Nellysford sits within the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains at approximately 700 feet elevation, with nearby peaks reaching over 3,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F while fall brings cooler conditions and vibrant foliage colors. Campsites throughout the region vary significantly in elevation and terrain, with many offering creek or river access.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Visit Crabtree Falls Campground where the namesake falls are just a mile up the road from camp. "Crabtree Falls is a great hike and there are lots of services nearby. A great Parkway stop," notes a visitor. The waterfall trail is accessible year-round with multiple viewing platforms.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds feature private fishing areas. At Stoney Creek Resort, "There is a very nice playground and a pet exercise area. You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything," reports one camper. Licenses are required for all fishing in Virginia waters.
Brewery visits: Camp at Devils Backbone Camp for direct access to craft beer. "You are a quick walk to the brewery and café, where you can grab breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is nice and dark at the campground, so great for star watching," mentions a review. The property also features two hiking trails (3km and 5km loops).
What campers like
Clean facilities: Sherando Lake Campground receives high marks for maintenance. "The campsites are equipped with bear boxes, a picnic table, a tall prep table, and a fire ring. It's a sandy dirt surface to put your tent on," shares a regular visitor. The campground features hot showers and flush toilets despite being in a National Forest setting.
Swimming options: Natural water features provide relief from summer heat. "The lake is beautiful! It's a decent walk from the campground but we usually walk down in the morning and spend all day there," mentions one Sherando Lake camper. Other campgrounds like Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley offer swimming lakes with beach areas.
Privacy between sites: Site separation varies significantly across campgrounds. At Crabtree Falls Campground, "Sites are right on the river, we had a walk-in which gave us some extra privacy. Beautiful area for hiking, lots leading off of the AT." Site selection becomes critical during busy seasons for those seeking seclusion.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Mountain elevation means unpredictable conditions. A Devils Backbone camper noted, "First time camping here in RV. Run/hiked the AT to Hanging Rock. Bath house was warm and clean! Quiet but quite a few other friendly after Christmas rv campers. Great time, just wish the rain would have held off!"
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active in the region. A camper at Sherando Lake reported, "A young bear was repeatedly visiting site A9 up the road from me and I had to chase him off when he came near my site!" Most established campgrounds provide bear boxes or have specific food storage regulations.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely. At Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park near Staunton, visitors report "Wifi is free and open so no password and therefore, not secure," while at Sherando Lake, campers note it's "sufficiently remote to require a car ride to find cell and internet access."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Consider campgrounds with dedicated children's areas. At Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley, "There is also a huge playground with volleyball and basketball court near the pavilion. Along with a small arcade room and a huge fire pit ring to hang out at."
Swimming beaches: Water features provide entertainment for children. "Really cool set up clean campground. The people are nice and so are the views. The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" advises a Walnut Hills camper.
Accessibility factors: Note distance between facilities. At Crabtree Falls Campground, "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. The campground did have facilities that were about a quarter mile walk away from our sites; this is something to consider if you are camping with older folks or children."
Tips from RVers
Hookup configuration challenges: RV sites near Nellysford, Virginia often have unusual hookup arrangements. At Devils Backbone Camp, one camper noted, "If you stay at a full hook up site and are parked in an odd number spot, you will need an extra long sewer hose to reach the connection. For example, we have a small travel trailer and we needed a 30 foot hose."
Levelness issues: Mountain terrain creates challenges at some campgrounds. "Our site was not level and it took us an hour to get our rig set up," reported an RVer at Stoney Creek Resort. Consider bringing additional leveling blocks when camping in this region.
Site selection for shade: RV camping in summer requires careful site selection. 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."
