Best Campgrounds near Covington, VA
Campgrounds near Covington, Virginia range from developed facilities to primitive sites across the George Washington National Forest and nearby state parks. Morris Hill Campground, located in Covington, offers tent and RV camping with access to Lake Moomaw for fishing and swimming. Douthat State Park Campground, approximately 20 miles from Covington, provides more amenities with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts available from May through September. The region includes several recreation areas with varying levels of development, including Bolar Mountain Recreation Area and Lake Sherwood, which accommodate both tent and RV camping.
Road conditions and amenities vary significantly throughout the camping areas near Covington. Most campgrounds in the national forest have basic facilities with pit toilets and drinking water, while state parks typically offer more amenities including showers and electric hookups. "Morris Hill campground does not have Water/Electric hookups... It is semi primitive. Cell Phone Service is spotty also, as there is no pay phone at the campground either," noted one visitor about the national forest camping experience. Elevation changes affect temperatures, with cooler nights even during summer months. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with most open from April through October or early December. Reservations are recommended for developed sites, especially during peak summer weekends and fall foliage season, while some primitive areas remain first-come, first-served.
Waterfront access represents a major draw for campers in the Covington area, with several campgrounds situated near lakes or rivers. Lake Moomaw, accessible from Morris Hill Campground, offers swimming beaches, boat launches, and fishing opportunities. A camper described Lake Sherwood as "butted up against Sherwood lake and a small mtn ridge range that divides West Virginia and Virginia. The campsites themselves are very nice and the majority is right on the lake." Douthat State Park receives consistently high ratings for its lake activities and hiking trails, with one visitor noting it has "level sites with or without hook ups, well spaced apart, fairly private, and in the middle of a pretty good forest." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, with deer commonly seen near campsites. The proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Allegheny Highlands provides scenic views and recreational opportunities including hiking, fishing, and boating.
