Camping near Covesville, Virginia centers on the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with elevations ranging from 650 to 1,200 feet. Seasonal variation creates distinct camping experiences throughout the year, with fall foliage typically peaking in mid-October. Winter camping remains available at several year-round facilities despite occasional snow at higher elevations.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: The impressive Crabtree Falls trail accesses one of Virginia's tallest waterfalls. "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," notes a camper at Crabtree Falls Campground.
Explore historic sites: Glen Maury Park sits near Civil War sites and educational museums. "It's a convenient walking or driving distance from the rest of town," shares one visitor, while another mentions "they built large models of the twin towers and had a program about them on September 11th."
Hiking options: Multiple trail systems offer different difficulty levels. "We hiked to Humpback Rocks which is a decent climb, so be prepared, but once you summit, the views are amazing," reports a camper at Devils Backbone Camp. For less strenuous options, "There are several small walking paths throughout the property."
Brewery touring: The region features multiple craft beverage producers. "You are a stone's throw away from a ton of other really great breweries and wineries. I highly recommend visiting Blue Mountain Brewery and Bold Rock cidery during your stay for some great food and beverage," advises a Devils Backbone visitor.
What campers like
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer stocked ponds. A guest at Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park writes, "The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" while another visitor reports, "You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything."
Cleanliness standards: Bathhouses receive consistent praise across facilities. "Bathrooms were very clean! Would be really nice come the summer for sure," shares a Walnut Hills camper. Another visitor simply states it was "one of the cleanest parks I've been to. The bath houses were pristine."
Natural sounds: Sleeping near running water enhances the camping experience. At Crabtree Falls Campground, "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."
Wildlife viewing: Trail cameras at Staver Farm have documented "an increase in wildlife this past month (May 2023) Black Bear, Deer, Coyotes, Bobcats, & Turkeys," according to a recent visitor report.
What you should know
Seasonal timing matters: Some facilities reduce services in winter. A Walnut Hills visitor explains: "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. It was off season, so plenty of spots and privacy."
Bathroom proximity varies: At some locations, bathhouses may be distant from certain camping areas. "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," notes a Crabtree Falls camper.
Minimum stay requirements: Some campgrounds enforce multi-night bookings, especially during peak times. A frustrated Devils Backbone visitor reported, "Just went to book a site since I'm in the area, and it's a two-night minimum to tent camp. This seems crazy for a Sunday night and the campground is not at all packed."
Seasonal crowd patterns: Visitor numbers fluctuate by season. "We stayed here in April so many of the amenities weren't open yet (pool, arcade, rec room)," reports a camper at Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages, while others mention increased weekend traffic.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Various campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Cozy Acres Campground RV Resort, "The playground is impressive and the staff is very welcoming upon arrival," while Glen Maury Park offers "a playground that is very nice!"
Swimming options: Both pools and natural swimming areas are available. "Great swimming lake. Family friendly," reports a visitor to Stoney Creek Resort, while Cozy Acres features a swimming pool among its amenities.
Entertainment schedules: Many campgrounds offer organized activities. Glen Maury Park "offers entertainment on weekends and some other times of the year" with "many activities such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival."
Site selection for kids: Some layouts work better for families with children. One Stoney Creek camper noted the campground is "divided into upper and lower sections. The lower is much more wooded and gives off more of a camping feel while the upper is much more open."
Tips from RVers
Site hookup configurations: At Devils Backbone Camp, "if you stay at a full hook up site and are parked in an odd number spot, you will need an extra long sewer hose to reach the connection... we have a small travel trailer and we needed a 30 foot hose."
Terrain considerations: Most RV campgrounds near Covesville sit on sloped terrain. At Endless Caverns, "the campground is on the side of a mountain so it is very steep in some sections. (One entire loop says 4 wheel drive recommend, so read carefully before booking!)"
Road conditions for large rigs: Access roads vary in quality and width. A visitor to Misty Mountain Camp Resort cautions, "Some sites are really close to the main office were check-in is, and can come quickly, as ours was. No big deal, and we should of looked at the site map closer, but heads up anyway."
Winter camping options: Several RV campgrounds near Covesville remain open year-round. "Looks like a fun place with lots of activities to come back to over the summer," notes a winter visitor to Walnut Hills, which provides full hookup sites through all seasons.
