Camping near Ferrum, Virginia typically ranges from late spring through fall at elevations between 1,000-3,000 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. Winter temperatures in the region can drop below freezing, with summer highs averaging in the low 80s. Most campgrounds in this area follow Corps of Engineers regulations regarding alcohol consumption, with several enforcing strict no-alcohol policies.
What to do
Swimming in designated areas: COE Philpott Lake Goose Point Park offers a clean sandy beach for swimming during warmer months. "Beautiful campground and clean. Staffing are very friendly and helpful. Clean showers and bathroom," notes Yakgal H. The swim area is roped off with lifejackets provided at some locations.
Kayaking on Philpott Lake: The calm waters of Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground provide ideal conditions for paddling. "I came here and it was so beautiful. The water was calm and is perfect for everyone who is into water sports," writes kevin T. Multiple boat launches allow for easy water access.
Hiking local trails: Trails vary in difficulty throughout the area, with some offering significant elevation changes. "The park has great trails around it, they can be pretty challenging when it comes to elevation gain," says keith F. about Fairy Stone State Park Campground. Many trails connect directly to campsites.
Searching for fairy stones: A popular activity unique to this region. "We hunted and found fairy stones which made the trip that much more fun," reports Bridget H. The fairy stone hunting area is located outside Fairy Stone State Park, beside a gas station.
Mountain biking: Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground offers trails specifically for mountain biking. "It is a beautiful venue with rolling grassy hills and acres of woods with hiking and mountain biking trails," according to Stafford W.
What campers like
Quieter camping loops: Campers consistently rate certain areas as more peaceful. "Loop a has 19 sites with water and electric hookup. This loop is a little distance from the lake," notes Glenn F. about Goose Point Park. Many campers prefer more secluded loops for tent camping.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness receives regular mentions in reviews. "Bathrooms are clean and what you'd expect a campground bathroom to be," writes Lauren L. about COE Philpott Lake Goose Point Park. Some locations offer shower facilities while others provide only basic restrooms.
Waterfront sites: Premium sites with lake views book quickly. "This campground has three loops. The lower loop is the most popular because it is down by the water and each of the sites have great views of the lake," explains Timothy W. Reservations for waterfront sites should be made months in advance.
Spacious campsites: Sites at some campgrounds offer more room than others. "The premium tent sites are huge! Clean bath house. Campground was quiet," shares Paula J. about Salthouse Branch. Site size varies considerably between campgrounds in the area.
Dark skies for stargazing: The limited light pollution allows for excellent night sky viewing. "Boy are there some amazing stars out here," notes Jonny D. about Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Salthouse Branch Campground has particularly challenging access roads. "The roads going into the campground is very narrow and steep up and downs. My breaks were gone by the time I got to the entrance," warns fletcher6531. Some campgrounds require navigating steep mountain roads.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is minimal throughout the region. "There is no WiFi and my T-Mobile was useless there," reports Gail B. about Horseshoe Point. Plan accordingly for limited communication options.
Alcohol restrictions: Corps of Engineers properties prohibit alcohol. "The police visited us bc we were drinking outside of our camper. He was very nice and explained no alcohol allowed. This is clearly stated and we were in the wrong," shares Anne F. about Salthouse Branch Campground.
Site leveling requirements: Many sites require additional equipment for level setups. "It seemed that most sites required a little help to get level," notes ralph P. about Horseshoe Point. Bring leveling blocks if camping with an RV or trailer.
Limited supplies nearby: Most campgrounds are remote with few nearby services. "Buy firewood at the host site near the gate on your way in before occupying your campsite, and bring enough food. No nearby restaurants or stores," advises Darlene C.
Tips for camping with families
Best sites for children: Look for sites away from water with playground access. "We love visiting the Salthouse Branch! The lower loop is pretty level, fun to walk and ride bikes around, and the kids love the playground!" recommends Tamara B.
Educational programs: Rocky Knob Campground and similar parks offer ranger-led activities. "The programming was also amazing for our eight and four-year old boys. Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids and they haven't stopped talking about the magic of the hunt!" shares Russell C.
Family-friendly campground layouts: Some loops are better suited for families with children. "Lots of pre-teen bike riders had a wonderful time speeding around the campsite," notes Greg S. about Salthouse Branch. The terrain and layout of some campgrounds allow for safer biking.
Beach access for children: Swimming areas vary in child-friendliness. "There is a nice swimming area, boat ramp and dock in the loop," explains Glenn F. Some beaches have shallow areas specifically designated for younger swimmers.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dawn and dusk offer the best wildlife spotting times. "Sighting a male pileated woodpecker was a highlight," mentions Greg S. Deer are common throughout the campgrounds in early morning and evening hours.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Bigger RVs have limited options in the Ferrum area. "Sites are a bit small for anything over 35' but we did mange our 41' in there... they do have some lrg back in FHU sites if you need but not many," advises Lawrence P. about Horseshoe Point.
Loop access considerations: Some camping loops have better RV accessibility than others. "RVs need to reserve loop 'C' as A and B loop are not easily accessible and are more suited for tent campers," recommends Darlene C. Check loop specifications before booking.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer dump stations. "There is a dumpsite close," notes fletcher6531 about Salthouse Branch. Plan accordingly if staying multiple days.
Water access during off-season: Some campgrounds winterize water systems early. "They have heated water hose so that was a big bonus," mentions Rana about Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground for December camping.
Electric service reliability: Power can be inconsistent at some locations. "We did show up right after a huge storm, and because the electric was out the bathrooms were inaccessible. They quickly got port-a-potties until the issue was resolved," explains Lauren L.
