Cabins near Amherst, Virginia offer access to the Blue Ridge Mountains, which range from 2,000 to 4,000 feet in elevation throughout the region. The area experiences distinct seasons with fall colors peaking in mid-October and summer temperatures averaging 85°F with moderate humidity. Winter cabin stays require preparation as some mountain roads may become difficult to navigate after snowfall.
What to do
Stargazing opportunities: James River State Park has been designated an International Dark Sky Park due to minimal light pollution. "This is a wonderful spot for viewing the stars because of the lack of light pollution. James River State Park has been named an International Dark Sky Park," notes Daryl L. about Red Oak Campground.
River activities: The James River provides multiple recreation options with clear, clean water. "The best part of both trips was the River. Absolutely clean, crystal clear water and never crowded. Both of my trips were during the summer and over a weekend and we seldom came across others," writes Conni B. about their experience at Red Oak Campground.
Mountain hiking: Access to the Blue Ridge Parkway opens up numerous trails within 30 minutes of most cabin accommodations. "The campground is good and the area is great. There is so much to do in the Lynchburg area," notes Ash V. about the Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
What campers like
Family-friendly activities: Jellystone Park provides structured entertainment for younger visitors. "A great place!! Right next to the James River for all of your fishing needs. Have a pool, splash pad, pond/lake with a slide, beach, inflatable obstacle course, have an arcade room, and 2 additional water slides," shares Matt R. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Private bathroom facilities: Many cabin rentals and campgrounds feature well-maintained restroom facilities. "The bath house is very big," notes Emily R. about Montebello Resort. Another camper adds, "Best bathhouse I've encountered with something like 7 unisex bathrooms each with their own shower" at Lynchburg KOA.
Fishing access: Multiple locations offer stocked fishing opportunities without requiring a license. "The trout pond is not what they make it out to be on the website. It's a very small pond with zero shade at the entrance of the resort. It is not catch and release, it is catch and keep, whatever you catch, you pay for per pound," explains Adrian K. about Montebello Resort.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most mountain cabin locations have restricted connectivity. "Verizon service is spotty 1 to 2 bars and unreliable data but with a directional cell booster we are able to get enough signal for our Verizon Jetpack to work," reports Micah B. about staying at Red Oak Campground. At Montebello Resort, another visitor notes "no cell coverage or wifi" in their review.
Seasonal operational schedules: Many cabins and associated facilities operate on limited schedules. "This KOA is one of our favorites. Open year round," mentions Misty C. about Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, which is unusual as many locations close during winter months.
Water pressure variations: Utilities can be inconsistent at some properties. "My water pressure was good but talking to other campers, the farther away you get from the front of the park the worse the water pressure gets," reports Christopher C. about his stay at Lynchburg KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Hiking difficulty levels: Consider trail ratings when planning with children. "The hiking trails were a short distraction, but not long or difficult enough to wear them out," shares Jeremiah E. about Red Oak Campground, highlighting that some trails may not provide enough challenge for active kids.
Recreational programming: Some locations offer structured activities. "We enjoyed a fire making class followed by s'mores on Friday night and then an owl searching hike on Saturday night. We hiked many miles while here and had a great weekend," writes Bridget H. about their family experience at Red Oak Campground.
Off-peak benefits: Visiting during shoulder seasons can provide a more peaceful experience. "We had a great weekend with the whole family! There was a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging, laughing, loving, and hanging out!" shares Bridget H. about their fall visit to Jellystone Park.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Some cabin rental properties also accommodate RVs but have space limitations. "If we had camper with slide, we would not have been able to use our slide in this site," cautions Martha S. about Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, emphasizing the importance of confirming space requirements when booking.
Access routes: Mountain roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE CAMPGROUND WEBSITE. VA56 is a very windy road not recommended for pulling a camper through. Use the blue ridge parkway," advises Quinn G. about approaching Montebello Resort with an RV or trailer.
Campsite utilities: Hook-up locations vary widely between properties. "The site has a fine gravel pad, picnic table and fire ring. I was in site 2 near the lake. A crowd with chairs sat above my site on the hill that were rather noisy. But biggest drawback was distance to bathroom which I had to drive to," notes Michelle W. about their experience at Montebello Resort.
