C
Cary C.
Scout
ScoutSmith Mountain Lake State Park Campground
Smith Mountain Lake Campground
Great campground post season- open until 10/31. Good weather, leaf peeping. LOTS of trails to the lake, and very dog friendly
Camping near Catawba, VA
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Catawba, Virginia provides access to several established campgrounds within easy driving distance, primarily featuring mixed-use camping areas that accommodate both tent and RV campers. State parks like Staunton River State Park and Smith Mountain Lake State Park offer developed campgrounds with amenities including electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables. Many locations also provide cabin accommodations for those seeking more comfortable overnight options. The camping landscape around Catawba includes both lakeside and riverside locations, with several campgrounds positioned along water bodies for fishing, boating, and paddling opportunities.
Camping availability varies significantly by season, with most facilities operating from April through October. "Several people were swimming at the boat landing. When it is open, the swimming pool area is exceptional for a state park," noted one visitor about Staunton River State Park. Weather conditions can impact camping experiences, with hot summers making water access particularly valuable. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer weekends and holidays. Facilities like Thousand Trails Lynchburg and Paradise Lake Family Campground provide full hookup options for RVs, while state parks typically offer a mix of electric and non-electric sites. Road conditions within some campgrounds may present challenges, as several reviews mention washouts and rough interior roads.
Campgrounds in the region are known for stargazing opportunities, with Staunton River State Park designated as an International Dark Sky Park. A camper wrote, "If you love stargazing this is the park for you. It is an International Dark Sky Park. The park offers rentals of telescopes too." Water recreation forms another highlight, with multiple sites offering boat launches, fishing areas, and swimming facilities. Family-friendly amenities appear common, including playgrounds, organized activities, and educational programs. Reviews frequently mention the quality of facilities, with clean bathrooms and hot showers cited as important features. Noise levels vary by location and season, with some visitors noting the close proximity of campsites in certain areas and others appreciating the quiet atmosphere, particularly during off-peak times. Wildlife viewing opportunities add to the camping experience, with deer, birds, and small mammals commonly spotted.
Best Campgrounds near Catawba (54)
1. Staunton River State Park Campground
"We camped here again at Staunton River State Park, this time we stayed in site 21, which is an electric site near the bathrooms/showers and one of the best for viewing stars."
"Site was built into a hill and had several steps leading up to it. Much smaller site than we are used to at VA State parks."
from $27 - $121 / night
Check Availability2. Thousand Trails Lynchburg
"Located in a rolling woodsy area near a lake. Not real busy and pretty quiet. The sites are gravel and some are not real level due to the terrain. There are walking and biking trails."
"Nice trail around the "big lake". And staff are very friendly. Roads need some work. There a re a lot of washout areas, still can travel through, but a little sketchy with motorhome."
3. Occoneechee State Park Campground
"If you have dogs like we do that hate squirrels they drove them nuts- squirrels running around in our campsite and up trees in our campsite. And while walking around."
"Yurt 1 is a bit of a walk to the bathrooms, that is the only negative thing I can think of. The beds were comfortable. You have to bring your own sheets and pillows. "
from $21 - $427 / night
Check Availability4. Paradise Lake & Campground
"The walking trail was nice but you will for sure want to take an extra large can of deep woods off or equivalent. There are swarms of large flys all around the water on the trail."
"This place is relatively small, but surrounds a small lake. Sites are close together, but everyone is respectful."
5. Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground
"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)."
from $27 - $159 / night
Check Availability6. Callahan's Hideaway
"Very nice place to walk and lots of sight seeing close by and shor t walk or drive to the water"
"One mile walk to Buffalo park a beautiful place with lots of history. I love it .Great day for a picnic ."
from $22 - $53 / night
Check Availability7. Paradise Lake Family Campground
"Has beautiful pool and lake, playground, arcade, and boat rentals. Fishing, hiking, basketball. Very friendly staff all the time."
"The bathroom was a good walk up the hill so bring your bikes. We would definitely go back though!"
8. Leesville Lake Campground, LLC
"A short walk, even shorter drive to the dam and decent fishing at the boat ramp."
"They walk you right to your site and help back you in! It's a 5 minute walk down to the lake."
from $55 / night
Check Availability9. Rudds Creek Campground
"The exception to this is people putting old rugs or carpet around the shore where the park their boats."
"The bathrooms were very clean and an easy walk from our campsite. The map showed bathrooms in our loop but there wasn't anything there. Had to walk to the showers but not too far."
from $24 - $68 / night
Check Availability10. North Bend Park
"Site 206; Loop D Great site in a National Park on a lake with easy shore access from pad. Clean and spacious. Stayed from Sunday thru Tuesday in mid-August."
"I loved the lakefront location in back of C loop and that it was 2 tiered which made the site very private with a lower level table, fire-ring, and gravel site. Well maintained campground."
from $24 - $125 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 25 min from Durham, NC
- 1 hr 37 min from Burlington, NC
Recent Camping Photos near Catawba, VA
145 Photos of 54 Catawba Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Staunton River State Park CampgroundB
Callahan's Hideaway
Buffalo Park
Paradise Lake & Campground
Paradise Lake Family Campground
2nd 40 to 420 - The Farm
Occoneechee State Park Campground
Mayo Lake Park
Longwood Park
Longwood Campground at John H Kerr Reservoir
Smith Mountain Campground
Holliday Lake State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Catawba, VA
384 Reviews of 54 Catawba Campgrounds
Jeremy R.
GuideThousand Trails Lynchburg
Nice staff
Overall the sray here has been decent. Shower house is clean. Nice trail around the "big lake". And staff are very friendly. Roads need some work. There a re a lot of washout areas, still can travel through, but a little sketchy with motorhome. We liked our site because it was easy access to get back out on the country road. The laundry has 2 washers, but one is broken. There is a nice pool, but it was too cold for us to swim. Very dog friendly. One of the trails shown on the map was not accessible so we had to turn around. Overall we will be back
- PPeter and Linda K.Guide
Thousand Trails Lynchburg
Woodsy and quiet
Friendly and helpful staff. Located in a rolling woodsy area near a lake. Not real busy and pretty quiet. The sites are gravel and some are not real level due to the terrain. There are walking and biking trails.
John P.ScoutMayo Lake Park
Nice Place
This is a nice place to paddle board. They also have a really cool disk golf course that we just hiked. The staff are super friendly. Classic NC country folk. The restrooms have been redone and now there is a bank of individual shower/rest rooms. The only drawback is it's kind of a long uphill walk from the campsites on a gravel road.
- BBob B.
RangerHolliday Lake State Park Campground
Beautiful Park, But Noisy
This park is so beautiful, set it a forested canopy and a serene lake, BUT - between the neighboring 4-H Camp shooting with hundreds of rounds being fired each day between 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, and then Karaoke parties from 6:00 pm to late at night, the noises were close to being unbearable. Also, zero cell phone reception, but they have free wifi at the check-in station, the office and the beach.
- JJohn G.Scout
Red Oak Campground — James River State Park
Nice but remote
Very clean and quiet. Good services, including firewood availability. Drawback is that it’s 7.5 miles down a dead end road. Closet gas is at least 10 miles and groceries are a half hour away. Go prepared.
- BBob B.Ranger
Staunton River State Park Campground
Surprisingly Quiet
I've read reviews about noise levels and lack of privacy. But we experienced the opposite, at least at our campsite.
- eugen V.Scout
Longwood Park
Great camping spots
Always got great spots by the water . Town is very close and convinient
- aamanda M.
TravelerSmith Mountain Campground
Smith Mountain Lake
Nice and quiet - friendly service. Plenty of amenities as well as options. Stayed here to attend a concert at The Coves Amphitheater in Union Hall, VA.
Guide to Catawba
Campgrounds near Catawba, Virginia range from developed state parks to family-owned camping areas with various accommodation options. Staunton River State Park Campground offers tent sites, RV spots, and cabins in a scenic riverside setting, while Thousand Trails Lynchburg provides electric hookups and seasonal camping approximately 35 miles northeast of Catawba. Several facilities in the region support different camping styles including glamping and yurts at select locations, with most campgrounds featuring standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water.
Access to many campgrounds varies seasonally, with several facilities like Lynchburg RV Resort operating on a limited schedule from spring through fall. "The campground is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiking trails but only open from May to October each year, so be sure to check that out before just showing up," notes one camper. Road conditions across the region are generally good, with most established campgrounds accessible via paved roads. Weather considerations include hot, humid summers and mild winters, though higher elevations can experience cooler temperatures and occasional snow. Cell service may be limited at more remote locations, particularly at campgrounds situated near water bodies or in forested areas.
Campers frequently mention the stargazing opportunities at Staunton River State Park, which has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park. A visitor highlighted this unique feature: "If you love stargazing this is the park for you. It is an International Dark Sky Park. The park offers rentals of telescopes too." Water activities represent another popular feature at several campgrounds, with options for fishing, boating, and swimming at locations like Smith Mountain Lake State Park and Paradise Lake Family Campground. Reviews suggest that sites near water tend to fill quickly during summer months. Campground maintenance varies considerably across the region, with some visitors noting excellent facilities at state parks while others mention needed improvements at certain privately-owned campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Catawba, VA?
What camping is available near Catawba, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Catawba, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 54 campgrounds and RV parks near Catawba, VA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Catawba, VA?
Which is the most popular campground near Catawba, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Catawba, VA is Staunton River State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Catawba, VA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Catawba, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Catawba, VA.
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