Best Campgrounds near Monroe, VA

Monroe, Virginia provides a range of camping experiences along the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor with options spanning from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks and cabin rentals. The Lynchburg/Blue Ridge Parkway KOA offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with modern amenities including electric hookups, showers, and a camp store. In contrast, George Washington National Forest provides free dispersed camping opportunities with minimal facilities. Otter Creek Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway sits at milepost 60.9, offering a middle ground between primitive and developed camping.

Access to campsites varies with the seasons, with most developed campgrounds operating from spring through fall. Otter Creek Campground typically operates from May to late October, while the KOA extends slightly longer from March through November. "The campground is small and the amenities are limited. It's not going to be a spend all your time at the campground and never get bored experience," notes one camper about the Lynchburg KOA, though they praised the well-kept grounds and clean facilities. Cell service tends to be spotty throughout the region, particularly in national forest areas, though some private campgrounds offer WiFi access. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with cooler temperatures even during summer months at higher elevations.

Campers consistently mention the peaceful surroundings as a significant draw to the Monroe area. Otter Creek Campground receives praise for its tranquil atmosphere, with one visitor noting, "The creek ran right through our spacious and secluded site. It was quiet and serene - just what we were looking for before heading back to city life." Several campgrounds in the area feature fishing opportunities, with ponds or creeks on-site. The proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway provides easy access to scenic drives and hiking trails, making these campgrounds popular base camps for exploring the region. Family-friendly amenities at developed campgrounds include playgrounds, swimming pools, and organized activities during peak season, while more remote sites appeal to those seeking solitude and natural settings.

Best Camping Sites Near Monroe, Virginia (85)

    1. Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA

    14 Reviews
    Big Island, VA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 299-5228

    "We stopped here overnight on a trip from Chicago to Virginia Beach. We had reserved a pull through but were just short in length and had to disconnect the tow vehicle for the night."

    "There was plenty for kids to do playground, pool, jump pillow, fishing pond and hiking trails. The tent site was amazing right by the pond. The fire pit has a grate for cooking."

    2. Otter Creek Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    14 Reviews
    Big Island, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 299-5125

    $30 / night

    "Great all around virginia campsite"

    "Alternative to crowded Shenandoah campgrounds, although is a good drive away <60+ miles away from entrance."

    3. Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park

    27 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    19 miles
    Website

    $15 - $80 / 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."

    4. George Washington National Forest off 812

    12 Reviews
    Glasgow, VA
    16 miles
    Website

    "There are multiple spots along the road - some are drive in and some require you to park and walk in. Definitely get there early to get a prime spot."

    "There's access to the App Trail on the road so you might see some hikers but it was real quiet otherwise."

    5. Red Oak Campground — James River State Park

    17 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    19 miles
    Website

    $35 / 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!"

    6. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    31 Reviews
    Natural Bridge, VA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2770

    $35 / night

    "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. "

    "Located in a beautiful part of central Virginia, this campground gives you lots of options for sightseeing. It is definitely worth a trip to the Natural Bridge."

    7. Oronoco Campground

    15 Reviews
    Buena Vista, VA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    "It should be noted that the warning about water moccasins posted previously is inaccurate as there are no water moccasins in this part of Virginia."

    "Only thing is that there’s a dog, we think from a property nearby, that acts aggressive towards campers."

    8. Devils Backbone Camp

    40 Reviews
    Nellysford, VA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 817-9708

    $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."

    9. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge

    16 Reviews
    Natural Bridge Station, VA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2727

    $39 - $241 / night

    "Right next to the James River for all of your fishing needs. Have a pool, splash pad, pond/lake with a slide, beach, inflatable obstacle course, have an arcade room, and 2 additional water slides."

    "Lots of stuff for kids, very close to river for tubing, reservation system in place because of Covid prevention guideline for swimming which worked out really well for kids... not many activities due to"

    10. Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp — George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

    18 Reviews
    Natural Bridge Station, VA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    $20 - $40 / night

    "These sites are slightly more rugged, and best for smaller tents; site 35 however is both large, flat, and private, and is next to the trailhead to one of the campground's hiking trails."

    "Site was spacious and pleasantly situated for our 17' travel trailer. Clean bathrooms and shower."

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Recent Reviews near Monroe, VA

625 Reviews of 85 Monroe Campgrounds


  • Bradley M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Glen Maury Park

    Beautiful place with all the amenities

    Overnight stay off I-81. Easy in and out. VERY well kept and super friendly staff. I highly recommend. Larger rigs need to stay in the lower campground and there are no sewer connections, but the dump station is all good.

  • Brian B.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Misty Mountain Camp Resort

    Great cabins, very close together…

    First, the cabins are super cool. Found out that you can actually order them on Amazon, which is really ingenious.

    The only problem we ran into, is that the campground was packed and all of the sites are very very close together. Neighbors were not at all respectful of other people‘s space and kids were wandering around everywhere.

    Our last evening there, we have new neighbors that came in across the way who blew up an inflatable screen and streamed the football game. Just not what we were looking for for a getaway vacation..

  • S
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Middle Creek Campground

    Beautiful and secluded

    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.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Paradise Lake Family Campground

    Not more than one night

    This is an older campground and shows its age…and wear. There are several semi-permanent residents here. Some facilities need repair and/or maintenance. Water in the shower was hot, but the showers were small, and there was no place for d as iso, shaving things, shampoo, ets. And no place to sit to. There is a pool and a lake with a swim beach. Kayak rental. Playground, laundry, showers/ bathrooms are passable. Internet is very slow.

  • madison F.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park

    WALNUT

    first arrived weary of storm headed our way only to find out our campsite was the only in our section that wasn’t a flood zone.

    saw some liquid being pumped into naturally flowing creek water??! also if you want to see ducks… stay close to the pond.

    super honorable mention - lower bathhouses did not have warm water and had to hike up the hill to use, extremely nicer, bathhouse.

    POOL had a “tlc makeover” only to have a surmount of chemicals still not diluted by 5pm - MURKYYYYYYY

    also had a campsite that was placed between three trees - super tight but made it work.

    only stayed in passing - get what you get

  • Stephanie L.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Sweetwater RV Park

    Quiet, clean campground!

    This campground was exceptionally clean and very quiet/peaceful. We went to the playground to play and pool to swim - had it to ourselves - with our 18 month old. The staff is amazing and clearly love what they do. They were friendly from the start and they let us know they were available for help, etc. The site itself was an easy pull-through. It was clean and hookups were easy to figure out (first time RVers here; not new to camping though). I would say this campground has achieved the 'family-friendly' atmosphere, for sure! SML State Park is 10mns away! We will definitely be back!

    I thought being at the end of the loop would be noisy due to traffic coming through, but it didn't bother us one but!

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Sweetwater RV Park

    Great location at SML

    Really well thought out campground for RV. Plenty of pull through and back in sites. Level sites, utilities are well placed and good height. Well maintained…you can tell staff takes pride in campground. Multiple dog parks….so convenient so you have one close to your area. Lots of recreation, great pickle ball area and pool. Laundry is honor system per load …pay in office.

  • Aaron S.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Stoney Creek Resort

    Lovely people, lovely place

    Overall a nice place to stay. We stayed one night. Hook ups were good, site was somewhat level. The staff are just lovely people, very friendly, helpful, and they go out of their way to do the next right thing.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge

    Helpful staff and nice amenities

    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.


Guide to Monroe

Camping near Monroe, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. Campers at Sherando Lake Campground rave about the nearby hiking opportunities, saying, "The campground is located very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline drive. What a beautiful drive on the parkway."
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, head to Red Oak Campground. One visitor mentioned, "There are plenty of places to fish! The ponds are full for Largemouth Bass and Bluegills."
  • Swimming: For a refreshing dip, check out the beach at Sherando Lake Campground. A camper noted, "The lake is beautiful and refreshing. You can swim out to an Island if you want to."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A review for Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA states, "Park is fantastic, best I’ve ever seen for cleanliness and friendly staff."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers at Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp enjoy the space between sites. One visitor said, "The campsites are spaced out good."
  • Friendly Hosts: The welcoming atmosphere is a highlight for many. A review for Devil’s Backbone Camp mentions, "The camp hosts were very nice and helpful."

What you should know

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in some areas. A camper at Devil’s Backbone Camp noted, "No Verizon or ATT cell service I could find and no WiFi."
  • Water Availability: Some campgrounds may have water issues. A review for Sherando Lake Campground mentioned, "Major water problems with the entire park."
  • Bear Precautions: If you're camping in bear country, be cautious. A visitor at Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp warned, "There are signs warning everyone with instructions on how to avoid a bear visit."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Campgrounds with Amenities: Look for campgrounds that offer facilities like showers and restrooms. Campers at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA appreciated the "very nice complete hook ups with patios."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep the kids entertained. A camper at Sherando Lake Campground mentioned, "We had song birds, hawks and rabbits at our site."
  • Check for Safety: Ensure the campground is safe for kids. A review for Crabtree Falls Campground highlighted, "The rate for our 22 foot RV with full hookups was unbeatable."

Tips from RVers

  • Look for Pull-Through Sites: Many RVers prefer pull-through sites for easier access. A camper at Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA noted, "The layout is weird but most sites are pull through."
  • Check Water Pressure: Be aware that some campgrounds may have low water pressure. A visitor at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA mentioned, "The water pressure was very low."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of the local attractions. A camper at Devil’s Backbone Camp said, "Just a short walk from the Campground is a very nice brewery with fantastic food."

Camping in Monroe, VA, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Monroe, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Monroe, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 85 campgrounds and RV parks near Monroe, VA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Monroe, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Monroe, VA is Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA with a 4.8-star rating from 14 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Monroe, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Monroe, VA.