Cabin camping near Greenway, Virginia provides accommodations in the central Virginia Blue Ridge foothills at elevations ranging from 400 to 3,000 feet. The region experiences moderate winters and warm summers with July high temperatures averaging in the upper 80s. The cabin rental season varies between properties, with some locations closed during winter months while others operate year-round.
What to do
Hiking and water activities: Crabtree Falls Campground serves as an access point for nearby trails and water recreation. "The campground did have facilities that were about a quarter mile walk away from our sites; this is something to consider if you are camping with older folks or children. The vibes were peaceful, no loud or wild campers. Crabtree Falls is a mile up the road and very easy to get to the trail head," reports a visitor.
Paddling on James River: James River State Park Campground offers river access with canoe-in camping options. A visitor at nearby Red Oak Campground notes, "The River is absolutely clean, crystal clear water and never crowded. Both of my trips were during the summer and over a weekend and we seldom came across others."
Astronomy programs: For those staying at Red Oak Campground, take advantage of the dark sky designation. "The park is part of the Dark Sky Parks Association and if you are into astronomy and stars this is the place to stay. The rangers here are 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," notes a camper.
What campers like
Lakeside accommodations: Holliday Lake State Park cabins offer water views with complete privacy. "We love camping at Holliday Lake. It is completely off grid, and we like that! With busy jobs during the week it's nice to unwind and enjoy nature. We hike, fish, swim, kayak, rent a motor boat, and just relax at our campsite," shares a visitor.
Ranger-led programs: Montebello Resort provides structured activities for families. One visitor mentioned, "The kids are guaranteed to catch something in the fishing hole & the camp store has EVERYTHING!! Call and speak with the staff about the best dates to go. They helped is pick a day when there were NO other people there."
Secluded tent sites: Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground offers tent-only waterfront sites. "The tent-only section of the campground is alongside a lake, which provides beautiful views. The tent pads are filled with shredded tires instead of gravel or dirt, which provides a little extra cushion, but can be uncomfortable on bare feet," notes a camper.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many cabin areas have limited or no connectivity. At Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA, a camper reported, "Little to no cell signal (AT&T), but good WIFI. They had activities every day for the kids. As well as lots of unstructured activities."
Bring leveling equipment: Most cabin and RV sites require additional leveling. At Holliday Lake State Park, a visitor advised, "Bring leveling supplies! Some sites are reservable, some are not. The only con I will say is for RV'ers bring your leveling blocks - you will need them!"
Seasonal noise considerations: Check for scheduled events that might affect your quiet getaway. One visitor at Bear Creek Lake State Park noted, "During the summer they lease space to the 4-H club that teaches people to shoot black powder muskets for the civil war reenactments. From 8:30am until 3-5pm it sounds like a gun range."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Misty Mountain Camp Resort offers cabin rentals with water recreation. "This campground was really great for a family with small children. There were events the entire time we were there and the staff were awesome," shares a visitor.
Educational programs: State parks in the region run regular naturalist activities. At Red Oak Campground, "The rangers here are 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."
Swimming areas: Look for cabin rentals near designated swim areas. A visitor to Bear Creek Lake State Park reports, "Bonus is having the dog only section at the swimming beach, which made for a fun afternoon with our pups."
Tips from RVers
Approach routes matter: Some roads to cabin areas can be challenging. Regarding Montebello Resort, a visitor cautioned, "Be aware; there is zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it's a bit of a drive. 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."
Site selection strategy: Research your cabin's location within the property. At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, "We had a site on the permitter, which was nice, as the interior sites are really on top of one another, we were just a few sites off the lake, but backing up to the woods certainly gave us a little more privacy."
Length restrictions: Bear Creek Lake State Park imposes size limits. "Limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer," notes a recent visitor.
