Campgrounds near Charlottesville, Virginia offer options across the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Piedmont region, with elevations ranging from 400 to 3,500 feet throughout the area. Summer temperatures typically reach the upper 80s, while spring and fall camping provides milder conditions with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Winter camping remains available at select year-round facilities where nighttime temperatures commonly drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Walnut Hills Campground features fishing ponds that campers appreciate. "The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" reports John D. Several campsites around the area offer similar water features, particularly at Cozy Acres Campground RV Resort which maintains three fishing ponds.
Hiking trails: Access to nearby trails ranks as a major draw for the region. "We stayed here mostly for its proximity to the Old Rag and White Oak Canyon hikes. About 30 minutes away," notes Sam M. about Staver Farm. Many campgrounds connect directly to trail systems or serve as convenient basecamps for exploring Shenandoah National Park trails.
Horseback riding: Some campgrounds offer equestrian activities on-site. At Shenandoah Crossing, a Bluegreen Vacations Resort, campers can experience "horse rides" and "carriage rides" according to multiple reviewers. Nicole P. mentions the resort has options to "Kayak, putt putt, tennis, swim in one of the pools, hot tub, work out in the gym, walk on trails, ride horses, take a carriage ride or eat at the 'real' restaurant."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate separation between camping areas. At Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages, Clark P. notes, "Most sites are spaced enough to give some feeling of privacy, some are fairly close together. A few sites are nicely secluded for those of us that crave privacy." This resort maintains a natural setting despite offering full hookups.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife populations. At Big Meadows Campground, Veronica S. reports, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached." Multiple campgrounds mention wildlife sightings including deer, bears, and during summer months, fireflies.
Evening programming: Many campgrounds coordinate regular activities. At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, Christopher T. "enjoyed the music and smores offered by the campground," highlighting organized social events. Seasonal programming varies widely by location, with most offering more extensive schedules between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
What you should know
Site selection importance: Camping experience varies dramatically based on specific site location. At Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park, Veronica S. advises, "Though this campground is HUGE, the sites are not piled on top of each other. Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy." Research site maps and reviews before booking.
Shower facilities: Shower availability and quality differ significantly between campgrounds. At Big Meadows, "The showers are $5 for 10 minutes. Kind of a steep price. Make sure you test that it works BEFORE you get set up and get naked." In contrast, many private rv parks Charlottesville Virginia area offer free shower access included with camping fees.
Seasonal considerations: Weather and bugs impact camping comfort substantially. At Big Meadows, one camper noted, "The bugs when we got here were kinda crazy. They don't bite but they swarm your head and try to enter every orifice for some reason. A head net was helpful to get the tent and screen room set up." Spring and fall generally offer more comfortable conditions than mid-summer.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature kid-friendly recreation areas. At Cozy Acres Campground RV Resort, Glenn F. notes they "have a play area for the kids, swimming pool, several fishing ponds, bike trails and more." Many campgrounds maintain similar facilities specifically designed for younger campers.
Activity centers: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation spaces. Misty Mountain Camp Resort features family-oriented amenities that impressed Christopher T., who said the facilities "kept them occupied the whole trip!" Annalie N. elaborates that "The jump pad and the pool tables were our favorites."
Wildlife education: Take advantage of educational programming available at many campgrounds. Big Meadows offers "interesting ranger programs" according to Kim L., who notes it has a "nice amphitheater" for presentations. These programs typically occur evenings during peak season and provide age-appropriate wildlife and conservation education.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Site terrain varies widely throughout rv parks Charlottesville Virginia region. At Walnut Hills Campground, Ralph P. reports, "I parked a little goofy it seems so I needed a little extra footage for my electrical hookup. They were kind enough to loan us a 25' extension." Many campgrounds maintain gravel pads that may require leveling blocks.
Campground layout considerations: Some campgrounds present navigation challenges for larger rigs. At KOA Luray RV Resort, Tina notes "The road between the office and campsites is a bit narrow and one lane so can be tricky when people are arriving or leaving with rigs." Study campground maps before arrival and consider calling ahead if driving a larger motorhome.
Utility limitations: Several campers report infrastructure challenges at certain campgrounds. At Madison Vines RV Resort, John H. mentions that "our only complaint was that the sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream." Site-specific utility placement can cause similar issues, especially for RVers with unusual tank configurations.
