Camping sites near Moneta, Virginia range from mountain settings to lakeside spots across a region with elevations from 795 to 2,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with cooler evenings in the 60s. Most campgrounds remain accessible from April through October, with limited winter options requiring advance planning for road conditions.
What to do
Lakeside recreation: Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground offers swimming in clear waters with tent sites positioned for privacy. "Tent sites are large and a good distance apart. RV sites are good and have decent privacy. Power and water are reliable. There is one dumping station," notes Scott B.
Mountain hiking: At Peaks Of Otter Campground, trails provide challenging terrain with scenic rewards. "Sharp top and flat top hikes... were beautiful, but slightly difficult so just be prepared. Also bring bug spray because the flies were terrible at the top," advises Sam M.
Creek exploration: The streams running through Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp create unique water play opportunities. "The creek winds through this loop providing the sound of water and a place to splash in," while "the lake is very cold but fun. Sites are pretty private with half on a cute creek," according to Heather L.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds feature fishing ponds or lake access. At Smith Mountain Campground, you'll find "a good sized catch and release pond" with sites positioned nearby.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Campers appreciate the natural separation between sites at Smith Mountain Campground. "Well maintained with spacious sites next to wooded areas," according to Renee M., while another camper noted it's "definitely not packed in like sardines the way other camp grounds can be."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. At Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, "the private shower rooms are nice and clean" according to Martha S., while others appreciate the "very clean showers."
Creek-side camping: Middle Creek Campground offers sites alongside flowing water. "We like getting the sites which are right next to the creek because the kids will play in the water all day," shares Robbie M., highlighting how water features enhance camping experiences.
Seasonal activities: Summer months bring additional amenities like pools and swimming areas. Middle Creek provides "a fishing pond, lake to swim in with fun inflatable slides and trampoline and a pool. We made use of all them during our stay."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Communication can be challenging in mountain areas. At Explore Park, the setting offers a "forced off the grid experience" with "poor cell reception, no TV," according to Shawn.
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds operate limited schedules. Peaks Of Otter Campground runs from May 6 to October 29, while Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp operates April 1 to October 31.
Varying bathroom facilities: Amenities differ significantly between campgrounds. Some sites like Peaks Of Otter have "no showers" but do provide "flush toilets, water spigots," while Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers full showers.
Campsite leveling: Terrain can present challenges for setup. At Peaks Of Otter, "the campsites are not level - and we had the best of the lot - very private but only one side of the picnic table was accessible (bc of the slope)," reports Heather E.
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Streams provide safe alternatives to lake swimming. At Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp, "the creek winds through the entire campground, giving a feeling of peace and wilderness" with sites where children can "splash in."
Wildlife viewing: The area offers opportunities to observe local fauna. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA has "chickens run free thru the campground," creating a farm-like atmosphere children enjoy.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA provides "an old school playground but the gkids love it," according to Bridget H.
Cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins offer comfort with outdoor access. Don's Cab-Inns Campground provides cabins that are "roomier than they look" with "AC, heat, electricity, a microwave, a small refrigerator, and a coffee pot."
Tips from RVers
Site sizing awareness: Sweetwater RV Park offers "plenty of pull through and back in sites. Level sites, utilities are well placed and good height," according to Beth B., making it ideal for larger rigs.
Full hookup availability: Most RV-friendly campgrounds near Moneta provide complete services. "The site itself was an easy pull-through. It was clean and hookups were easy to figure out (first time RVers here)," notes Stephanie L.
Winter camping options: Sweetwater RV Park and Smith Mountain Campground operate year-round with full hookups, providing options when other campgrounds close for the season.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. At Smith Mountain Campground, "the entry road off of RT 40 is at an angle, not a 90 degree turn so if you are coming from the East, it's at the top of the hill but more than a 90 deg turn," cautions Valerie P.
