Camping options near Altavista, Virginia range from seasonal destinations to year-round facilities across Bedford, Campbell, and Pittsylvania counties. The region's elevation varies between 600-1,200 feet with moderate humidity during summer months and occasional winter freezes. Most campgrounds in the area connect to hiking trails with variable difficulty ratings, with access to the James River watershed offering fishing and paddling opportunities.
What to do
Fishing at stocked ponds: Smith Mountain Campground features a catch-and-release pond popular with families. One camper noted, "There is a good sized catch and release pond, we were at site#17 that was one site from the pond and not sure if you could see the water from#18 but the short walk to the pond is up a small hill/bunker like thing."
Blue Ridge Parkway access: Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA provides excellent proximity to scenic drives with elevation gains of 1,000+ feet. A reviewer mentioned, "We did not think we would be able to squeeze it into the visit but it's hard to pass up and they are literally right next to it."
Water activities: Leesville Lake access points sit approximately 9 miles from Altavista. As one visitor to Leesville Lake Campground shared, "A short walk, even shorter drive to the dam and decent fishing at the boat ramp. The lake has a lot of natural debris, but with reasonable caution, boating, kayaking and paddle boarding is very closeby."
Local events and festivals: Glen Maury Park hosts seasonal music events throughout summer months. A camper reported, "There are many activities such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival. This year they built large models of the twin towers and had a program about them on September 11th."
What campers like
Clean, modern bathrooms: Multiple rv parks around Altavista prioritize bathroom cleanliness. At Smith Mountain Campground, guests appreciate "4 private bathrooms that are very clean at a centrally located cabin" and note the campground is "exceptionally clean with spacious sites."
Pond-side camping: Water-adjacent sites provide wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper at Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA mentioned, "The tent sites were large and shaded. We were right by the fishing pond and it was a short walk to the playground, pool, jump pad, and very clean, private bathrooms."
Level, accessible sites: Campers with mobility concerns appreciate well-maintained grounds. At Thousand Trails Lynchburg, a visitor observed, "Remote and quiet location. In season this place is very busy. Our visit is pre Memorial Day so it is low key. 80-90% of sites are 30 Amp. Limited 50 amp."
Proximity to Smith Mountain Lake: The 20,600-acre lake sits within 30 minutes of several campgrounds. A guest at Sweetwater RV Park shared, "Really well thought out campground for RV. Plenty of pull through and back in sites. Level sites, utilities are well placed and good height."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Several campgrounds near Altavista operate on limited schedules. At Indian Heritage RV Park, which operates year-round, a tent camper noted, "Bathhouse is the nicest one I've encountered with a very homey living room like entry, very nice, private bathrooms with showers, and a laundry room."
Site accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds require careful navigation. At Leesville Lake Campground, a camper advised, "We stayed at the level sites across the street: easy-in, easy-out. Some of the sites on the other side of the street looked like they might be a challenge to get into."
Winter camping limitations: For off-season visitors, options narrow significantly. A camper at Don's Cab-Inns Campground appreciated it as "One of the few campgrounds open during the winter with facilities."
Cell service variability: Digital connectivity fluctuates throughout the region. One Smith Mountain Campground visitor reported, "Wi-Fi was standard campground speed," while others note complete absence of cell service in valley locations.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Glen Maury Park offers family-friendly amenities within 45 minutes of Altavista. A visitor reported, "The pool is very large, very clean, and has a diving board. And there's a wonderful swimming hole if you can find it."
Kid-friendly tent platforms: Several campgrounds feature elevated tent sites that prevent flooding. At Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA, a camper noted, "It stormed our first night, and the raised gravel tent platforms prevented us from flooding."
Family programming: Scheduled activities keep children engaged throughout summer months. One KOA visitor shared, "They had activities every day for the kids. As well as lots of unstructured activities. For example, they had a foosball table and a jumping pad."
Quieter family sections: Some campgrounds segregate family areas from louder sites. A Sweetwater RV Park visitor mentioned, "This campground was exceptionally clean and very quiet/peaceful. We went to the playground to play and pool to swim - had it to ourselves - with our 18 month old."
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality considerations: Several rv parks near Altavista, Virginia feature variable electrical options. A Sweetwater RV Park visitor noted, "Quiet, clean and everything we wanted. Sites level somewhat. Good power, water and nice and quite."
Satellite and antenna reception: Television signal varies by location due to mountain terrain. Campers recommend testing reception before setting up permanently, particularly in wooded sites.
Pull-through availability: RVers with larger rigs appreciate campgrounds with spacious entrances. An Indian Heritage RV Park visitor mentioned, "The site we have was easy to back in. Everything works well. The WiFi is decent."
Length restrictions: Some sites require disconnecting tow vehicles. A KOA visitor advised, "We had reserved a pull through but were just short in length and had to disconnect the tow vehicle for the night. They had longer sites so if this is important I would discuss when making reservation."
