49 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The small town of Farmville in Virginia has several good camping spots within driving distance. Sherando Lake Campground works well for campers who want to swim or fish during their stay. Many people like Occoneechee State Park Campground for its bigger sites and good views of the area. If you want something more basic, Backbone Camp might be what you're looking for. You'll see lots of wildlife around these parts, so keep your food stored properly to avoid problems with animals. When you're not at your campsite, you can check out the many hiking trails or try fishing in the local waters. Farmville itself is close enough to grab whatever supplies you might need. Weather-wise, spring and fall are usually the nicest times to camp here. Summers can get pretty hot, so bring plenty of water and shade options. The camping around Farmville works for both quiet weekends and more active trips, depending on what you're after.
"We hiked some of the trails, there is beautiful nature thT surrounds you. Close to the High Bridge and different Daily excursions."
"The swimming lake has a nice beach and we happened to be there this last weekend and the temperature was nice and warm and the kids enjoyed playing on the beach and on the water playground."
from $37 - $427 / night
Check Availability"The trails were marked once you got on one, not all were visible as trails. With that being said my pup and I took several paths not walked often without another soul or human sound."
"Nice little state park close to Richmond and not too far from DC."
from $32 - $427 / night
Check Availability"Campground Review Holliday Lake State Park is located in the middle of the Buckingham State Forest, so it is completely surrounded by protected forest."
"Short walk to the beach. Awesome staff. Awesome kids and learning program for the weekend. Really loved the lights in the water at night and nighttime walk."
from $37 - $107 / 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"Bathroom rooms are dated (compared to the ones at Twin Lakes State Park near Farmville, VA). The dump station is two-sided - helps on busy mornings when campers are leaving."
"Largest State Park in Virginia - nearly 8,000 acres. We stayed two nights and paddled around Swift Creek Lake on Sunday. The staff was amazing."
from $37 - $459 / 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"It's beautifully tucked away surrounded by fields and some farm structures. The playground is impressive and the staff is very welcoming upon arrival."
"This is a nice quiet campground to enjoy outside of Richmond. We have a Class A and enjoyed the sites facing the lake. We stayed in site 119. Customer service is wonderful!"
from $25 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Lake James is a true gem, clean and beautiful, with amazing views of Linville Gorge, Shortoff Mountain, and Table Rock. The State Park has several camping areas."
"This is a lovely little campground set on the shores of James Lake. Sites are big enough for 2 small tents or 1 largish family tent. All sites have a picnic table, fire pit with grate, and bear box."
from $16 / night
Check Availability"access to human food."
"Like most Virginia state parks the River Bend campground is well spaced out and great for RV camping."
from $16 - $97 / night
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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!
GuideWe stayed here Memorial weekend 2026. We had a tent only site with no hook ups. It was site 48 which is the first site you come across when pulling into the campgrounds.
Site was built into a hill and had several steps leading up to it. Much smaller site than we are used to at VA State parks. Looking at the other sites they were also on the smaller side and oddly shaped.
Easy access to the River Bank trail and Captain Staunton trail directly from the campsites. Great when you have kiddos that don't want to walk a ton.
Great views throughout of the Staunton River & Dan River. Lots of deer sightings in the morning and early evenings. Great activities with the rangers including a wagon wide through the park.
It was rainy during our stay so no chance to take advantage of the Dark Sky classification. When skys are clear they do have an astronomer that comes out on the weekends in the summer.
GuideStayed here Memorial Day weekend 2025. We had a water electric site for our tent and had a great time.
The first day we checked out the Aquatic Recreation Center, admission was included for each member of our party. The kiddos had so much fun with the splash park, that it took everything to drag them away from it.
There is a trail from the campground to the aquatic center, but with our small kids it was easier to drive. There is plenty of parking.
The next day we took to the lake in a peddle boat. The lilly pads were blooming and it was so nice. You can also rent paddle boards, kayaks and canoes. Easy access if you have your own boards or kayaks.
Lots of trails to explore, and be mindful some trails have both bikes and people.
The kids had a good time and it was nice to just do loops of the campground. The playground in the campground was under construction so we look forward to going back to check it out.
GuideWe stayed in the tent only section for Labor Day weekend in 2024. The tent sites were not very level and close together. They were entirely gravel.
The kiddos enjoyed the swimming beach and some of the play items built in. The slide and some other pieces had seen better days and needed a bit of a refresh.
We didn't have a chance to check out any trails, but plan to go back on the future.
RangerThis campground is one of our stops coming from VT or going back home - would love to spend more time then just passing through
RangerVery well kept campground. Clean bathrooms Clean camp sites Cell Verizon and att worked well. Was able to zoom for work and watch Netflix at night. Excellent trails all through the park. Fast rolling gravel trails for gravel bikes and some more technical trails for mountain biking.
GuideThe site pad gravel was nice and provided good drainage for the DELUGE we got all night long our first night. Surrounded by lovely foliage, which provided nice privacy. And right across from some of the cleanest bath houses we've ever seen. Very nice.
But the real highlight was the variety and abundance of ranger programs offered at this relatively small park. We went on a lovely moth/caterpillar hunt at twilight that was so much fun, and the guide was so knowledgeable.
Also, the trails are very well marked. I like to trail run with my dog first thing in the morning, and I've been burned before by poorly marked trails. These (while expectedly soggy) were very well marked.
LegendWe have camped here a couple of times. Nothing special but access to the river makes it great if you are fishing or kayaking. You will need a fishing license or access pass and must register that you are camping here. Other then the needed pass or license there is no camping fee.
LegendWe have camped here a couple of times. Nothing special but access to the river makes it great if you are fishing or kayaking. You will need a fishing license or access pass and must register that you are camping here. Other then the needed pass or license there is no camping fee.
Camping spots near Farmville, Virginia offer unique experiences throughout the Blue Ridge foothills region, sitting at approximately 400 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of state parks and private campgrounds within driving distance of this central Virginia town. Most campgrounds remain open from March through November, with limited winter camping options available at specific locations.
Hiking trails range from easy to challenging: James River State Park features multiple trail options, including a 6.2-mile loop around the lake. "The hiking trails were a short distraction, but not long or difficult enough to wear them out," notes Jeremiah E. about Red Oak Campground.
Fishing opportunities throughout the region: Bear Creek Lake State Park offers both shoreline and boat fishing. "Fishing was not bad. Caught my first ever catfish," reports Ross B. who camped at Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground.
Boating and paddling: Many lakes permit non-motorized boats with rental options available. "We loved this place! It was a small quiet campground with easy hiking trails, a small lake and some friendly bears poking around in the camp office," shares Gina G. about her experience at Bear Creek Lake.
Astronomy and stargazing: The dark skies make for excellent nighttime 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," writes Bridget H. about Red Oak Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Many campers appreciate the clean bathhouses and camp amenities. "Bathhouse is kept very clean. It has a lake for swimming, boating, and fishing. There are programs every weekend," explains Erica M. about her stay at Walnut Grove.
Water activities during summer: Lakes and rivers provide swimming and cooling options. "The swimming lake is a good size. There is a concession stand, a beach with lifeguard, and a rental station for paddle boats," notes Andrea N. from her visit to Twin Lakes State Park Campground.
Private sites with natural surroundings: Many campgrounds offer wooded sites with adequate spacing. "Tent sites are shady, although some can be VERY close to one another. There's a nice beach area and the park seems to offer boat rentals," describes reviewer RL about Twin Lakes State Park.
Park programs and activities: State parks often feature ranger-led activities. "They have a great weekend program for the family. The beach personnel were great and helpful," shares Ross B. about Bear Creek Lake State Park.
Campsite proximity varies by location: Some campgrounds have closely spaced sites. "The sites were close together but a few sites are worth it right on the water," notes Ross B. about his Bear Creek Lake experience.
Limited cell service in rural areas: Many campgrounds have spotty coverage. "It's completely off grid, and we like that! With busy jobs during the week it's nice to unwind and enjoy nature," explains Jennifer K. about Holliday Lake State Park Campground.
Leveling challenges for RVs: Bring appropriate equipment for uneven sites. "Bring leveling supplies! Some sites are reservable, some are not," advises Marcy S. about Holliday Lake.
Weekend crowding at popular parks: Visitor numbers increase significantly Friday through Sunday. "Fell even more in love when majority of campsites left on Sunday, leaving peace and quiet all around," shares Kaylee G. about her Bear Creek Lake camping trip.
Look for swimming beaches: Water features keep children entertained in summer. "The swimming area is so amazing. Great area for the kids to enjoy a safe and fun swimming experience," reports Jennifer G. about Twin Lakes State Park.
Consider parks with playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "They have a play area for the kids, swimming pool, several fishing ponds, bike trails and more," explains Glenn F. about his stay at Cozy Acres Campground RV Resort.
Choose sites near bathhouses: Convenience matters with younger campers. "Bathhouses are about a 2 minute walk from the site. There is a shortcut through the woods across the street," mentions Katie M. about Bear Creek Lake.
Ask about ranger programs: Educational activities provide entertainment. "The rangers were 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," says Bridget H. about Red Oak Campground.
Check site length restrictions: Some parks limit RV size. "Limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer," warns Erica M. about Holliday Lake State Park.
Reserve water and electric sites: Most state parks offer hookups but not all sites have them. "Our campsite was fully shaded and included water/electricity hookups. Site R4 had a newer water connection with two spouts, one for the camper hookup, and one standard spout," shares Andrea N. about Holliday Lake.
Note dump station locations: Larger parks provide this service. "No sewer hookups (they do have 30/50amp). Lots of hiking, fantastic mountain bike trails, lots of history," explains Ashley I. about Pocahontas State Park.
Prepare for uneven sites: Pads may require significant leveling. "The paved area for parking and campers weren't as level, and most people got creative with leveling out the campers," notes Andrea N. about Holliday Lake State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is waterfront camping available in Farmville, VA?
Yes, waterfront camping is available near Farmville. Canoe Landing Group Campsite at James River State Park offers beautiful lakeside sites with easy water access. Campers report enjoying peaceful settings with gorgeous views and opportunities for swimming. Pocahontas State Park Campground, though a bit further from Farmville, features waterfront options with paddling opportunities on Swift Creek Lake. These waterfront sites typically fill quickly during peak season, so advance reservations are recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months.
Where are the best campgrounds near Farmville, VA?
The Farmville area offers several excellent camping options. Twin Lakes State Park Campground near Farmville features clean facilities and is known for its modern bathrooms. For those willing to drive a bit further, Devils Backbone Camp provides large, private sites with the unique benefit of being within walking distance to their brewery and restaurant. Both offer different experiences - Twin Lakes provides a traditional state park setting while Devils Backbone combines camping with craft beer enjoyment. These campgrounds maintain clean facilities and offer a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors.
Are there any free camping options near Farmville, VA?
Free camping options are limited near Farmville. While Powhatan State Park Campground and Holliday Lake State Park Campground offer camping in the region, they require standard camping fees. For budget options, consider dispersed camping in nearby George Washington National Forest or Jefferson National Forest, which may offer free primitive camping in designated areas. Always check with the local ranger district for current regulations, as dispersed camping rules can change seasonally. Some private landowners might allow free camping with permission, but this requires advance arrangements and cannot be counted on for regular access.
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