The Appalachian region near Hardy, Virginia sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, with surrounding mountains reaching over 3,000 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with moderate rainfall throughout the year. Hardy's proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Smith Mountain Lake creates unique camping opportunities with sites that range from lakeside to mountain ridge locations.
What to do
Fishing at multiple locations: Both Smith Mountain Lake and Philpott Reservoir offer excellent fishing opportunities. At Salthouse Branch Campground, the boat ramp is "adjacent to the campsite and while we could have portaged our kayak to the ramp, there is an ample parking lot ramp-side. Philpott reservoir is magnificent!"
Disc golf courses: Some campgrounds feature dedicated courses for disc golf enthusiasts. Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground offers "a brand new 9 hole disc golf course" along with "hiking and mountain biking trails" across their expansive property.
Water recreation beyond swimming: Many locations offer paddle sports and watercraft rentals. At Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground, one camper noted, "Tent sites are large and a good distance apart. RV sites are good and have decent privacy. Power and water are reliable. There is one dumping station."
Hiking directly from campsites: Several campgrounds connect directly to trail systems. At Otter Creek Campground, "Getting here was a lot easier than expected. The campground is only 6 miles off the I-81 Arcadia exit. We were quickly in the Jefferson National Forest where the road winds through the forest along Jennings Creek. It was absolutely gorgeous."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention site spacing as important. At Middle Creek Campground, "Our campsite was nice, fairly private and backed up to a creek. Relatively level site." Another visitor noted, "We like getting the sites which are right next to the creek because the kids will play in the water all day."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and amenities receive positive reviews when well-maintained. At Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, "The private shower rooms are nice and clean. They do trash pickup and deliver firewood. Chickens run free thru the campground."
Seasonal programming: Many campgrounds offer organized activities during peak seasons. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge, visitors appreciate that "Rec staff had awesome activities planned and kept the kids entertained all week with kick ball and karaoke and shaving cream wiffle ball and dance parties."
Unique natural features: The region offers distinctive geological elements. One camper at Fairy Stone State Park Campground stated, "We learned about the mysterious 'Fairy Stones' and went to the hunt site to see for ourselves. Sure enough - we found several fairy stones and the kids were very happy!"
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. Otter Creek Campground is only open "May 6 to October 29," which affects planning for off-season trips.
Alcohol regulations vary: Some campgrounds prohibit alcohol. A visitor to Salthouse Branch Campground warned, "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."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor or no connectivity. At Fairy Stone State Park Campground, "There is no cell service or internet/wifi at the cabins though so come prepared with something to do! We found it to be very relaxing to unplug!"
Leveling challenges at some sites: Terrain can present setup difficulties. At Fairy Stone State Park, "Most of the sites are not level and it felt very crowded." Another camper noted the need for preparation: "Our site was even and pretty basic despite having electricity."
Tips for camping with families
Book structured activity campgrounds: Certain locations cater specifically to families. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge "has tons of activities for kids and teens. This place has a family feel to it." Another reviewer mentioned, "There was a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging, laughing, loving, and hanging out!"
Look for educational programming: Park ranger activities enhance family trips. At Douthat State Park Campground, visitors mention "educational opportunities galore. Security is good but not overwhelming."
Choose water-adjacent sites for entertainment: Creekside locations provide natural entertainment. At Middle Creek Campground, one visitor shared, "We camp here annually with my wife's side of the family (it's half way between us and them). We love it. We like getting the sites which are right next to the creek because the kids will play in the water all day."
Consider yurt camping for comfort: Yurt camping near Hardy, Virginia offers a middle ground between tents and cabins. A family who stayed at Fairy Stone Park noted, "The Yurt overall was very clean and cozy... The inside of the Yurt has a full size bed with a twin sized trundle bed that rolls under the full. It also had some rocking chairs inside, a small table and chairs, and a couch."
Tips from RVers
Pay attention to site angles: Some campgrounds have challenging approaches. At Douthat State Park Campground, "Whispering Pines is a few miles away along the entry road and has a different character. It's a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites."
Check road conditions to campgrounds: Access can be challenging for larger rigs. At Salthouse Branch Campground, an RVer warned, "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."
Verify electrical service capacity: Hookups vary widely between campgrounds. At Claytor Lake State Park Campground, visitors noted the park offers water and electric hookups at each site, but specifics about amperage aren't always clear, so calling ahead is recommended.
Book escort service when available: Some campgrounds provide arrival assistance. At Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, campers appreciate that staff "guided you to your site and help you level."
