North Creek Campground in Buchanan offers riverside camping at around 1,500 feet elevation within the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. The campground sits along the babbling North Creek with spacious back-in sites in a mixed deciduous and conifer forest setting. Tent camping platforms are raised with gravel to prevent flooding during occasional summer storms that roll through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: North Creek Campground provides direct access to trout fishing. "Been going to this campground for over 40 years. Love that it is right beside a clean water supply with lots of trout," shares Brian V., a regular visitor.
Hiking the AT: Trails connect to the Appalachian Trail system from multiple campgrounds. "Right next to the AT... I have a German shepherd and a mini Australian shepherd and they had a blast!" notes Nancy P. about North Creek Campground.
Festival experiences: Glen Maury Park hosts several cultural events throughout the year. "There are many activities such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival. This year they built large models of the twin towers and had a program about them on September 11th," explains Priscilla S.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water recreation beyond the standard pool. "The pool is very large, very clean, and has a diving board. And there's a wonderful swimming hole if you can find it," shares Priscilla S. about Glen Maury Park facilities.
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA receives praise for its facilities. "Very clean well kept campground... Lots to do for the kids and camp store was nice!" says Angela P. The same campground offers "very clean, private bathrooms" according to Shannon L.
Mountain seclusion: Peaks Of Otter Campground provides a remote woodland experience. "Sites were very clean and well taken care of. There are tons of campsites available but they are spaced out enough to still feel secluded," notes Stephanie M. Another camper adds, "It wasn't crowded, the staff was super friendly, and the sites were all really nice."
Water sounds: Falling asleep to flowing water is frequently mentioned. "Very nice quiet and peaceful campground, Loved falling asleep to the sound of the creek. Campground was very clean and well kept," writes Stephanie M. about North Creek Campground.
Level sites: Walnut Hills Campground offers well-designed RV spots. "Level sites, utilities are well placed and good height. Well maintained…you can tell staff takes pride in campground," explains Beth B.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Several Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds have limited seasons. Thousand Trails Lynchburg operates from "April 28 to October 29" according to their listing information, while Peaks of Otter Campground is open "May 6 to October 29."
Water pressure variations: Water hookups can be inconsistent at some campgrounds. "My 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 Christopher C. about his stay at Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Bear awareness: Wildlife precautions are in place but encounters are rare. "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," explains Imke R. about North Creek Campground.
Road noise considerations: Some sites may experience traffic sounds. "The Blue Ridge Parkway is currently closed just south of the Peaks of Otter area. Traffic is being detoured just behind the campground," notes Nancy R., recommending campers consider site location carefully.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sweetwater RV Park offers family-friendly amenities with limited crowds. "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," writes Stephanie L.
Activity planning: Multiple campgrounds offer organized recreation. "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," shares Michael L. about Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Pet areas: Designated dog facilities enhance family camping with pets. "Multiple dog parks....so convenient so you have one close to your area," notes Beth B. about Sweetwater RV Park's thoughtful layout.
Swimming options: Natural water features supplement pool amenities. "A short walk up the street they have biking, hiking, kayaking and tubing available. We just enjoyed walking to the river and jumping in to cool off!" shares Mel T.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park provides 139 sites with varying configurations. "Short-term sites are in the very front but you do have to take a circuitous route through the campground to get back to that area after checking in," advises Mary W., noting the layout considerations for RVs.
Extension cord needs: Some electrical connections require additional equipment. "I parked a little goofy it seems so I needed a little extra footage for my electrical hookup. They were kind enough to loan us a 25' extension," explains Ralph P. about his experience at Walnut Hills.
Connectivity expectations: Cell service varies significantly throughout the region. "Cell service is spotty but WiFi is available and adequate enough to stream movies," notes Christopher C. about Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA, providing essential information for those needing to stay connected.
Campground escort services: Some RV parks provide arrival assistance. "We were greeted at the entrance and then sent to an escort who smartly showed us to our site by taking the same path the RV should take; making wise returns and so on," explains Kevin M. about Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA.
