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.
$35 - $75 / night
"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."
$25 - $140 / night
"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."
$25 - $47 / night
"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. "
$30 - $75 / night
"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."
$45 - $80 / night
"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!"
$16 - $75 / night
"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."
$37 - $98 / night
"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!"
$28 - $55 / night
"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."
$29 - $45 / night
"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."
$30 - $50 / night
"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!"
GuideMy wife and I stayed here one night, while driving south to north, Skyline Dr. the drive has been awesome and this campground is the perfect resting spot for us, for the night. Had a couple drinks at the lodge while watching a spectacular sunset. I’d definitely come back.
GuideIt’s very green and scenic
ScoutI will start with the negatives. They do not enforce quiet hours. At all. We had multiple nights with a large group neighboring campers partying well past midnight. Yelling, slamming car doors, absolutely no regard for fellow campers. I would not recommend staying along the road sites unless you are equipped to deal with noisy neighbors in close proximity.
And the good... The sites in the more wooded areas on the edge of the campground are beautiful. You are less likely to deal with groups of campers there to party. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained, with pay showers available. Firewood, though expensive, was plentiful. Being close to hiking, the lodge, camp store, and visitor center are excellent perks for the price of each site.
I really wish the staff was there to better enforce the quiet hours, as there were multiple campers that struggled to sleep/relax with the raucous crowd so close.
GuideThis is the city park with the campground and an old estate. They don’t accept reservations. We arrived at 5pm on Friday. Went to the office to check in,found that they closed at 4:30. There was a note on the door that said to leave money in an envelope and put it through the slot in the door, no further information. Wrote our name and a description of the vehicles and put $110.30 in cash for 2 nights in the door slot, and went to find camping. There are no picnic tables or fire rings, in the large lower section of the campground there is just water and electric, no sewer connection. We chose a site near the river and set up camp. Then found the power isn’t working. First thing the next morning I went to the office to ask about refunding the difference for the full hook up to dry camping spot. The woman was not helpful at all, and insisted that she doesn’t do refunds, even though I explained that I had left cash. She said no one was supposed to be camping on the riverside, and that they don’t turn the power on down there. I said without a note on the door to explain that or a sign near the path, there’d be no way to know that. Beware, when you pay, make sure you know what site you’re in and what services you’re getting, then go and pay for it. She was most unpleasant, and unhelpful. On the plus side, the river is pretty, there’s an ice cream stand, and there’s nice hiking trails.
ScoutThe river is nice for floating when water is high enough. Nice waterfall for pics. Sites are close together but still ok. They have planted trees between sites so in time it will get even better. Camping by the river is very peaceful.
GuideThe sites vary greatly in size. That being said, each site is spaced or aligned to offer privacy. Bathrooms are easily accessible. Showers can be a bit of a hike away depending on your site location. Pricey; &5 dollars for ten minutes. No other option.
If you are camping off season the biggest inconvenience is the registration process if you are arriving “day of”. There is no WiFi outside of the camp store with is about .75 mile away from the campground. If you find a site you have to drive all the way back to the store to get the WiFi needed to register with Rec.gov. Try to identify 2 or 3 sites in case you drive back and find out that one may not be available. The volunteer “ranger” drives around to monitor. Our volunteer said that a site may be taken but no reservation slip has been attached to the campsite post. We thoroughly enjoyed our site. The fog rolled in and out of the valley like a heavy blanket. The camp was quiet and peaceful in large part due to the absence of noisy generators. There were several hikes of varying abilities that could be accessed from the campgrounds. A great asphalt path led to the camp store. Great for walking g or biking. There was also a gas station and a small cafeteria for those who want a note to eat.
ScoutNeeded a spot to get off the road for the night while traveling through area. It served the purpose. Road noise is real. We ran a fan off our generator. Donuts made in same lot for breakfast and Buckeyes is close by.
GuideRelaxed and quiet campground. No hookups Fire rings And a stream
RangerThis campground is one of our stops coming from VT or going back home - would love to spend more time then just passing through
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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?
According to TheDyrt.com, Covesville, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 117 campgrounds and RV parks near Covesville, VA and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
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 41 reviews.
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?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Covesville, VA that allow camping, notably George Washington & Jefferson National Forests and Shenandoah National Park.
Keep Exploring
