Camping near Lexington, Virginia offers experiences spanning from primitive free camping to full-service RV resorts. The region sits at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet with the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains reaching over 3,000 feet, creating varying climates and camping conditions across seasons. Mountain streams and small lakes throughout the area create numerous waterfront camping opportunities at various elevations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Stoney Creek Resort features a lake suitable for fishing and swimming with several shoreline campsites. "Beautiful surroundings. No phone signal and wifi was a joke but that's not a bad thing!" notes a camper at Stoney Creek Resort.
Waterfall hikes: Crabtree Falls Campground provides direct access to one of Virginia's most impressive waterfalls. "The bath house was well maintained and super clean. The site backed up to a creek that created natural flowing water that we enjoyed wading through," reports a visitor at Crabtree Falls Campground.
Music festivals: Glen Maury Park hosts multiple music-themed events throughout camping season. "There are many activities such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival. This year they built large models of the twin towers and had a program about them on September 11th," shares a camper about the cultural offerings.
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Many campers appreciate clean, well-maintained bathroom facilities. At Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA, reviewers note "very clean, private bathrooms" and mention the campground's exceptional cleanliness standards.
Family activities: Multiple campgrounds offer structured recreation for children. "They had activities every day for the kids. As well as lots of unstructured activities. For example, they had a foosball table and a jumping pad," explains a camper about their July visit.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers value Oronoco Campground's cost-free camping. "Nice, easy, free... Nice sites in a pretty open area. Creek runs through. Pit toilet bathrooms were open when we visited in early March," reports a visitor at Oronoco Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Operating schedules differ significantly across rv parks near Lexington, Virginia. Thousand Trails Lynchburg operates from "April 28 to October 29," making it unsuitable for winter camping trips, while other facilities remain open year-round.
Water pressure concerns: Across Lexington area camping facilities, water hookup performance varies by location within the same campground. At Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park, a reviewer noted "My water pressure was good but talking to other campers, the farther away you get from the front of the park the worse the water pressure gets."
Connectivity limits: Cell service and wifi availability fluctuate widely. "Remote and quiet location. No cell service for AT&T or T-mobile. Great location, 5 minutes from the BRP," reports a camper, highlighting the connectivity trade-offs common in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: During summer months, pools provide essential recreation for children. At Sweetwater RV Park, a family noted, "We went to the playground to play and pool to swim - had it to ourselves - with our 18 month old."
Kid-friendly festivals: Time your visit around special events for enhanced family experiences. "This was the perfect spot to stay after a long drive. We saw bunnies and then lightening bugs. The pool was great for the kids," shared a visitor at Thousand Trails Lynchburg.
Animal encounters: Several campgrounds feature small petting zoos or farm animals. "They even had chickens running around and baby goats in a pen," notes a camper, mentioning this unexpected attraction for children during their stay.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose based on your rig's specific needs and campground topography. At Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, campers advise, "Call ahead about RV lengths to make sure you are booking the correct site for your size. I noticed more than a few people struggling with their units."
Extension cords: Pack extra electrical cords for challenging hookup configurations. "Electric posts support four different sites, so needed to drag out the extension cord. But power was good and the evening/night was peaceful," reports an RVer about their overnight stay.
Level site considerations: Mountain camping often means uneven terrain. "We had a deluxe patio area which was on nice level concrete," shares a camper, highlighting the premium sites available at some rv parks in Lexington, Virginia area that minimize leveling challenges.
