The George Washington National Forest surrounding Augusta Springs offers several free dispersed camping options in addition to established campgrounds. With elevations ranging from 1,600 to 4,000 feet throughout the area, camping near Augusta Springs, Virginia provides diverse terrain for outdoor recreation. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s while spring and fall hover in the 60-70°F range, making seasonal planning important for comfort.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 5-10 minute walks from many campsites lead to stocked fishing areas. At Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area, "the pond is stocked with trout in season, check DGIF site for dates." Another camper noted, "the pond has a great little trail you can walk around and at night the stars are gorgeous. The water is also stocked with fish!"
Brewery visits: Under 1 mile hike from campsite to craft beverage destinations. Devils Backbone Camp offers unique camping with brewery access. "We set up camp then walked over to the brewery/restaurant for some flights and dinner," shares one visitor. The short distance means "you can have several great beers with your meal and safely walk back to the camp site."
Water activities: Seasonal swimming available at multiple locations from May through September. Montebello Resort provides water recreation options included with your stay. "The campground provides kayaks and paddle boats as well, at no charge," notes a recent visitor, while another enjoyed "the trout pond... we enjoyed fresh trout for dinner during our stay."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Wooded sites provide natural screening between campers at select locations. At North River Campground, the setup offers seclusion without total isolation. One camper described it as "just remote enough. There's no service for Verizon, but if you have an emergency, you can drive a mile or two and send out a call."
Waterfront camping: Stream-side sites offer natural soundscapes for sleep. Many campers appreciate the creek access at Braley Pond where sites are "next to a creek, so good sounds and cool environment." Another visitor mentioned, "we did wade the stream, which was cold and clear and beautiful."
Clean facilities: Updated bathhouses at several campgrounds receive high marks from visitors. Sherando Lake Campground maintains high standards according to campers. "The shower houses are at the center of each loop and have been rebuilt to ACA standard with in the last five years," wrote one visitor. Another noted that "I was surprised to find showers and flush toilets in a National Forest Service Campground."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service gaps exist throughout the region, especially in forest areas. "There is no cell signal here (at least with Verizon as of 3/2020)," reported a Braley Pond camper. Similarly, at Montebello Resort, visitors note "there is zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it's a bit of a drive."
Site reservations: Timing matters for securing spots at popular campgrounds. Weekend availability is particularly limited during summer and fall. "The window opens six months out and are usually booked for the high season summer months," explained a Sherando Lake visitor.
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity requires proper food management. Campgrounds provide varied storage options from lockers to hanging systems. "Each site has its own food locker which is really important because bears actually frequent the area," observed one camper at Sherando Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Kid-friendly sites with play areas keep children entertained. Stoney Creek Resort offers multiple recreation options. "They have a pretty big lake available for fishing and swimming (in season) too," noted a visitor, while another mentioned "great swimming lake. Family friendly."
Educational opportunities: Nature programs run throughout summer months at select locations. Sherando Lake offers various activities during peak season. "They have activities during the summer like outdoor movies and live music," shared one camper with children.
Swimming options: Designated areas with varying depths accommodate different age groups. North River Campground offers nearby water access. "There is a small lake (Todd Lake) open for swimming, kayaking, and fishing, that is a mile or two away. Admission for the lake is $8/vehicle."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Power/water layouts differ significantly between campgrounds. At Devils Backbone Camp, "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."
Site leveling: Preparation needed at some campgrounds with uneven terrain. Walnut Hills Campground offers assistance with site selection. "Our site 33 was full hookup and a very nice, mostly level, spacious, and had a covered picnic table on a deck," noted one RVer, while another mentioned their site was "easy enough to bike ride around."
Dump station access: Limited facilities require planning for non-sewer sites. "Dump station on premises," confirmed one RVer at Walnut Hills, while another mentioned "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."
