Camping near Crimora, Virginia offers direct access to the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 3,500 feet, creating distinct seasonal conditions for campers. The area experiences significant temperature drops during evenings, with 15-20°F differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures even in summer months. Water sources throughout local campgrounds frequently come from mountain springs or wells, creating cold drinking water regardless of season.
What to do
Hiking from camp: At Loft Mountain Campground, the Appalachian Trail runs directly through the grounds. "If you wanna hike somewhere, the AT runs right through the campground. The rangers and the host were super friendly and very helpful," notes Katrin M. about the accessible trail options.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Shenandoah Valley Campground maintains fishing areas for campers. Jerry G. reports, "Nice wooded campground, pretty cool water fall, lots of colorful bunnies, decent fishing in the pond."
Visit local breweries: Multiple breweries surround Crimora. "Walking distance to devils backbone brewery. Clean bathrooms. Close distance to hiking trails and other breweries and cideries. Close to humback rock, spy rock, crabtreefalls and many more trails to explore," shares Chyna K. about the convenient location of Devils Backbone Camp.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Sherando Lake receives consistent praise for maintenance. Stephanie J. reports, "The bathrooms are well-lit, the road is paved, and the sites are so well-maintained. This is where we typically chose to take friends if they were new to camping."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Big Meadows Campground offers frequent wildlife sightings. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," notes Veronica S. about the regular animal encounters.
Swimming options: Natural water features provide cooling spots during summer. One camper at Shenandoah Valley Campground shares, "Great 4 days on the Middle River. Quiet and relaxing," highlighting the waterfront recreation options.
Night sky viewing: Dark skies create stargazing opportunities. Cindy M. describes her experience: "The mountain remained fogged in for most of our stay, but hikes on the AT and Doyles Falls were stunning."
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Many campgrounds close during winter. "This campground is small and well-kept. It has an incredibly chill and laid-back vibe... It is very dark at the campground, so great for star watching," explains Erika S. about Devils Backbone Camp, which remains operational when others close.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly by location and carrier. "Cell service and wi-fi are spotty at best, but what do you expect? You are in the middle of the mountains," notes one Devils Backbone camper about the common communication challenges.
Weekend crowding: Expect significant population increases Friday through Sunday. Aly E. warns about Loft Mountain: "We stayed a Friday night and the group across from us yelled, laughed, partied the entire night til 5am. We didn't sleep at all."
Bear safety requirements: Food storage regulations are strictly enforced. Lisa M. cautions, "Bears actually frequent the area. 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!"
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with play facilities: Walnut Hills Campground offers dedicated family spaces. John D. notes, "Really cool set up clean campground. The people are nice and the so are the views. The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!"
Choose sites with good separation: Privacy matters with children. At Sherando Lake Campground, Katie M. explains, "The site is pretty secluded with trees, so you can't see your neighbors. The campground itself is very well maintained and clean."
Plan for variable weather: Mountain elevations cause rapid temperature changes. "It was a bit of a walk through lush greenery from the car to the tent site, but once there, you really feel like you are the only humans on the mountain," describes Cindy M. about finding sheltered camping spots.
Consider lake-adjacent sites: Water access entertains children. "We had a great site on the river. Spaces were small but big enough for all our equipment. They had an awesome pool that was heated, hot tubs, mini golf and good playgrounds. My kids were in heaven," reports Lo H.
Tips from RVers
Check hookup locations before setting up: Waynesboro North 340 Campground offers full hookups with specific layouts. Mike G. notes, "RV section is typical style in a large field. Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field. Bath house was very clean and very well thought out."
Prepare for uneven sites: Leveling equipment is essential at some locations. "Some sites are really close to the main office were check-in is, and can come quickly, as ours was. No big deal, and we should of looked at the site map closer, but heads up anyway," advises Ryan D. about navigating campground layouts.
Consider water hose length needs: Some sites have unusual utility placement. Robert explains about Devils Backbone Camp, "The power station was on the opposite side of the septic, so make sure you have a 30ft power cord at least!"
Check road conditions before large rig arrival: Mountain access roads have limitations. Gabe noted at Misty Mountain Camp Resort, "Great access, 30, 50, primitive, pull in, back in, cabin, pretty much full gamut. Quickly becoming a favorite."
