Camping near Newport, Virginia offers sites nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 feet. Temperature drops of 5-10 degrees occur between valley areas and higher mountain sites, particularly at night even during summer months. Seasonal creek access varies dramatically between spring runoff periods and late summer, affecting water availability at several primitive sites.
What to do
Hike the Appalachian Trail access points: Multiple campgrounds provide proximity to AT trailheads. At Devils Backbone Camp, campers appreciate the convenient access: "They provide a free shuttle to the camp, as well as group tent area for registered AT thru-hikers." Another visitor noted the variety of trails: "Close to the Appalachian Trail, so they are many outdoor activities to take advantage of."
Fish stocked waters: Montebello Resort offers fishing opportunities without requiring a license. "The trout pond is a nice touch you can fish without a license, and you pay for what you catch, we enjoyed fresh trout for dinner during our stay, and from what I saw, anybody with a hook can catch one," shares a camper. Another notes, "The kids are guaranteed to catch something in the fishing hole."
Visit Natural Bridge State Park: The natural limestone arch is within 25 miles of several campgrounds. A visitor at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA mentioned, "Very close to Natural Bridge," and another pointed out it's "close to Lexington with vineyards, restaurants and antique shops. Next door to the drive thru zoo and near Natural Bridge."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise creek and riverside locations. At Crabtree Falls Campground, reviewers enjoy the natural soundtrack: "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night." Another camper appreciated that "sites are right on the river, we had a walk to which gave us some extra privacy."
Clean bathroom facilities: Campground hygiene matters to visitors. At Sherando Lake Campground, "The shower houses are at the center of each loop and have been rebuilt to ACA standard with in the last five years." Devils Backbone Camp earned praise for "some of the nicest facilities of any campground I've stayed at" and "bathhouse is top notch! Squeaky clean with lots of space."
Onsite breweries and cideries: The Blue Ridge area offers unique camping with adult beverage production facilities. A Devils Backbone Camp reviewer explains the layout: "A short walk through the tent area brought you to the large brewery area. This area includes a brewpub, large outdoor seating area with fire pits and an outdoor stage, a distillery, cigar and cocktail lounge, an additional outdoor bar and grille, a breakfast building with craft coffee, and a gift shop."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. At Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park, "Wifi is free and open so no password and therefore, not secure." At Montebello Resort, visitors note there is "zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it's a bit of a drive."
Seasonal closures affect availability: While some campgrounds operate year-round, many close during winter. Sherando Lake Campground operates from "April through October." One camper recommends: "Coming in the middle of the week is the best time if you like to have peace and quiet and the place all to yourself."
Primitive sites offer budget options: Free camping exists in the national forest. At Oronoco Campground, "This campground being only about 25 miles from home has been one we've used several times over the years," and "Sites are free and surrounded by clear mountain streams."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with swimming options: Water features provide built-in entertainment. At Stoney Creek Resort, visitors appreciate the "great swimming lake. Family friendly." Shenandoah Valley Campground offers variety: "They had an awesome pool that was heated, hot tubs, mini golf and good playgrounds. My kids were in heaven."
Consider noise levels and site spacing: Family-focused campgrounds can be busy. One visitor noted at Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley: "This is not a primitive/secluded campground if you are looking to get away and spend some time in nature. It would make a great group/family glamping campsite as is has all of the amenities, including playgrounds, a pond with a 'beach' and golf cart rentals to get around."
Look for campgrounds with organized activities: Scheduled events entertain children. A Sherando Lake Campground visitor noted, "They have activities during the summer like outdoor movies and live music." Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley offers "tons of activities to do for everyone of age. Gold cart parades, crafts hours, poker run, corn hole tournaments."
Tips from RVers
Site hookup locations matter: At Devils Backbone Camp, a visitor warns: "The hookups in this area where different than I have ever experienced as the hookups were shared between two sites. If you were on an even number site, this was no problem. However, if you were on an odd number site, you either had to hope you had the length on your water and power lines to run to the opposite side of your rig."
Mountain access requires preparation: The winding roads demand caution with larger vehicles. A Montebello Resort visitor advises: "Be aware; there is zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it's a bit of a drive. Also FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE CAMPGROUND WEBSITE. VA56 is a very windy road not recommended for pulling a camper through. Use the blue ridge parkway."
Check site dimensions carefully: Many RV sites have limitations. At Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, a reviewer warned: "It was a very small site with a half deck. If we had camper with slide, we would not have been able to use our slide in this site." Another visitor recommends: "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 and some of this could have been avoided with proper booking."
