Claytor Lake State Park Campground serves as a year-round destination for glamping close to Staffordsville, Virginia. The park sits on a 4,500-acre reservoir at an elevation of approximately 1,900 feet. Winter temperatures average between 30-50°F while summer months typically range from 65-85°F with moderate humidity compared to other parts of Virginia. Campsites are strategically positioned to balance lakeside access with tree coverage.
What to do
Hiking access year-round: Claytor Lake State Park Campground maintains well-marked trails that connect directly to campsites. "Small but nice. Did some Jeep camping here in November. Nice bathroom facilities and showers. Very clean. Hiking trails all accessible from the camp areas. My spot had electric and water hook ups," notes Kristina D.
Mountain biking on maintained trails: Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground provides acres of trails specifically designed for mountain bikes. "It is a beautiful venue with rolling grassy hills and acres of woods with hiking and mountain biking trails. They have full hookup RV sites along with dry ones and multiple tent camping options! They also have free wifi along with a brand new 9 hole disc golf course," reports Stafford W.
Fishing with minimal equipment: Several stocked fishing options exist within short driving distance. "Gatewood Park & Reservoir Campground offers excellent fishing for those who enjoy water activities," shares Stephen from Gatewood Park. "Bear county. Beautiful park with ample size sites a little tight. Water and electric. Dump station, Canoe rentals, paddle board rentals, cabins and marina. Wonderful trails," notes John R.
What campers like
Quiet wooded settings: Fort Chiswell RV Park offers unexpected seclusion despite interstate proximity. "One mile off the Interstate, but you would never know it! A large hill at the west side of the park blocks most of the noise. There's even cows on the hill! Super nice people that run it, as well as the campers visiting," explains Cat R.
Resort-like amenities: Wytheville KOA provides unexpected entertainment options. "This Campground is my favorite campground by far and I've only spent 15 minutes here. Customer Service was amazing!!! And most of us have been on the Road for long periods of time so it's important," writes MsTrailBlazer.
Campsite privacy options: Certain sites offer more seclusion than others. "Claytor Lake was a great campground for families. We hiked, played at the lake and attended the roving ranger talks. The bathrooms and shower facilities were clean and convenient to our campsite. The campsite was large and quiet which was nice. It felt somewhat private because of the trees and design of the site," explains Angela J.
What you should know
Internet connectivity varies: Gatewood Park & Reservoir Campground has no cellular coverage but compensates with improved WiFi. "We've stayed here twice now, and plan on staying again whenever we're passing through. Women's side of bathhouse could use an update but it's clean and well maintained. This is a small place and was mostly full in early April. There's no cell service but they upgraded the WiFi and it's very good," reports Nora M.
Reservation planning essential: Many sites book quickly, especially during summer and weekends. "This campground is miles from anywhere so make sure you have what you need or the trip into town will take a while," adds Nora M.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for proper setup. "Many sites looked like it may take some work to get level. We were in site 20 with a 23 ft TT and got level fairly easily but a longer rig may have difficulty in that site," notes Adam and Suzanne B.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning for children: Little Beaver State Park Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "I enjoyed this campground. A nice playground for children. Lots of deer about. The tent sites have water, fire ring, table and nice shade. Lots of lovely trails to explore. It was quiet and super clean," shares Michelle W.
Budget-friendly entertainment: Several campgrounds include on-site activities at no additional cost. "This is a nice little campground. Fun for everyone," notes Matt H. about family amenities.
Temperature variations: Pack appropriate clothing for significant day-to-night temperature swings, especially in spring and fall. "Just spent a week with these guys...Great people..Great campground," shares Don B. about Chantilly Farm's seasonal comfort.
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: Fancy Gap-Blue Ridge Parkway KOA requires navigation awareness. "We stayed here for vacation last year. There's a nice dog park, and the facilities are clean. My only negative was that they had us camp up on the top of the hill and it was difficult to navigate back down, with some very sharp turns for our fifth wheel," warns Megan B.
Full hookup availability: Confirm utilities before booking when glamping around Staffordsville, Virginia. "We had site B9 which was near a group site - so be mindful of this! During our trip it was full of loud and unsupervised kids. We paddled around the lake on Sunday; there are a couple of different boat launches in the park," advises RL.
Dump station locations: Plan waste management carefully. "Dump site was a little different. Had to make a uturn to get in to dump. I'd like to go back and spend some more time there," notes Charlie W.
