Seasonal tent and RV camping near Big Island, Virginia sits along the James River in Bedford County at roughly 700 feet elevation. Summer temperatures average 78-85°F while spring and fall drop to 55-70°F. Cell service fluctuates dramatically in this mountainous terrain, with stronger signals on ridgetops and weak or nonexistent coverage in creek beds and valleys.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 1.8-mile trail access at Crabtree Falls Campground provides direct access to one of Virginia's most dramatic waterfalls. "The falls are a great hike and there are lots of services nearby. A great Parkway stop," notes a visitor to Oronoco Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Year-round access to both the Tye River and stocked trout streams. "Small campground with about 10 sites in around a loop. Backs up to a river so great atmosphere, especially when sleeping. Fantastic spot to fish too," shares a camper at North Creek Campground.
Local vineyards and breweries: Multiple options within 15-20 minute drives of most campgrounds. "Lots of beautiful area to explore... Plenty of beautiful area to explore with great location. Being a Veteran the highlight was visiting the D Day Museum in nearby Bedford," mentions a visitor at Lynchburg Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Blue Ridge Parkway access: Easy connections to scenic drives and hiking trails. "The campground is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiking trails (a plus!) but, definitely opt for a full hook-up site! Only open from May to October each year so be sure to check that out before just showing up!" advises a camper at Thousand Trails Lynchburg.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Prime locations with natural water features. "Sites are right on the river, we had a walk to which gave us some extra privacy. Beautiful area for hiking, lots leading off of the AT. campground hosts are very friendly," notes a visitor at Crabtree Falls Campground.
Clean facilities: Above-average bathhouses with private shower options. "Bathrooms were very clean! The tent sites were large and shaded. We were right by the fishing pond and it was a short walk to the playground, pool, jump pad, and very clean, private bathrooms," mentions a camper at Lynchburg Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Pet amenities: Multiple dog parks available at some locations. "Really well thought out campground for RV. Plenty of pull through and back in sites. Multiple dog parks...so convenient so you have one close to your area," shares a visitor at Sweetwater RV Park.
Year-round options: Several campgrounds remain open through winter. "This KOA is one of our favorites. Open year round. Very clean showers. Pool and activities for kids. Close to Lexington with vineyards, restaurants and antique shops," a visitor notes about Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA.
What you should know
Water pressure variations: Significant differences between campgrounds and sometimes within the same facility. "Our water pressure was good but talking to other campers, the farther away you get from the front of the park the worse the water pressure gets," reports a visitor at Lynchburg Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Bear safety: Required precautions at forest service campgrounds. "There was a bear warning on the picnic table, but the very kind hostess said she hadn't heard of a sighting in a year or more," shares a camper at North Creek Campground.
Road conditions: Narrow access to some mountain sites. "The road out to this location is a little bumpy in places but traveling in my small car I just drove slowly in some areas and it was no big deal," notes a camper at Glen Maury Park.
Peak season crowds: High volume especially during fall foliage season. "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night. The campground did have facilities that were about a quarter mile walk away from our sites; this is something to consider if you are camping with older folks or children," advises a visitor at Crabtree Falls Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and pools: Available at KOA locations with age-appropriate options. "The tent sites were large and shaded. We were right by the fishing pond and it was a short walk to the playground, pool, jump pad, and very private bathrooms," shares a camper at Lynchburg Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Budget options: Free National Forest camping with minimal facilities. "I've stayed here 3-4 times when coming out to explore the mountains. Like others have said, it can get busy and people often leave trash. The area itself is beautiful and there are many small streams that you are able to park near and set up camp," notes a visitor to Oronoco Campground.
Kid-friendly activities: Various programs during summer months. "They had activities every day for the kids. As well as lots of unstructured activities. For example, they had a foosball table and a jumping pad. They had a 'trick or treat'/'scavenger hunt' for the kids, which was basically they all had flashlights and had to find the candy in the grassy field," reports a visitor to Lynchburg Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Prepare with blocks at most mountain locations. "Great place, very friendly. C Loop is the best for sure! Stayed here about a month ago and the A loop was in terrible shape as far as the roads go. That said, the C Loop is very nice and in good condition, in comparison," mentions a visitor to Thousand Trails Lynchburg.
Concrete pad options: Available at select parks for heavier rigs. "A quiet and clean campground. Really well thought out campground for RV. Plenty of pull through and back in sites. Level sites, utilities are well placed and good height," shares a camper about Sweetwater RV Park.
Cell service considerations: Spotty connectivity in mountain valleys. "I had excellent cell service on Verizon. Although the KOA offers WiFi, I was never able to get a strong enough signal to connect to the internet even though I tried several times during the afternoon, early evening, and late at night," reports a visitor to Natural Bridge KOA.
