Is Deer Island first-come first-served or reservation?

Deer Island accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Deer Island?

Deer Island is open Open from April 1st through October 31st. Non-peak season from November 1st to March 31st.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Deer Island?

Deer Island does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Deer Island have?

Deer Island has 21 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Deer Island?

Pets are not allowed at Deer Island. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Deer Island?

Deer Island offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Deer Island

4.15

11 reviews

620 Salthouse Branch Rd., Henry, VA, 24102

This campground is currently closed

It's marked closed by the operator right now, so it isn't taking reservations. We keep the page up so you can still read reviews, photos, and details and plan for when it reopens. Typical season: Open from April 1st through October 31st. Non-peak season from November 1st to March 31st..

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

1,024 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Open from April 1st ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Philpott Lake Recreation Area Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,024 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Open from April 1st ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Philpott Lake Recreation Area Official Website

Get Directions

Deer Island

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Provider

540-365-7005No email.

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

620 Salthouse Branch Rd., Henry, VA, 24102

Deer Island

620 Salthouse Branch Rd., Henry, VA, 24102

Weather at Deer Island

Best Time to Camp at Deer Island

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather, dramatic foliage, and quieter crowds — daytime highs typically range from the mid-50s to mid-70s°F with cool nights in the 40s, and the island’s mixed oak and maple canopy peaks in color from late September through October. Boating and fishing are at their peak as the lake cools and fish feed actively, while hiking and wildlife viewing are especially rewarding with migrating birds and rutting deer activity nearby. Weekdays and early-season Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Described as 'best season: fall' for foliage, comfortable temps and quieter crowds.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open from April 1st through October 31st. Non-peak season from November 1st to March 31st.

About Deer Island

Deer Island sits on Philpott Lake in the foothills near Henry, Virginia, operated by Philpott Lake Recreation Area. This small campground offers tent and primitive camping with vault toilets and potable water, drawing visitors for fall foliage, fishing, and boating access. The island's oak and maple canopy creates a quiet lakeside retreat with a 14-day stay limit.

Deer Island is a primitive camping destination accessible only by boat. It features 21 non-specific primitive sites, reservable year-round.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather, dramatic foliage, and quieter crowds — daytime highs typically range from the mid-50s to mid-70s°F with cool nights in the 40s, and the island’s mixed oak and maple canopy peaks in color from late September through October. Boating and fishing are at their peak as the lake cools and fish feed actively, while hiking and wildlife viewing are especially rewarding with migrating birds and rutting deer activity nearby. Weekdays and early-season Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation1024 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe island is covered in mixed forest: oaks, maples, hickories, pines, and cedars. Philpott Lake's steep, rocky shoreline surrounds the campground, creating coves and small beaches. The lake itself covers 2,900 acres with 100 miles of natural shoreline at 1,024 feet elevation. Deer, turkeys, and waterfowl are common.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging accommodations are available on Deer Island.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned for Deer Island.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay allowed is 14 nights total within a rolling 30 days.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online at Recreation.gov, via the mobile app, or through the contact center.

Site SizeSites are primitive and no specific size details are provided.

PrivacyNo explicit details are provided about the privacy level of the campsites.

Total Campsites21 campsites

Need help booking Deer Island?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Deer Island is a primitive, boat-access-only campground located within the Philpott Lake Recreation Area. It features 21 non-specific primitive sites available by reservation. The closest launch ramp for Deer Island during the peak season (April 1 to October 31) is at the Salthouse Branch campground. In the off-peak season (November 1 to March 31), visitors can launch from Twin Ridge, Goose Point, or Ramp 1. The campground provides potable water and pit toilets. The natural surroundings include beautiful mixed forests of oak, maple, pine, and cedar, along with abundant wildlife such as deer and turkeys.

Potable water

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Deer Island offers a range of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, and swimming. Visitors can explore Philpott Lake and its surrounding trails. Anglers particularly enjoy fishing for large and smallmouth bass, walleye, bluegill, crappie, and catfish.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; the campground provides pit toilets instead.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

11 reviews

Satisfactory

Deer Island is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

No user reviews are available for Deer Island.

Review Summaries

Based on 11 reviews

What Campers Love

No user reviews are available to highlight positive aspects.

Based on 11 reviews

Common Concerns

No user reviews are available to note recurring issues or complaints.

Based on 11 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No user reviews are available to identify best or worst campsites.

Based on 11 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No user reviews are available to provide tips or recommendations.

Based on 11 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No user reviews are provided to analyze seasonal trends.

Based on 11 reviews

Camper Quotes

No direct user quotes are available.

Based on 11 reviews

Accessibility Features

No user reviews are available to provide feedback on accessibility.

Based on 11 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No user reviews are available to assess experiences related to pets.

Based on 11 reviews

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Deer Island

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

540-365-7005No email.

Nearby Campgrounds

620 Salthouse Branch Road, Henry, VA 24102, USA

Salthouse Branch sits on Philpott Lake in Virginia's foothills, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. This large campground offers tent, RV, and primitive camping options with full hookups, showers, and a dump station. Visitors come for swimming, hiking, and lake access, with reviewers consistently praising the facility cleanliness and peaceful setting.

$26.00 - $52.00 / night

4780 Goose Point Road, Bassett, VA, 24055, USA

Goose Point sits on Philpott Lake in Virginia's foothills near Bassett, offering tent and RV camping with electric and water hookups. Operated through Recreation.gov, the campground provides lake access for swimming and boating, plus hiking trails and a swim beach. Facilities include showers, flush and vault toilets, a dump station, and a boat launch.

$26.00 - $68.00 / night

3950 Horseshoe Point Road

Horseshoe Point sits on the shore of Philpott Lake in Virginia's foothills near Henry, offering mid-sized camping with electric and water hookups, flush toilets, and hot showers. The campground provides direct lake access for swimming and boating, with spacious sites spread across wooded terrain. Campers appreciate the peaceful setting and clean facilities, though rule enforcement can be inconsistent during busy periods.

$26.00 - $34.00 / night

Highly Popular

4.3

(162)

Yellow E/W Campground

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Yellow E/W Campground sits in Fairy Stone State Park at 1,237 feet elevation, offering electric and water hookups alongside access to a quiet lake known for limited-motor boating. The park draws its name from rare cross-shaped staurolite crystals visitors hunt in surrounding soils. With 162 reviews averaging 4.3 stars, campers praise the clean facilities and family-friendly atmosphere, though tent campers should note the strictly enforced 12' by 14' pad sizes.

Rocky Knob Campground

Milepost 167.1 Blue Ridge Parkway

Rocky Knob Campground sits at 3,000 feet elevation on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd, North Carolina, operated by the National Park Service. The large campground offers tent, RV, primitive, and group sites with flush toilets, a dump station, and potable water but no showers. Visitors hike the Rock Castle Gorge trails, watch for wildlife, and attend occasional live music events during the seasonal operating period.

$30.00 - $45.00 / night

Frequently Visited

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Mayo River State Park

500 Old Mayo Park Road, Mayodan, North Carolina, 27027, United States

Mayo River State Park's North District offers a single group campsite designed for organizations and non-profit groups, accommodating up to 40 people for $40 per night. The site sits at 784 feet elevation among mixed hardwood and pine forest, with access to park lakes, a historic dam, hiking trails, and fishing ponds. Reviews praise the quiet, scenic setting but warn about occasional litter issues.

Campgrounds

Philpott Lake

Deer Island

About Philpott Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding Deer Island, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Nestled in the rugged foothills within sight of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia are the lake and surrounding public lands of Philpott Lake. The clear water and natural shoreline make Philpott Lake a unique place to visit. Over 6,000 acres of surrounding land, 3,000 acres of water, and a power plant make up Philpott Project located in portions of Franklin, Henry and Patrick counties. Congress authorized construction in 1944 for flood control and hydroelectric power generation as the primary purposes, and water supply and recreation as subsequent purposes. <a href="javascript:MM_openBrWindow('link.cfm?Link=http://www.photographyoptions.net/images/usace/philpott/','','toolbar=yes,location=yes,status=yes,menubar=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes')">Virtual Tour of Lake</a>

Directions

From Roanoke, south on US 220, west on VA 57, north on VA 904.