Cabin rentals near Mendota, Virginia offer access to South Holston Lake and Cherokee National Forest, with elevations ranging from 1,400 to 3,000 feet providing moderate temperatures even during summer months. The region experiences distinct seasons with fall foliage typically peaking in mid-October, making it a popular time for cabin stays near water access points and hiking trails.
What to do
Fishing and boating at South Holston Lake: Little Oak Campground provides direct lake access for fishing enthusiasts. "Great place to camp and fish," notes reviewer Bill T. The area features several bait shops and boat docks nearby for supplies and rentals.
Explore Natural Tunnel: Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping offers hiking trails that lead to unique geological features. "Just happened to be the one day a year the tunnel is open to walk through (it's an active railroad and closed otherwise)," mentions Julie, highlighting a rare opportunity visitors might encounter.
Hiking on nearby trails: Trails range from easy lakeside paths to more challenging mountain routes. "There are several short hiking trails, but plan to spend most of your time on the water," advises Lynn G. about the Little Oak area, noting the density of greenery and proximity to stables for horseback riding.
What campers like
Private, shaded sites: Roan Mountain State Park Campground receives praise for its layout. "Our loop was very private and shaded. The only negative point was the street light right across from us," shares Katrin M., whose campsite included a picnic table, fire pit, water spigot, and electricity.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathhouses are frequently mentioned in reviews. "The bathhouse was very clean and taken care of," notes a Hungry Mother State Park visitor. At Little Oak, another camper mentions, "Facilities were cleaned everyday so no stinky bathrooms and showers."
Creek-side cabins: Cabin on The Creek and similar options provide water access. At Roan Mountain State Park, campers appreciate "water on every site" with some campsites positioned "right on the creek," which visitors mention is "perfect for dogs" during warmer months.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin sites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "This campground stays booked up but was able to get in on a cancellation for the upcoming weekend," shares Julie about Natural Tunnel State Park.
Terrain considerations: Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park features wooden platforms for tent camping. "It's level and large enough for any tent I've ever seen. Water drains pretty decent between wood decking, so no pooling," explains Dave V., though noting "When the cold wind blows, it's hard to retain heat in the tent."
Water access varies: Some campgrounds offer immediate lake or creek frontage while others require short walks. "Little oak offered a great place to stay for a week. With south Holston lake at your finger tips it offers a great area to fish, boat, kayak, paddle board and swim," writes Jayme G.
Cell service limitations: Reception can be spotty in mountainous areas. "The Verizon cell service is spotty at best, but sometimes this is welcomed," notes Nathan F. about Little Oak Campground. Other parks like Roan Mountain offer wifi throughout the campground despite limited cell coverage.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water activities: Little Oak Campground receives praise for its family orientation. "Very kid-friendly super spacious campsites every site is right on the lake with amazing sunsets every night," shares Tiffany G., though noting they "Only wish they had electricity."
Scheduled events: Many parks host regular activities. At Roan Mountain State Park, "The park also has events scheduled. They had a cloggers dance group when we were there, which was very nice," according to one reviewer.
Playground access: Consider locations with designated play areas. "There are a lot of things to do in the area. Some of the hiking trails even start in the campground," notes a camper about family-friendly amenities at Roan Mountain State Park.
Educational opportunities: Natural history programs are available seasonally. "You can also explore the grist mill with a nature trail or an old homestead," mentions a visitor about historical features at Roan Mountain suitable for family learning experiences.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Bristol-Kingsport KOA accommodates larger vehicles. "Kingsport/Bristol has easy access from Interstate 81 and the campground is easily navigated with a large 5th wheel," reports Laura H., adding "They have several large pull through sites, as well as back in smaller sites."
Hookup considerations: Full hookup options vary between parks. "They have 50amp service and full hookup sites," notes a reviewer about Bristol-Kingsport KOA, while another mentions Little Oak Campground has limited electrical hookups, requiring planning for power needs.
Seasonal accessibility: Some areas have restricted access during winter months. "Our site was clean and quiet. Close to the bathhouse. The full hookups are just so far from the main park," shares Rosa S. about positioning considerations for RVs at Hungry Mother State Park.
