72 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Dillwyn, Virginia spans tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals at multiple state park campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, including Bear Creek Lake State Park and Holliday Lake State Park. The James River State Park area contains multiple camping areas including Red Oak Campground, Walnut Grove, Canoe Landing Group Campsite, and Branch Pond, providing a mix of waterfront and wooded environments for outdoor recreation. The Dillwyn area's campgrounds offer excellent access to Virginia's natural beauty, with campsites situated near lakes, rivers, and extensive trail systems.
Several campgrounds in the region maintain year-round operations, though some observe seasonal closures, particularly during winter months. Most sites require reservations, especially for weekend stays during peak summer months. According to one visitor, "We stayed at Bear Creek Lake 11/26 & 11/27. We wanted to stay at a park that had a nice trail system attached to walk about during the day. It was SO NICE walking along trails that were not crowded." Cell phone coverage varies significantly across the area, with many state parks having limited or no service, though some provide WiFi near ranger stations. While many campgrounds feature electric and water hookups, primitive tent-only sites are also available, particularly in group camping areas and hike-in locations.
The lakefront sites receive consistently high ratings from campers, particularly at Bear Creek Lake where waterfront views combine with trail access. Fishing opportunities attract many visitors, with catfish being a common catch in local waters. One camper noted, "The sites were close together but a few sites are worth it right on the water." Most developed campgrounds provide clean restroom facilities with showers, though more remote primitive sites may only offer vault toilets or no facilities at all. Wildlife sightings, including occasional bear activity, add to the natural experience. Family-friendly amenities like swimming beaches, boat rentals, and picnic areas complement the camping options, with some parks offering educational programming during summer months.
"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."
"Nice little state park close to Richmond and not too far from DC."
from $32 - $427 / night
Check Availability"We spent one night with our dogs at the walk-in campground at James Lake. It is a wonderful piece of nature. The campsites are far away from each other. Everything was very clean and taken care of."
"Campsite was right next to lake, beautiful views and easy water access. While we were there in April we only saw a couple other groups, and no other campers were anywhere near us."
from $16 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Campground Review Holliday Lake State Park is located in the middle of the Buckingham State Forest, so it is completely surrounded by protected forest."
"Short walk to the beach. Awesome staff. Awesome kids and learning program for the weekend. Really loved the lights in the water at night and nighttime walk."
from $37 - $107 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground in line with expectations for most Virginia state parks."
"This state park was a great find on my way south, Off the beaten path with plenty of river frontage and ponds around. There are plenty of places to fish!"
from $37 - $98 / night
Check Availability"Lake James is a true gem, clean and beautiful, with amazing views of Linville Gorge, Shortoff Mountain, and Table Rock. The State Park has several camping areas."
"This is a lovely little campground set on the shores of James Lake. Sites are big enough for 2 small tents or 1 largish family tent. All sites have a picnic table, fire pit with grate, and bear box."
from $16 / night
Check Availability"Located in the middle of nowhere off of narrow Virginia secondary roads, we were surprised to get good Verizon reception. We stayed on site 15 which is a long pull-thru."
"A Creek ran nearby the campground and there were options for trails. The campsites were well spaced apart."
from $16 / night
Check Availability"There is a long walking trail and free Kayaks"
from $50 / night
Check Availability"This isn't a campsite for the best "scenery" or anything (though it is pretty in the morning), but it is quiet (you might sometimes hear dogs or gunshots from hunters who are near the water-fowl impoundment"
"Nothing special but access to the river makes it great if you are fishing or kayaking. You will need a fishing license or access pass and must register that you are camping here. "
"First time camping in any part of Virginia, very nice and clean campground, not too much outside noise besides the random car driving on the one road near by."
"We set up camp then walked over to the brewery/ restaurant for some flights and dinner. I recommend grabbing some growlers to go. Showers and restrooms were clean."
from $25 - $140 / night
Check Availability"This is a terrific place to camp with quick easy access to hiking and also Charlottesville. 100% will come back."
from $50 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWe were on our way to Arizona and needed to stop for the night the staff were very kind in holding a pull through spot for us with no more than my name on arrival the campground is awesome for the money.
ScoutPocahontas Park is for those who love the outdoors. they provide 30 and 50 amp hook up, Water hook ups very nice size campsite open and private.
GuideOverall the sray here has been decent. Shower house is clean. Nice trail around the "big lake". And staff are very friendly. Roads need some work. There a re a lot of washout areas, still can travel through, but a little sketchy with motorhome. We liked our site because it was easy access to get back out on the country road. The laundry has 2 washers, but one is broken. There is a nice pool, but it was too cold for us to swim. Very dog friendly. One of the trails shown on the map was not accessible so we had to turn around. Overall we will be back
TravelerSomething for everybody; long term slots, primitive camping, with electricity and water, with full hookups, day use ramps for Lake Anna, huge covered picnic area for large gatherings, rv sites in the woods and others on the edge of large field. Staff are great.
RangerCool campground in a remote part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As such, very little phone service and lots of narrow, winding roads. Plenty of hikes and several interesting little towns within 30 minutes. I thought it was an interesting mix! We had a power outage during our visit, which also eliminates water access at this site. I was grateful to have an inverter to keep us online since there is zero AT&T service. I had a pull-through site and I'm not certain that I could have made the exit if the campers ahead of me didn't leave.
ScoutThe wifi test was done with my starlink not the campground wifi bc it doesn't exist.
To begin with I came physically up here from SC to check availability for long term stay. I was told there was a list and I would be put on that list and if a spot became available I would be notified (8-3-26). I was called (8-23-26) with availability and request for payment I paid then on the phone. My card the next following 3 days was ran for an additional total of 2400.00 every single morning an 800.00 charge I luckily had my card locked bc if not I would have been screwed. I was not given a reason why my card was ran so many times and not even an apology. I checked in on September 1st and was put in a site completely covered with tree limbs which is a problem as the only requirement I had was a clear view of the sky for my starlink to work for my remote work. For 2 whole weeks I went back and forth with the new GM Peggy. For 2 whole weeks I could NOT work the campground wifi is non existent. I was given the run around and a disrespectful attitude saying it wasnt there fault when it was known to begin with this was an absolute NEED not a want. Fast forward to today (9-12-26) I had issues with my power pole showing a short to ground and I was told its bc the poles are grounded to themselves but finally moved. The only catch was if I was to move I HAD TO LEAVE on october 1st per PEGGY the nee GM. So because of a miscommunication between staff of mine and my families needs bc my kids homeschooling I am forced to scramble to find another campground in two weeks when we live in our camper and work OTR. Its been nothing but problems here. The water taps are full of rust the GM judges you based off how you apear and treats you like dirt under the door mat. I was hoping this would be a good fit for me and my family but it has been nothing but the worst camping experience I have had in the past 5 years. The staff themselfs are great they tried to remedy the issue day one but PEGGY wouldnt allow it. I highly recommend going somewhere else and spending your hard earned money bc this place does not respect you as a customer or tenant. I talked with many campers who have been coming here for years since the 90s and they even say and feel the same the campground has declined since a management company purchased it. Also the long term rentals will be al.ost non existent unless you've bene coming here for 4 years or more. Cable is also non existent here. Its been a very VERY bad regretful experience. The lies from management and corporate baseline excuses are disgusting. Will NEVER camp here again. Take this as your honest warning from a normal person and a combat veteran. It dont take much to please me but this place has fell well below the bar. The site is was moved to before I get kicked out because they couldnt properly meet the needs of my stay allowed my starlink to work so I will be able to work 2 weeks before I am essentially nomadic again. If your tent camping bring water boots bc the tent sites seem to hold water. ALSO DONT LEAVE HONEST REVIEWS THAT SHED LIGHT ON THE NEGATIVES AND DOWNFALLS OF THIS PLACE OR THEY WILL TELL YOU YOU HAVE TO LEAVE.
GuideFriendly and helpful staff. Located in a rolling woodsy area near a lake. Not real busy and pretty quiet. The sites are gravel and some are not real level due to the terrain. There are walking and biking trails.
ScoutBeautiful area and lots of amenities but $95 a night for RV camper even if you’re in a van. The tent spots fill up fast if there are any
GuideNot far from the National park, we went the weekend before school started for the little ones so not as many campers as we have seen in the past. The brew pub is within walking distance. Great for family camping.
Camping sites near Dillwyn, Virginia cluster around the James River watershed at approximately 450 feet elevation, creating a rich landscape of waterfront and forest camping opportunities. Summer temperatures typically range from 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions in the 60-75°F range. Cell service remains spotty throughout the region's state parks, with most campgrounds providing WiFi only at visitor centers or camp stores.
Kayaking and canoeing on the James River: At James River State Park, visitors can access multiple river entry points for paddling adventures. "Camping along the river at the Canoe Landing Campground is great in the slower seasons. The sites are pretty close together so I'm sure it would be much more cramped when it's busy but it's a beautiful place. And you can fish right off the bank less than 50 yards from your tent," notes Christina.
Night sky observation: James River State Park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park with minimal light pollution. "Look at all those stars! The best place for star gazing! Just ask for a telescope (free at the store) and stare up at the sky for hours!" reports Chris E. Several campgrounds loan telescopes at no charge from their visitor centers.
Winter camping and hiking: Most Dillwyn area campgrounds operate year-round with reduced crowds. "We stayed at site 11/26 & 11/27...It was SO NICE walking along trails that were not crowded," noted one winter camper at Bear Creek Lake State Park. Trails typically range from 1-5 miles in length and offer varying terrain.
Lake activities: Several parks offer swimming beaches with designated areas. "The swimming area is so amazing. Great area for the kids to enjoy a safe and fun swimming experience. They have boat rentals and a fishing pier," reports Jennifer G. about Twin Lakes State Park, located 35 minutes south of Dillwyn.
Privacy between sites: While site proximity varies considerably between campgrounds, several parks offer more secluded options. "The sites were pretty close together but a few sites are worth it right on the water," notes a camper about Bear Creek Lake. For more seclusion, Branch Pond campground offers "much more privacy than Canoe Landing. The sites are larger too!" according to Jasmin S.
Educational programming: Rangers conduct regular outdoor skills demonstrations and nature programs. "We enjoyed a fire making class followed by s'mores on Friday night and then an owl searching hike on Saturday night," shares Bridget H. about her visit to Red Oak Campground.
Clean facilities: Holliday Lake State Park maintains well-kept bathhouses. "Quiet, beautiful and Dog Friendly! There are beautiful trails for hiking and a ton of fishing spots! It's the perfect relaxing getaway!" reports Amanda W. The campground offers water/electric sites, though many require significant leveling.
Water access: "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," notes Stephanie J. about Bear Creek Lake. Lakefront sites include direct water access but fill quickly, especially on summer weekends.
Terrain challenges: Many camping areas require proper leveling equipment. "Bring leveling supplies! Some sites are reservable, some are not," advises Marcy S. about Holliday Lake State Park. Similarly, at Canoe Landing Group Campsite, campers note the proximity to water means occasional uneven terrain.
Limited connectivity: Cell coverage remains inconsistent throughout the area. "Phone service is in and out but we didn't mind, it was nice to escape the world for a while," shares Amanda W. about Holliday Lake State Park. WiFi is available at visitor centers and camp stores, but rarely extends to individual sites.
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings high humidity and temperatures. "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," advises Stephanie J.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active in the region. "We loved this place! It was a small quiet campground with easy hiking trails, a small lake and some friendly bears poking around in the camp office," notes Gina G. Food storage regulations are strictly enforced at all campgrounds, with bear poles or boxes provided at most sites.
Beach swimming areas: Several parks provide supervised swimming during summer months. At Twin Lakes State Park, "The swimming lake has a nice beach and we happened to be there this last weekend and the temperature was nice and warm and the kids enjoyed playing on the beach and on the water playground," shares Bridget H.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Martin's Landing Camp offers dedicated fishing sites suitable for younger anglers. "The sites are spread out and have privacy. All but 1 site is waterfront. You can drift from your site. There are inflatables for rent," notes Steven M. Most campgrounds allow fishing without licenses for children under 16.
Avoid poison ivy: "Just worth a mention that my kids came back with poison ivy everywhere, so watch out for that!" warns Katie M. about Bear Creek Lake. Parents should bring identification guides and calamine lotion during spring and summer camping trips.
Playground access: "The camp sites are nicely maintained and include a large playground for the kids and the roads are good for bike riding," notes Jennifer G. Most state parks include playground equipment near main camping areas and beach facilities.
Site selection priorities: "Sites in the newer area (laurel ridge) are close to the nice bathhouse. Both bathhouses have WiFi. No cell service to speak of," advises Jen T. about Holliday Lake State Park. RVers recommend requesting sites away from common areas for more privacy.
Length limitations: Most state parks near Dillwyn have maximum length restrictions. "Limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer," notes Erica M. about Bear Creek Lake State Park. Advance reservations are essential for larger rigs, particularly during summer and fall weekends.
Hookup configurations: "If you stay at a full hook up site and are parked in an odd number spot, you will need an extra long sewer hose to reach the connection. For example, we have a small travel trailer and we needed a 30 foot hose," advises Erika S. at Devils Backbone Camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping options in Dillwyn, VA?
While Dillwyn itself has limited camping options, several excellent campgrounds are located within easy driving distance. James River State Park offers beautiful lakeside campsites with clean facilities and private sites spaced far apart from each other. The park features hiking trails and water access for recreation. Another option is Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground, which provides a serene camping environment not far from Dillwyn. For those willing to drive a bit further, Holliday Lake State Park near Appomattox offers drive-in and hike-in sites with water and toilet facilities.
Are there RV rental services available in Dillwyn, Virginia?
Dillwyn itself doesn't have dedicated RV rental services, but there are options in the surrounding area. Shenandoah Crossing in nearby Gordonsville offers various accommodation options including potential RV rentals. For those planning to bring their own RV, Crabtree Falls Campground provides sites along the Tye River, though the facilities are a short walk from some sites. Consider checking with RV rental companies in larger nearby cities like Charlottesville or Richmond, as they often offer delivery services to campgrounds in the Dillwyn area.
What accommodation options are available for visitors to Dillwyn?
Visitors to Dillwyn have several accommodation options beyond traditional hotels. Devils Backbone Camp offers an excellent camping experience with clean facilities, private sites, and the added bonus of being within walking distance to their brewery and restaurant. For a unique experience, Montebello Resort provides cabins, RV sites, and tent camping with excellent amenities including a well-stocked camp store and fishing opportunities. Those seeking peaceful surroundings might consider Powhatan State Park Campground or Sherando Lake Campground, both offering natural settings within driving distance of Dillwyn.
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