Hayley S.
Traveler
TravelerNatural Chimneys County Park
Fun Time
Enjoyed the campground, even during the storm. Disappointed the river was dry, but we enjoyed the pool! I wish there were more activities for children when the river is dry.
Camping near Covesville, VA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Covesville, Virginia campgrounds encompass a diverse range of accommodations within the scenic Blue Ridge Mountain region. Several established campgrounds including Misty Mountain Camp Resort and Charlottesville KOA offer full-service amenities with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Both facilities provide water and electric hookups, with most sites including picnic tables and fire rings. The camping areas near Covesville extend into nearby Shenandoah National Park where Loft Mountain Campground operates seasonally from mid-May through October, providing a more rustic experience while still maintaining developed facilities.
Most campground options in the Covesville area operate seasonally, with many closing during winter months. The higher elevation sites at Shenandoah National Park experience earlier closures and later spring openings due to mountain weather conditions. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer and fall foliage seasons when occupancy regularly reaches capacity. Roads to campgrounds are generally well-maintained, though accessing Loft Mountain requires navigating the scenic but winding Skyline Drive. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with coverage becoming limited in more remote mountain locations. According to one visitor review, "Some back-in sites have a wooded area behind them and more shade than our relatively open site," highlighting the terrain variations even within individual campgrounds.
Families with children particularly appreciate the recreational amenities at campgrounds like Misty Mountain Camp Resort, where reviews consistently mention the bounce pad, playground, and organized activities. The proximity to regional attractions provides substantial value for campers using these facilities as a base camp. "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," noted one camper. Several reviewers mentioned the appeal of creekside sites at Misty Mountain, though these typically lack full hookups. Campgrounds in the area generally provide varying degrees of privacy between sites, with reviews indicating that upper sections of facilities often offer more seclusion and quieter environments than those in more developed areas near main facilities and activities.
Best Campgrounds near Covesville (119)
1. Misty Mountain Camp Resort
"The winding layout allowed for more distance between other sites. The woods were beautiful with easy walking trails right from the site."
"Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field. Bath house was very clean and very well thought out."
from $35 - $75 / night
Check Availability2. Devils Backbone Camp
"First time camping in any part of Virginia, very nice and clean campground, not too much outside noise besides the random car driving on the one road near by."
"We set up camp then walked over to the brewery/ restaurant for some flights and dinner. I recommend grabbing some growlers to go. Showers and restrooms were clean."
from $25 - $140 / night
Check Availability3. Sherando Lake Campground
"Sherando Lake is a well-maintained, popular campground located in the George Washington National Forest near Lyndhurst, VA."
"The lakeside is wonderful for sitting, reading and swimming. The "upper lake" is great for fishing. "
from $25 - $47 / night
Check Availability4. Loft Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park
"This campground is perfect for those looking to just get away from things for a couple of days."
"We got a walk in site, so our tent was way far away from cars and other people. The site included a fire pit w/grill grate, picnic table, and metal bear box."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability5. Charlottesville KOA
"For the past four or five years I have come to this campground each year in the offseason, April or October, to visit while the temps in Virginia are cooler and less humid."
"It’s small, but we did not feel cramped or too close to others. The hooks were the closest we have ever had - which is very nice!"
from $45 - $80 / night
Check Availability6. Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park
"We spent one night with our dogs at the walk-in campground at James Lake. It is a wonderful piece of nature. The campsites are far away from each other. Everything was very clean and taken care of."
"Campsite was right next to lake, beautiful views and easy water access. While we were there in April we only saw a couple other groups, and no other campers were anywhere near us."
from $16 - $75 / night
Check Availability7. Red Oak Campground — James River State Park
"Nice campground in line with expectations for most Virginia state parks."
"This state park was a great find on my way south, Off the beaten path with plenty of river frontage and ponds around. There are plenty of places to fish!"
from $37 - $98 / night
Check Availability8. Crabtree Falls Campground
"The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night."
"I’ve camped at a completely different part of this place before which was a site without access to bathrooms and showers."
from $28 - $55 / night
Check Availability9. Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley
"And of course their lake that has two jumping decks, water slide, snack bar , restaurant and off to the side a little store for floats with putt putt golf and Jenna,etc."
"Lots for them to do, great swimming lake, employees were a pleasure. Trash pick-up was awesome !! Our site was gorgeous. Not a full hook up(more on that later), but absolutely perfect."
from $29 - $45 / night
Check Availability10. Camp Cove Creek
"Check out Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail and the James River nearby. Camp along the creek and dip your toes. Check out this natural and primitive property and leave them some love!"
from $30 - $50 / night
Drive Time
- 19 min from Charlottesville, VA
- 55 min from Harrisonburg, VA
Recent Camping Photos near Covesville, VA
359 Photos of 119 Covesville Campgrounds
Ashley N.
Charlottesville KOA
Scott C.
Misty Mountain Camp Resort
Katie M.
Devils Backbone Camp
Julie A.
Horseshoe Flats Campground
Sharon B.
Sherando Lake Campground
Brandon L.
Waynesboro North 340 Campground
VIRGINIA G.
Branch Pond — James River State Park
Evelyn T.
Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley
Katie T.
Red Oak Campground — James River State Park
Chris E.
Walnut Grove — James River State Park
Camp With Me
Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park
Heather L.
Crabtree Falls Campground
Recent Reviews near Covesville, VA
961 Reviews of 119 Covesville Campgrounds
Cari E.
RangerBig Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
A classic for good reason
This is a classic National Park campground, and it’s important to keep in mind that it opened in 1937–the sites are small as travelers weren’t equipped with large vehicles, as such, it may not be the best option for large rigs but my van fit comfortably though the neighbors were rather close. If you’re expecting that, you’ll be more than happy. Walking distance via a connector trail to Dark Hollow Falls trail. Sustainable T-Mobile service for remote work, but Zoom may lag. No shore power or water hookups, but drinking water spread throughout the park and modernized bathroom and showers. There was also a circular, shaded tent area as part of D155, behind the drive. I’d stay again in a heartbeat.
- TTroli R.
GuideBig Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Beautiful as always (despite re-paving project)
Great summer destination to escape the heat! Weather in late June was amazing - highs in the 70s; lows in the 60s; and crystal clear skies. Not too buggy either. Pulled ONE tick off of me before it bit me, but otherwise not much to speak of in the way of mosquitos or biting gnats/flies.
This particular site was smaller (RV back in) but private and level near the bath house. There IS a bear box present, and you'll want to use it for any unattended food outside an RV. The mini-bears are beggars. We saw several chipmunks in our site and a particularly clever bird successfully stole from our neighbors.
If you are RV-ing, fill your tanks at the dump station before heading to the ranger station for check-in. You don't want to carry all that water up the mountain, and they don't like you to block the campground road trying to fill along the loop. The dump station is located on the right prior to arrival at the ranger station.
Also, there are no dumpsters at the dump station (weird). So upon departure, pull your trash prior to leaving the site.
As always, there is virtually no cell signal in this site and no electric hookups anywhere in the campsite. So bring a generator or a lot of solar if you want to run your electrical. (Though this site being so shady doesn't provide a lot of solar power.) There IS wifi at the visitor's center if you want to call home or do a daily socials check. ;-)
We DID have one day there that was a pretty noisy from paving equipment re-doing the road. But I think they're almost done with their project, and honestly it wasn't that big a deal because we were on trails most of the time anyway.
There are great ranger programs here - it's one of the larger hubs for programming, and they're listed at the visitor's center because they change seasonally. Don't miss out on the chance to explore the meadow. What may LOOK like a vast, boring expanse of grass is actually a fascinating variety of foliage when you're out in it. Many, many wildflowers that can't be seen from the visitor center's overlook.
Also, many of the park's most popular hikes can be easily accessed from here, including Dark Hollow Falls and Bearfence Rock Scramble.
Susan A.GuideKiss the Earth
Very private site
This was a single party campspot, very private and quiet. Perfect!
Ethan L.TravelerGraves Mountain Farm Campground
Graves Farm
Beautiful spot. The campsite is across the street from the lodge. G-Maps and Apple will take you to the lodge however. Loved the Freeform and “make your own” spot vibe
- Bill L.Traveler
Sherando Lake Campground
There is NO WATER HOOKUPS ON LOOPS B & C
Description info is incorrect
Greg S.
LegendYogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge
4.6 stars
Very beautiful surrounds and plenty of family fun to be had here. Pool, waterslides, splash pad, jumping pillows, playgrounds, mini golf, and of course the James River, to which our campsite was immediately adjacent. It's 8 minutes to the state park with the natural bridge, which is spectacular. . The staff are super nice and helpful.
- MM T.Traveler
Waynesboro North 340 Campground
Quiet, clean, friendly.
We just stayed several nights at this campground and really enjoyed it. It was quiet, the bathrooms and showers were always exceptionally clean, and the pool was very nice. Some parts of the campground have a lot of trees and we enjoyed the shade. The staff was very kind and helpful, and kept a neat little camp store well stocked with a variety of essentials. It was easy to get into Shenandoah National Park via Skyline Drive, which we also enjoyed. It is not too far from Polyface Farms (a conference there was the purpose of our visit). We look forward to staying here again!
- KKelsey P.
ScoutOronoco Campground
Cramped and overrun/crowded
From all the reviews on this site, we thought it would be more dispersed/private than it is. If you’re ok with seeing and hearing strangers as you sit in front of your own campfire, then this is the spot for you. Not for those who want privacy and true connection with nature and surroundings.
Guide to Covesville
Camping options near Covesville, Virginia extend beyond established facilities into nearby National Forest and wilderness areas. The region sits at elevations ranging from 700 to 3,000 feet, creating varied camping experiences and temperature differences between valley and mountain sites. Weather patterns can change quickly, with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months when temperatures typically range from 65°F to 85°F.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: At Sherando Lake Campground, trails range from easy lakeside paths to challenging routes. "There are big loop and small loop hiking trails close by," notes Jean J., while another camper explains, "There are also some kickass trails that climb to the Blue Ridge Parkway and intersect with the AT."
Stargazing opportunities: James River State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing. "The park is part of the Dark Sky Parks Association and if you are into astronomy and stars this is the place to stay," states Bridget H. The park provides telescopes for campers: "Just ask for a telescope (free at the store) and stare up at the sky for hours!"
Fishing access: Multiple water bodies offer fishing opportunities. At Devil's Backbone Camp, visitors mention convenient fishing locations. "Cell phones worked just fine. They are adding more electric sites. Walk to the brewery. Probably my favorite improved camp site for beer enthusiasts!" according to Brad W.
What campers like
Brewery proximity: Devil's Backbone Camp provides a unique camping experience with brewery access. "From start to finish excellent. Family's first RV experience and it was great. 5 minute trail walk to the Devil's Backbone brewery. You can have several great beers with your meal and safely walk back to the camp site," reports Robert M.
Clean facilities: Crabtree Falls Campground receives praise for its maintenance. "The bath house was well maintained and super clean. We will be returning for sure," comments Emily R. Another camper adds, "The bathhouse is top notch! Squeaky clean with lots of space."
River access: Multiple campers appreciate waterfront sites. "The sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night," shares Britt S. Kaylee G. mentions, "Sites run along a river, which provides great back drop for getting away from the city."
What you should know
Site positioning considerations: At Loft Mountain Campground, site layout impacts privacy. "The sites were fairly close, but separated by trees, so you felt private. You could hear people on the other side of the trees, but no one was loud and it was very quiet and peaceful at night," explains Annie B. "Some sites are more private than others, so do a little scouting if that's what you want!"
Weather preparedness: Sudden mountain weather changes require planning. Some campground areas flood during heavy rain. According to Jennings A. at Misty Mountain Camp Resort, "It looks like a really great camp ground. T-1 though T-6 sites flood often became they are low and next the the river."
Limited cell coverage: Service varies significantly. "T-Mobile reception is TERRIBLE," notes Kelly S. about Charlottesville KOA. Another camper mentions, "Cell service is extremely limited, but there's wi-fi available at the visitors center."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Charlottesville KOA offers multiple recreational options. "As you would expect with a KOA, there are lots of amenities and many that are geared towards kids. There are two really nice playground with slides, swings, climbing walls, game room, swimming pool, bouncy pillow, etc," writes Nancy W.
Family-sized sites: Many campgrounds offer spacious sites for families. "My campsite was huge, it would be great for a large family or a gathering site/kitchen area for groups using neighboring sites," observes Lisa M. Another reviewer notes, "The sites are generously sized and flat."
Seasonal programs: Summer months feature organized activities. "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," shares one camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Check utility locations before setup. "The sewer connection for the odd number sites is on the opposite side of the RV than the electricity and water. The good news is that in a pinch, and your sewer hose does not fit, they do have a dump station on site," advises Erika S. about Devil's Backbone Camp.
Site selection for shade: RV sites vary in sun exposure. Mara S. notes about Misty Mountain, "I'm in the upper section (steep and windy road to get up here). It's better noise wise here." Several reviewers mentioned that upper sections often provide more seclusion.
Advanced reservations: Book early for the best places to camp near Covesville, Virginia, especially during peak seasons. "Half the sites are first come-first serve and half can be reserved. The only drawback is that many people love this park and it is difficult to get reservations. The window opens six months out," explains Linda C. about Sherando Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Covesville, VA?
What camping is available near Covesville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Covesville, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 119 campgrounds and RV parks near Covesville, VA and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Covesville, VA?
Which is the most popular campground near Covesville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Covesville, VA is Misty Mountain Camp Resort with a 4.2-star rating from 42 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Covesville, VA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Covesville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Covesville, VA.
What parks are near Covesville, VA?
What parks are near Covesville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Covesville, VA that allow camping, notably George Washington & Jefferson National Forests and Shenandoah National Park.
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