Cabin camping options near George Washington & Jefferson National Forests span across Bath and Alleghany counties in Virginia, with elevations ranging from 1,600 to 3,400 feet. The region features limestone formations and cool mountain streams that maintain temperatures around 65°F even during summer months. Winter campers should prepare for nighttime temperatures that can drop below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Mountain biking on forest trails: Douthat State Park Campground offers excellent biking terrain with varying difficulty levels. According to one camper, "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. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!"
Fishing in stocked waters: Montebello Resort provides year-round fishing opportunities in their trout pond. "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," notes a visitor who enjoyed the convenience of on-site fishing.
Hiking to scenic viewpoints: Several trails connect directly to the George Washington National Forest trail system. A camper at Crabtree Falls Campground shared that "This campground sits along a river fed by a waterfall just a short hike away. It is the perfect blend of peace and nature as it has a tone of shade making it a perfect summer camp spot."
What campers like
Private swimming areas: Bolar Mountain Recreation Area on Lake Moomaw offers waterfront sites with personal swimming access. "Campground 2 site 53, has a nice private beach area where you can go fishing or swim. Bring water shoes, the rocks can be sharp," advises one regular visitor who appreciates the privacy.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high in visitor satisfaction. At Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park, a camper noted, "The bathhouse is nice as is the pool. The store was sparse but adequate. The lawns were kept up and looking good. There is a very nice playground and a pet exercise area."
Off-grid experience: Many campers appreciate the disconnected nature of camping near George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. At Montebello Resort, visitors value "No Cell service or Internet but that was what I was looking for. Campground well maintained and fishing was nice that have a couple of Courtesy watercraft for the campers use."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is spotty throughout the region. At Stoney Creek Resort, reviewers mentioned "No phone signal and wifi was a joke but that's not a bad thing!" Plan accordingly by downloading maps and bringing physical directions.
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds have limited facilities during off-season. A visitor to Natural Bridge KOA noted their glamping units are available "During peak season there is also a water play area with waterslide and mini golf. It is located on the James River."
Road conditions: Some forest roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. A camper at Montebello Resort advised, "Also 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."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for hot days: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge offers extensive water activities. "We partook in all we could and enjoyed the swimming hole, pool, splash pad, jumping pillow and arcade. I'd stay again and would love to head down to the river for some tubing and fish in the stocked pond," mentioned a family who visited during summer.
Structured activities: Several campgrounds offer organized entertainment for children. At Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley, "There are a ton of kiddos riding bicycles, hover boards, scooters, and skateboards around the loops, so the 5 MPH speed limit is important."
Playground options: Look for campgrounds with multiple play areas. A visitor to Walnut Hills reported "There is a very nice playground and a pet exercise area. You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many mountain campgrounds have uneven sites. At Natural Bridge KOA, a visitor appreciated that "They had brand new premium pull through sites that were amazing! Big patios, bbq grill, tables, fire pit. It was a quiet, well laid out and easy to manage in our 36 ft trailer."
Space considerations: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. At Stoney Creek Resort, "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 based on your rig size so they know their site sizes well."
Hookup variations: Not all glamping sites offer full hookups. Check what's available before booking. "Our site 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," noted a camper at Walnut Hills Campground.
