Montvale, Virginia sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at approximately 1,200 feet elevation. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F, while fall brings cooler weather with average highs in the 60s. During peak season from May through September, campgrounds throughout Bedford County experience higher occupancy, particularly on weekends when visitors seek relief from urban areas.
What to do
Hiking Sharp Top Trail: At Peaks Of Otter Campground, visitors access several mountain trails. "Sharp top and flat top hikes were beautiful, but slightly difficult so just be prepared. Also bring bug spray because the flies were terrible at the top," notes one camper. The trail climbs approximately 1,340 feet in elevation over 1.5 miles.
Local festivals and events: Glen Maury Park hosts several cultural events throughout camping season. "There are many activities such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival. This year they built large models of the twin towers and had a program about them on September 11th," writes one visitor. Most events run May through October.
Disc golf and outdoor games: Several campgrounds offer recreational activities on-site. "They have a nice little camp store in case you forget anything. Frisbee golf and cornhole is available too!" reports a camper at Chantilly Farm. The 9-hole course is free for guests and requires no reservation.
What campers like
Riverside camping: The Maury River flows through camping areas offering water recreation. "The pool is very large, very clean, and has a diving board. And there's a wonderful swimming hole if you can find it," mentions a Glen Maury Park reviewer. River access points typically feature shallow, rocky shorelines suitable for wading.
Mountain views: Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground & Event Venue offers elevated camping areas with panoramic views. "We were on top of a hill with other RVs with gorgeous views and sunsets. The grounds were very well kept and mowed," writes one visitor. Premium view sites cost approximately $5-10 more per night than standard sites.
Pool facilities: Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools for summer use. A visitor to Sweetwater RV Park shares, "The pool was great for my son and we had it to ourselves multiple days." Most pools operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies dramatically throughout the region. At Love's RV Hookup-Elliston, one camper reported specific measurements: "T-Mobile - 4 bar 5g 300+mbps, Starlink - 30-40 mbps, ATT 5G 4 bars - 60-70mbps." Connectivity decreases significantly in mountain valleys.
Variable water pressure: Water systems at some campgrounds experience pressure fluctuations. "Our visit is pre Memorial Day so it is low key. 80-90% of sites are 30 Amp. Limited 50 amp," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Lynchburg. Water pressure typically drops during peak usage times (7-9am and 7-9pm).
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds close during winter months. Thousand Trails Lynchburg operates "April 28 to October 29" while Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA remains open year-round. Winter camping options decrease by approximately 60% between November and March.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible playgrounds: Don's Cab-Inns Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "Our family loved this campground! It has mountain bike trails, a cool vintage village, access to the Roanoke River, an aerial obstacle course, and more cool stuff," writes a visitor. Most activities require additional fees ranging from $5-25 per person.
Structured activities: Some campgrounds organize recreational programs for children. At Lynchburg/Blue Ridge Parkway KOA, "They had activities every day for the kids. As well as lots of unstructured activities. For example, they had a foosball table and a jumping pad. But they also had a 'color a sack' thing where the kids got a KOA canvas tote and access to fabric markers."
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. "Explore Park is, as far as I know, the only public park and campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway that isn't run by the National Park Service," notes a reviewer. Many parks offer junior ranger programs or nature talks during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Narrow approach roads: Larger RVs must navigate carefully to some campgrounds. "Getting there was quite a journey over narrow curvy roads but once there it was a nice area. We stayed in a full hookup site 8 on top of a hill overlooking other areas of the park," reports a camper at Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground.
Site configurations: RV sites near Montvale, Virginia often feature terraced layouts. At Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, "If we had camper with slide, we would not have been able to use our slide in this site." Request specific dimensions when booking.
Year-round options: RV travelers seeking winter camping have limited choices. "One of the few campgrounds open during the winter with facilities," writes a visitor to Don's Cab-Inns Campground. Most year-round RV sites maintain water systems with heating elements to prevent freezing.
