Campsites near Amherst, Virginia sit within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering elevation ranges from 650 to 1,200 feet with distinctly cooler temperatures than nearby lowlands. The region features multiple stream-fed campgrounds, particularly along the Tye River watershed that carves through the mountainous terrain. Summer camping nights typically cool to the mid-60s even when daytime temperatures reach the 90s.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls near camp: Crabtree Falls Campground sits adjacent to one of Virginia's most impressive waterfalls. "The campground is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiking trails (a plus!) but, definitely opt for a full hook-up site! Only open from May to October each year so be sure to check that out before just showing up," notes a visitor named Bran P.
Fishing opportunities: Walnut Hills Campground offers on-site fishing in their pond. "The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" shares John D., highlighting one of the simpler activities available without traveling far from your rv sites near Amherst, Virginia.
Visit local breweries: Devils Backbone Camp provides unique access to craft beverages. "A short walk through the tent area brought you to the large brewery area. This area includes a brewpub, large outdoor seating area with fire pits and an outdoor stage, a distillery, cigar and cocktail lounge," explains one camper who details the brewery facilities that can be accessed without driving.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: The bathhouses at several campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews. At Devils Backbone Camp, one camper notes, "This campground has some of the nicest facilities of any campground I've stayed at. We camped in a trailer on a site without hookups. At this time of the year, it wasn't very busy. They provide firewood on the honor system."
Riverside camping spots: Crabtree Falls Campground offers sites directly adjacent to water. "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," shares Britt S. about their streamside camping experience.
Well-maintained grounds: Glen Maury Park receives praise for its upkeep. "VERY well kept and super friendly staff. I highly recommend. Larger rigs need to stay in the lower campground and there are no sewer connections, but the dump station is all good," reports Bradley M. about the park's condition.
What you should know
Water pressure varies: At Lynchburg Blue Ridge Parkway KOA, water systems can be inconsistent. "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," explains Christopher C. who stayed in a full hookup site near the front of the campground.
Hookup placement challenges: RV sites at Devils Backbone Camp have unusual utility arrangements. "If you were on an odd number site, you either had to hope you had the length on your water and power lines to run to the opposite side of your rig or you had to pull into the site the opposite way," reports a camper who found the configuration different than standard layouts.
Free camping limitations: Oronoco Campground offers no-cost sites but with restrictions. "This area is designated as a national forest campground, but didn't have a fee or closure dates like others. Creek runs through. Pit toilet bathrooms were open when we visited in early March. Not a huge area, maybe 10 sites or so," notes Connor S.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Lynchburg Blue Ridge Parkway KOA offers dedicated children's amenities. "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. But they also had a 'color a sack' thing where the kids got a KOA canvas tote and access to fabric markers," shares Michael L.
Swimming options: Sweetwater RV Park provides pool access that's often uncrowded. "The pool was great for my son and we had it to ourselves multiple days," mentions Joel B. about the family-friendly amenities.
Wildlife viewing: Staver Farm offers chances to see regional animals. "Trail cams are showing an increase in wildlife this past month (May 2023) Black Bear, Deer, Coyotes, Bobcats, & Turkeys," reports Donald S., indicating what families might encounter during their stay.
Tips from RVers
Extension cords needed: For full-hookup sites at Devils Backbone Camp, bring extra utility lines. "The power station was on the opposite side of the septic, so make sure you have a 30ft power cord at least!" advises Robert M. who found standard cord lengths insufficient.
Site selection for privacy: At Walnut Hills Campground, choose locations carefully. "The sites along the lower area near the lake were shaded mostly, some more than others, while the sites up the hill at the top and near the front entrance (pull through sites) were not shaded much," explains Laure D.
Honor system amenities: Many campgrounds around Amherst use trust-based systems. "Laundry is honor system per load…pay in office," notes Beth B. at Sweetwater RV Park, while other campers mention similar arrangements for firewood at several locations.
