Smith Mountain Lake State Park features diverse camping options for visitors seeking different experiences. The park offers a range of tent sites and RV sites with water and electric hookups. Several campers note the park's well-maintained facilities and spacious camping areas. The tent sites are large with good separation between sites, while RV sites have reliable utilities. Many sites provide direct access to the lake's edge, with some offering direct views of the water.
What to do
Night sky viewing: Smith Mountain Lake State Park's limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. One camper observed, "boy are there some amazing stars out here," making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.
Kayaking on calm waters: Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers kayak rentals and access to peaceful paddling routes. A visitor shared, "I came here and it was so beautiful. i don't know if you can camp here because I only came here to kayak. The water was calm and is perfect for everyone who is into water sports."
Hiking with lake views: The trail system at Smith Mountain Lake provides consistent water vistas. According to one hiker, "I just stopped in for the day and did some hiking. Loved that I could see water from almost every trail. The black locusts were in bloom which smelled wonderful."
Mountain biking trails: Chantilly Farm has a new disc golf course and mountain biking trails through wooded areas. A visitor noted, "It is a beautiful venue with rolling grassy hills and acres of woods with hiking and mountain biking trails."
Fish for trout: Douthat State Park offers stocked fishing opportunities. A camper explained, "It's $8 a day for a fishing pass and you can rent John boats or kayaks here as well. In season the lake and creek are stocked with plenty of Rainbow trout."
What campers like
Lake swimming access: Middle Creek Campground provides multiple water recreation options. A family reported, "They had a fishing pond, lake to swim in with fun inflatable slides and trampoline and a pool. We made use of all them during our stay. The lake was super fun and such a cool idea to have the slides and trampolines."
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds near Cedar Bluff offer good site separation. One camper at Smith Mountain Lake noted, "These campsites are close enough to the showers/restrooms without compromising all of your privacy. Sites are close enough to meet the neighbors though."
Fall foliage viewing: The Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds showcase spectacular autumn colors. A visitor to Otter Creek Campground shared, "The creek ran right through our spacious and secluded site. It was quiet and serene- just what we were looking for before heading back to city life."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in this region maintain good standards. A camper at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA observed, "The private shower rooms are nice and clean. They do trash pickup and deliver firewood."
Glamping close to Cedar Bluff, Virginia: Fairy Stone State Park Campground offers comfortable yurt accommodations. One glamper described, "The Yurt overall was very clean and cozy. They have a nice large deck that is great for hanging out on while the kids were asleep."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many parks in the region have poor connectivity. At Middle Creek Campground, one camper warned, "Poor cell reception, no tv. A forced off the grid experience."
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures can reach the high 90s. A visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge noted, "I really enjoyed the water park myself as it was in the high 90's/low 100's when we were there."
Reservation timing: State parks fill quickly during peak seasons. At Smith Mountain Lake, sites require advance planning, especially for premium locations with lake views.
Wildlife awareness: Bear sightings occur in this region. A Claytor Lake visitor mentioned, "Bear county. Beautiful park with ample size sites a little tight."
Alcohol regulations: Some parks have strict policies. At Salthouse Branch Campground, one camper reported, "The police visited us bc we were drinking outside of our camper. He was very nice and explained no alcohol allowed."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly programming: Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA offers structured activities. A visitor noted, "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."
Themed weekend events: Several campgrounds host special family weekends. A camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park shared, "We had a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging, laughing, loving, and hanging out!"
Fairy stone hunting: Unique geological formations provide educational opportunities. A family visitor to Fairy Stone State Park said, "Perfect places for families. We loved all the ranger programs, especially finding all the fairy stones."
Multiple play areas: Campgrounds often feature multiple recreation options. At Middle Creek, a visitor observed, "They had a fishing pond, lake to swim in with fun inflatable slides and trampoline and a pool."
Luxury glamping options near Cedar Bluff: For families wanting comfort with outdoor access, yurt accommodations provide space. A Fairy Stone visitor explained, "The inside of the Yurt has a full size bed with a twin sized trundle bed that rolls under the full. It also had some rocking chairs inside, a small table and chairs, and a couch."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Salthouse Branch Campground requires careful planning for larger rigs. An RVer advised, "Sites are a bit small for anything over 35' but we did manage our 41' in there... they do have some large back in FHU sites if you need but not many."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approaches. One RVer at Salthouse Branch cautioned, "The roads going into the campground is very narrow and steep up and downs. My breaks were gone by the time I got to the entrance."
Pull-through availability: For easier setup, some campgrounds offer convenient access. A Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA visitor noted, "Lots of pull thru sites, full hook up, even have dog park and laundry."
Hookup reliability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. At Smith Mountain Lake, a camper reported, "Power and water are reliable. There is one dumping station."
Campground layout navigation: Some parks have complex layouts. At Fairy Stone State Park, visitors recommended, "Overall the campground is pretty big and a bit of a maze getting around, we needed to use the park map a lot!"
