Campers at RV campgrounds in Huddleston, Virginia enjoy access to Smith Mountain Lake, a 20,000+ acre reservoir with 500 miles of shoreline. The area sits at approximately 800 feet elevation in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Water temperatures at Smith Mountain Lake range from mid-70s to low-80s Fahrenheit during summer camping months.
What to do
Fishing at Smith Mountain Lake: Access points near Smith Mountain Campground offer both lake and pond fishing options. "Great catch and release fishing pond, grassy field to play some catch or toss the football around. Small playground, basketball hoop and bocce," notes one visitor. Smith Mountain Lake is known for striped bass, largemouth bass, and catfish.
Hiking on Blue Ridge Parkway: Located 20 miles from Huddleston, Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA provides quick access to numerous trails. A camper mentioned, "Very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, plenty of places to hike, and Natural Bridge is a must see." The D-Day Memorial in nearby Bedford offers historical interest according to reviews.
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds offer pool facilities during summer months. "The pool was great for my son and we had it to ourselves multiple days," reported a camper at Sweetwater RV Park. For natural swimming, a KOA visitor recommended "a swimming hole just a few miles down the road on the Blue Ridge Parkway that locals go swimming."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of facilities at Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground. "Bath house and laundry were clean. The owner stopped by we had a lovely conversation, he works hard to ensure that everyone has a pleasant stay," according to one review. Several campgrounds offer private bathrooms with showers.
Spacious sites: RV campers appreciate the site layouts in the region. "We were on top of a hill with other RVs with gorgeous views and sunsets. The grounds were very well kept and mowed. Trash cans were abundant," reported a Chantilly Farm visitor. Another camper noted well-thought-out utility placement: "Level sites, utilities are well placed and good height."
Family activities: Many campsites feature dedicated recreation areas. "Plenty to do at the campground - corn hole, pool, playground, etc," noted a KOA visitor. Another camper at Sweetwater RV Park mentioned "multiple dog parks so you have one close to your area. Lots of recreation, great pickle ball area and pool."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Some campgrounds in the area operate on limited schedules. At Thousand Trails Lynchburg, "Only open from May to October each year so be sure to check that out before just showing up!" A visitor added, "Our visit is pre Memorial Day so it is low key. 80-90% of sites are 30 Amp. Limited 50 amp."
Terrain considerations: Huddleston-area campgrounds feature varied terrain. "Sites are level, but no extremes either," noted one camper. At Leesville Lake Campground, a visitor advised, "We stayed at the level sites across the street: easy-in, easy-out. Some of the sites on the other side of the street looked like they might be a challenge to get into."
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs by location. A camper at Blue Ridge Parkway KOA reported "Little to no cell signal (AT&T), but good WIFI." Verizon coverage appears stronger in some areas, with campers reporting usable but not excellent service at most campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Don's Cab-Inns Campground offers diverse activities for children. "We saw bunnies and then lightening bugs. The pool was great for the kids," reported one family. Another mentioned, "They had activities every day for the kids. As well as lots of unstructured activities... they had a foosball table and a jumping pad."
Cabin options for easier setup: Several campgrounds offer cabin accommodations for families wanting camping experience without tent setup. "The little cabins include a full-size bed below and another in the loft, air conditioning, heat, electricity, a microwave, a small refrigerator, and a coffee pot," noted a visitor to Don's Cab-Inns.
Quiet camping environment: Smith Mountain Campground provides a peaceful atmosphere for families. "Quiet and peaceful, without the insane golf carts driving everywhere," mentioned one camper. Another noted, "Definitely not packed in like sardines the way other camp grounds can be."
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: Hookups at Glen Maury Park require some preparation. "Electric posts support four different sites, so needed to drag out the extension cord. But, power was good and the evening/night was peaceful," advised one RVer. At Leesville Lake Campground, a visitor praised "well updated 20/30/50 Amp service on new pedestals. Water and sewer with good accessibility and pressure also."
Site dimensions: RV sites vary across the region's campgrounds. At Sweetwater RV Park, a camper noted, "Plenty of pull through and back in sites. Level sites, utilities are well placed and good height." First-time RVers found setup straightforward: "The site itself was an easy pull-through. It was clean and hookups were easy to figure out."
Reservation strategies: Peak season requires advance planning. Indian Heritage RV Park visitors recommend specific site requests: "Just got here. The people who run this place have been very kind and great to work with on reservations. The site we have was easy to back in." At Smith Mountain Campground, "You can reserve your site (they're all great) and on the day of your arrival you receive a text to check in, and can proceed directly to your site."
