Best Campgrounds near Amherst, VA

Join the fun near Amherst. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Amherst. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Virginia camping adventure.

Best Camping Sites Near Amherst, Virginia (86)

    1. Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park

    28 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    13 miles
    Website

    $15 - $80 / night

    "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."

    2. Red Oak Campground — James River State Park

    17 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    13 miles
    Website

    $35 / night

    "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!"

    3. Devils Backbone Camp

    39 Reviews
    Nellysford, VA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 817-9708

    $25 - $140 / night

    "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."

    4. Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA

    13 Reviews
    Big Island, VA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 299-5228

    "We stopped here overnight on a trip from Chicago to Virginia Beach. We had reserved a pull through but were just short in length and had to disconnect the tow vehicle for the night."

    "There was plenty for kids to do playground, pool, jump pillow, fishing pond and hiking trails. The tent site was amazing right by the pond. The fire pit has a grate for cooking."

    5. Otter Creek Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    14 Reviews
    Big Island, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 299-5125

    $30 / night

    "Great all around virginia campsite"

    "Alternative to crowded Shenandoah campgrounds, although is a good drive away <60+ miles away from entrance."

    6. Walnut Grove — James River State Park

    11 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 933-8061

    $15 - $18 / night

    "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."

    7. Crabtree Falls Campground

    20 Reviews
    Montebello, VA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 377-2066

    $28 - $55 / night

    "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night."

    "I’ve camped at a completely different part of this place before which was a site without access to bathrooms and showers."

    8. Oronoco Campground

    15 Reviews
    Buena Vista, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    "It should be noted that the warning about water moccasins posted previously is inaccurate as there are no water moccasins in this part of Virginia."

    "Only thing is that there’s a dog, we think from a property nearby, that acts aggressive towards campers."

    9. Sherando Lake Campground

    33 Reviews
    Tyro, VA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    $25 - $47 / night

    "Sherando Lake is a well-maintained, popular campground located in the George Washington National Forest near Lyndhurst, VA."

    "The lakeside is wonderful for sitting, reading and swimming.  The "upper lake" is great for fishing. "

    10. Branch Pond — James River State Park

    9 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    14 miles
    Website

    $15 - $18 / night

    "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."

    "Private, flat, and well maintained sites with great facilities, hiking/biking trails, and floating opportunities make this campground a good one to visit with family and friends!"

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Showing results 1-10 of 86 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Amherst, VA

639 Reviews of 86 Amherst Campgrounds



Guide to Amherst

Camping near Amherst, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Loft Mountain Campground. Many campers enjoy the easy access to nearby trails, with one reviewer noting, "Easy access to the Blackrock Summit and Doyles River Falls trails!"
  • Fishing: Head to Sherando Lake Campground for some fishing. One visitor mentioned, "There is a fishing area that you can drive to and park your car to fish."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground. A camper shared, "The swimming area is first rate and the warmest clean waters that will make you forget the ocean."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers at Misty Mountain Camp Resort. One review stated, "Great shower and laundry facilities as well."
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: Many families enjoy the activities available at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA. A reviewer noted, "The park is fantastic, best I’ve ever seen for cleanliness and friendly staff."
  • Scenic views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings at Douthat State Park Campground. One visitor said, "This is our favorite campsite and park that we’ve been to in the state of Virginia!"

What you should know

  • Limited cell service: Many campgrounds, like Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, have poor cell reception. A camper mentioned, "There isn't any cell service yet near the camp loop you can get service."
  • Crowded weekends: Expect busier crowds during weekends, especially at Shenandoah Valley Campground. One reviewer noted, "Weekends were packed, but much quieter during the week."
  • Fees for amenities: Some campgrounds charge for amenities like showers. A visitor at Loft Mountain Campground mentioned, "Showers were pretty expensive at $5 for 10 minutes."

Tips for camping with families

  • Plan for activities: Choose campgrounds with family-friendly amenities, like Misty Mountain Camp Resort, where kids can enjoy the inflatable jump pad. One parent said, "Our kids had a blast on the inflatable jump pad which was open all day."
  • Check for quiet hours: Be mindful of noise levels, especially at campgrounds like Canoe Landing Group Campsite. A camper shared, "Our neighbors were noisy, obnoxious, and trashy into the wee hours of the morning."
  • Bring outdoor games: Keep kids entertained with outdoor games. One family at Sherando Lake Campground enjoyed the space, saying, "There is a picnic area with grills and tables."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site hookups: Make sure to verify the location of electric and water hookups at campgrounds like Devil's Backbone Camp. A reviewer noted, "The water, electric and sewer hookups are on the wrong side for half of the RV sites."
  • Use leveling blocks: Some sites may not be level, so bring leveling blocks. A visitor at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area mentioned, "The site was not level yet nothing in the mountains is level."
  • Plan for dump station access: Be aware of dump station locations and conditions. One camper at Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground said, "The dump station (just one) was muddy and could use a larger concrete curb."

Camping around Amherst, Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Amherst, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Amherst, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 86 campgrounds and RV parks near Amherst, VA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Amherst, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Amherst, VA is Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 28 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Amherst, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Amherst, VA.

What parks are near Amherst, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Amherst, VA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.