Camping options near Covesville, Virginia stretch across the rural foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations between 800-1,200 feet. The area experiences moderate seasonal changes with summer temperatures reaching the high 80s and fall bringing cooler nights in the 40s. Most campsites near Covesville require advance booking during October when fall foliage peaks and campground occupancy reaches 95%.
What to Do
Waterfall hiking: 5 miles from campground. Crabtree Falls Campground offers easy access to one of Virginia's most significant cascading waterfalls. A camper noted, "Crabtree Falls is a mile up the road and very easy to get to the trail head. The AT is also close by and easily accessed."
Fishing in stocked waters: Permit required. At Montebello Resort, anglers can fish without a license in their trout pond. "The trout pond is not catch and release, it is catch and keep, whatever you catch, you pay for power pound," explains one visitor. The lake in back has bass and crappie available for campers.
Stargazing: Best during new moon phase. Dundo Group Campground offers excellent night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "At night you could see stars. We took a walk to the overlook in the middle of the night to stargaze," shares one reviewer who enjoyed the celestial display despite temperatures dropping to 14°F during their stay.
What Campers Like
River sites for natural sound barriers: Campers at Crabtree Falls Campground appreciate the waterfront positioning. "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night," reports one reviewer. These riverside spots create natural white noise that masks sounds from other campsites.
Trust-based amenities system: Some campgrounds maintain an honor system for supplies. "A lot of things are bought on the trust system(pay for what you use for firewood, put store items on a tab until check out). Loved this place," shared a camper about Crabtree Falls Campground.
Wildlife observation opportunities: Big Meadows Campground offers consistent wildlife sightings. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," notes one visitor who also mentioned, "the fireflies are spectacular. At dusk, the ground shimmers."
What You Should Know
Off-grid connectivity challenges: Most campgrounds in the area have limited cell service. At Montebello Resort, "there is zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it's a bit of a drive." Plan accordingly by downloading maps and information before arrival.
Bathhouse distribution varies significantly: Some campgrounds have limited facilities spread across large areas. At Crabtree Falls Campground, "The facilities were about a quarter mile walk away from our sites; this is something to consider if you are camping with older folks or children."
Site leveling issues affect RVs: Several campgrounds require additional equipment for leveling. One guest at Shenandoah Crossing reported, "We reserved a pull-through RV site which ended up being a back-in site that was very uneven and nowhere near level."
Tips for Camping with Families
Beach swimming options: Under $10 entry fee. Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground offers a structured swimming area with "a great swimming area with a little kids area that was so fun!" according to one family. The separate shallow section provides safer water play for younger children.
Tent pad surfaces matter: Some campgrounds use non-traditional padding. "The tent pads are filled with shredded tires instead of gravel or dirt, which provides a little extra cushion, but can be uncomfortable on bare feet," notes a family at Bear Creek Lake State Park.
Playground proximity considerations: When selecting sites, check distance to play areas. A visitor to Staunton Walnut Hills KOA mentioned they "also had a cute playground for kiddos" among other amenities including "a very nice pet exercise area."
Tips from RVers
Late arrival procedures vary: Some campgrounds accommodate after-hours check-ins. "Arrived after hours, staying one night. Our tag was waiting for us with a map to our RV spot with E/W by the creek and pond," shared an RVer at Walnut Hills Campground.
Narrow internal roads create challenges: Several campgrounds have tight turning areas. "The campsites are very close to each other and the roads are very narrow. We can't even extend our awning due to through traffic," noted one RVer about their experience.
Dump station conditions fluctuate: Facilities may not be maintained consistently during peak periods. "Since our site had no sewer hook up, we needed to dump before leaving. It's conveniently located on the way out, BUT was completely overflowed. Toilet paper everywhere, and oh the stench," reported one RVer about their glamping experience near Covesville.
