Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground
Smith Mountain Lake Campground
Great campground post season- open until 10/31. Good weather, leaf peeping. LOTS of trails to the lake, and very dog friendly
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground houses upscale glamping accommodations surrounded by wooded landscapes in Huddleston, Virginia. This lakeside destination features both yurt and glamping sites that provide a refined outdoor experience with amenities typically not found in traditional camping. Fairy Stone State Park Campground, about 30 miles southwest, also offers glamping options with comfortable furnishings and electricity. Both locations provide access to picnic tables, fire rings, and clean bathroom facilities with hot showers. The sites maintain a balance between natural immersion and comfort, with enough space between accommodations to ensure privacy. Many glamping sites include raised platforms, proper beds, and electricity for climate control. One guest shared, "The shaded spots were a good size and pretty secluded. The lake views are simply gorgeous."
Visitors at Smith Mountain Lake can enjoy water-based activities including swimming at the lifeguarded beach area, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing from dedicated piers. Rental equipment for paddleboarding and boating is available during the main season. The park maintains several hiking trails of varying difficulty that showcase lake views and local wildlife. According to a camper, "The park puts on a lot of activities as well. We always have a great time here." Evening stargazing is particularly rewarding, with minimal light pollution enhancing the night sky experience. Both glamping locations remain open year-round, though the main season runs from March through November with peak visitation during summer months. Educational programs at the nature center provide additional enrichment, particularly for families with children seeking a luxury camping experience with outdoor learning opportunities.
"The tent (non-electric, non-hookups) sites are at the back in their own section. They are the farthest from the bathhouse, but also the most private."
"I have camped here for 15 years most in tents, each site contains all you need a table pole for light and fire pit. Bathhouse is open,clean showers are hot."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $144 / night
"We had a gravel pull through spot with a picnic table on a wooden deck, fire pit, and full hook up. There is a pool and a playground, however they were both closed due to Covid."
"This campground is open year round and is right off the highway. There is a gas station right next to it as well as a safari park. "
from $35 / night
"All of the sites were roomy and featured a small fire pit, picnic table, water, and electricity. Several of them even had a pull-through site and would work well for a small pop-up."
"It was early season, mid- may, so there were few other campers around. We took a site up their gravel road away from the main campground area."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $85 / night
"Rangers on site were super sweet."
"Slightly dirty bathrooms, not sanitary, but a lot of bugs, spiderwebs etc. Alternative to crowded Shenandoah campgrounds, although is a good drive away <60+ miles away from entrance."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"There was a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging, laughing, loving, and hanging out!"
"If that isn’t enough, there is a lake with a big blow up slide and more in the center and also has river access. You can get free life jackets to use and can rent out boats for the river."
from $39 - $241 / night
from $25 - $150 / night
"Washrooms are at quite a distance from this site so we were glad to be completely self-contained. Accessibility to both beach swimming areas is risky for those needing to use a cane or crutches."
"The lower loop is pretty level, fun to walk and ride bikes around, and the kids love the playground! The bathhouse is always clean and you can't beat the atmosphere around the campground!"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $26 - $52 / night
"This KOA was a very nice surprise given that it was right off the highway. We only were there for 1 night and we didn't hear any highway noise."
"Big patios, bbq grill, tables, fire pit. It was a quiet, well laid out and easy to manage in our 36 ft trailer. Wished I was staying much longer at this campground."
"They have a nice large deck that is great for hanging out on while the kids were asleep. The inside of the Yurt has a full size bed with a twin sized trundle bed that rolls under the full."
"This weekend was a great adventure in SW Virginia. We stayed in a Yurt. It has no electricity or water but the bath house was close."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $311 / night
"Thunder BRidge is a unique property tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Near Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia, the campground was once a CCC camp."
from $35 - $95 / night
Great campground post season- open until 10/31. Good weather, leaf peeping. LOTS of trails to the lake, and very dog friendly
We had a blast here. My kiddo was able to roam freely and safely with other kids. We enjoyed a hike with the dogs, as well as swimming at the beaches.
This park is so beautiful, set it a forested canopy and a serene lake, BUT - between the neighboring 4-H Camp shooting with hundreds of rounds being fired each day between 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, and then Karaoke parties from 6:00 pm to late at night, the noises were close to being unbearable. Also, zero cell phone reception, but they have free wifi at the check-in station, the office and the beach.
This is a nice little place with level sites and easy shower/restroom access. I thought it was a little pricey and we had to drive to the lake, but it's a nice place to paddle board or kayak because they don't allow motor boats. They have a nice beach that our kid liked. You also have to the fairy stone hunting ground - we didn't find any. But there's a cool hiking trail with a couple of abandoned mine entrances.
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.
Beautiful campground, all sites are paved with designated tent pads,h20,and power 20/30/50 amp. There is plenty to do at park fairy stone hunts, paddling, hiking, beach etc.
Typical campground with rv spots close together with no shade. Fill hook ups at each site.
Mostly seasonal campers, but an idyllic environment. I am parked alongside a babbling brook. Poor cell reception, no tv. A forced off the grid experience.
It has all the bells and whistles you’d hope for at a Jellystone. It sounds like staffing has been challenging but the fellow campers and wonderful staff that are here make it well worth staying. 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.
Camping near Huddleston, Virginia centers around the 20,600-acre Smith Mountain Lake, situated at 795 feet elevation in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The region experiences mild temperatures ranging from 45°F to 85°F during the main camping season from March through October, with higher humidity levels in summer months. Area campgrounds offer electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables, with many sites providing water access.
Swimming in natural settings: Philpott Reservoir at Salthouse Branch Campground offers swimming areas away from the more crowded Smith Mountain Lake beaches. "Perfect clean clear water to fish, swim," notes William P., who appreciates the pristine conditions.
Hiking the nearby trails: The Blue Ridge Parkway provides access to numerous hiking options just a short drive from Huddleston. At Otter Creek Campground, "The Otter Creek Trail was challenging but definitely doable. Highly recommended for outdoor youth groups that want to unplug and get back to basics," reports Chris S.
Stargazing during clear nights: The low light pollution around Huddleston makes for excellent night sky viewing. At Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground, one camper observed, "boy are there some amazing stars out here." Consider bringing binoculars or a telescope to enhance the experience.
Disc golf on-site: Several area campgrounds have added disc golf courses to their amenities. Chantilly Farm has a "brand new 9 hole disc golf course" according to Stafford W., making it a good option for recreation during downtime at camp.
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate the generous sizing of sites in the region. At Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground, "Tent sites are large and a good distance apart. RV sites are good and have decent privacy. Power and water are reliable," notes Scott B.
Creek access: Several campgrounds feature sites with direct water access. At Middle Creek Campground, "We chose site #76 because the creek wound around the back of the campsite and had a gentle slope leading down to the creek. We knew our dogs would love splashing around in it!" shares Andrea N.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities rank high on campers' satisfaction lists. The Natural Bridge KOA features "bathrooms & private showers [that] were amazing & clean," according to Carey R., who was "very impressed with the playground, dog park & they even had chickens & a petting farm."
Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention appreciation for sites that aren't too close together. At Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Chris L. notes, "These campsites are close enough to the showers/restrooms without compromising all of your privacy."
Weather considerations: The area can experience sudden summer thunderstorms. Be prepared with proper rain gear and site drainage. One visitor at Otter Creek noted, "It poured - for hours - but our site stayed dry for the most part. The tent pads at this campground are excellent and drain well."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the region have limited 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!" shares Katie M.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Huddleston, VA is Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 26 reviews.
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