118 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Covesville, Virginia campgrounds encompass a diverse range of accommodations within the scenic Blue Ridge Mountain region. Several established campgrounds including Misty Mountain Camp Resort and Charlottesville KOA offer full-service amenities with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Both facilities provide water and electric hookups, with most sites including picnic tables and fire rings. The camping areas near Covesville extend into nearby Shenandoah National Park where Loft Mountain Campground operates seasonally from mid-May through October, providing a more rustic experience while still maintaining developed facilities.
Most campground options in the Covesville area operate seasonally, with many closing during winter months. The higher elevation sites at Shenandoah National Park experience earlier closures and later spring openings due to mountain weather conditions. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer and fall foliage seasons when occupancy regularly reaches capacity. Roads to campgrounds are generally well-maintained, though accessing Loft Mountain requires navigating the scenic but winding Skyline Drive. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with coverage becoming limited in more remote mountain locations. According to one visitor review, "Some back-in sites have a wooded area behind them and more shade than our relatively open site," highlighting the terrain variations even within individual campgrounds.
Families with children particularly appreciate the recreational amenities at campgrounds like Misty Mountain Camp Resort, where reviews consistently mention the bounce pad, playground, and organized activities. The proximity to regional attractions provides substantial value for campers using these facilities as a base camp. "This campground was really great for a family with small children. There were events the entire time we were there and the staff were awesome," noted one camper. Several reviewers mentioned the appeal of creekside sites at Misty Mountain, though these typically lack full hookups. Campgrounds in the area generally provide varying degrees of privacy between sites, with reviews indicating that upper sections of facilities often offer more seclusion and quieter environments than those in more developed areas near main facilities and activities.
"The winding layout allowed for more distance between other sites. The woods were beautiful with easy walking trails right from the site."
"Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field. Bath house was very clean and very well thought out."
from $35 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 - $140 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $25 - $47 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $45 - $80 / night
Check Availability"We spent one night with our dogs at the walk-in campground at James Lake. It is a wonderful piece of nature. The campsites are far away from each other. Everything was very clean and taken care of."
"Campsite was right next to lake, beautiful views and easy water access. While we were there in April we only saw a couple other groups, and no other campers were anywhere near us."
from $16 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground in line with expectations for most Virginia state parks."
"This state park was a great find on my way south, Off the beaten path with plenty of river frontage and ponds around. There are plenty of places to fish!"
from $37 - $98 / night
Check Availability"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."
"I’ve camped at a completely different part of this place before which was a site without access to bathrooms and showers."
from $28 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $29 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Check out Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail and the James River nearby. Camp along the creek and dip your toes. Check out this natural and primitive property and leave them some love!"
from $30 - $50 / night
LegendWe stayed in site #27 for two nights. It was a walk-in tent site, but the car was very close. The site offered plenty of privacy. We could see the other sites, but they weren't close. We had a nice bear box and good hammock trees, plus a picnic table and decent tent sites. Lots of deer walked through our site in the morning, and we had easy access to several trails.
ScoutShowers are well removed from the center of activity
Also the personalities at the office are extremely short
GuideThis is an awesome campground that is definitely worth the cost. The sites are really nice, there’s a decent bathhouse and you can walk to the brewery for beers and food. Plus the area is beautiful!
ScoutThis KOA was quiet and perfect for a short stay. We enjoyed our time here. The staff was friendly.
GuideI chose Big Meadows to stay at because my traveling companion is definitely a bit bougie and was anxious about camping in the mountains of a NP. Due to this site having showers, toilets, a laundromat, camp store(s) and even a lodge/taproom, they felt more comfortable. We stayed at site D142, right near the entrance by the registration office and showers. I didn’t expect the site to be so nice and quiet and still feel quite private despite the location! We checked out the loops and besides the tent sites, I actually preferred our site. We stayed the week before Memorial Day weekend and I was pleased with how quiet it was. Quiet hours were strictly adhered without rangers having to ask, other campers were respectful toward each other and we had no issues. The NP staff were awesome and the concession employees for the showers, camp store, and the Wayside grill were genuinely friendly and obviously cared about their jobs, which I sincerely appreciate. Wayside grill with attached camp store was fun and had some great gift items as well as some pretty solid quality hiking and camping items. The grill even had a beyond burger which I greatly appreciated! The lodge was funky but not my cup of tea, the taproom was ok, although the employees were really nice.
It did rain half the time we were there with extremely heavy fog so we only did a few hikes but they were still a lot of fun. We didn’t see any bear either! The number one animal we had invade our campsite on the regular were birds. Two catbirds regularly tried to involve themselves in everything, including landing on a pot of oatmeal I was actively cooking and standing next to! We followed leave no trace of course but any chance the birds got, from catbirds, robins, brown thrashers, towhee, and even a redstart, they would try to investigate.
There is clean drinking water listed on the campsite maps, there are utility sinks for grey water (don’t use the bathroom sink!), bathrooms were always clean and bathrooms and showers are open 24/7 and are well lit. I didn’t buy the firewood so I’m unsure how much it is but the little camp store was open from 9-6 (right by the bathroom) for firewood, ice, and other various supplies.
Only downsides to the site are 1) showers are not cheap ($5 for 10 mins) and don’t stay warm for long so you’re showering in chilly water. Some stalls last a bit longer than others. 2) The biggest issue though was surprisingly the bear boxes. They are quite large and fit a lot of stuff which is great. However, you are expected to keep your cooler in them. I have a bear proof cooler (IGBC) so I’ve never had to experience this situation before. The bear box being made of metal, heated everything up in it which caused rapid melting of ice. Despite pre-chilling it and my ice usually lasting for days and days, we had to refill it daily. The camp store thankfully sold ice (10 lb bags for $5) but it was frustrating that there was no other option for bear proof items. I didn’t fight the rangers regarding it because it’s their rules, it’s for the safety of the bears and people, and the rangers and park staff have enough stuff to deal with.
All in all, I’ve never really glamped before so it was quite a luxurious trip even with the rain and fog for half the trip. I’ll most definitely be back and would even stay at the same site or a tent only site with no driveway.
ScoutBeautiful and secluded. Primitive camping area for boondocking or tent camping. Large enough to set up several electric pens for horses.
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.
Camping options near Covesville, Virginia extend beyond established facilities into nearby National Forest and wilderness areas. The region sits at elevations ranging from 700 to 3,000 feet, creating varied camping experiences and temperature differences between valley and mountain sites. Weather patterns can change quickly, with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months when temperatures typically range from 65°F to 85°F.
Hiking nearby trails: At Sherando Lake Campground, trails range from easy lakeside paths to challenging routes. "There are big loop and small loop hiking trails close by," notes Jean J., while another camper explains, "There are also some kickass trails that climb to the Blue Ridge Parkway and intersect with the AT."
Stargazing opportunities: James River State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing. "The park is part of the Dark Sky Parks Association and if you are into astronomy and stars this is the place to stay," states Bridget H. The park provides telescopes for campers: "Just ask for a telescope (free at the store) and stare up at the sky for hours!"
Fishing access: Multiple water bodies offer fishing opportunities. At Devil's Backbone Camp, visitors mention convenient fishing locations. "Cell phones worked just fine. They are adding more electric sites. Walk to the brewery. Probably my favorite improved camp site for beer enthusiasts!" according to Brad W.
Brewery proximity: Devil's Backbone Camp provides a unique camping experience with brewery access. "From start to finish excellent. Family's first RV experience and it was great. 5 minute trail walk to the Devil's Backbone brewery. You can have several great beers with your meal and safely walk back to the camp site," reports Robert M.
Clean facilities: Crabtree Falls Campground receives praise for its maintenance. "The bath house was well maintained and super clean. We will be returning for sure," comments Emily R. Another camper adds, "The bathhouse is top notch! Squeaky clean with lots of space."
River access: Multiple campers appreciate waterfront sites. "The sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night," shares Britt S. Kaylee G. mentions, "Sites run along a river, which provides great back drop for getting away from the city."
Site positioning considerations: At Loft Mountain Campground, site layout impacts privacy. "The sites were fairly close, but separated by trees, so you felt private. You could hear people on the other side of the trees, but no one was loud and it was very quiet and peaceful at night," explains Annie B. "Some sites are more private than others, so do a little scouting if that's what you want!"
Weather preparedness: Sudden mountain weather changes require planning. Some campground areas flood during heavy rain. According to Jennings A. at Misty Mountain Camp Resort, "It looks like a really great camp ground. T-1 though T-6 sites flood often became they are low and next the the river."
Limited cell coverage: Service varies significantly. "T-Mobile reception is TERRIBLE," notes Kelly S. about Charlottesville KOA. Another camper mentions, "Cell service is extremely limited, but there's wi-fi available at the visitors center."
Kid-friendly activities: Charlottesville KOA offers multiple recreational options. "As you would expect with a KOA, there are lots of amenities and many that are geared towards kids. There are two really nice playground with slides, swings, climbing walls, game room, swimming pool, bouncy pillow, etc," writes Nancy W.
Family-sized sites: Many campgrounds offer spacious sites for families. "My campsite was huge, it would be great for a large family or a gathering site/kitchen area for groups using neighboring sites," observes Lisa M. Another reviewer notes, "The sites are generously sized and flat."
Seasonal programs: Summer months feature organized activities. "The rangers here are very interactive and very helpful. We enjoyed a fire making class followed by s'mores on Friday night and then an owl searching hike on Saturday night," shares one camper.
Hookup positioning: Check utility locations before setup. "The sewer connection for the odd number sites is on the opposite side of the RV than the electricity and water. The good news is that in a pinch, and your sewer hose does not fit, they do have a dump station on site," advises Erika S. about Devil's Backbone Camp.
Site selection for shade: RV sites vary in sun exposure. Mara S. notes about Misty Mountain, "I'm in the upper section (steep and windy road to get up here). It's better noise wise here." Several reviewers mentioned that upper sections often provide more seclusion.
Advanced reservations: Book early for the best places to camp near Covesville, Virginia, especially during peak seasons. "Half the sites are first come-first serve and half can be reserved. The only drawback is that many people love this park and it is difficult to get reservations. The window opens six months out," explains Linda C. about Sherando Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Covesville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Covesville, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 118 campgrounds and RV parks near Covesville, VA and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Covesville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Covesville, VA is Misty Mountain Camp Resort with a 4.2-star rating from 42 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Covesville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Covesville, VA.
What parks are near Covesville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Covesville, VA that allow camping, notably George Washington & Jefferson National Forests and Shenandoah National Park.
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