nearly 1,400 feet above sea level. This facility is an ideal spot for picnicking, water activities and hiking.
More like this: electric hookups in Virginia · reservable in Virginia · pets allowed in Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| RV with electric | 16 |
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
| tent only electric | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 28 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
31 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site 21 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | No | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| Site 22 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | No | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| Site 23 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | No | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| Site 24 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | No | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| Site 25 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | No | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| Site 26 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | No | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| Site 27 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | No | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| Site 28 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | No | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| Site 29 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | No | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| Site 30 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | No | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 5:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 28 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | The only payment type accepted on site is major credit and/or debit card. We do not accept cash nor check. On-site reservation subject to ranger availability. |
The campground offers campsites with electric hookup options, bath houses, playgrounds, launch ramps and picnic shelters with grills and horseshoe pits which provide an ideal location for parties and other get-togethers.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Clintwood, VA main street turn left onto Rt. 83. Travel 2.6 miles and turn left onto Cranesnest Campground Rd. Travel 2.8 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Clintwood, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37.1497° N, 82.4101° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Changes and cancellations subject to potential fees and cancellations are not automatically subject to refund.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Clinch Life Outfitters ↗ | 17.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 38.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Fort Chiswell Campground Stge, VA from Crystal C.
Worth a stop
Breaks Interstate Park is nearby, offering lodging, dining, a museum, gift shop, rafting, canoeing, rock climbing and other outdoor activities.
- 14.3 miWise Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Dickenson County CourthouseBuilding · Clintwood · 2.6 mi
- Elkhorn City Elementary and High SchoolBuilding · Elkhorn City · 10.8 mi
- Jenkins SchoolBuilding · Jenkins · 12.3 mi
Natural features
The John W. Flannagan Dam, completed in 1964, carves out a 1,145-acre lake with nearly 40 miles of beautiful shoreline in the lush Virginia mountains.
Recreation
Flannagan's reputation as a fisherman's paradise is well-known. Visitors can enjoy secluded coves of deep, clean water that are well-stocked with bass, walleye and trout. Boating, canoeing, whitewater rafting and biking top the long list of activities available nearby.
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 Cranesnest Campground?
Sites at Cranesnest Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cranesnest Campground?
The only payment type accepted on site is major credit and/or debit card. We do not accept cash nor check. On-site reservation subject to ranger availability.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cranesnest Campground?
Check-in 5:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Cranesnest Campground have?
31 sites, including 16 RV sites with electric, 12 standard sites without power, and 3 tent only electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cranesnest Campground?
The longest site here provides 28 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Cranesnest Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cranesnest Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cranesnest Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cranesnest Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Cranesnest Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Cranesnest Campground?
Flannagan's reputation as a fisherman's paradise is well-known. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cranesnest Campground?
Clintwood, Virginia. Breaks Interstate Park is nearby, offering lodging, dining, a museum, gift shop, rafting, canoeing, rock climbing and other outdoor activities.
Source: Getting there
What if Cranesnest Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pound River Campground (3.5 mi), Lower Twin Campground (6.2 mi), and Cane Patch (15.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby