Camping opportunities near Hollins, Virginia concentrate along a section of the Blue Ridge Mountains where elevations range from 1,200 to 3,500 feet. The region experiences moderate summers with highs typically in the 80s and cool nights year-round. Most campgrounds in this area feature wooded settings with varying degrees of privacy between sites, often situated near bodies of water for recreation.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: At Douthat State Park Campground, campers can access multiple trails directly from their sites. "A quiet great place, we love to camp this park you have all you want if you love outdoors: lake, hiking trails, horseback riding trails, RV's site, tent site, cabins," notes one visitor who appreciated the park's comprehensive outdoor offerings.
Fishing opportunities: Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers lake fishing with convenient access points. "Each campground has a host and they have firewood for sale, so bring cash," advises a camper. Sites positioned directly on Lake Moomaw provide easy water access where "you can go fishing or swim. Bring water shoes, the rocks can be sharp."
Water recreation: Paddling options abound at multiple lakes. A visitor at Claytor Lake State Park describes their experience: "We paddled around the lake on Sunday; there are a couple of different boat launches in the park. The cliffs are freaking amazing from the launch closest to the park entrance. It's so beautiful on the water, especially this time of year."
What campers like
Peaceful waterfront sites: At Middle Creek Campground, campers value the creek-side camping options. "We had site #76 because the creek wound around the back of the campsite and had a gentle slope leading down to the creek. We knew our dogs would love splashing around in it!" explains a visitor who found the site spacious enough for various camping setups.
Family-focused amenities: Glamping close to Hollins, Virginia includes options like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge, where a camper reports, "We camped on a busy fall weekend. The campground has Halloween themed activities for kids on specific weekends. We were there for one of these weekends. It's geared for younger kids (10 and under)."
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide comfortable sites with good separation. At Smith Mountain Lake State Park, a camper observed, "Tent sites are large and a good distance apart. RV sites are good and have decent privacy. Power and water are reliable. There is one dumping station."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the area have limited connectivity. At Otter Creek Campground, "Nearest cell signal is about ten miles up at the House Mountain Overlook. Rangers on site were super sweet," reports a camper who appreciated the remoteness despite connectivity challenges.
Seasonal availability: Operating schedules vary significantly. Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground operates year-round, while Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge runs from April 1 to November 15. Some campgrounds reduce services during off-seasons despite remaining open.
Alcohol regulations: Rules differ between campgrounds. At Salthouse Branch Campground, a visitor notes: "The police visited us bc we were drinking outside of our camper. He was very nice and explained no alcohol allowed. This is clearly stated and we were in the wrong."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA offers family-friendly water options. "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. The campground itself has a pool, open seasonally, a game room, and a playground," shares a repeat visitor.
Proximity to attractions: Choose campgrounds near points of interest. One visitor to Chantilly Farm explains it's "located right outside of Floyd, VA and just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a beautiful venue with rolling grassy hills and acres of woods with hiking and mountain biking trails."
Off-grid experiences: Some camping spots offer opportunities to disconnect. At Otter Creek, a visitor describes it as "Beautiful and Basic. Tent pads looked like cement or sand in the photos but they are soft dirt based. Exceptional Park Service and Camp Guide. Water and toilets were available and clean."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Salthouse Branch Campground, RVers should note sizing limitations. "Sites are a bit small for anything over 35' but we did mange our 41' in there... they do have some lrg back in FHU sites if you need but not many," advises an RVer who successfully navigated the size constraints.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. One RVer cautions about Salthouse Branch: "The roads going into the campground is very narrow and steep up and downs. My breaks were gone by the time I got to the entrance. Mostly boaters go here to camp and mostly locals."
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups are standard at most sites, but sewer connections are limited. A visitor to Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA shared: "Level site with good drainage made this a nice spot for a 3-day rest during a time of limited personal mobility. Washrooms are at quite a distance from this site so we were glad to be completely self-contained."
