Craigsville camping offers year-round outdoor access with elevations ranging from 1,400 to 3,500 feet across the region. Most campgrounds in this part of Virginia sit within the George Washington National Forest, where seasonal temperatures can vary from below freezing in winter to humid 90°F days in summer. Sites along streams and lakes often book 3-6 months in advance for peak summer weekends.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Moomaw at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers trout and bass fishing with easy lake access from many campsites. "This place is amazing. I could stay here every weekend and not get tired of it. Warm water, fresh air, no service," notes camper Blake B. The campground provides lake views and beach areas ideal for combining fishing with swimming.
Hiking trails: The area surrounding Craigsville connects to numerous hiking paths, including sections of the Appalachian Trail. Seneca State Forest offers excellent trails with "crystal clear (COLD)" water according to Nick P. Camper Charles K. adds that the forest has "stunning views from the site and trails" with good wildlife viewing opportunities including deer and occasionally bears.
Cooling off: Several camping areas offer water-based recreation beyond just swimming. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge features multiple water attractions. One visitor noted, "I really enjoyed the water park myself as it was in the high 90's/low 100's when we were there." The James River runs alongside the campground, providing tubing opportunities and fishing access.
What campers like
Natural settings: Many campsites in the Craigsville area back directly to water features. At Crabtree Falls Campground, campsites sit along the Tye River. One camper shared, "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." This riverside setting creates a peaceful backdrop for camping.
Campsite privacy: While some campgrounds feature more open layouts, others offer secluded sites. Stoney Creek Resort provides spacious camping areas despite its large size. According to a reviewer, "Despite having so many sites, they are rather spacious. All are back in and some can be difficult due to some trees but all are manageable and they base your site based on your rig size so they know their site sizes well."
Yurt camping options: For those seeking yurt camping near Craigsville, Virginia, several facilities offer these unique accommodations. Douthat State Park Campground has yurts with lake views approximately 35 miles from Craigsville. One visitor recommended Douthat for its "nice, clean and relaxing place" atmosphere, noting that "the dogs were able to go swimming before the lake opened up in the morning."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the region have limited or no cell coverage. At Montebello Resort, a camper noted "the location of the campground is remote with zero cell coverage or wifi, and other than the store on-site, there isn't much outside of a few hiking trails, within 30 minutes." This can be either a drawback or benefit depending on your camping goals.
Weather considerations: The mountain elevation means rapid weather changes are possible. Temperatures at higher elevations can drop significantly at night, even in summer. Rain preparation is essential as one tower camper mentioned, "the windows must be removed and shut when the rain rolls in or you will get wet."
Reservation needs: Most campgrounds in the region require advance planning. For specialty accommodations like yurt camping in Craigsville, Virginia, bookings may be needed 3-6 months ahead. Weekend availability is particularly limited during summer and fall color season. A visitor to Seneca State Forest advised, "Reserve well in advance" for specialty accommodations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park includes "a very nice playground and a pet exercise area" according to visitor Laure D. Another reviewer mentioned there was "a cute playground for kiddos" among the well-kept grounds, making it ideal for families with younger children.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas for safer water play. One reviewer noted that Douthat State Park has "lake swimming" among its many family-friendly offerings. Swimming in natural settings rather than pools is common in this region.
Activity planning: Some campgrounds organize regular activities for children. At Jellystone Park, a visitor shared: "There were craft nights, build an ice cream sundae night, dance parties! Giant inflatable trampolines were a blast." These structured activities can help keep children entertained during longer stays.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking RV sites, consider both size restrictions and amenities. A Stoney Creek Resort camper advised that "they base your site based on your rig size so they know their site sizes well," helping prevent difficulties with placement. Many campgrounds offer pull-through sites for larger rigs.
Hookup quality: Electric and water hookup quality varies between campgrounds. At Montebello Resort, a camper mentioned "we had a site on the permitter, which was nice, as the interior sites are really on top of one another" and noted that some sites had "washed-away, uneven gravel pads." This can make leveling challenging at certain locations.
Seasonal considerations: RV camping near Craigsville works year-round at several facilities. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA remains "open year round" with "full hook up" options and "lots of pull thru sites" according to recent visitors. Winter camping is available but with fewer amenities at most locations.
