Montebello Resort sits at 2,800 feet elevation in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Fall brings dense fog to the area from late September through early November, affecting early morning visibility on forest roads. Tent camping areas near the small lake often fill completely on summer weekends despite the remote location's lack of cell service.
What to do
Fishing without a license: Montebello Resort maintains a stocked trout pond where guests pay per pound for their catch. One visitor noted, "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."
Watercraft rentals: Montebello Resort provides free kayaks and paddle boats for use on the small lake. A camper shared, "The other lake on the property is a nice place to walk, the campsite provides kayaks and paddle boats as well, at no charge."
Local hikes: Access to Crabtree Falls and Spy Rock trails sits within minutes of most campgrounds. "Crab tree falls and spy rock are both really nice hikes right in the area," explains a camper who visited in October during fall colors.
Brewery visits: Several breweries operate within driving distance. A reviewer mentioned, "Bold rock hard cidery is about 40 minutes from the campground," offering a refreshing post-hike destination.
What campers like
Primitive campsites: Walk-in tent sites at Otter Creek Campground provide streamside camping. A visitor wrote, "The creek ran right through our spacious and secluded site. It was quiet and serene- just what we were looking for before heading back to city life."
Off-grid experience: The remote nature of camping around Montebello means disconnecting completely. A camper noted, "Great campground. Very quiet, clean and right off of 81. Great place to stop on a southern trip. Pool was clean and bath house was newer and very clean."
Mountain access: Stoney Creek Resort provides a convenient base for Blue Ridge exploration. According to a visitor, "Beautiful surroundings. No phone signal and wifi was a joke but that's not a bad thing!"
Lake swimming: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas during summer months. One reviewer commented, "Great swimming lake. Family friendly," making it ideal for cooling off during hot weather.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is virtually nonexistent at most campgrounds near Montebello. A camper reported, "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."
Weather changes: At higher elevations, temperatures drop significantly at night even in summer. Pack layers and be prepared for temperature swings of 20+ degrees between day and night.
Seasonal amenities: Walnut Hills Campground operates different features depending on the time of year. A visitor observed, "Located within minutes of I81. We stopped for 2 nights to see the Shenandoah National Park on our way to NC. Called last minute and got a site. Very nice customer service."
Reservation timing: The most desirable sites book months in advance for summer and fall weekends. One experienced camper advised, "Originally I picked this place because most of the other campgrounds in the area were already booked up. We went in the middle of October when the leaves were changing in Virginia."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park focuses on family entertainment. A parent shared, "There were a ton of things for the kids to do here which was great. I really enjoyed the water park myself as it was in the high 90's/low 100's when we were there."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds prioritize bathroom cleanliness. According to one visitor, "Bathrooms were very clean! Would be really nice come the summer for sure."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer playgrounds for younger children. One family mentioned, "There are also a couple of playgrounds, two bouncy pads, basketball court, and gaga ball. During peak season there is also a water play area with a waterslide and mini golf."
Seasonal activities: Fall brings special events to many campgrounds. A visitor explained, "We had a great weekend with the whole family! There was a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging, laughing, loving, and hanging out!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain require leveling equipment. A reviewer at Crabtree Falls Campground noted, "The sites were a little tight. The amenities like paddle boats and kayaks were a fun addition to the site pay. The lake is small but nice."
Road access considerations: The mountainous terrain creates challenging driving conditions for larger rigs. A visitor advised, "Be aware; VA56 is a very windy road not recommended for pulling a camper through. Use the blue ridge parkway."
Hookup locations: Some sites have unusual utility placements. A camper explained, "This place was certainly beautiful; our site was right on the pond; even though the electric and water hookups were a little funky."
Site size variations: Campgrounds often have sites of varying sizes without clear indications online. One RVer shared, "Our site was at the end of a row, which made it great for taking the dogs on little walks away from the campsite."
