Campgrounds near Crozet, Virginia range from RV parks with full hookups to primitive tent sites in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park. The region includes several developed options like Misty Mountain Camp Resort, which sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Devils Backbone Camp, located adjacent to a popular brewery. Most campgrounds accommodate tents, RVs, and many offer cabin rentals. Proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, and Shenandoah National Park provides campers with numerous outdoor recreation opportunities within a short drive.
Seasonal considerations impact camping availability, with many Shenandoah National Park campgrounds operating only from spring through fall. Loft Mountain Campground, for example, runs from mid-May to late October, while some private campgrounds remain open year-round. "The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean," noted one camper about a nearby KOA. Road conditions vary significantly, with campgrounds in higher elevations requiring careful driving on curvy mountain roads. Cell service can be limited or non-existent at more remote camping areas, particularly those within Shenandoah National Park where visitors report no Verizon coverage. Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours beginning at 10pm, and rangers in national park campgrounds strictly enforce food storage regulations to prevent bear encounters.
Waterfront campsites receive consistently high ratings from visitors to the area. Several campers specifically mentioned the value of riverside camping at Misty Mountain, with one noting that "the river sites are the best." The campground's proximity to local attractions in Crozet was also highlighted in reviews. Family-friendly amenities like swimming pools, dog parks, and organized activities are common at the larger, established campgrounds. Crozet camping options provide convenient access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and scenic overlooks throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors to Shenandoah National Park campgrounds frequently mention wildlife sightings, particularly black bears, which are described as "curious" but generally not threatening when proper food storage protocols are followed. Campers also appreciate the privacy of walk-in tent sites at Loft Mountain, where one reviewer noted they "didn't have any neighboring campers that we could see or hear, just a few groups off in the distance."
$30 - $75 / night
"This campground is perfect for those looking to just get away from things for a couple of days."
"We got a walk in site, so our tent was way far away from cars and other people. The site included a fire pit w/grill grate, picnic table, and metal bear box."
$35 - $75 / night
"LOCAL TIP: “Smoked” and “Crozet Pizza” and “Fardowners” - all in nearby Crozet, and all amazing. The owners and staff at the campground and the pizzeria are wonderful 💫"
"Misty Mountain Camp Resort is located in Crozet, Virginia, off of 250 below Afton Mountain. I'm familiar with this resort."
$25 - $140 / night
"First time camping in any part of Virginia, very nice and clean campground, not too much outside noise besides the random car driving on the one road near by."
"We set up camp then walked over to the brewery/ restaurant for some flights and dinner. I recommend grabbing some growlers to go. Showers and restrooms were clean."
$25 - $47 / night
"Sherando Lake is a well-maintained, popular campground located in the George Washington National Forest near Lyndhurst, VA."
"The lakeside is wonderful for sitting, reading and swimming. The "upper lake" is great for fishing. "
$45 - $80 / night
"For the past four or five years I have come to this campground each year in the offseason, April or October, to visit while the temps in Virginia are cooler and less humid."
"It’s small, but we did not feel cramped or too close to others. The hooks were the closest we have ever had - which is very nice!"
$36 - $132 / night
"We spent 2 weeks at SVC while our trunk was in the shop(our travel trailer got towed there- highly recommend Good Sam Roadside policy). Everyone on staff was accomodating, helpful and friendly."
"It was clean, but had a trail of ants get into my belongings. Sites are close to one another and the cabins are not near the water. They are near the bath house though."
$30 - $75 / night
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
"Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center."
"Good area close to hiking trails and historical sites. Dog friendly. Only negative was the closeness of the sites."
$45 - $99 / night
"You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything. Wifi is free and open so no password and therefore, not secure. Trash picked up each day."
"Good location close to I81 but little road noise. I did hear a train."
$29 - $45 / night
"And of course their lake that has two jumping decks, water slide, snack bar , restaurant and off to the side a little store for floats with putt putt golf and Jenna,etc."
"Lots for them to do, great swimming lake, employees were a pleasure. Trash pick-up was awesome !! Our site was gorgeous. Not a full hook up(more on that later), but absolutely perfect."
GuideMy wife and I stayed here one night, while driving south to north, Skyline Dr. the drive has been awesome and this campground is the perfect resting spot for us, for the night. Had a couple drinks at the lodge while watching a spectacular sunset. I’d definitely come back.
GuideIt’s very green and scenic
ScoutI will start with the negatives. They do not enforce quiet hours. At all. We had multiple nights with a large group neighboring campers partying well past midnight. Yelling, slamming car doors, absolutely no regard for fellow campers. I would not recommend staying along the road sites unless you are equipped to deal with noisy neighbors in close proximity.
And the good... The sites in the more wooded areas on the edge of the campground are beautiful. You are less likely to deal with groups of campers there to party. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained, with pay showers available. Firewood, though expensive, was plentiful. Being close to hiking, the lodge, camp store, and visitor center are excellent perks for the price of each site.
I really wish the staff was there to better enforce the quiet hours, as there were multiple campers that struggled to sleep/relax with the raucous crowd so close.
GuideThis is the city park with the campground and an old estate. They don’t accept reservations. We arrived at 5pm on Friday. Went to the office to check in,found that they closed at 4:30. There was a note on the door that said to leave money in an envelope and put it through the slot in the door, no further information. Wrote our name and a description of the vehicles and put $110.30 in cash for 2 nights in the door slot, and went to find camping. There are no picnic tables or fire rings, in the large lower section of the campground there is just water and electric, no sewer connection. We chose a site near the river and set up camp. Then found the power isn’t working. First thing the next morning I went to the office to ask about refunding the difference for the full hook up to dry camping spot. The woman was not helpful at all, and insisted that she doesn’t do refunds, even though I explained that I had left cash. She said no one was supposed to be camping on the riverside, and that they don’t turn the power on down there. I said without a note on the door to explain that or a sign near the path, there’d be no way to know that. Beware, when you pay, make sure you know what site you’re in and what services you’re getting, then go and pay for it. She was most unpleasant, and unhelpful. On the plus side, the river is pretty, there’s an ice cream stand, and there’s nice hiking trails.
ScoutThe river is nice for floating when water is high enough. Nice waterfall for pics. Sites are close together but still ok. They have planted trees between sites so in time it will get even better. Camping by the river is very peaceful.
GuideThe sites vary greatly in size. That being said, each site is spaced or aligned to offer privacy. Bathrooms are easily accessible. Showers can be a bit of a hike away depending on your site location. Pricey; &5 dollars for ten minutes. No other option.
If you are camping off season the biggest inconvenience is the registration process if you are arriving “day of”. There is no WiFi outside of the camp store with is about .75 mile away from the campground. If you find a site you have to drive all the way back to the store to get the WiFi needed to register with Rec.gov. Try to identify 2 or 3 sites in case you drive back and find out that one may not be available. The volunteer “ranger” drives around to monitor. Our volunteer said that a site may be taken but no reservation slip has been attached to the campsite post. We thoroughly enjoyed our site. The fog rolled in and out of the valley like a heavy blanket. The camp was quiet and peaceful in large part due to the absence of noisy generators. There were several hikes of varying abilities that could be accessed from the campgrounds. A great asphalt path led to the camp store. Great for walking g or biking. There was also a gas station and a small cafeteria for those who want a note to eat.
TravelerSo clean and well maintained! We went in April and the waterpark was not opened yet. Most campgrounds we looked to stay at mentioned not being opened until mentorship day but here did not have it listed anywhere. We love our site. Golf carts were so fun to ride around through their back trails along the water. Tubing in the river was so peaceful and relaxing.
ScoutNeeded a spot to get off the road for the night while traveling through area. It served the purpose. Road noise is real. We ran a fan off our generator. Donuts made in same lot for breakfast and Buckeyes is close by.
GuideRelaxed and quiet campground. No hookups Fire rings And a stream
Camping near Crozet, Virginia offers proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations ranging from 800 to 3,500 feet. Weather conditions vary significantly with season and elevation, with mountain areas typically 10-15 degrees cooler than valley locations. Most campgrounds in this region maintain quiet hours starting at 10pm, though enforcement varies by location.
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Access the trail directly from Loft Mountain Campground, where "the AT runs right through the campground" according to Katrin M. The campground connects to several day hikes of varying difficulty.
Fishing opportunities: Cast a line at Walnut Hills Campground which features stocked fishing ponds. "The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" notes John D., though some visitors report mixed results with catches.
Brewery tours: Visit Devils Backbone Camp where you can "walk to the brewery from your site" as Jennifer E. mentions. The area around Crozet contains multiple breweries within short driving distance, making it ideal for craft beer enthusiasts.
Mountain biking: Several campgrounds near Crozet connect to mountain biking trails of various difficulty levels. Most trails require intermediate skills due to elevation changes and rocky terrain. Several rental shops in Charlottesville offer daily bike rentals starting at $45.
Night sky viewing: The higher elevation campgrounds offer exceptional stargazing opportunities. At Dundo Group Campground, "At night you could see stars. We took a walk to the overlook in the middle of the night to stargaze," reports Kate.
Wildlife encounters: Many campsites report regular deer sightings. At Big Meadows Campground, "you will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," according to Veronica S.
Waterfall access: Multiple trails lead to waterfalls within 30 minutes of most Crozet area campgrounds. Hike the Rose River Trail from Sherando Lake for moderate 2-mile waterfall access. Doyles Falls provides a more challenging 3.5-mile hike with 1,200 feet of elevation change.
Temperature relief: Summer temperatures at higher elevation campgrounds typically run 10-15 degrees cooler than Charlottesville. This creates comfortable camping conditions even during July and August when valley temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies dramatically by carrier and elevation. At Big Meadows Campground, there's "No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online," reports Veronica S.
Campsite differences by elevation: Lower elevation campgrounds near Crozet often have more amenities but less privacy between sites. Mountain campgrounds generally offer more seclusion but fewer conveniences. Consider your priorities when booking.
Bear precautions: Food storage regulations are strictly enforced at national park campgrounds. At Sherando Lake Campground, "The campsites are equipped with bear boxes, a picnic table, a tall prep table, and a fire ring," notes Katie M.
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds close completely during winter months. Devils Backbone Camp operates year-round but with limited amenities during colder months. "Quiet but quite a few other friendly after Christmas rv campers. Great time, just wish the rain would have held off!" reports Jodi L.
Swimming options: Sherando Lake Campground offers a designated swimming area on its 25-acre lake with a sandy beach. "We love this place and will keep coming back!" says Katie M., who highlights the "beautiful lake" as perfect for kids.
Child-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreational facilities. At Shenandoah Valley Campground, "They have an awesome pool that was heated, hot tubs, mini golf and good playgrounds. My kids were in heaven," reports Lo H.
Wildlife education: Many campgrounds near Crozet offer ranger-led programs about local wildlife. At Big Meadows, the "nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs" creates learning opportunities for children, according to Kim L.
Accessibility concerns: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for younger children. At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, one camper noted their site was "tiny so it was a tad stressful having kids running around right beside the road."
Hookup placement challenges: 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," warns Erika S., who recommends bringing a 30-foot hose minimum.
Elevation considerations: Mountain roads in the Crozet area can be steep with sharp turns. RVs over 30 feet may find access challenging at some campgrounds. Misty Mountain Camp Resort notes their "upper section (steep and windy road to get up here)" requires careful navigation for larger vehicles.
Space variations: RV sites have significantly different spacing depending on the campground. At Charlottesville KOA, Jennifer K. notes, "The hooks were the closest we have ever had - which is very nice!" while other campgrounds require longer connections.
Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the Blue Ridge Mountains have sloped sites requiring stabilizers and leveling blocks. Pack extra leveling equipment as the terrain throughout the Crozet area features natural slopes at most campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Crozet, VA?
Crozet offers excellent camping options with Misty Mountain Camp Resort being a standout choice. Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it features creekfront sites, well-maintained facilities including a pool, bathhouses, and laundry. The resort hosts annual music festivals showcasing local bands and artisans. Another great option is Devils Backbone Camp, which provides a clean, quiet camping experience with the added benefit of being near a brewery offering excellent craft beers. Both locations provide convenient access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and are close to orchards and local attractions in the Crozet area.
What hiking trails can I access from camping areas in Crozet, VA?
The Crozet area offers excellent hiking opportunities accessible from nearby campgrounds. Loft Mountain Campground in Shenandoah National Park provides direct access to portions of the Appalachian Trail and numerous park trails with varying difficulty levels and stunning mountain views. Sherando Lake Campground in the George Washington National Forest features several trails surrounding its beautiful lake, including routes that connect to the Blue Ridge Parkway trail system. Both locations offer options for day hikes ranging from easy lakeside strolls to challenging mountain ascents, making them perfect basecamps for exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains near Crozet.
Are there any RV-friendly camping options near Crozet, VA?
Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views offers excellent RV accommodations near Crozet with beautiful mountain views. The campground features well-maintained sites adjacent to a working farm where you might see cows, sheep, and llamas grazing nearby. Amenities include a large dog park, a swimming pool, and friendly staff. Another great option is Endless Caverns RV Resort, a beautiful wooded property with stone borders, walls, and fire pits at every site. Both locations provide full hookups, accommodate large rigs, and offer convenient access to Shenandoah National Park and the attractions around Crozet.
What public parks in Crozet, VA offer camping facilities?
While Crozet itself has limited public park camping, several excellent options exist nearby. Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park offers camping surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery about 30 minutes from Crozet. For those willing to drive a bit further, Canoe Landing Group Campsite at James River State Park provides spacious sites near water with excellent privacy between campsites. This park features hiking trails and water activities. Both parks require entrance fees in addition to camping fees and typically need reservations during peak seasons. These public facilities offer more rustic experiences than private campgrounds but with the benefit of preserved natural surroundings.
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