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Best Campgrounds near Bedford, VA

615 Reviews

Bedford, Virginia provides access to diverse camping options along the Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding national forest lands. Peaks of Otter Campground, located at Milepost 85.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, offers tent and RV sites in a forested mountain setting. Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest provides a more rustic experience with creek-side sites. The area includes several mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some locations like Smith Mountain Lake State Park also offering cabin rentals and yurt accommodations.

Camping season in the Bedford region typically runs from April through October, with most Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds operating from early May to late October. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during peak summer months and fall foliage season. Developed campgrounds like Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA remain open year-round, while primitive sites in George Washington National Forest may have seasonal restrictions. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with many campgrounds reporting limited or no connectivity. A camper noted, "No electricity, no showers, and barely an internet signal. Had to go to Bedford or south 4 miles to an overlook to connect."

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the region. Smith Mountain Lake State Park provides boat-in access and lakefront sites that appeal to water enthusiasts. Several campgrounds feature creeks or rivers running through the property, enhancing the camping experience. As one reviewer described Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp: "The creek winds through this loop providing the sound of water and a place to splash in." Road noise can be an issue at campgrounds near highways, while those deeper in forest settings offer more tranquility. Campgrounds in the area generally provide clean facilities, with many reviewers specifically mentioning well-maintained bathrooms. Wildlife sightings, including bears, are common in the more remote camping areas, requiring proper food storage and waste disposal.

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Best Camping Sites Near Bedford, Virginia (97)

    1. Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    23 Reviews
    Thaxton, VA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 586-7321

    $30 / night

    "On the Blue Ridge Pkwy. 10 miles from Bedford VA. No electricity, no showers, and barely an internet signal. Had to go to Bedford or south 4 miles to an overlook to connect."

    "Road Noise: Lower T loop is near the road going to Bedford. Traffic is sporadic. The noise, when there is traffic, is significant but only occasional. No commercial traffic is allowed."

    2. Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Penhook, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 297-6066

    $20 - $40 / night

    "This is a well maintained area with access to several hiking trails of all difficulty levels. The lake is beautiful and my entire family enjoyed our time!"

    "Stopping at Smith Mountain lake was well worth it during my mini road trip through VA. Pros: huge lake with tons of outdoor activities (trails for running/walking, boating activities, kayaking)."

    3. Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp — George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

    18 Reviews
    Natural Bridge Station, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    $20 - $40 / night

    "These sites are slightly more rugged, and best for smaller tents; site 35 however is both large, flat, and private, and is next to the trailhead to one of the campground's hiking trails."

    "Site was spacious and pleasantly situated for our 17' travel trailer. Clean bathrooms and shower."

    4. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    31 Reviews
    Natural Bridge, VA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2770

    $35 / night

    "This campground is open year round and is right off the highway.  There is a gas station right next to it as well as a safari park. "

    "Located in a beautiful part of central Virginia, this campground gives you lots of options for sightseeing. It is definitely worth a trip to the Natural Bridge."

    5. Middle Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Buchanan, VA
    13 miles
    Website

    $20 - $85 / night

    "It was early season, mid- may, so there were few other campers around. We took a site up their gravel road away from the main campground area."

    "They mostly lazed around all weekend and watched people coming and going. The RV sites are directly across from the camp store, but the tent sites were tucked back into the woods."

    6. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge

    16 Reviews
    Natural Bridge Station, VA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2727

    $39 - $241 / night

    "Right next to the James River for all of your fishing needs. Have a pool, splash pad, pond/lake with a slide, beach, inflatable obstacle course, have an arcade room, and 2 additional water slides."

    "Lots of stuff for kids, very close to river for tubing, reservation system in place because of Covid prevention guideline for swimming which worked out really well for kids... not many activities due to"

    7. North Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Buchanan, VA
    15 miles
    Website

    $30 / night

    "Our camping trip in Virginia was a step into serene simplicity for just $15. Nestled in a beautiful forest, we found peace with no electricity, no internet, and no phone signals—just pure nature."

    "The gravel road going around the tent loop was really loud, and there was a cabin behind our site that had a lot of activity and noise for awhile, but all was quiet after 10p."

    8. Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA

    14 Reviews
    Big Island, VA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 299-5228

    "Being a Veteran the highlight was visiting the D Day Museum in nearby Bedford.  Very emotional."

    "We stopped here overnight on a trip from Chicago to Virginia Beach. We had reserved a pull through but were just short in length and had to disconnect the tow vehicle for the night."

    9. Otter Creek Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    14 Reviews
    Big Island, VA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 299-5125

    $30 / night

    "Great all around virginia campsite"

    "Alternative to crowded Shenandoah campgrounds, although is a good drive away <60+ miles away from entrance."

    10. Sweetwater RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Moneta, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 296-0522

    $47 / night

    "Multiple dog parks….so convenient so you have one close to your area. Lots of recreation, great pickle ball area and pool. Laundry is honor system per load …pay in office."

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Recent Camping Photos near Bedford, VA

249 Photos of 97 Bedford Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Bedford, VA

615 Reviews of 97 Bedford Campgrounds

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Paradise Lake Family Campground

    Not more than one night

    This is an older campground and shows its age…and wear. There are several semi-permanent residents here. Some facilities need repair and/or maintenance. Water in the shower was hot, but the showers were small, and there was no place for d as iso, shaving things, shampoo, ets. And no place to sit to. There is a pool and a lake with a swim beach. Kayak rental. Playground, laundry, showers/ bathrooms are passable. Internet is very slow.

  • Stephanie L.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Sweetwater RV Park

    Quiet, clean campground!

    This campground was exceptionally clean and very quiet/peaceful. We went to the playground to play and pool to swim - had it to ourselves - with our 18 month old. The staff is amazing and clearly love what they do. They were friendly from the start and they let us know they were available for help, etc. The site itself was an easy pull-through. It was clean and hookups were easy to figure out (first time RVers here; not new to camping though). I would say this campground has achieved the 'family-friendly' atmosphere, for sure! SML State Park is 10mns away! We will definitely be back!

    I thought being at the end of the loop would be noisy due to traffic coming through, but it didn't bother us one but!

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Sweetwater RV Park

    Great location at SML

    Really well thought out campground for RV. Plenty of pull through and back in sites. Level sites, utilities are well placed and good height. Well maintained…you can tell staff takes pride in campground. Multiple dog parks….so convenient so you have one close to your area. Lots of recreation, great pickle ball area and pool. Laundry is honor system per load …pay in office.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge

    Helpful staff and nice amenities

    It has all the bells and whistles you’d hope for at a Jellystone. It sounds like staffing has been challenging but the fellow campers and wonderful staff that are here make it well worth staying. We partook in all we could and enjoyed the swimming hole, pool, splash pad, jumping pillow and arcade. I’d stay again and would love to head down to the river for some tubing and fish in the stocked pond.

  • Kevin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    Exceeded expectations

    I was impressed with this campground from the minute I entered it. We were greeted at the entrance and then sent to an escort you smartly showed us to our site by taking the same path at the RV should take; making wise returns and so on. The site was pristine and laid out very nicely. Honestly the whole place was really clean and lovely. This is my first KOA visit and I was thoroughly impressed

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Beautiful place, old campground

    On a Thursday night in July we were the only ones at the campground. Friendly host but the campsites are not level - and we had the best of the lot - very private (if others had been there) but only one side of the picnic table was accessible (bc of the slope). Worked for our setup with rooftop tent but would’ve been difficult for someone w a camper or tent. Lodge was nice and well-kept. Hike to top of peaks was strenuous and gorgeous at the top! Decent stop right off the BRP. Wildflowers were beautiful.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    Convenient and easy

    Lots of pull thru sites, full hook up, even have dog park and laundry.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2025

    Sweetwater RV Park

    Nice place

    A quiet and clean campground. The pool was great for my son and we had it to ourselves multiple days.

  • nThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Road noise

    The Blue Ridge Parkway is currently closed just south of the Peaks of Otter area. Traffic is being detoured just behind the campground. This was the 4th of July weekend so may be u usual, but the traffic was all day and night. There was a lot of commotion at 4 am—hikers in the parking lot to make the summit for dawn. Many sites were tiered—I had steps or the worn path down to the actual site from where I parked. The sites were spacious and well kept. Gravel tent site —common in the area but I’m not a fan. There were sites open on the holiday weekend….no wonder. Beautiful area. I’ll go back to the lodge (been there a few times) but I’ll camp somewhere else.

Guide to Bedford

Camping near Bedford, VA, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around the area. Many campers enjoy the nearby hiking options, with one reviewer mentioning, "The campground sits at the foot of the iconic Sharp Top mountain but there is hiking galore here" at Peaks Of Otter Campground.
  • Fishing and Swimming: Enjoy fishing or swimming at local lakes. A visitor at Sherando Lake Campground noted, "The lake is beautiful and refreshing. You can swim out to an Island if you want to."
  • Visiting Breweries: If you enjoy craft beer, check out the local breweries. One camper at Devil’s Backbone Camp said, "Just a short walk from the Campground is a very nice brewery with fantastic food and events regularly."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Douthat State Park Campground mentioned, "The bathhouse was clean and modern."
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a good amount of space between campers. One visitor at Canoe Landing Group Campsite said, "The views on the lake are breathtaking. Just make sure you are good with a map."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers love the scenic views. A review for Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground highlighted, "Waking up to sunrise over the water was pretty spectacular."

What you should know

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area noted, "There isn't any cell service yet near the camp loop you can get service."
  • Water Availability: Some campgrounds may have limited water access. A visitor at Goose Point Philpott Lake mentioned, "They have water and electric, but no sewer."
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds are only open during certain months. For example, Douthat State Park Campground is open from May to September.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with amenities for kids. A reviewer at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA said, "There is a small swimming pool that the kids were enjoying."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. One camper at Sherando Lake Campground shared, "We spent days driving each way on the parkway."
  • Pack Snacks and Games: Bring along snacks and games for downtime. A visitor at Crabtree Falls Campground mentioned, "The sound of the water was so soothing."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure your site has the right hookups for your RV. A camper at Devil’s Backbone Camp noted, "They are adding more electric sites."
  • Be Cautious on Access Roads: Some campgrounds have narrow or winding roads. A visitor at Goose Point Philpott Lake said, "Drive-in a little steep with hairpin bend, but all good with caution."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump station is located. A camper at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area mentioned, "There is a dump station on the way out."

Camping near Bedford, VA, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there RV-friendly campgrounds near Bedford, VA?

Yes, several RV-friendly campgrounds serve the Bedford area. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA is right off the highway with convenient access to amenities and is open year-round. Dixie Caverns provides RV sites with easy interstate access off I-81. For those seeking more peaceful settings, Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground and Sweetwater RV Park offer big-rig-friendly sites with water and toilet facilities. Most RV campgrounds in the region provide electrical hookups, water connections, and dump stations, though reservation requirements and seasonal availability vary.

What camping amenities are available at Bedford, VA campgrounds?

Campgrounds near Bedford offer a range of amenities. Peaks Of Otter Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway provides basic facilities with vault toilets but no electricity or showers. For more amenities, Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA features a swimming pool, small store with essentials, and facilities suitable for all ages. Some campgrounds like Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA include seasonal pools, game rooms, and playgrounds. Bedford itself has a YMCA for showering and a library for internet access when staying at more rustic campgrounds. Amenities vary widely from primitive sites to full-service campgrounds with electrical hookups, water, and recreational facilities.

Where are the best campgrounds near Bedford, VA?

The best campgrounds near Bedford offer unique experiences across the Blue Ridge region. Devils Backbone Camp provides a clean, peaceful environment with the bonus of brewery access. Nature enthusiasts should consider Thunder Bridge, a former CCC camp near Natural Bridge State Park featuring tent sites, screen cabins, and fully furnished rentals. Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp is highly regarded for its clean facilities, potable water, and personality. For lakeside camping, Sherando Lake Campground in George Washington National Forest offers well-maintained sites with both standard non-electric and electric options. Most campgrounds require reservations during peak seasons.

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