Best Campgrounds near Moneta, VA

Camping areas near Moneta, Virginia encompass a mix of lakeside and forest settings with options ranging from developed sites to more rustic experiences. Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals with full amenities including showers, drinking water, and electric hookups. Other nearby options include Sweetwater RV Park in Moneta itself and Smith Mountain Campground in Huddleston, both offering year-round access with varying levels of amenities for different camping styles.

Road conditions and campground accessibility vary considerably throughout the region, with some sites requiring advance planning for peak seasons. Most campgrounds near Smith Mountain Lake remain open year-round, while others like Peaks of Otter Campground operate seasonally from May through October. According to one visitor, "The campground is about 60% wooded, the rest is open ground with buildings from the camp's earlier days. The open area includes several artists' studios. At one edge is a forest creek, great for wading." Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, particularly those near the Blue Ridge Parkway, though many private campgrounds like Sweetwater RV Park offer WiFi access.

The mixed-use campgrounds around Moneta draw visitors seeking both water recreation and mountain experiences. Smith Mountain Lake serves as a central attraction for many campers, with fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities. For those preferring mountain settings, campground options like Peaks of Otter along the Blue Ridge Parkway provide a different experience with hiking trails and scenic vistas. One camper noted of Cave Mountain Lake Campground, "This is hands-down my favorite campground in Virginia. The creek winds through this loop providing the sound of water and a place to splash in." Campground amenities range widely from basic tent sites with pit toilets to full-service RV parks with 50-amp hookups, sewer connections, and modern bathhouses. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate pets, though specific restrictions may apply at certain sites or cabin rentals.

Best Camping Sites Near Moneta, Virginia (81)

    1. Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Penhook, VA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 297-6066

    $20 - $40 / night

    "This is a well maintained area with access to several hiking trails of all difficulty levels. The lake is beautiful and my entire family enjoyed our time!"

    "Stopping at Smith Mountain lake was well worth it during my mini road trip through VA. Pros: huge lake with tons of outdoor activities (trails for running/walking, boating activities, kayaking)."

    2. Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    23 Reviews
    Thaxton, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 586-7321

    $30 / night

    "Picked for price

    Quiet

    Enjoyed Blueridge parkway

    NIce retreat in SW Virginia"

    "It was a pull-through site with an additional area containing a picnic table and fire ring, accessible via a small set of steps up the hill."

    3. Sweetwater RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Moneta, VA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 296-0522

    $47 / night

    "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."

    4. Smith Mountain Campground

    10 Reviews
    Penhook, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 927-4198

    $25 - $45 / night

    "Great private campground, kept up well with large sites next to wooded areas."

    "Close to the lake!"

    5. Don's Cab-Inns Campground

    7 Reviews
    Hardy, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 427-1800

    $25 - $100 / night

    "First, it is a private campground located in a public park - in this case, Explore Park in Roanoke, Virginia (milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway)."

    "The AC is very welcoming after a long hot day outside and mini fridge is perfect to unload your cooler from traveling. Also, an outlet to charge your phone."

    6. Leesville Lake Campground, LLC

    4 Reviews
    Hurt, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 818-1177

    $55 / night

    "A short walk, even shorter drive to the dam and decent fishing at the boat ramp."

    "They walk you right to your site and help back you in! It's a 5 minute walk down to the lake."

    7. Explore Park

    1 Review
    Hardy, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 427-1800

    $25 - $150 / night

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

    18 Reviews
    Natural Bridge Station, VA
    28 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."

    9. Middle Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Buchanan, VA
    23 miles
    Website

    $20 - $85 / night

    "It was early season, mid- may, so there were few other campers around. We took a site up their gravel road away from the main campground area."

    "They mostly lazed around all weekend and watched people coming and going. The RV sites are directly across from the camp store, but the tent sites were tucked back into the woods."

    10. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    31 Reviews
    Natural Bridge, VA
    35 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."

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Recent Reviews near Moneta, VA

403 Reviews of 81 Moneta Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Kevin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    Exceeded expectations

    I was impressed with this campground from the minute I entered it. We were greeted at the entrance and then sent to an escort you smartly showed us to our site by taking the same path at the RV should take; making wise returns and so on. The site was pristine and laid out very nicely. Honestly the whole place was really clean and lovely. This is my first KOA visit and I was thoroughly impressed

  • Roger V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Rocky Knob Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Quiet, nice, but no showers, very basic

    Minimalist facilities. Good location. Has rv and tent sites. Right off blue Ridge Parkway.

    Overall ok if you need a crash pad, but I would not seek it out

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Beautiful place, old campground

    On a Thursday night in July we were the only ones at the campground. Friendly host but the campsites are not level - and we had the best of the lot - very private (if others had been there) but only one side of the picnic table was accessible (bc of the slope). Worked for our setup with rooftop tent but would’ve been difficult for someone w a camper or tent. Lodge was nice and well-kept. Hike to top of peaks was strenuous and gorgeous at the top! Decent stop right off the BRP. Wildflowers were beautiful.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    Convenient and easy

    Lots of pull thru sites, full hook up, even have dog park and laundry.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2025

    Sweetwater RV Park

    Nice place

    A quiet and clean campground. The pool was great for my son and we had it to ourselves multiple days.


Guide to Moneta

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

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the trails around Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The campground is about 2 miles from the public access/beach part of the lake, so that'd be something to plan for."
  • Fishing and Swimming: At COE Philpott Lake Goose Point Park, you can enjoy swimming and fishing. A visitor shared, "The campground offers stunning views and a tranquil atmosphere. We enjoyed a variety of activities, including swimming, fishing, and jet skiing on the lake."
  • Cavern Tours: Check out the nearby Dixie Caverns. One camper said, "Awesome antique store and cavern tours (must-do!) available for a discount when you camp."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at places like Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA. One review stated, "Park is fantastic, best I’ve ever seen for cleanliness and friendly staff."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors enjoy the welcoming atmosphere. A camper at Salthouse Branch Campground noted, "The staff was wonderful and polite!"
  • Spacious Sites: Campers often mention the spaciousness of sites at Peaks Of Otter Campground. One review highlighted, "Well maintained gravel lots. Spacious and didn't feel like we were on top of our neighbors."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Otter Creek Campground, don’t have showers or electric hookups. A visitor mentioned, "The sites had great space. Dog friendly."
  • Noise Levels: Campers at Dixie Caverns noted highway noise. One review said, "You will see broken equipment on the campground."
  • Bear Awareness: At Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp, campers should be cautious of bears. A camper warned, "There are signs warning everyone with instructions on how to avoid a bear visit."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Many campgrounds, like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge, offer fun activities. A family shared, "During the summer months they have activities 7 days a week from 9a-9p."
  • Safety First: Choose campgrounds with good facilities. A camper at Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA mentioned, "The bath house was central to the sites and were unisex individual bathrooms."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some sites can be close together, so be prepared for noise. A visitor at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA noted, "You can hear some road traffic at night but it did not bother us."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The campsites can be tricky to get into depending on your vehicle."
  • Water and Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups. A visitor at COE Philpott Lake Goose Point Park said, "The well-maintained, spacious campsites provided privacy and convenient water & electric hookups."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Cell Service: Some areas might have spotty reception. A camper at Peaks Of Otter Campground noted, "Sporadic, with 1 or 2 bars."

Camping near Moneta, Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Moneta, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Moneta, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 81 campgrounds and RV parks near Moneta, VA and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Moneta, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Moneta, VA is Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Moneta, VA.