Natural Bridge Station sits within Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet, creating varied terrain for camping opportunities. Most campgrounds in this area operate seasonally with peak visitation from April through October when temperatures average between 70-85°F during the day. Water levels in creeks near campgrounds fluctuate seasonally, impacting both swimming access and ambient noise levels at creekside sites.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls: Crabtree Falls Campground serves as a convenient base for accessing one of Virginia's most impressive waterfalls. "The falls are a great hike and there are lots of services nearby. A great Parkway stop," notes one visitor about the nearby attraction.
Fishing in stocked waters: Several campgrounds offer on-site fishing or quick access to stocked streams. North Creek Campground provides direct stream access where anglers can catch trout. "Been going to this campground for over 40 years. Love that it is right beside a clean water supply with lots of trout," shares a frequent visitor.
Local wildlife viewing: Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA features farm animals on-site. "Chickens run free thru the campground," mentions one reviewer, while another notes they "have a petting zoo."
Explore Blue Ridge Parkway: The scenic drive is accessible from multiple area campgrounds. "They are literally right next to it," writes one visitor about Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA, adding "We did not think we would be able to squeeze it into the visit but it's hard to pass up."
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Many campers specifically seek sites adjacent to water for the ambiance. "The sites are very close to each other, there is a bath house available, camp sits on water front," notes one visitor about Glen Maury Park. At Crabtree Falls Campground, reviewers consistently mention the water: "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."
Digital disconnection: Some campgrounds offer a true escape from connectivity. "No electricity, no internet, and no phone signals—just pure nature," writes a camper at North Creek Campground. This creates what another reviewer called "a forced off the grid experience."
Private shower facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature individual bathroom units rather than communal facilities. Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA offers "Best bathhouse I've ever encountered with something like 7 unisex bathrooms each with their own shower."
Honor system conveniences: Several campgrounds operate on trust systems. One reviewer noted at Crabtree Falls Campground: "A lot of things are bought on the trust system (pay for what you use for firewood, put store items on a tab until check out)."
What you should know
Variable water pressure: Water service can be inconsistent at some RV parks in Natural Bridge Station. At Lynchburg NW Blue Ridge Parkway KOA, a camper noted: "My water pressure was good but talking to other campers, the farther away you get from the front of the park the worse the water pressure gets."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in this mountainous region require effort to level RVs. At Natural Bridge KOA, reviewers mention "it has some sites that are not level but can be leveled with some effort by the camper."
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities have reduced services in shoulder seasons. "In the shoulder season the campground isn't staffed often, but what do you expect when it's not busy?" explains a reviewer at Middle Creek Campground.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience highway noise. At North Creek Campground, a visitor noted: "Sites 1-5 is along North River Rd. Screened from rd in spring. Minimal traffic."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities beyond traditional pools. At Middle Creek Campground, "They had a fishing pond, lake to swim in with fun inflatable slides and trampoline and a pool. We made use of all them during our stay."
Entertainment amenities: Many campgrounds provide structured activities for children. "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," shares a visitor at Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Wildlife encounters: Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park offers opportunities for wildlife viewing: "If you want to see ducks… stay close to the pond," suggests one visitor, while others mention fishing opportunities in the on-site lake.
Kid-friendly hiking: The area offers hiking trails suitable for various ages. At Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, its proximity to Natural Bridge State Park means "a must see" experience is just minutes away according to reviewers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose sites carefully based on your specific needs. At Thousand Trails Lynchburg, "C Loop is very nice and in good condition, in comparison. Not a lot of 50 amps," advises an experienced camper.
Limited maneuverability: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. At Walnut Hills, a camper noted "the roads are very narrow. We can't even extend our awning due to through traffic."
Hookup placement issues: RV hookups are not standardized across parks. One reviewer at Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA mentioned: "Electric posts support four different sites, so needed to drag out the extension cord. But, power was good."
Site surface variations: Different campgrounds offer various pad types. At Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park, "premium sites" feature concrete pads, while others at Middle Creek Campground have "raised gravel tent platforms" that one camper appreciated because they "prevented us from flooding" during storms.
