Campsites near Oriskany, Virginia provide primitive to semi-developed accommodations within the mountainous terrain of western Virginia. The area sits at elevations between 1,200-3,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal temperature variations with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F. Most camping options operate between April and October, with some locations completely closing during winter months due to snow accumulation and limited road maintenance.
What to do
Swimming at Lake Moomaw: Located near Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, the lake offers summer water activities with designated swimming areas. "The water was beautiful, temperature perfect for swimming... we rather enjoyed walking to the water from our site and having what seemed like our own little swimming spot," notes one camper who appreciated the lake access.
Hiking mountain trails: The area surrounding Peaks Of Otter Campground provides multiple elevation-gain trails with summit views. "Lots of hiking trails, but make sure you look at the map because we unfortunately did not look at it well enough and thought that the trail was a loop when it led to the opposite side of the mountain and we had to hitch hike back to the campsite," warns one visitor.
Creek exploration: Smaller waterways throughout the region provide quieter water experiences for families. One camper at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing shared, "Grab some lawn chairs and a cooler and let them play and explore for hours," describing how their family enjoyed the creek.
What campers like
Site privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp. "The site itself was private even though there are other sites around. Our boys loved playing in the stream and climbing the hill to get to our hammock on the site too," one reviewer explains about their experience.
Wildlife viewing: Natural areas around Oriskany support diverse animal populations. According to one camper at Douthat State Park, "We stopped here for the night on our way over to Johnson City from Shenandoah NP... The dogs were able to go swimming before the lake opened up in the morning and everything was very clean."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked fishing locations exist within a short drive. "In season the lake and creek are stocked with plenty of Rainbow trout. You can keep them for dinner if you like! Just follow all DNR laws on size and amount," advises a visitor regarding regulations.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Some campgrounds have significant terrain variations affecting site layout. At The Pines Campground, "level gravel pads on most sites" provide stable tent platforms, though some sites require preparation.
Road access limitations: Many camping areas require traveling on unpaved forest roads. One camper notes, "Hilly roads in and out of here but nothing the mini-van couldn't handle!" regarding access to Morris Hill Campground.
Water availability concerns: Water sources can be inconsistent or require treatment. "There is a water pump, but currently broken," reports one camper about facilities at The Pines Campground.
Shower facilities: Many primitive campgrounds lack showering options. A visitor mentioned, "Bathrooms were a little run down, but not bad, two toilets and one single shower," describing facilities at Morris Hill.
Tips for camping with families
Stream play areas: Look for sites with safe creek access for children. A family staying at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA appreciated that it "has a pool, open seasonally, a game room, and a playground. It's an old school playground but the kids love it."
Bathroom proximity: Select sites near restrooms for convenience with young children. "Our site was even and pretty basic despite having electricity. It was just across from the deluxe cabins and close to the restroom which I liked. Everything seemed well lit at night," notes one visitor.
Wildlife safety education: Prepare children for animal encounters. "Very territorial deer, will stalk you on way to dumpster!" warns one camper at Peaks of Otter, indicating wildlife is abundant but may need respectful distance.
Tips from RVers
Site length restrictions: Many campgrounds have limited spaces for larger RVs. One RVer suggested, "Call ahead about RV lengths to make sure you are booking the correct site for your size. I noticed more than a few people struggling with their units and some of this could have been avoided with proper booking."
Leveling challenges: Mountain terrain creates naturally uneven sites. "Most sites do kind of pair up so if you need more privacy then reserve the pair of sites. Otherwise most are pretty sizable. We reserved 35&36. 35 was pretty sloped but the gravel driveway wasn't too terribly unlevel," reports one RVer about their Morris Hill experience.
Seasonal access restrictions: Check road conditions before arriving with larger vehicles. A visitor mentioned "It is open year round" about Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, highlighting an important consideration since many forest service campgrounds close seasonally.
