Camping opportunities near Dillwyn, Virginia include primitive forest sites, lake access camping, and brewery adjacent options. The area sits in the Piedmont region at an elevation around 500 feet, experiencing hot, humid summers and moderate winters. Cell service remains inconsistent throughout the region, with coverage stronger near towns and weaker in more remote camping areas.
What to do
Hiking trails: 3-5 miles: At Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy multiple trail options. "We did a hike around the whole lake, lots of great views. Looks like it would be awesome for fishing as well!" noted one visitor who also mentioned the family-friendly swimming area.
Water recreation: fishing ponds: Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park offers multiple fishing opportunities on-site. "Really cool set up clean campground. The people are nice and the so are the views. The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" advised a camper who appreciated the well-maintained property.
Brewery visits: short walking distance: Near Nelson County, Devils Backbone Camp provides direct access to craft beer. "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," shared a reviewer who appreciated the convenience during their first RV experience.
What campers like
Bathhouses: exceptional cleanliness: Campers at Devils Backbone Camp consistently mention facility quality. "This campground has some of the nicest facilities of any campground I've stayed at. We camped in a trailer on a site without hookups. At this time of the year, it wasn't very busy. They provide firewood on the honor system," reported one visitor.
Seasonal activities: summer swimming: Thousand Trails Lynchburg provides refreshing water options during hot months. "This was the perfect spot to stay after a long drive. We saw bunnies and then lightening bugs. The pool was great for the kids," mentioned one summer visitor who enjoyed the natural wildlife.
Wildlife viewing: increasing variety: Nature enthusiasts appreciate the expanding wildlife population at smaller campgrounds. At Staver Farm, a camper noted: "Trail cams are showing an increase in wildlife this past month (May 2023) Black Bear, Deer, Coyotes, Bobcats, & Turkeys."
What you should know
Limited RV length: 35-foot maximum: Bear Creek Lake State Park enforces strict vehicle limitations. "Limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer," explained a reviewer who also noted the mature shade trees and well-maintained facilities.
Hookup challenges: shared pedestals: Some rv parks near Dillwyn, Virginia have unusual utility arrangements. At Devils Backbone Camp, one camper warned: "Some of the pads (#9 in our case) had a septic cap that was too high. We didn't have those things to raise the hose up, so I had to manually lift and empty the hose for the duration of our emptying."
Reservation requirements: seasonal booking: Most camping facilities near Dillwyn require advance planning. "Make resv. On line at thousand trails staff is very good and helpful," advised one Thousand Trails visitor who noted that the best sites are often taken by seasonal campers.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: kid-friendly areas: Bear Creek Lake offers designated swimming sections for children. "There is a great swimming area with a little kids area that was so fun! We did a hike around the whole lake, lots of great views," shared a parent who found multiple activities suitable for their children.
Playground facilities: multiple age groups: Cozy Acres Campground RV Resort provides extensive recreational options. "They have a lot of activities, such as pool, fishing pond and trails. The site was clean and everything worked great!" noted a family camper who gave the facility a positive rating despite some spacing concerns.
Game room access: check operating hours: Families should verify amenity timing at campgrounds. "LOVED the game room - definitely the best options we've seen so far HOWEVER it closed the same time as store hours so timing was extremely awkward," warned a camper at Cozy Acres who enjoyed the unique store with antiques and useful equipment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: waterfront premium: RV campers recommend specific areas within campgrounds. At Walnut Hills, a visitor advised: "Booking was easy. Arrived after hours, staying one night. Our tag was waiting for us with a map to our RV spot with E/W by the creek and pond. It was off season, so plenty of spots and privacy."
Seasonal scheduling: avoid humidity: Crabtree Falls Campground offers cooler temperatures compared to other campgrounds near Dillwyn, Virginia. "The sites run along a river, which provides great back drop for getting away from the city. Our campsite was at the end of a row, which made it great for taking the dogs on little walks away from the campsite," mentioned one RVer who appreciated the atmosphere.
Dump stations: limited availability: Preparation is key for rv parks in the Dillwyn area. "In a pinch, and your sewer hose does not fit, they do have a dump station on site," noted a Devils Backbone camper who recommended at least a 30-foot hose for odd-numbered sites due to the hookup placement.
