Roanoke, Virginia sits in a valley between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions throughout the year. Spring and fall camping periods offer temperatures between 50-70°F with lower humidity, while summer months can reach into the 80s with afternoon thunderstorms common. The region's diverse terrain provides camping options from mountain ridges to riverside locations within a 60-mile radius of the city.
What to do
Creek exploration and fishing: 10 miles of trails surround Fairy Stone State Park's 168-acre lake, offering both shoreline fishing and creek adventures. "We canoed and that was fun. Spaces are not private but the lake is beautiful. I can see where some people would love this campground," notes a camper at Fairy Stone State Park Campground.
Disc golf: New 9-hole course available at Chantilly Farm near Floyd, complemented by cornhole courts for family competitions. "They have a nice little camp store in case you forget anything. Frisbee golf and cornhole is available too!" mentions a visitor. The course follows natural terrain with moderate elevation changes.
Mountain biking: Douthat trails offer challenging elevation gains with both beginner and advanced options. "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!"
What campers like
Secluded creek-side sites: Middle Creek Campground offers tent sites directly on the water. "Our campsite was nice, fairly private and backed up to a creek. Relatively level site," explains a reviewer. Other campers note: "We like getting the sites which are right next to the creek because the kids will play in the water all day."
Convenient Blue Ridge Parkway access: Otter Creek Campground provides a strategic location along the parkway with hiking access. "The creek ran right through our spacious and secluded site. It was quiet and serene- just what we were looking for before heading back to city life," says one overnight camper. Rangers maintain on-site presence for assistance.
Family-friendly activities: Organized events keep kids entertained at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge. "A great place! Right next to the James River for all of your fishing needs. Have a pool, splash pad, pond/lake with a slide, beach, inflatable obstacle course, have an arcade room, and 2 additional water slides. But what really makes this place is the staff. Rec staff had awesome activities planned and kept the kids entertained all week."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. At Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground & Event Venue, one reviewer notes: "Note that there is not great cell service in this area." Similarly, at Fairy Stone State Park: "No Verizon service or WiFi. We go here to get away."
Alcohol restrictions: Some parks enforce strict policies. "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," reports a visitor to Salthouse Branch Campground.
Bathroom conditions vary widely: At Otter Creek Campground, reviewers observe: "Slightly dirty bathrooms, not sanitary, but a lot of bugs, spiderwebs etc." Conversely, at Claytor Lake: "The bathrooms and shower facilities were clean and convenient to our campsite."
Tips for camping with families
Fairy Stone hunting: Special activity at Salthouse Branch Campground involves hunting for cross-shaped mineral formations. "We hunted and found fairy stones which made the trip that much more fun," shares a family who stayed in a yurt. The visitor center provides displays showing different fairy stone types.
Halloween-themed weekends: Fall camping includes special events for children under 10. "We camped on a busy fall weekend. 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 a Jellystone Park visitor.
Multiple playgrounds: Douthat State Park offers varied play areas. "There are also a couple of playgrounds, two bouncy pads, basketball court, and gaga ball. During peak season there is also a water play area with a waterslide and mini golf," mentions a family.
Tips from RVers
Site selection at Claytor Lake: Choose wisely for privacy. "Sites 11 and 12 have more privacy space," advises one RVer. Another notes: "The site was large and quiet which was nice. It felt somewhat private because of the trees and design of the site."
Approach challenges at Douthat: Douthat State Park Campground has specific access considerations. "Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles," warns an experienced RVer. Whispering Pines campground within the park offers better access: "It's a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites."
Winter camping options: Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA remains open year-round with hookups. "This campground is open year round and is right off the highway. There is a gas station right next to it as well as a safari park." Another visitor adds: "They even guided you to your site and help you level."
