Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground offers 4.4 miles of trails ranging from easy to moderate, with clear waters for fishing, swimming, and boating. Camping opportunities near Blue Ridge, Virginia include both established sites with amenities and more rustic, secluded options tucked in the Jefferson and George Washington National Forests. Several locations maintain year-round camping availability with variable access and restrictions depending on seasonal conditions.
What to do
Hiking Sharp Top Trail: Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp serves as a base for accessing nearby trails including the challenging but rewarding hike up Sharp Top. "Great hiking and camping experience. The hike was long and steep at times but it was so beautiful and nice," shares Ash V., who appreciated the mountain views after the climb.
Swimming in local lakes: Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground provides pristine waters perfect for warm-weather activities. "The views of the lake are stunning! There was fishing, boating and swimming as well," writes Bran P. The park features both beach swimming areas and boat access points.
Explore historical sites: Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA offers convenient access to regional attractions. "Very close to natural bridge and caverns. The lake is very cold but fun," notes Heather L. The nearby Natural Bridge State Park contains one of the East's most impressive geological formations, standing 215 feet high with a hiking trail underneath.
Visit local wineries: The Blue Ridge region contains several vineyards within short driving distance of camping areas. "There's a nearby winery too," mentions Sam M. from Peaks of Otter Campground. The region's microclimate and soil conditions support numerous vineyards that offer tastings and tours throughout the camping season.
What campers like
Creek-side camping spots: Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp receives praise for its water features. "Our site backed up to a little stream. The site itself was private even though there are other sites around. Our boys loved playing in the stream," reports Lanie B., highlighting the natural water play areas available throughout the campground.
Terraced mountain sites: The mountainous terrain creates unique camping configurations. Jen V. from Peaks of Otter Campground describes the layout: "A lot of sites had a similar setup to ours (as in, a lower pull-through space for trailer and TV plus an upper 'walk-up' area). I hadn't seen anything like it before, and I thought it was really neat."
Evening entertainment: Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing offers social activities beyond standard camping. "It was Saturday night with a bluegrass band, friendly families with kids, good food and drinks; totally our jam," shares Heidi, describing the community atmosphere that develops at several campgrounds in the region.
Private riverfront access: Breeden Bottom Campground provides direct water access from campsites. "Sites are spacious and right along the river. Most sites have river access directly from the site. The James river is perfect for kayaking/SUP/canoeing and even swimming, nice and calm," notes Lauren B., detailing the water recreation opportunities.
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Breeden Bottom Campground sits near active railroad tracks. "The train was loud at times, but we knew that would happen when we booked the site, so no surprises there," explains Alison M. Similar railway proximity affects several camping areas in the region.
Varying site levelness: Terrain throughout the Blue Ridge area creates challenges for setting up camp. "The campsites are not level - and we had the best of the lot - very private but only one side of the picnic table was accessible because of the slope," reports Heather E. from Peaks of Otter Campground.
Limited cell service: The mountainous terrain restricts connectivity throughout most camping areas. Don H. from Middle Creek Campground states bluntly: "If you want cell service stay home that's not camping." Most campgrounds recommend downloading maps and information before arrival.
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "Our main season is March 15ish to the end of November, year-round WES available," notes Middle Creek Campground in their official information, indicating that while some services remain year-round, full amenities have seasonal restrictions.
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge specializes in kid-friendly water activities. "They have a pool, splash pad, pond/lake with a slide, beach, inflatable obstacle course, have an arcade room, and 2 additional water slides," details Matt R., emphasizing the extensive water recreation options beyond standard swimming.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds in the area feature native animals. Karen W. from Peaks of Otter Campground cautions about "very territorial deer, will stalk you on way to dumpster!" highlighting the regular wildlife encounters campers experience.
Creek exploration for children: Streams running through camps provide natural entertainment. At Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp, Gloria G. describes it as "just magical - the little streams running near each site, the beautiful walk to the lake with the leopard salamanders that the kids could catch."
Themed weekend activities: Seasonal programming enhances family camping experiences. "We camped on a busy fall weekend. The campground has Halloween themed activities for kids on specific weekends," notes Kathleen M. about Jellystone Park, where structured activities occur primarily on weekends throughout the camping season.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: Middle Creek Campground offers powered sites with certain limitations. "We had a 20 foot camper trailer... Our campsite was nice, fairly private and backed up to a creek. Relatively level site," reports Katie, pointing out that even smaller campgrounds can accommodate medium-sized rigs.
Smaller RV advantages: The mountain terrain favors compact camping setups. Jen V. notes at Peaks of Otter, "a lot of sites had a similar setup to ours (as in, a lower pull-through space for trailer and TV plus an upper 'walk-up' area)," indicating that smaller trailers and camper vans navigate these campgrounds more easily than large motorhomes.
Alternative private property camping: For those seeking solitude, Tina's Dream offers a unique single-site option. "Camp in her house driveway, it is my first time, but quiet and safe neighborhood," shares Zu Y., describing this pet-friendly camping alternative that provides water and electric hookups.
Varying RV site privacy: Site selection significantly impacts camping experience. "Your average KOA, well kept wasn't too busy considering location and time of year," notes Max O. about Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, where sites typically offer less seclusion but greater convenience for larger RVs needing full hookups.
