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Jennifer H.
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ScoutSun Retreats Shenandoah Valley
Gorgeous campground. Super clean and many amenities for kids.
Camping near Appomattox, VA
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Appomattox, Virginia and the surrounding area feature several established campgrounds catering to various camping preferences. Holliday Lake State Park Campground, located in Appomattox, provides tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options with amenities including electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities. James River State Park, situated nearby, offers multiple camping areas including Red Oak Campground with full hookups and Walnut Grove with more primitive tent sites. Paradise Lake Family Campground in Spout Spring accommodates both tent and RV campers with electric and water hookups. The region's mixed-use campgrounds typically operate seasonally, with most state park facilities open from March through December, though some private campgrounds remain open year-round.
"Twin Lakes State Park Campground is pretty small, but the sites were large and well spaced out. It was very shady and the sites were pretty level." Water pressure and connectivity vary significantly across the area's campgrounds. Several reviews mention limited or unreliable cell service, particularly at state park locations, which may affect remote work capabilities. Paradise Lake Family Campground has reported low water pressure issues due to well water systems. Weather conditions remain relatively mild through much of the camping season, though summer humidity can be significant. Most developed campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak summer months and weekends. The region's historical significance, including proximity to Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, makes it a popular destination during spring and fall when temperatures are most comfortable for outdoor activities.
Campers consistently praise the natural setting and water access at many area campgrounds. James River State Park receives particularly high ratings for its lakeside camping options, with one visitor noting, "Campsite was right next to lake, beautiful views and easy water access." Several campgrounds feature fishing opportunities, swimming areas, and hiking trails. Devils Backbone Camp, though slightly farther from Appomattox, stands out for its unique brewery-adjacent camping experience, with one camper commenting, "We set up camp then walked over to the brewery/restaurant for some flights and dinner." Families appreciate the recreational amenities at developed campgrounds like Holliday Lake State Park, which offers swimming, fishing, and hiking opportunities. The region's mix of state parks and private campgrounds provides options ranging from basic tent sites with minimal amenities to full-service RV parks with electric, water, and sewer hookups, accommodating various camping preferences and experience levels.
Best Campgrounds near Appomattox (92)
1. Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park
"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 Availability2. Holliday Lake State Park Campground
"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 Availability3. Paradise Lake Family Campground
"Has beautiful pool and lake, playground, arcade, and boat rentals. Fishing, hiking, basketball. Very friendly staff all the time."
"The bathroom was a good walk up the hill so bring your bikes. We would definitely go back though!"
4. Red Oak Campground — James River State Park
"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 Availability5. Walnut Grove — James River State Park
"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 Availability6. Thousand Trails Lynchburg
"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."
"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."
7. Branch Pond — James River State Park
"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 Availability8. Devils Backbone Camp
"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 Availability9. Parkview RV Park
10. Pine Creek Tiny House
from $129 - $159 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 14 min from Charlottesville, VA
Recent Camping Photos near Appomattox, VA
236 Photos of 92 Appomattox Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Paradise Lake Family Campground
2nd 40 to 420 - The Farm
Holliday Lake State Park Campground
Walnut Grove — James River State Park
Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State ParkC
Red Oak Campground — James River State Park
Branch Pond — James River State ParkV
Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOAS
Otter Creek Campground — Blue Ridge ParkwayR
Twin Lakes State Park Campground
Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground
Alhambra Road Site 7
Recent Reviews near Appomattox, VA
654 Reviews of 92 Appomattox Campgrounds
- kkelly P.Scout
Limestone Park
Nice quiet campground, showers needed to be cleaned but were not bad. Communication was not good with park people.
Jennifer S.
TravelerMisty Mountain Camp Resort
Location is wonderful, however campground is lacking in every area
Very disappointed in our recent four-night stay at Misty Mountain Campground this October.
Prior to our arrival, both my husband and I made numerous attempts to verify our site and reservation details. My husband called for five consecutive days and left messages each time, and I sent an email; however, we received no response.
When we arrived, the check-in process was extremely frustrating. I was initially told we had no reservation. After explaining that I was part of a wedding group, had already paid, and had been assigned a site number, the registration staff member continued to insist the reservation could not be found. After being ignored for 10 minutes and having to explain the situation again, she located our booking, but assigned us to the wrong site.
Additionally, the site and facilities fell far below expectations for an "RV Resort":
- Site Condition: The campsite was overcrowded, overgrown, and in poor condition.
- Facility Cleanliness: The restrooms were dirty, with grime on the doors, and clearly lacked regular cleaning (the same debris remained on the floor for days).
- Amenities: We were unable to purchase propane as none was available. Furthermore, we were refused change for the laundry facilities under the claim that they were closing for renovations, despite the door remaining open with no work taking place.
Overall, the lack of communication, poor customer service, and substandard conditions made for a very negative experience. I hope they deal with their issues because it is a lovely area.
- CCary C.Scout
Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground
Smith Mountain Lake Campground
Great campground post season- open until 10/31. Good weather, leaf peeping. LOTS of trails to the lake, and very dog friendly
dale H.ScoutStoney creek
Great stay for the price
We 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.
Jeremy R.
GuideThousand Trails Lynchburg
Nice staff
Overall 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
Jim M.GuidePeaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
Good for a night stop along the Parkway
The campground is nice but needs a little upkeep. It is apparent from the algae and moss on the buildings that it's a very damp area. The restroom facilities were working but needed touched up All in all it was ok for a nights stay and the lake and sharp top mountain were incredible despite the little issues I wouldn't hesitate to come back.
Thomas B.
RangerMontebello Resort
Narrow Outdoors
Cool 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.
- rrobert J.Scout
Misty Mountain Camp Resort
Where do i even start
The 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.
Guide to Appomattox
Camping options around Appomattox, Virginia extend beyond established campgrounds to include primitive camping areas and specialized campsites. The region sits at elevations ranging from 700-900 feet with rolling terrain characterized by mixed hardwood forests and river valleys. While summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s, nighttime temperatures can drop significantly, especially at higher elevations in spring and fall.
What to do
River activities at Branch Pond: Branch Pond at James River State Park offers water-based recreation with multiple access points. "James River State Park is beautiful! The Canoe Landing camping area is spacious with fire rings, and lots of room to set up tents right along the river. There are tons of trails to explore in this park, and the views in this campground can't be beat!" according to camper Brittany B.
Nighttime astronomy programs: The James River park area holds International Dark Sky Park designation, making it ideal for stargazing. A camper at Walnut Grove reported, "The beat place for star gazing! Just ask for a telescope (free at the store) and stare up at the sky for hours!" Some weekends feature ranger-led astronomy programs where telescopes are provided.
Civil War history exploration: The area's rich Civil War history extends beyond Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. Hiking trails throughout the region connect to historical sites with interpretive signage. "The Courthouse was only about 15min away and offered a very interesting visit of a historical site," notes Jacob S. who stayed at Holliday Lake State Park.
What campers like
Brewery-adjacent camping: For a unique camping experience, Devils Backbone Camp combines outdoor recreation with craft beer. "We set up our site then walked to the brewery from your site. The bathhouse is top notch! Squeaky clean with lots of space," shares Jennifer E. The campground includes a short trail connecting directly to the brewery complex.
Lake activities: Holliday Lake State Park offers water recreation options including fishing boats with outboard motors. "We hike, fish, swim, kayak, rent a motor boat, and just relax at our campsite. We watched a Bald Eagle and an Osprey for over an hour while kayaking on the lake," notes Jennifer K. The lake features a designated swimming area with water platforms for children.
Privacy in primitive sites: Branch Pond campsite provides secluded tent camping with natural barriers between sites. "Branch Pond campsite provides for so much more privacy than Canoe Landing. The sites are larger too!" reports Jasmin S. Most primitive sites include cleared tent pads, fire rings, and access to vault toilets.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Most campgrounds in the area have restricted cell service, especially in valleys. "The park is completely off grid, and we like that! With busy jobs during the week it's nice to unwind and enjoy nature," mentions a camper at Holliday Lake State Park Campground. WiFi is typically only available at visitor centers or camp stores.
Water pressure concerns: Several campgrounds rely on well water systems with lower pressure than municipal systems. At Paradise Lake Family Campground, a camper noted, "Horribly low water pressure. Staff reported park has only well water not city provided water so only 35 psi. We removed all our water filters to get slightly better pressure."
Site leveling requirements: Many campsites throughout the region require leveling equipment due to the rolling terrain. "Bring leveling supplies! Some sites are reservable, some are not," advises Marcy S. about Holliday Lake. RV campers particularly need to prepare with sufficient blocks and leveling tools.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Paradise Lake Family Campground features both a pool and lake swimming area accessible to children. "Has beautiful pool and lake, playground, arcade, and boat rentals. Fishing, hiking, basketball," writes Nina S. The swimming areas include designated shallow sections for younger children.
Educational ranger programs: James River State Park offers weekend nature programs designed for families. One visitor shared, "Nice campground. 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." These programs often include hands-on activities like animal tracking or night walks.
Preparation for equipment transport: When camping at walk-in sites, prepare for carrying gear. "The camp sites are far away from each other. Everything was very clean and taken care of. It's quite a walk to the campsites but they provide wheelbarrows to bring your stuff in," explains Katrin M. about walk-in sites at James Lake.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement challenges: At Devils Backbone Camp, the utility hookups have unusual placement. "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. The sewer connection for odd-numbered sites is opposite the electricity and water.
Size limitations on back roads: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating narrow roads. "This park was well maintained, as most state parks have been. However, the sites were a good size but were very difficult to get even a small trailer into the site due to the narrow roads," reports Jacob S. Larger RVs should verify access routes before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Appomattox, VA?
What camping is available near Appomattox, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Appomattox, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 92 campgrounds and RV parks near Appomattox, VA and 11 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Appomattox, VA?
Which is the most popular campground near Appomattox, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Appomattox, VA is Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 28 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Appomattox, VA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Appomattox, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Appomattox, VA.
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