Camping near Covington, Virginia offers a mix of mountain forest and lake environments at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet. The George Washington National Forest surrounding Covington contains over 1 million acres of public land with multiple campgrounds that remain cool even during summer months. Winter camping can bring temperatures below freezing, with occasional snow between November and March.
What to do
Hiking access: Several trails connect directly to campgrounds in the area. At Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, campers can explore the surrounding forest. "This is a great campground on a beautiful lake. Well off the beaten path, it takes a little time to get there but it's worth the trip," notes Scott P.
Trout fishing: Gathright Dam area below Lake Moomaw offers dedicated trout fishing spots. "The marina has a store if you forgot something. Each campground has a host and they have firewood for sale, so bring cash," advises Nicole R. about the fishing amenities at Bolar Mountain.
Kayaking and canoeing: Lake Moomaw supports various water activities with rental options. "We rented kayaks at the marina/camp store down the road and explored a little cove that was really cool," shares Joanna G. who visited Bolar Mountain.
Swimming access: Most campgrounds near Lake Moomaw provide designated swimming areas. "There is a Seperate beach that you can drive to that is roped off for swimming purposes but we rather enjoyed walking to the water from our site and having what seemed like our own little swimming spot," notes Joanna G.
What campers like
Privacy at primitive sites: Many campers value the space between sites at less-developed campgrounds. At Morris Hill Campground, "Site 034 Loop Morr... Plenty of room on the site for tents and vehicle parking. Neighboring sites offer fair amount of privacy," reports Mike C.
Clean facilities: Despite rustic settings, bathrooms at many campgrounds receive consistent maintenance. "The bathrooms were the cleanest I've ever seen at any campground and were a very short, convenient walk from our site," notes Joanna G. about Bolar Mountain Recreation Area.
Lake views: Several campsites offer direct lake access or views. "We had the pleasure of having a campsite with lake view and access both times. Campground 2 site 53, has a nice private beach area where you can go fishing or swim," shares Nicole R. about her stays at Bolar Mountain.
Pet-friendly atmosphere: Most campgrounds near Covington welcome dogs with standard leash requirements. Lake Sherwood receives praise for accommodating pets: "The site is pet friendly - we travel with my dog and cat who also enjoyed the spacious, secluded campsite," reports Pawsfuradventure T.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Most forest campgrounds have minimal to no connectivity. "This is off the grid and does not really have provisions especially after Labor Day. It is a stretch to call it a store but it did have ice, drinks, bait, peanut butter and few other essentials. Again closed after Labor Day. Had no cell service (Verizon) as well," notes Pawsfuradventure T. about Lake Sherwood.
Weather considerations: The mountain elevation creates distinct weather patterns. "We stayed in Whispering Pines campground which was actually a few miles how the road from the heart of the park. Nice large level stone lots, nice bathrooms and private showers, very clean," reports Robyn S. about Douthat State Park Campground.
Campground capacity: Holiday weekends fill quickly at all dog friendly campgrounds near Covington. "Visited on July 4th weekend so very busy, no ranger presence allowed a lot of people to free for all shooting fireworks (not great for a National Forrest) and being loud until 3am or later," warns Jesse S. about Morris Hill Campground.
Water access points: Several routes exist to reach Lake Moomaw from campgrounds. "Short drive to Coles Point beach and boat ramp for Lake Moomaw," notes Benjamin N. about Morris Hill Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Some campgrounds provide dedicated play areas for children. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA offers "an old school playground but the gkids love it. They also have a couple of walking trails and a small dog park," according to Bridget H.
Swimming beaches: Dedicated swimming areas with sand provide safer options for children. "The lake is nice, and there is nice hiking along the shore," observes Thomas R. about Douthat State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds support wildlife observation opportunities. "We saw deer, rabbits, red squirrels, and other little creatures roaming around," reports Pawsfuradventure T. about Lake Sherwood.
Educational activities: Some parks offer nature programs during summer months. "Fishing, lake swimming, hiking, educational opportunities galore. Security is good but not overwhelming," notes Cathy L. about the family options at Douthat State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing: Many campgrounds have limited spaces for larger RVs. "Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles," warns Jeremy W. about Douthat State Park's multiple campgrounds.
Dump station locations: Limited dump stations require planning. Greenbrier State Forest provides "Electric-only hookups, and no dump station on site. Water is available a short distance from the campsites," notes John H.
Access road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "Accessing the campground involves driving 3 miles off I-64 on State 60/14, Harts Run Rd, a winding and narrow two-lane road, which might be a challenge for larger RV trailers and motorhomes," advises John H. about Greenbrier State Forest.
Traveler
