Camping spots near Christiansburg, Virginia range from primitive tent-only areas to full-service RV parks within Jefferson National Forest and Blue Ridge Mountains. The region sits at elevations between 2,000-3,000 feet with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during day and 55-65°F at night. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that regularly drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: 2.5 miles round trip to Stiles Falls at Camp Alta Mons, with three creek crossings. "I would put the hike to the falls moderate to strenuous with three creek crossings and some boulder scampers...give yourself an hour each direction from the parking lot," notes one visitor.
River activities: Tubing and fishing on the New River. A camper at New River Junction Campground reports, "Bring your fishing pole for some great catch and release fishing, or rent a inner tub or canoe and float down River to a shuttle bus that brings you back to the campgrounds."
Cave exploration: Tours available with discounts for campers. "The caverns are worth visiting pretty cool cave system. We got in late in the afternoon after the last tour woke up early and caught the first tour before heading on our way," mentions one camper at Dixie Caverns.
Disc golf: 9-hole course available year-round. "They have full hookup RV sites along with dry ones and multiple tent camping options! They also have free wifi along with a brand new 9 hole disc golf course!" describes a visitor at Chantilly Farm.
What campers like
Privacy at Rocky Knob: Loop C is tent-only. "C loop is best IMO. Far from RV sites, the spaces are quiet with plenty of room. We love it! A winery, meadery, restaurants, convenient stores, hiking trails, Mabry Mill, live music and Nancy's candy factory are all within short drives," reports a visitor at Rocky Knob Campground.
Lake access at Claytor Lake: Beach passes included with camping fees outside pandemic restrictions. "I love this park! Plenty of tent and RV sites. 4 yurts available in nice wooded area. Lake beach passes included in price. Boat rentals. Plenty clean bathrooms and hot showers. Wood, ice and soda machines available," shares a camper from Claytor Lake State Park Campground.
Group camping options: Large sites for multiple vehicles. "Stayed here for two nights with 13 vehicles and 16 people to visit Potts Mountain Jeep trail. nice sized camp spot, vault toilet, and small stream running right behind the campsite," explains a visitor at Caldwell Fields Group Campground.
Scenic hilltop camping: Panoramic views from elevated sites. "We were on top of a hill with other RV's with gorgeous views and sunsets. The grounds were very well kept and mowed. Trash cans were abundant and bathrooms were decent," describes a camper at Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground.
What you should know
Train noise affects some campgrounds: Prepare for nighttime disturbances. At New River Junction, one camper warns, "THE TRAINS: HOLY HELL. The trains alone are reason enough not to camp here. Especially with a tent. Five trains between midnight and 5am. Every one of them blew the horn well past the crossing."
Highway noise impacts sleep quality: Some campgrounds sit near major roads. A reviewer notes about Dixie Caverns, "You are surrounded on three sides by roadway...and the actual Dixie Cavern is at the base of a mountain, so all the road traffic is above the campground and the noise reverberates off the mountain and surrounding walls 24/7."
Reservation timing matters: Most campgrounds fill quickly during fall foliage season. A Rocky Knob visitor mentions, "Great views of surrounding mountains in late October as the leaves fall away."
Water activities dependent on river levels: Tubing experiences vary with water depth. At New River Junction Campground, a visitor cautions, "I didn't do the tubing, but I had family with me that did and they said it was NOT worth the money. The water level was said to be good for it, but they said they dragged their butts the majority of the way."
Tips for camping with families
Look for shower facilities: Not all campgrounds offer showers. A Rocky Knob visitor points out, "Minimalist facilities. Good location. Has rv and tent sites. Right off Blue Ridge Parkway. Overall ok if you need a crash pad, but I would not seek it out."
Consider water safety: Some river sites have rocky, slippery areas. A reviewer warns, "The water ranges in depth, but nothing deeper than waste deep really. It's rocky and slippery so it's dangerous and not very family friendly. Especially for young children and older people."
Check for bear activity: Wildlife sightings occur seasonally. A camper at Alta Mons notes, "The first bear of the season was spotted the morning we arrived and promptly skidaddled back into the wooded mountains."
Prepare for insects: Mosquitoes can be intense in summer months. "Bring your bug spray, mosquitos here swarm you in apocalyptic proportion at nightfall," warns a visitor at Camp Alta Mons.
Tips from RVers
Limited level sites at some locations: Scout options carefully. At Dixie Caverns, a camper reports, "FHU. Sites not level. Very narrow sites. Some full time residents' rigs give the Breaking Bad class C a run for their money, if they run."
Narrow access roads to some campgrounds: Large rigs require careful navigation. A reviewer at Chantilly Farm mentions, "We had the opportunity to stay a couple of nights at this campground on our way to the east coast. Wow, getting there was quite a journey over narrow curvy roads but once there it was a nice area."
Heated water hookups available seasonally: Some campgrounds offer winter protection. One camper notes, "We arrived late around 7pm and it was getting dark, our lovely Host was very kind and showed our site - It also had heated water hose so that was a big bonus."
Shared utilities at some sites: Hookups may require coordination. A camper at Sportsman Campground explains, "The RV sites are along the river and two sites share an electrical box and the water hookup."
