Fairfield, Virginia campgrounds nestle within the George Washington National Forest at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet. The area experiences warm summers with highs around 85°F and cold winters where temperatures often drop below freezing. The surrounding mountains create microclimates that affect camping conditions, with higher-elevation sites receiving up to 15 inches more rainfall annually than valley locations.
What to do
Hiking at Crabtree Falls: Located near Tyro, this campground provides access to the highest vertical-drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi. "The falls are a great hike and there are lots of services nearby. A great Parkway stop," notes a camper from Crabtree Falls Campground.
Lakeside swimming: During summer months, water activities become central to the camping experience. "They have a pretty big lake available for fishing and swimming (in season) too," mentions a visitor to Stoney Creek Resort. The lake includes a dedicated swimming area with a beach.
Festival attendance: Some campgrounds host regular events. "There are many activities such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival. This year they built large models of the twin towers and had a program about them on September 11th," reports a camper at Glen Maury Park.
Wildlife viewing: The surrounding forests support diverse animal populations. "We saw bunnies and then lightening bugs. The pool was great for the kids," notes one family who stayed at Thousand Trails Lynchburg during summer.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Proximity to water features ranks high in camper preferences. "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," explains a visitor at Crabtree Falls Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise. "The bathhouse is nice as is the pool. The store was sparse but adequate. The lawns were kept up and looking good," mentions a camper at Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park.
Fishing access: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing opportunities. "There is a very nice playground and a pet exercise area. You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything," notes a reviewer at Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park.
Spacious campsites: Site size varies significantly between campgrounds. "The sites are very close to each other, there is a bath house available, camp sits on water front," mentions a camper at Glen Maury Park, while another notes at Stoney Creek Resort, "Despite having so many sites, they are rather spacious."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies throughout the region. "No phone signal and wifi was a joke but that's not a bad thing!" reports a camper at Stoney Creek Resort. Plan accordingly if you need to remain connected.
Weather considerations: Mountain weather patterns affect camping conditions. "It stormed our first night, and the raised gravel tent platforms prevented us from flooding," notes a visitor at Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "The only drawback is that many people love this park and it is difficult to get reservations. The window opens six months out and are usually booked for the high season summer months," mentions a camper at Sherando Lake Campground.
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters require proper precautions. "A young bear was repeatedly visiting site A9 up the road from me and I had to chase him off when he came near my site!" warns a camper at Sherando Lake Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There is a very nice playground that is very nice! They offer entertainment on weekends and some other times of the year," notes a camper at Glen Maury Park.
Swimming options: Water features provide recreation for children. "The pool is very large, very clean, and has a diving board. And there's a wonderful swimming hole if you can find it," mentions a visitor at Glen Maury Park.
Organized activities: Some campgrounds schedule regular family events. "They had activities every day for the kids. As well as lots of unstructured activities. For example, they had a foosball table and a jumping pad," reports a camper at Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Safety considerations: Campsite selection impacts family comfort. "If you have young kiddos, the C loop is closest to the playground," advises a camper at Sherando Lake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup details: RV parks near Fairfield, Virginia offer varying levels of service. "Our site 33 was full hookup and a very nice, mostly level, spacious, and had a covered picnic table on a deck. Not all sites have full hookup," explains a visitor at Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park.
Site leveling challenges: Terrain can present setup difficulties. "Called last minute and got a site. Very nice customer service. Grounds were very well kept. Our site 112 had water, 50amp and cable. Dump station on premises," notes an RVer at Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. "Access was easy. The campground was busy and everything was clean and neat. The sites were a little tight," mentions an RVer at Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park.
Extension cord requirements: Electric hookup placement varies between sites. "I parked a little goofy it seems so I needed a little extra footage for my electrical hookup. They were kind enough to loan us a 25' extension," reports a camper at Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park.
