Montebello, Virginia sits at 2,800 feet elevation in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys. Nighttime temperatures can drop into the 40s even in summer months, requiring campers to pack layers regardless of season. Dispersed camping options near Montebello, Virginia offer more solitude than developed campgrounds but require proper preparation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Montebello Resort maintains two fishing areas - a small trout pond where "you can fish without a license, and you pay for what you catch" and a larger lake with bass and crappie. The resort "provides complimentary kayaks and paddle boats" for guests to use on the lake.
Hiking trails: Multiple hiking options exist within short driving distance. The Spy Rock trail offers "360 degree views of the Shenandoah Valley" after a "decent sized hike with a small rock scramble at the top for an extra bit of fun." One hiker noted, "It is a great hike with a small rock scramble at the top for an extra bit of fun."
Swimming: Several campgrounds offer water recreation during summer months. At Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley, "the swimming 'lake' cools ya off" though one camper mentioned it can be "pretty dirty" after heavy use. The facility includes "two jumping decks, water slide, snack bar, restaurant and off to the side a little store for floats."
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Crabtree Falls Campground offers sites directly beside flowing water. Campers report, "The 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 visitor appreciated that "the campsites have trails that go directly to the river!"
Clean bathhouses: Several campgrounds maintain exceptional facilities. At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, the "bath house was very clean and very well thought out. Electric sites have 20a, 30a, and 50a hookups so small trailers can use a normal extension cord." Another camper noted it has "nice amenities including free hot showers."
Free camping options: Oronoco Campground provides no-cost sites near water. "It is rare that a campground is close to all the amenities it has to offer without moving your vehicle," one reviewer noted. Another camper described it as "nice and quiet, toilets available (though not very clean but good enough)."
What you should know
Cell coverage limitations: Most campgrounds report very limited connectivity. At Montebello Resort, campers warn "there is zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it's a bit of a drive." Even at more developed facilities like Devils Backbone Camp, service can be spotty.
Road access considerations: Mountain roads present navigation challenges, especially for larger vehicles. Specific routes make a significant difference: "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," one Montebello Resort visitor advised.
Weather preparation: Mountain elevation means rapid weather changes. At Sherando Lake Campground, "the weather was cooler than it usually is" during one summer visit. Pack appropriate clothing for temperature swings and potential rain, as "a sprinkle of leaves falling were everywhere and damp" even in early fall.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. Sherando Lake Campground features a "playground" that campers "enjoyed playing on" along with "skipping rocks, and fishing as well." One family mentioned, "Such a family-friendly campground."
Swimming areas: Family-friendly water features provide recreation for children. Walnut Hills Campground has a "nice pool" and "beautiful surroundings" with "lots to do as a family and everything is kept up nicely."
Kid-friendly hiking: Choose trails appropriate for children's abilities. One family at Sherando Lake noted, "We love the hiking here! The trails around the Upper Lake and Lower Lake are favorites." Another visitor recommended the "easy lakeside trail" for families with younger children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RVers report varying experiences with site layouts. At Walnut Hills Campground, "the sites along the lower area near the lake were shaded mostly, some more than others, while the sites up the hill at the top and near the front entrance (pull through sites) were not shaded much."
Hookup positioning: Pay attention to utility placement when booking. At Devils Backbone Camp, "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."
Leveling challenges: Some mountain campgrounds require additional equipment. A visitor to Devils Backbone noted that "some of the pads (#9 in our case) had a septic cap that was too high. We didn't have those things to raise the hose up, so I had to manually lift and empty the hose for the duration of our emptying."
