132 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Montebello, Virginia sits in a scenic portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains with several campground options ranging from developed sites to dispersed camping areas. Montebello Resort provides tent and RV camping with full hookups, cabin rentals, and access to fishing ponds and small lakes. Crabtree Falls Campground offers waterfront sites along a river with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Spy Rock, a more primitive dispersed camping area, requires hiking to reach the campsites and provides no amenities but offers exceptional mountain views. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs nearby, connecting these camping destinations to hiking trails and scenic overlooks throughout the region.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak activity from April through October. Road access varies significantly between developed campgrounds and backcountry sites. "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," advised one visitor about reaching Montebello Resort. Cell phone coverage is extremely limited or nonexistent at many sites, particularly at Montebello Resort and the higher-elevation areas. The region experiences typical mountain weather patterns with cooler temperatures even in summer months, especially at higher elevations like Spy Rock. Advance reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds during summer weekends and fall foliage season.
Campers frequently mention the peaceful water features as highlights of their stays in the area. At Montebello Resort, the small fishing lake and pond provide recreation opportunities, with the campground offering complimentary kayaks and paddle boats. A recent review noted, "The trout pond is a nice touch - you can fish without a license, and you pay for what you catch." Sites along rivers at Crabtree Falls Campground are particularly popular, with one camper writing, "We love staying right on the creek, the view and sound of it is the best." Many visitors appreciate the proximity to hiking trails, including the nearby Crabtree Falls and Spy Rock trails that offer panoramic mountain views. The primitive camping at Spy Rock requires more effort but rewards campers with 360-degree views of the Shenandoah Valley from atop the mountain.
"Sherando Lake is a well-maintained, popular campground located in the George Washington National Forest near Lyndhurst, VA."
"The lakeside is wonderful for sitting, reading and swimming. The "upper lake" is great for fishing. "
from $25 - $47 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 - $140 / night
Check Availability"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."
"I’ve camped at a completely different part of this place before which was a site without access to bathrooms and showers."
from $28 - $55 / night
Check Availability"You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything. Wifi is free and open so no password and therefore, not secure. Trash picked up each day."
"Good location close to I81 but little road noise. I did hear a train."
from $45 - $99 / night
Check Availability"Montebello is a lovely campground. There are tent, RV sites and cabins with campground bathroom. There are showers, slop sink and laundry."
"This is one of Virginia’s best kept secrets for Cabins, RV or Tent camping. The location is awesome; close to some great hiking spots, very accessible & well laid out."
from $38 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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."
"And of course their lake that has two jumping decks, water slide, snack bar , restaurant and off to the side a little store for floats with putt putt golf and Jenna,etc."
"Lots for them to do, great swimming lake, employees were a pleasure. Trash pick-up was awesome !! Our site was gorgeous. Not a full hook up(more on that later), but absolutely perfect."
from $29 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The views from atop Spy Rock are some of the best in Virginia, and the campsite is one of my favorites. You hike in and there is a decent sized area to set up tents."
"Spy Rock is this awesome hike about an hour away from Charlottesville, Va. It is a great hike with a small rock scramble at the top for an extra bit of fun."
"Beautiful surroundings. No phone signal and wifi was a joke but that's not a bad thing!"
"Ate at their on-site restaurant while a local band played outside. Mostly used by local folks as a seasonal CG. Lots of semi-permanent fixtures attached to rigs. Did get a PassPort America discount."
"The winding layout allowed for more distance between other sites. The woods were beautiful with easy walking trails right from the site."
"Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field. Bath house was very clean and very well thought out."
from $35 - $75 / night
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TravelerDispersed camping beyond the actual quarry. A lot of rain occurred in the days prior but on my visit over two days. Bright and sunny. However, it was a lot of road wash out and a lot of standing water as you made your way toward dispersed spots. Apparently, I was the only one there, because they were many, many spots open for camping. Nice pre-visited sites and was able to camp near running stream.
TravelerYou read that right. All the plans to arrive earlier went out the window and I pulled into the road well after sunset. Able to navigate well enough with recent rainfalls so road was pitted and rocky. Somewhat drove past lake and found pre-utilized spot. Nice ground for set up and plenty of room for vehicle in/egress. The 2:20am howl of the eastern coyote caught me off guard; definitely inside a mile. He traveled because at 2:40am he met his buddies and had a howl-fest in the far distance. By day light I was able to explore and see some great lake sites you would enjoy. Highly recommended. No cell service.
TravelerVery disappointed in our recent four-night stay at Misty Mountain Campground this October.
Prior to our arrival, both my husband and I made numerous attempts to verify our site and reservation details. My husband called for five consecutive days and left messages each time, and I sent an email; however, we received no response.
When we arrived, the check-in process was extremely frustrating. I was initially told we had no reservation. After explaining that I was part of a wedding group, had already paid, and had been assigned a site number, the registration staff member continued to insist the reservation could not be found. After being ignored for 10 minutes and having to explain the situation again, she located our booking, but assigned us to the wrong site.
Additionally, the site and facilities fell far below expectations for an "RV Resort":
Overall, the lack of communication, poor customer service, and substandard conditions made for a very negative experience. I hope they deal with their issues because it is a lovely area.
ScoutWe were on our way to Arizona and needed to stop for the night the staff were very kind in holding a pull through spot for us with no more than my name on arrival the campground is awesome for the money.
GuideOverall the sray here has been decent. Shower house is clean. Nice trail around the "big lake". And staff are very friendly. Roads need some work. There a re a lot of washout areas, still can travel through, but a little sketchy with motorhome. We liked our site because it was easy access to get back out on the country road. The laundry has 2 washers, but one is broken. There is a nice pool, but it was too cold for us to swim. Very dog friendly. One of the trails shown on the map was not accessible so we had to turn around. Overall we will be back
RangerNo other available sites, so used tent site 35 parking spot to stay in campervan. Worked fine. Nice campground. Saw at least 10 deer along sides of road from entrance to campsite.
GuideStopped here on my trip from Cherokee NC to Front Royal VA on the Blue ridge parkway and skyline drive. As in most NPS campgrounds, there are no hookups but the campground was nice and the weather was great. No AC needed.
GuideThe campground is nice but needs a little upkeep. It is apparent from the algae and moss on the buildings that it's a very damp area. The restroom facilities were working but needed touched up All in all it was ok for a nights stay and the lake and sharp top mountain were incredible despite the little issues I wouldn't hesitate to come back.
RangerCool campground in a remote part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As such, very little phone service and lots of narrow, winding roads. Plenty of hikes and several interesting little towns within 30 minutes. I thought it was an interesting mix! We had a power outage during our visit, which also eliminates water access at this site. I was grateful to have an inverter to keep us online since there is zero AT&T service. I had a pull-through site and I'm not certain that I could have made the exit if the campers ahead of me didn't leave.
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.
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."
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)."
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.
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.
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Montebello, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Montebello, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 132 campgrounds and RV parks near Montebello, VA and 18 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Montebello, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Montebello, VA is Sherando Lake Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Montebello, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 free dispersed camping spots near Montebello, VA.
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