The Austinville area sits at approximately 2,000 feet elevation in Virginia's Blue Ridge Highlands, with camping sites spread through rolling terrain along the New River Valley. Summers bring warm days with highs in the 80s and cooler evenings, while spring and fall camping offers moderate temperatures with occasional fog in low-lying areas. Camping options near Austinville include a mix of riverfront locations and mountain settings with varying levels of cell service.
What to do
Bike the New River Trail: Located one block from Fries New RiverTrail RV Park, the 58-mile trail offers easy cycling on a 2% grade. "We rode 15 miles out and 15 back to campsite," reports Martha S., who enjoyed direct trail access from the campground.
Float on local waterways: Peak Creek offers tubing opportunities with equipment provided by some hosts. "Host was very accommodating and had inner tubes for floating in the stream," notes Lynn from Peak Creek RV Campground, where the creek runs wide enough to feel "like a river, cool getaway during the day."
Explore nearby towns: West Jefferson and its attractions are less than 30 minutes from many campgrounds. "West Jefferson, home of Ashe Cheese, and much more," mentions Rob R. when describing day trips from Peak Creek RV Campground. For craft beer enthusiasts, Nancy C. recommends "Creek Bottom Brewery in Galax (less than 30 min). Great food and beer options. Pickle fries are amazing!"
What campers like
Live music opportunities: The region has rich musical traditions with local performances. "The town is on the 'Crooked River Music Trail' and music is an important part of their heritage. Thursday evenings, the community center hosts a jam session - check it out!!" advises Bran P. from Fries New RiverTrail RV Park.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature on-site recreation options. Stafford W. notes that Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground has "free wifi along with a brand new 9 hole disc golf course!" making it popular for active campers.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing access. Visitors to Brushcreek Falls RV Resort "noticed multiple people utilizing the fishing pond," according to Julie M., while riverside campgrounds provide additional angling opportunities.
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Mountain access requires careful driving. Don Lockaby warns about Chantilly Farm: "Getting there was quite a journey over narrow curvy roads but once there it was a nice area." Plan extra travel time and use appropriate vehicles.
Cash may be needed: Some campgrounds have specific payment requirements. Sherri J. notes about Fries New RiverTrail: "One thing to note is that they don't accept credit cards," so bring cash.
Bath facilities vary widely: Bathroom availability and quality differ between locations. Craig Johnson described Chantilly Farm bathrooms as "a little rough around the edges, was clean. We would definitely stay again." Meanwhile, Julie M. found at Brushcreek Falls that "the shower house had one shower stall per gender and was not very clean."
Water pressure considerations: Some sites have utilities but with limitations. At Fries New RiverTrail, Sherri J. reports "Being at the end of the water line for the park, our pressure wasn't great so we used our fresh water tank and water pump for showers and to wash dishes but the pressure was adequate for making coffee."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Many rv campgrounds near Austinville offer dedicated child-friendly features. Julie M. noted at Brushcreek Falls "there was a very nice new swingset Nearby," while Melinda J. recommends Lake Ridge RV Resort for families because of its "Pools, fishing, and golf cart rentals available."
Arcade options: Some campgrounds provide indoor entertainment for rainy days. Mychele B. enjoyed Lake Ridge RV Resort because "We spent one evening playing in the arcade room where I may currently hold the high score on one of the pinball machines."
Spacing between sites: Consider how campsite layout affects family comfort. At Riverwalk RV Park, Jeremy D. found a "Large back-in spot, fairly level. Very quiet during the week," making it good for families needing space.
RV tips
Site accessibility: Many Austinville area RV campgrounds accommodate various rig sizes with some limitations. Martha S. notes that Fries New RiverTrail RV Park "can handle the smaller TT to the largest monster-sized motor homes" with sites designed in "the form of a crescent, so everyone's door faces the stream."
Hookup details: Specific utility setups vary between parks. Nancy C. describes Fort Chiswell RV Park as having "Full hook ups, including cable!" with "level space, shade, and picnic table" at each site. Other rv campgrounds Austinville visitors frequent may offer different configurations.
Wifi reliability: Internet access varies significantly between campgrounds. Martha S. reports that at Fries New RiverTrail, "WiFi and cable are great in the entire park" while Stephanie H. found Riverwalk RV Park "just a few minutes down the road from the very quaint town of Elkin, NC" with "sites were roomy and the entire campground was so clean!"
Seasonal pricing: Costs fluctuate based on season and amenities. Ronald C. cautions about Riverwalk: "I just felt that this early in the year when the leaves aren't even on the trees and nobody's swimming the cost would be alot less than $80 a night."
