Best Glamping near Afton, VA
If you want to explore the beauty of Afton, glamping is an excellent option. The Dyrt can help find the best glamping in and around Afton, VA. You're sure to find glamping for your Virginia camping excursion.
If you want to explore the beauty of Afton, glamping is an excellent option. The Dyrt can help find the best glamping in and around Afton, VA. You're sure to find glamping for your Virginia camping excursion.
Secluded in the thick trees and rolling hills of Shenandoah National Park, the Big Meadows Campground is the ideal spot for an outdoor family getaway.
Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Some trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint while others wind deep into the forest and wilderness. Big Meadows is near many of the major facilities and popular hiking trails in the park. Three waterfalls are within walking distance, and the Meadow, with its abundant plant growth and wildlife, is an ideal nearby attraction.Wildlife viewing is also a popular pastime, with black bears, wild turkey, deer, birds and countless other animals thriving in the park.The campground is also located right off the famous Skyline Drive, which runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stunning views are visible from any of the 75 scenic overlooks.
Shenandoah National Park spans 300 square miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southern Appalachians. The park rises above the Virginia Piedmont to its east and the Shenandoah Valley to its west. The scenery at Big Meadows Campground never disappoints, with a stunning array of colors in the fall and a blanket of bright wildflowers in the spring. This green and shady campground is a wilderness paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
For facility specific information, please call (540) 999-3231.
Two visitor centers with bookstores and exhibits are located in the park (milepost 5 and milepost 51). Byrd Visitor Center is a short one mile walk by either trail or sidewalk if you choose not to drive. There are concession managed restaurants, gift shops and lodging facilities scattered throughout the park. Big Meadows Lodge and Restaurant is a 5 minute walk from the campground and Big Meadows Wayside is located beside Byrd Visitor Center.
Changing Reservations: There is no change fee if a visitor extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. Additionally, there is no change fee if the visitor wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility. If a visitor wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee. If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date. Once a reservation date has begun, visitors cannot change a reservation using the online system or through the Call Center. Onsite staff will assist with changes or cancellations. Cancellations: Visitors may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's approved rate including tax and applicable add-on. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Visitors who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days prior to arrival date will pay a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first nights rate. No-Shows: A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Early Departures: Visitors are requested to notify staff at the facility if they depart early to allow others to use the site. If the visitor chooses to depart early, they may forfeit the approved rate and applicable tax and applicable add-on for the day of departure. If a visitor departs prior to the scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund. Visitors may notify the Recreation.gov call center to request a refund of remaining unused nights. If a visitor requests a refund for an early departure after the facility check-out time (10 am) has passed, the visitor will not be refunded for that night and is eligible for a refund on any additional nights that will not be used. Refunds: Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Visitors may also initiate a refund request through the call center at any time after their reservation has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$30 - $75 / night
$28 - $55 / night
This place is incredibly special. Walnut Hills is beautiful and a place to make memories for years to come!
$45 - $99 / night
Tucked away in the quiet Virginia town of Stuarts Draft, Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley, formerly known as Shenandoah Acres Family Campground, provides over 130 acres of beautiful wooded grounds. Bring the family to experience our outstanding location in the Shenandoah Valley, near many unique and historic attractions in Charlottesville. You can also have an outdoor adventure at Shenandoah National Park or a scenic journey along the famous Skyline Drive.
Families can create their perfect stay from our great selection of RV sites or furnished vacation rentals. We also have a full amenity package that includes favorites like the swimming lake and beach area, four playgrounds, an arcade, and a fishing pond.
Experience a vacation surrounded by the breathtaking beauty and historical attractions of Shenandoah Valley at our beautiful resort. Treat yourself, your significant other, or the whole family to an amazing getaway in Virginia.
$29 - $45 / night
Ready to truly get away from it all? We welcome you to unplug, unwind, and relax at Montebello Resort. Rental Cabins, Camping, Fishing, and a Country Store are all available at our mountain top resort.
We are nestled high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just three miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, in Nelson County VA. Montebello means “beautiful mountain” and is a pristine hamlet tucked into the folds of Appalachia. Steeped in history and rich in charm, hearts are warmed and memories are made for all those who come to visit.
Route 56, which winds and climbs up to the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Montebello, was once an old Indian trail that connected present-day Nelson County with Steele’s Tavern in Augusta County two hundred years ago.
Atop the Blue Ridge Mountains, and near the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail, Montebello is a beautiful gem that attracts visitors from around the world.
Whether it’s camping, a cozy cabin retreat, apple and berry picking, wine tasting, trout fishing, hiking, biking, hunting, wildlife viewing, or just exploring, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
$38 - $55 / night
$35 / night
Dundo Group Campground is a beautiful campground located at milepost 83.7 along the Skyline Drive with the Appalachian Trail passing through the site. The southern end is a picnic area and the northern end is the campground with three reservable group campsites. All Dundo check-ins are at Loft Mountain Campground, mile 79.5. Check out or re-register by noon. Group camping fees are non-refundable and there are no discounts. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive nights per year.
Dundo provides a great base camp for group activities with easy access to the Appalachian Trail, Doyles River and many other popular hikes in the South District.
Dundo offers three large, grassy group tent sites shaded by native oaks and mature pines. It is illegal to approach, feed, frighten, or disturb wildlife. Hunting is prohibited. The laws in our national parks protect all resources such as wildflowers, plants, animals, and artifacts.
Dundo is located at milepost 83.7 along the scenic Skyline Drive. The Loft Mountain Camp Store is located 3.7 miles north, at the Loft Mountain Campground (turn up the hill across from the Loft Mountain Wayside, the store is on the left). There are over 500 miles of trails located throughout the park. The closest visitor center is Byrd Visitor Center located at Milepost 51. On Friday and Saturday during the summer, park Interpretative staff schedules Ranger programs at the Loft Mountain Amphitheater.
Cancellations more than 14 days in advance of arrival date only incur a $10 transaction fee. Within 14 days, $10 and the first night's fee are charged.
$75 / night
Located on over 1,000 acres of rolling hillside and lush pasture lands that encompass a scenic 60-acre lake, Shenandoah Crossing Campground and Resort is the perfect place to stay for those who love the outdoors. The resort combines an old country estate and horse farm with acres of wilderness in a pristine area that lies just beyond the Shenandoah Valley. Enjoy the rustic elegance of a 2- or 3-bedroom cabin featuring full kitchens and baths, fireplaces, master bedrooms, balconies and porches, and separate dining and living areas.
For a slightly more exotic, stay try a 1- or 2-bedroom luxury yurt stay. Furnishings include four-poster beds with plush linens, flat-screen TVs, elegant bathrooms and fully-equipped kitchens, all with central heat and air. Stay in an open-plan yurt with one bed and pullout couch or a 2-bedroom unit, plus pullout couch. Outside, you'll also enjoy a large wooden deck area with summer kitchen.
Shenandoah Crossing also features state-of-the-art RV sites with furnished patios and summer kitchens; some even offer personal hot tubs and stainless steel barbecue grills.
$50 / night
Otter Creek Campground is located at the Blue Ridge Parkway's lowest elevation, only 649 feet above sea level. Picturesque Otter Creek winds through this quiet, rustic campground. Night skies are spectacular here, and there are several nearby trails to hike including the Otter Creek Trail, which is accessible from the campground. Just imagine enjoying the crackle of an evening campfire with the murmur of the creek in the background! Relax....
The James River/Otter Creek recreation area has fishing in Otter Lake and a number of hiking trails including Trail of Trees, Otter Creek, Otter Lake Loop, and James River Canal. Hike the Otter Creek Trail to James River Visitor Center. There visitors can view a restored canal lock from the Kanawha Canal, part of the historic James River transporation artery which was once the primary commercial route in the state of Virginia.
This area's abundant water and warmer temperatures support plant and animal communities that are unlike those found at other areas on the Parkway. A short walk along the Trail of Trees or a hike along the clear, cool waters of Otter Creek will give ample proof that there is more to the Blue Ridge Parkway than mountain-top vistas.
Otter Creek Trail (3.5 miles/5.6 km) parallels the Parkway road as it meanders from Otter Creek campground to the James River Visitor Center. Most sections of this trail are easy to hike and can be reached from many points along the motor road. Otter Lake Loop Trail (0.9 miles/1.4 km) provides scenic views of Otter Lake. This is also a good trail for watching wildlife. Look for beaver lodges and dams along tributary streams. Early morning and late evening are prime times for wildlife observations. Trail of Trees (0.4 miles/.6 km) begins near the James River Visitor Center and wanders through a shaded stream drainage. Trail signs identify many of the trees and shrubs of the river valley. This trail also affords a handsome view of the James River water gap, a rare geological feature. Canal Lock Trail (0.4 miles/.6 km) begins at the visitor center and crosses the James River on a walkway beneath the bridge. The restored Battery Creek Lock, located a short distance from the bridge, is typical of those constructed in the 1800s as part of the James River and Kanawha Canal. This canal, with nearly 100 locks, helped make the river a major transportation corridor before the Civil War. Exhibits at the Battery Creek site explain how locks were used to raise and lower boats to adjust for the changing elevation of the river.
$30 / night
This is a glamping site! coin operated showers, camp store open during the day. This is a much bigger campsite than the others in shenandoah and you should reserve spots a week or more in advance. This site generally has more RVs and people than the others.
We used this in the offseason as is was one of the only ones in the area that stays open for most of the year. This is not a primitive/secluded campground if you are looking to get away and spend some time in nature. It would make a great group/family glamping campsite as is has all of the amenities, including playgrounds, a pond with a "beach" and golf cart rentals to get around.
Glamping in rural VA, I did not expect to find an uncrowded state park over the July 4th weekend. The trails were marked once you got on one, not all were visible as trails. With that being said my pup and I took several paths not walked often without another soul or human sound. I did walk past a ranger and friendly. I do believe we walked over 3 miles with navigating around. Parking for day use is not posted, or I didn’t see it. I parked at a spot by the entrance to the cabins. It was so pretty and peaceful.
First time at a KOA. The staff is very friendly, the facilities are immaculate, and the camping areas have plenty of space for an expansive set up. We were in tent space 48, which was very private and had a lot of trees over it so we were able to sleep in fairly late. The bathrooms were as clean as a hotel and the shower had great water pressure. Due to covid there was a pool sign up which we didn’t have time to do but it looked clean. Amazing stay! It felt more like a low budget glamping experience — 10/10 would do again
This campground is very very popular and the sites are very close together so it’s a bit overwhelming. Definitely avoid major holidays if you camp to get away from it all. But it’s perfect if you like glamping. You’ll never be at a loss for things to do: hiking, birding, Ranger-led programs, blueberry picking in July, and a Junior Ranger patch program for kids. The wayside has a sit down full service restaurant plus the most heavenly homemade blackberry ice cream. Hot showers are available ($1.50 for 5 minutes so bring quarters) and bathrooms are always close by.
I have to give Big Meadows 4 stars simply because it’s so crowded and busy.
We stayed in a yurt, and I’m gonna let the photos do most of the talking👌🏼🛖
We got here super late and we’re still able to check in because they’re at the desk 24/7.
Yurt has a full kitchen and bath. Coffee, popcorn, toiletries, linens provided.
Such a sweet little spot tucked outside of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Lovely time in the yurt! Walked around the property and saw the horses and checked out the primitive sites.
We have stayed at this campground many times! It is our favorite! The scenery is fantastic and at the foot of Shenandoah National Park. The sites are large and there is both sun and shade. Upper bathroom is so-so but there is a new one on the lower level that’s great. There are yurts to rent also!
This resort is 5 Star in amenities. Indoor pool in the lodge, restaurant, outdoor pool connected to the indoor one. Another outdoor pool area by the general store (wasn't open yet) has a large pool and kids pool. The activities center has things going on every day. They also have a large room with a large screen that you can reserve to watch movies. There is a stable for horse riding. Also, there's miniature golf. They have cabins, yurts,and a tree house for rent. The laundry is free. Our campsite, lowest level, has a table with four chairs, two Adirondack chairs, and a propane grill. The higher level has an outdoor sink. The top level has a jacuzzi. The grounds are well designed for landscaping and kept trimmed. Now, for the cons. Our back- in site isn't level. We were told that is by design so water will flow off. Maybe. Our loop doesn't have any bathhouse, while the one next door has two. We did take a shortcut that went over a clay hill. Probably not safe if it's raining. The shower looks nice. Would stay drier if people would put the curtain inside the barrier. Shelves and benches in the showers are nice. Water pressure is mediocre to good. We're still waiting for hot water. I do say the help keeps it clean. There are sanitizer bottles left in the bathrooms and showers. Overall, it is a nice place to sit and relax.
Great all around virginia campsite
I grew up going to this campground. It's located in Gordonsville, Virginia. There's not much to do in the area, but the campground itself is nice.
There is a nice pool, arcade, camp store, horse riding, and the camp sites are pretty nice.
All around good place to camp.
This is one of Virginia’s best kept secrets for Cabins, RV or Tent camping.
The location is awesome; close to some great hiking spots, very accessible & well laid out.
The kids are guaranteed to catch something in the fishing hole & the camp store has EVERYTHING!!
Love this place! It is a great spot to go tent camping.
Call and speak with the staff about the best dates to go. They helped is pick a day when there were NO other people there.
Such a great spot.
My husband and I love this campground. The owners are kind and gracious. Always fun activities year round (they are open year round). Nice little store, gas station at the entrance. Very clean bathroom as and showers. We love our spot “99”! So much to do here in Natural Bridge and Lexington. Go to Pink Cadillac Diner - 4347 S. Lee Highway Natural Bridge VA 24578 United States and Laynes Country Store! Ride through the Virginia Safari! See the Natural Bridge and hear about when George Washington was a young man exploring this are.
Thunder BRidge is a unique property tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Near Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia, the campground was once a CCC camp. Now it is home to many quiet tent sites, screen cabins, log cabins, and even some fully furnished rental cabins.
The campground is about 60% wooded, the rest is open ground with buildings from the camp's earlier days. The open area includes several artists' studios. At one edge is a forest creek, great for wading.
The campground is mostly tenting sites and rustic cabins, but there are RV sites in the open area.
This is not a "resort" but you won't find a more beautiful, quiet campground!
Located in a beautiful part of central Virginia, this campground gives you lots of options for sightseeing. It is definitely worth a trip to the Natural Bridge. The nearby town of Lexington has many historic buildings, and the town seems very dog-friendly. The campground is kept very clean, and the staff is very helpful. However, the sites are small and not leveled well. Although my camper is only 15’ long, I ran out of shims trying to level my rig. I watched a fifth wheeler spend two hours trying to position his rig so that it could be leveled. The store is friendly, but doesn’t stock much variety. Given the beauty of the area, I would go back, but I would insist on seeing the site before trying to set up. There is a wonderful country store (Lynne’s) close buy with great produce and meats. Be sure to check out the famous Red Hen Restaurant in Lexington.
This was a nice little campground, and my friends and I had a great time here. Originally I picked this place because most of the other campgrounds in the area were already booked up. We went in the middle of October when the leaves were changing in Virginia. It was a good place to stay overall. We stayed in one of the "primitive" campsites with no water or electric hook ups. For these you park at a small parking lot and walk a few hundred feet or so to the campsites. The sites in this area were pretty close together, some closer than others. We stayed at site 7, which was a little closer to some other campers than I would have liked. It was flat and grassy and the woods were very nice though. There were also some rv sites in the campground, which also seemed a little close together.
I wold say the best thing about this place is how close it is to stuff. Crab tree falls and spy rock are both really nice hikes right in the area. Bold rock hard cidery is about 40 minutes from the campground. All around a really awesome area with plenty to do. I would recommend it.
Part of the VA State Park system, BCL is exceptionally well-maintained. Most of the site are RV accessible, but there are a few tent-only sites along the lake, which is where we stayed. These sites are absolutely beautiful--great lake views, and while the only swimming allowed is at the roped off beach area, there is a canoe launch and fishing opportunities right at the campsites.
The tent pads are filled with shredded tires instead of gravel or dirt, which provides a little extra cushion, but can be uncomfortable on bare feet.
All sites have fire rings, lantern hooks, and extra long picnic tables. Tent pads are of varying sizes--we stayed in site A12 and our 6 person tent fit easily, and we could have fit a second one-many of our camp neighbors had 10 person tents set up.
The water view loop was not heavily trafficked, though the water does provide a hazard if you have small children as it is not roped off in any way. Our kids loved having the water right there and we loved watching them, it just requires extra vigilance. Loops B and C have more sites that are very shady but closer together, and there is more vehicle and bicycle traffic going past campsites.
Bathrooms are clean, and have showers and electrical outlets to charge devices if needed.
The park has lots of hiking, including trails that go directly from the camp sites to the swimming area, boat/canoe rentals, cabins, fishing, and a lakeside diner that sells concessions. Campsites allegedly have Wifi though we did not test this to see how reliable it is.
Cumberland County is only at 455' elevation, so the heat and humidity in the summer is intense--we were very uncomfortable our first night because of this, so fall would probably be the best time to go as it is when central Virginia has the best weather.
I selected this site. because it was near Natural Bridge and all that it has to offer. There were not a lot of options in the area so I bit the bullet and paid $30 for a site for the evening. While the facility was typical of a KOA I was not entirely impressed by the overall price to amenity ratio, especially after seeing other campgrounds in Virginia along this trip and their price being so vastly different.
Let me just give a full disclosure on this…. There are tent sites which cost less here, BUT there are only 5 of them in the entire campground so if you end up there on a weekend don't count on them being open at all. I even checked just for a reference of how booked they are and even checking some 2 weeks in advance on a random week day the same results appeared, NO BOOKINGS.
During summertime I can see how this place would attract a lot of people with the pool and various options, but in my opinion that does not offset the price point. And RV sites, which are more costly looked hard to get into with larger units.
My site was even and pretty basic despite having electricity. It was just across from the deluxe cabins and close to the restroom which I liked. Everything seemed well lit at night.
This campground being my hub only I did enjoy that it was very close to the town of Lexington itself as well as Natural Bridge, which is a pretty cool site with a lot of interesting history as well.
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Had a great time
If cruising in your golf cart is your favorite pastime, SAFC is the place for you! This call family friendly campground has many things for families. During the week, the campground slows down a bit, but on the weekends, it is completely full.
There are a lot of kiddos riding bicycles, hover boards, scooters, and skateboards around the loops, so the 5 MPH speed limit is important.
The staff at SAFC is top notch - from the Terry (T-Bone) who escorted us to our site and helped us set up (because our site was not level and it took us an hour to get our rig set up) to Chris (the camp manager).
The campground is part of a Sun Resorts and they are adding new bathroom facilities and new camp sites.
Gated and well kept group camping area. Lots of space for kids to romp and play. Crushed stone roads and pathways make it excellent for ADA access. Fenced dog run. A few roots and rocks made pitching a large tent a challenge but would be a great meeting place for all types of camping.
Always lively, always something to see most weekends. Friendliest staff on planet. Definitely my favorite.
This campground has everything. We have spent two summers here after leaving Florida. It is clean, spacious, lots of activities for young and old, and the owners and staff go out of their way to ensure you have a great time. There is an on-site restaurant that serves excellent food Thurs, Fri, Sat. You will not regret stopping here
We spend quite a bit of our time here, it is very family oriented. My kids love all of the activities and the lake! Can't wait until we can back this summer. They are remodeling and upgrading since SUN RV is now the new owners. If you have a golf cart, you can bring it. or you can rent one there.
Spent 3months here and absolutely loved it! There’s always tons of activities to do for everyone of age. Gold cart parades, crafts hours, poker run, corn hole tournaments. And of course their lake that has two jumping decks, water slide, snack bar , restaurant and off to the side a little store for floats with putt putt golf and Jenna,etc.
The restaurant has great food, but a quick snack is usually preferred. On weekends the staff and owners make sure your having fun and go out of their way to cheer you up.
There’s also a huge playground with volleyball and basket ball court near the pavilion. Along with a small arcade room and a huge fire pit ring to hang out at. Not to far from there is a dog run for both big and small and a fishing pond next to it.A few hiking trails that have the creek follow you around along with wildlife all around you.
They also have golf cart rentals :) A lot of gravel with a few green patches on their sites. But still easy enough to bike ride around. Weekend sites are spacious and so are the monthly/seasonal areas. And there’s tons of cabins to rent in front of the lake. Bring the whole family!
We were staying here with our two children and no dogs. As far as that’s concerned was a great place !! Lots for them to do, great swimming lake, employees were a pleasure. Trash pick-up was awesome !! Our site was gorgeous. Not a full hook up(more on that later), but absolutely perfect. Very private while still having next door neighbors. Music and such till quiet hours, again fine if that’s your thing. This is NOT a quiet or private campground. And that’s ok, as long as you’re aware. Ok, now to the gripes. Not many, but here goes. GOLF CARTS. Dear gods, these people won’t walk 20’ to the bathhouse !! It was insane. I expect bikes and such, but it seems as though there were some kind of secret society that unfortunately I didn’t get the memo. Couldn’t hardly walk on the roads, because of the golf cart traffic. Aaaaaaand, the dump station. Oh yes, that chestnut. Since our site had no sewer hook up(no regerts), we needed to dump before leaving. It’s conveniently located on the way out, BUT was completely overflowed. Toilet paper everywhere, and oh the stench. Which kicked of our search for another dump station, but that’s a tale for a different time. Will definitely be going back when we have the children, but will probably find something a little more quiet when it’s just us. Everywhere has their issues...Overall, great experience. Thank you Shenandoah !!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Afton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Afton, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 116 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Afton, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 glamping camping locations near Afton, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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