Fairfield, Virginia sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at approximately 1,400 feet elevation, with summer temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby valley areas. The surrounding George Washington National Forest features diverse terrain that transitions from rolling farmland to steeper mountain slopes, creating varied camping environments from riverside sites to elevated woodland camping areas.
What to Do
Waterfall hiking: 1-mile trek to Crabtree Falls. Located minutes from Crabtree Falls Campground, this natural attraction offers an accessible adventure. "This is very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and close to Charlottesville and Staunton. The falls are a great hike and there are lots of services nearby. A great Parkway stop," notes Anna R.
Fishing in stocked waters: No license required at select sites. The fishing pond at Montebello Resort provides an accessible option for anglers of all experience levels. "The trout pond is a nice touch you can fish without a license, and you pay for what you catch. We enjoyed fresh trout for dinner during our stay, and from what I saw, anybody with a hook can catch one," shares Anthony I.
Mountain biking: Over 40 miles of trails at Douthat State Park. The extensive trail system accommodates all skill levels with clearly marked routes. "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!" advises Robyn S.
What Campers Like
Riverside camping spots: Sites directly alongside water. Many campers appreciate the proximity to flowing water at Crabtree Falls Campground. "Sites are right on the river, we had a walk to which gave us some extra privacy. Beautiful area for hiking, lots leading off of the AT. Campground hosts are very friendly," notes Heather L.
Free watercraft access: Complimentary kayaks and paddle boats. Several properties in the area offer boat access as part of your stay. "The other lake on the property is a nice place to walk, the campsite provides kayaks and paddle boats as well, at no charge," mentions Anthony I. about Montebello Resort.
Seasonal activities: Halloween-themed weekends in fall. Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park offers special event weekends with activities for families. "The campground has Halloween themed activities for kids on specific weekends. We were there for one of these weekends. It's geared for younger kids (10 and under)," explains Kathleen M.
What You Should Know
Limited cell service: No coverage in many mountain areas. Communication becomes challenging in certain camping locations. "This place was certainly beautiful; our site was right on the pond. Overall a beautiful spot high in the mountains. Be aware; there is zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it's a bit of a drive," warns Quinn G.
Road access considerations: Some routes unsuitable for large rigs. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA campers should follow specific directions. "Follow the directions on the campground website. VA56 is a very windy road not recommended for pulling a camper through. Use the Blue Ridge Parkway," advises Quinn G.
Elevation affects climate: Pack for temperature variations. Mountain locations experience significantly cooler temperatures, particularly at night. "We disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing. The bathrooms were incredibly clean and heated," reports Diane P. about camping at Douthat State Park in November.
Tips for Camping with Families
Water features: Multiple swimming options available. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge offers extensive water recreation. "There were a ton of things for the kids to do here which was great. I really enjoyed the water park myself as it was in the high 90's/low 100's when we were there," shares Kevin F.
Educational wildlife encounters: On-site petting areas. Several campgrounds feature animal interactions for children. "The kids liked the petting zoo," notes Stephanie H. about Natural Bridge KOA's animal area.
Comfort-focused yurt camping: Fairfield, Virginia alternatives to tent camping. Yurt accommodations provide a middle ground between tents and cabins, particularly good for families with small children. "We had a great weekend with the whole family! There was a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging," shares Bridget H.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Request specific areas based on needs. Stoney Creek Resort accommodates different rig sizes appropriately. "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 on your rig size so they know their site sizes well," explains Sammii D.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain. Mountain campgrounds often require additional setup time. "The staff at SAFC is top notch - from Terry (T-Bone) who escorted us to our site and helped us set up (because our site was not level and it took us an hour to get our rig set up)," reports Charlene about Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley.
Campground layout awareness: Roads may present maneuverability issues. Several campgrounds feature tight turns or narrow roads. "The campsites are very close to each other and the roads are very narrow. We can't even extend our awning due to through traffic," notes Jennifer A.
