Charlottesville camping options sit at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where elevations range from 600 to over 3,000 feet in nearby Shenandoah National Park. Seasonal temperature variations can be significant, with summer daytime temperatures often reaching the high 80s while spring and fall provide milder conditions in the 60-70°F range. The region's hardwood forests create distinct camping experiences across seasons, with fall foliage typically peaking in mid-October.
What to do
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Access the famous AT directly from Loft Mountain Campground, where the trail runs through the campground itself. "The AT runs right through the campground," notes Katrin M., who adds that "the rangers and the host were super friendly and very helpful" for trail information.
Visit historic Monticello: Located just 10 minutes from Charlottesville KOA, Thomas Jefferson's home makes an excellent day trip. "This campground is nice, clean campground... a place to sleep at night. I would not go here looking for a lot to do at the campground. The pool looked a little green," shares Stephanie H., who used the campground as a base for visiting Monticello.
Explore Virginia wine country: Several campgrounds provide easy access to local wineries and breweries. "Coming in the middle of the week is the best time if you like to have peace and quiet and the place all to yourself," suggests Katie M. about timing your visits to wineries from Sherando Lake Campground.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Many campers appreciate the quality of amenities at campgrounds near Charlottesville. At Devils Backbone Camp, Jennifer E. found "the bathhouse is top notch! Squeaky clean with lots of space. Love that you can just walk to the brewery from your site."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Big Meadows is known for regular wildlife encounters. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience. With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," shares Rachel M.
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer lake or river access. "The family just returned from 3 days hidden away at Loft Mountain. Our site was flat and spacious with a sturdy picnic table and large fire ring with adjustable height grill," reports Cindy M., who enjoyed the natural setting and nearby water features.
What you should know
Varying levels of privacy: Site layouts differ significantly across campgrounds. At Dundo Group Campground, Kate notes, "We camped here with a group of nine of us (4 tents) and we had plenty of extra room. There was a fire ring with an adjustable grill rack and 6 picnic tables," but adds that "we could hear the conversation from campsite 2 and see them."
Seasonal variations: Fall brings beautiful foliage but more crowds. "We camped here the last night of the season (Nov30) and shared the campground with a mix of tent campers, car/van campers, and a few larger units... It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F," reports Carol B. about late-season camping at Big Meadows.
Weather considerations: The mountains create their own weather patterns. "After several nights of not sleeping at a busy campground at another national park, I was prepared for no sleep here. But that was not the case," shares Veronica S., noting the pleasant conditions despite the campground's size.
Tips for camping with families
Look for multiple activity options: Family-friendly campgrounds offer diverse recreation. "This place is great for family camping. They have a pond, pool, playgrounds, 'bouncy pillow', mini golf, and lots more," explains The Mayor about Small Country Campground, adding "we have camped here for nearly a decade and always have a great time."
Consider campground layout: Some campgrounds are designed with families in mind. "The campground is fairly quiet (at least when I visited in fall), and has nice amenities including free hot showers," reports Vy N. about Devils Backbone Camp, though they also note the convenience for families wanting brewery access.
Choose sites near bathrooms: When camping with kids, bathroom proximity matters. Katie M. recommends, "We always get campsite A13, which is right across from the bathrooms. Very convenient with kids. The site is pretty secluded with trees, so you can't see your neighbors."
Tips from RVers
Check hookup locations: At some campgrounds, utility connections may be positioned unusually. "The sewer connection for the odd number sites is on the opposite side of the RV than the electricity and water. The good news is that in a pinch, and your sewer hose does not fit, they do have a dump station on site," advises Erika S. about Devils Backbone Camp.
Consider site levelness: RV campers should research site conditions before booking. "We camped here and enjoyed ourselves. It is a small campground and open seasonally. Our site was not exactly level but I think it was because we were in the first spot on a row and it had a slant. The others looked pretty level," notes Brenda L. about Shenandoah Crossing, a dog-friendly campground near Charlottesville.
Look for pull-through availability: For easier parking, select appropriate sites. "RV section is typical style in a large field. Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field," reports Mike G. about Misty Mountain Camp Resort, adding that "electric sites have 20a, 30a, and 50a hookups so small trailers can use a normal extension cord."
