Camping near Chatham, Virginia centers around several lakes and reservoirs across Pittsylvania and surrounding counties. Most campgrounds sit between 700-1,200 feet elevation with access roads varying from highway-adjacent to narrow mountain passages. Water-based recreation forms the primary attraction at these sites, with most facilities open from March through October and limited winter camping options.
What to do
Fishing access: 5-minute walk to Leesville Lake from Leesville Lake Campground. "A short walk down to the lake, even shorter drive to the dam and decent fishing at the boat ramp," notes one visitor.
Swimming beaches: Clean facilities at Paradise Lake & Campground where "the pool was clean and well balanced." For natural swimming, COE Philpott Lake Goose Point Park offers "a clean sandy beach for swimming, and a boat launch with a pier."
Hiking opportunities: Multiple trail options near Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground where visitors mention "Loved that I could see water from almost every trail. The black locusts were in bloom which smelled wonderful." The park maintains several marked paths with lake views accessible directly from the camping area.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Many campers appreciate the layout at Salthouse Branch Campground where "The lower loop is pretty level, fun to walk and ride bikes around, and the kids love the playground!" Sites feature tiered designs that separate camping areas from parking.
Well-maintained facilities: Guests consistently rate campground cleanliness highly. At Sweetwater RV Park, "This campground was exceptionally clean and very quiet/peaceful. We went to the playground to play and pool to swim - had it to ourselves."
Helpful staff and camp hosts: Several campgrounds feature attentive staff. At Smith Mountain Campground, "The owner is absolutely wonderful and helpful. I was impressed immediately upon arrival." Another camper noted, "The owners have truly made this a labor of love. They live on site and will attend to your every need."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation. At Salthouse Branch, a reviewer warned, "The roads going into the campground is very narrow and steep up and downs."
Site leveling challenges: Uneven terrain affects some campgrounds. At Peaks Of Otter Campground, "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 (bc of the slope)."
Alcohol regulations: Policies vary between campgrounds. At Salthouse Branch, "The police visited us bc we were drinking outside of our camper. He was very nice and explained no alcohol allowed. This is clearly stated and we were in the wrong."
Reservation timing: Lake-adjacent sites book quickly during summer months. For Goose Point Park, "The lower loop is the most popular because it is down by the water and each of the sites have great views of the lake. Reservations have to be made well in advance for the lower loop sites."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple recreation options: Hyco Lake State Park Campground offers diverse activities. "The park is nice and clean. Great for families and retirees," with "great ramp, ample trailer storage, frisbee golf, beautiful hiking trail."
Campground layout considerations: At Paradise Lake & Campground, one camper advised, "The sites are on top of each other, with very few trees amongst them. Though this site does back up to the lake, which makes it feel like a bit of an escape."
Swimming access for children: Sweetwater RV Park provides safe swimming options as one family noted, "We went to the playground to play and pool to swim - had it to ourselves - with our 18 month old."
Bathroom proximity: When camping with children, select sites near facilities. At Goose Point, a reviewer recommended "site 35 which was convenient to the bathrooms and was away from the other campsites in the loop."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Smith Mountain Campground accommodates larger units but requires planning. "1st time to this park & we have a seasonal site, work camping as hosts for the owners. Great owners, nice spacious sites, well kept grounds, super clean bathrooms, great fishing pond and close to Smith Mountain Lake for fishing/boating. Plenty of room for your boats to park."
Hookup locations: Verify utility placement before arrival. At Paradise Lake, "We stayed overnight on the lake (#45). The campground is very well maintained with clean restrooms. Though predominantly longer term campers, all sites were tidy. No pull through sites that I saw - some site seemed precarious for larger rigs."
Leveling requirements: RVers should bring leveling blocks at Hyco Lake where "A lot of them are sloped. Very hard to level out a RV."
Seasonal considerations: Full-time RVers should note operational costs vary by season. One long-term camper at Paradise Lake reported, "In the winter months we paid about a combined total of $756/month" including electric.
