Camping spots near Bland, Virginia range from free dispersed campsites to fully developed campgrounds nestled in the Jefferson National Forest region. The area sits along the Ridge and Valley Appalachian range at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. Most campgrounds in the area experience four distinct seasons, with fall camping particularly popular during peak foliage from mid-October to early November.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Walnut Flats offers direct access to multiple hiking options including the Appalachian Trail just across the road. One camper notes, "trail right through the campground and the Appalachian trail just across the road," making it convenient for day hikes without driving.
Fishing opportunities: Gatewood Park & Reservoir Campground provides excellent fishing in a secluded setting. A visitor mentioned, "This is the most peaceful and quiet campground. The mountain and water views are stunning." The reservoir allows for productive fishing with minimal competition from other anglers.
Lake activities: Hungry Mother State Park offers diverse water recreation including swimming, kayaking, and paddleboat rentals. A camper shared, "Great place to kayak! This place stays booked up, so reservations are suggested during the summer/fall months." The park's lake includes a designated swimming beach with lifeguards during summer months.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Stony Fork Campground receives praise for its thoughtful site layout. A reviewer mentioned, "The sites are spaced perfectly, the forest is beautiful, and the creek is super clear and clean." Another noted its "nice wooded and private camp sites" with well-designed spacing.
Creek access: Multiple campgrounds feature stream or creek frontage that enhances the camping experience. One visitor to Stony Fork described, "Our site (44) is great, right by the trail and creek. Super nice hosts and everyone we met was friendly. Very quiet place."
Family-friendly amenities: Deer Trail Park Campground offers extensive recreation options. A camper detailed, "Huge game room, heated pool and lots of recreation areas for kids. There is a stream and pond, which allows catch and release." The campground also maintains multiple small playgrounds throughout the property.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have limited connectivity. At Gatewood Park, a camper noted, "There's no cell service but they upgraded the WiFi and it's very good. This campground is miles from anywhere so make sure you have what you need or the trip into town will take a while."
Reservation needs: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. For Wytheville KOA, a reviewer advised, "This Campground is my favorite campground by far and I've only spent 15 minutes here. Customer Service was amazing!!!"
Weather variability: Mountain weather can change rapidly, particularly in spring and fall. Pack layers and prepare for temperature swings of 20+ degrees between day and night, especially at higher elevation campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation facilities: Deer Trail Park Campground provides multiple entertainment options. A camper shared, "Great owners always clean" and another noted, "tent sites are along a rippling creek, very clean bathrooms/showers, multiple small playgrounds, and a pool."
Educational opportunities: Hungry Mother State Park offers ranger-led programs throughout summer. A family mentioned, "We hiked, played at the lake and attended the roving ranger talks. The bathrooms and shower facilities were clean and convenient to our campsite."
Kid-friendly layout: Fort Chiswell RV Park offers easy navigation for families. A visitor noted, "There is a very nice pool which is heated, allowing it to be open much longer than many campgrounds in the area. There is a large pet area and also playground and several hiking areas in the direct area which all looked nice."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Pioneer Village requires some preparation for RVs. A visitor advised, "We only stayed for one night and this location is very convenient for this area when traveling Interstate 81. Easy access to pull through sites, needed one inch block on one side to level off."
Water connections: Some sites have unusual water hookup locations. At Pioneer Village, one RVer shared, "Our water spigot was way at the back of our site but luckily, I was able to reach it with our 50' hose. The sewer was placed in the middle which was convenient."
Access considerations: Many campgrounds in the area have elevation changes to navigate. A camper at Pioneer Village mentioned, "But it is a hilly location. The access road in and out of the campground is a hill. Stopping at the office and you're on a pretty steep incline."
