Camping in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills near Newport, Virginia offers sites ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 feet elevation with diverse terrain options. The region experiences mild spring and fall temperatures ranging from 50-75°F, making April through October the peak camping season. Winter camping is available at select locations, though night temperatures can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fish local stocked waters: At Montebello Resort, the trout pond provides guaranteed catches for families. "The trout pond is not what they make it out to be on the website. It's a very small pond with zero shade at the entrance of the resort. It is not catch and release, it is catch and keep, whatever you catch, you pay for power pound," explains one visitor to Montebello Resort.
Hike mountain trails: Crabtree Falls Campground offers direct access to multiple trail networks. "Crabtree Falls is a mile up the road and very easy to get to the trail head. The AT is also close by and easily accessed," notes a camper at Crabtree Falls Campground.
Paddle on mountain lakes: Douthat State Park provides kayak and John boat rentals for lake exploration. "There are many camping areas in the park, Some near creeks and on the lake as well. There are also cabins here! Plenty of picnic areas and great fishing as well! It's $8 a day for a fishing pass and you can rent John boats or kayaks here as well," describes a visitor to Douthat.
Mountain biking: Trail networks offer routes for various skill levels. "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!"
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Wake up to natural water sounds at Crabtree Falls. "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," shares a camper at Crabtree Falls Campground.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent washroom standards. "The bathrooms & private showers were amazing & clean. The laundry room looked just as nice, but we didn't use it," reports a visitor to Natural Bridge KOA.
Off-grid seclusion: Limited cell service creates true disconnect opportunities. "This place was certainly beautiful; our site was right on the pond; even though the electric and water hookups were a little funky. Overall a beautiful spot high in the mountains. Be aware; there is zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it's a bit of a drive."
On-site entertainment: Jellystone Park offers extensive recreation options. "It has all the bells and whistles you'd hope for at a Jellystone. It sounds like staffing has been challenging but the fellow campers and wonderful staff that are here make it well worth staying. We partook in all we could and enjoyed the swimming hole, pool, splash pad, jumping pillow and arcade," describes a family at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many glamping sites close during winter months. "We only stayed 1 night as we were passing through to our final destination. Staff was very friendly and the park was one of the cleanest parks I've been to. The bath houses were pristine," reports a visitor to Walnut Hills Campground.
Elevation impacts: Mountain campgrounds experience temperature variations. "We stayed here 4 days and 3 nights in November. We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing)."
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Backcountry glamping lacks full services. "Needed an overnight stay late on a Saturday afternoon and got in here. They had brand new premium pull through sites that were amazing! Big patios, bbq grill, tables, fire pit. It was a quiet, well laid out and easy to manage in our 36 ft trailer."
Road access considerations: Some routes are challenging for larger vehicles. "VA56 is a very windy road not recommended for pulling a camper through. Use the blue ridge parkway."
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Jellystone Park provides structured recreation programs. "A great place!! Right next to the James River for all of your fishing needs. Have a pool, splash pad, pond/lake with a slide, beach, inflatable obstacle course, have an arcade room, and 2 additional water slides. But what really makes this place is the staff. Rec staff had awesome activities planned and kept the kids entertained all week with kick ball and karaoke and shaving cream wiffle ball and dance parties."
Water recreation options: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming opportunities. "There is a pool and they also sell propane. Due to the COVID rules their pool may not be open 2020. Friendly staff and very quiet for overnighters. Easy access from I-85."
Pet-friendly sites: Most campgrounds welcome four-legged family members. "Normally we camp with our tent, but we decided to make the trip to check out Natural Bridge State Park at the end of December. Never quite sure what the weather is like we were able to get a one room camping cabin. It was perfect for our family of three plus two dogs."
Proximity to attractions: Plan day trips to nearby sites. "This KOA is one of our favorites. Open year round. Very clean showers. Pool and activities for kids. Close to Lexington with vineyards, restaurants and antique shops. Next door to the drive thru zoo and near Natural Bridge."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Request appropriate spaces for your rig size. "All are back in and some can be difficult due to some trees but all are manageable and they base your site based on your rig size so they know their site sizes well," explains a visitor to Stoney Creek Resort.
Hookup locations: Check connection placement before setting up. "Our site 112 had water, 50amp and cable. Dump station on premises. Nice dog park for our fur babies and doggie duty stations with bags in several locations throughout the park."
Seasonal campground conditions: Weather impacts facility operations. "Booking was easy. Arrived after hours, staying one night. Our tag was waiting for us with a map to our RV spot with E/W by the creek and pond. It was off season, so plenty of spots and privacy. Looks like a fun place with lots of activities to come back to over the summer."
Highway access: Some locations provide easy interstate connections. "Located within minutes of I81. We stopped for 2 nights to see the Shenandoah National Park on our way to NC. Called last minute and got a site. Very nice customer service. Grounds were very well kept."
