Camping areas near Axton, Virginia sit in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations between 800-1,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F while spring and fall camping seasons experience cooler nights in the 40-50°F range. The region's clay-based soils can create drainage challenges at some sites during the frequent afternoon thunderstorms common from May through September.
What to do
Lake activities at Philpott Reservoir: Salthouse Branch Campground provides access to the 3,000-acre Philpott Reservoir. "We could have portaged our kayak to the ramp, there is an ample parking lot ramp-side. Philpott reservoir is magnificent!" one visitor noted about Salthouse Branch Campground.
Hiking nearby trails: Several campgrounds offer trail access. "Lots of good hiking in the area," mentioned a camper at Salthouse Branch. The campground features multiple elevation changes with "hillside spots because of all the trees and the multiple levels that the spots are on."
Visit historical sites: The region offers access to local history. "We enjoyed touring local historical sites," reported campers at Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground. This campground is "located right outside of Floyd, VA and just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway" with "hiking and mountain biking trails."
Motorcycle touring: The Blue Ridge Parkway attracts riders. "Great motorcycle campground. Good spread of water spigots and electrical outlets if you need to charge your equipment," noted a visitor to Willville Motorcycle Camp. The camp is "only a couple of minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway" with "lots of great riding in the area."
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Campers appreciate room between sites at several parks. At Jones Station RV Park, visitors found "sites were huge with large space between...everything was immaculate." One camper noted this park had "sites nicely spaced apart similar to state parks."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathhouses receive consistent praise. "The bathhouse at the top of the hill is quite clean," mentioned a camper at Willville Motorcycle Camp. Similarly, at Indian Heritage RV Park, a tent camper found the "bathhouse is the nicest one I've encountered with a very homey living room like entry, very nice, private bathrooms with showers, and a laundry room."
Community atmosphere: Some campgrounds foster social connections. Willville Motorcycle Camp features a "community fire ring where Will has a fire most nights." Another camper added: "Most evenings riders will gather on the porch to talk bikes and life - should you care to join in. Coffee in the mornings, restaurants less than a mile away."
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer nature observation opportunities. One camper at Indian Heritage RV Park noted "there are ground hogs and crawdads" while at Salthouse Branch, "sighting a male pileated woodpecker was a highlight."
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require careful navigation. The road to Salthouse Branch Campground is "very narrow and steep up and downs. My breaks were gone by the time I got to the entrance," cautioned one camper. Similarly, accessing Chantilly Farm "was quite a journey over narrow curvy roads."
Seasonal operation variations: While many campgrounds operate year-round, amenities vary by season. Salthouse Branch operates from "March 22 to October 31." Permanent features remain accessible outside peak seasons, though swimming areas typically close after Labor Day.
Alcohol policies: Not all campgrounds permit alcohol consumption. At Salthouse Branch, "The police visited us because we were drinking outside of our camper. He was very nice and explained no alcohol allowed. This is clearly stated and we were in the wrong."
Dump station positioning: The dump station at Salthouse Branch is positioned on an incline. "Washrooms are at quite a distance from this site so we were glad to be completely self-contained," noted one reviewer, highlighting the importance of planning bathroom needs.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several rv parks near Axton, Virginia feature play areas. At Salthouse Branch Campground, "the kids love the playground!" One family mentioned, "We always love visiting Salthouse Branch! Facilities are clean, staff is friendly and helpful, and we love the atmosphere in the lower loop!"
Swimming options: Paradise Lake & Campground offers water recreation for families. "Lake view, clean in-ground pool, staff was nice and campground was family oriented and peaceful," noted one visitor. The "pool was clean and well balanced" according to another camper.
Bike-friendly loops: Children enjoy cycling at several campgrounds. At Salthouse Branch, "lots of pre-teen bike riders had a wonderful time speeding around the campsite." Another family mentioned the "lower loop is pretty level, fun to walk and ride bikes around."
Site selection for convenience: Choose sites strategically for family needs. "The lower loop is pretty level," at Salthouse Branch, making it easier for young children. One camper specifically recommended staying in this area for families with kids.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: RV parks near Axton vary in site preparation. At Sweetwater RV Park, one camper found their "site itself was an easy pull-through. It was clean and hookups were easy to figure out (first time RVers here)." Another mentioned sites were "level somewhat."
Big rig accessibility: Some campgrounds accommodate larger motorhomes better than others. "Sites are a bit small for anything over 35' but we did manage our 41' in there," noted a camper at Salthouse Branch, adding they "do have some large back in FHU sites if you need but not many."
Wi-Fi considerations: Connection quality varies significantly. At Jones Station RV Park, visitors appreciated "WiFi that actually works!" while at Sweetwater, first-time RVers found everything "easy to figure out" with their hookups.
Utility placement: Hookup positioning affects setup ease. At Greystone RV Park, "pull thru sites with concrete pads" mean "no leveling needed. Couldn't be easier to pull in and set up," according to a reviewer. Similarly, at Jones Station, one RVer appreciated "extra wide and extra long pull thru site" and "extra wide roadways."
