Camping sites near Bassett, Virginia range from 1,000-1,500 feet in elevation with moderate humidity throughout summer months. The region receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall annually, affecting trail conditions particularly during spring and fall seasons. Philpott Lake's 2,880 surface acres dominate the area's camping landscape, with most campgrounds offering varying degrees of lake access.
What to do
Disc golf at Chantilly Farm: The 9-hole disc golf course provides recreational options beyond hiking and water activities. "We always enjoy visiting the Salthouse Branch! Facilities are clean, staff is friendly and helpful, and we love the atmosphere in the lower loop!" notes a regular visitor to Salthouse Branch Campground.
Fairy Stone hunting: Search for the distinctive cross-shaped minerals at designated areas outside the park. "Perfect places for families. We loved all the ranger programs, especially finding all the fairy stones," reports a visitor to Fairy Stone State Park Campground.
Outdoor concerts: Seasonal orchestral and bluegrass performances enhance camping experiences. A visitor camping at Fairy Stone mentioned, "They had a concert going on somewhere at the park so we had some beautiful orchestral music playing as we were winding down for bed one night."
Astronomy: The limited light pollution makes stargazing productive. "Great for astronomy buffs," reports a reviewer at Rocky Knob Campground, noting the "wide open beautiful sites" provide excellent visibility.
What campers like
Privacy of terraced sites: The hillside construction creates natural boundaries between neighbors. "Loved the hillside spots bc of all the trees and the multiple levels that the spots are on. They are all built out and flat," explains a tent camper at Salthouse Branch.
Clean bathroom facilities: Many campgrounds receive praise for maintenance standards. "Bathhouse is the nicest one I've encountered with a very homey living room like entry, very nice, private bathrooms with showers, and a laundry room," notes a cyclist staying at Indian Heritage RV Park.
Reliable cell service at higher elevations: While most campgrounds have limited connectivity, certain locations offer better reception. "Make the hike up to Moore's Knob and you'll find decent cell phone reception, if need be," advises a Hanging Rock visitor.
Mountain biking access: The region offers various trail difficulty levels for cyclists. A Chantilly Farm camper mentioned that the venue has "acres of woods with hiking and mountain biking trails" directly accessible from the campground.
What you should know
Alcohol regulations: Rules vary significantly between facilities. "The police visited us bc we were drinking outside of our camper. He was very nice and explained no alcohol allowed. This is clearly stated and we were in the wrong," reports a Salthouse Branch camper.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigating narrow mountain roads. "The drive in from Hwy 220 on Henry Rd was good, once we turned on Knob Church Rd it was a bit tighter and hillier, so take it slow and easy," explains a visitor to Pop's Place in the Blue Ridge.
Limited connectivity: Prepare for a digital detox at most locations. "No Verizon service or WiFi. We go here to get away," states a camper at Fairy Stone State Park.
Unpredictable weather patterns: Mountain microclimates create variable conditions. A Rocky Knob camper noted that even when "it poured - for hours - but our site stayed dry for the most part. The tent pads at this campground are excellent and drain well - making that possible!"
Tips for camping with families
Free swimming access: Many campgrounds provide beach access with your stay. "There is a nice swimming area, boat ramp and dock in the loop," notes a visitor to COE Philpott Lake Goose Point Park, adding that "facilities are very nice and kept clean."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Camping areas support diverse animal spotting. "Whitetail deer mosey past your site and linger during the evening...ample squirrel and robins, woodpeckers and cardinals compete for air time. Skinks, newts and salamanders populate these wooded lands and scurry about," describes a family at Hanging Rock.
Ranger programs: Educational activities enhance family experiences. A Fairy Stone visitor shared: "We took to Fairystone for the maiden voyage of our pop up camper July 4th weekend... The programming was also amazing for our eight and four-year old boys. Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids."
Pack bug protection: Insect activity can be significant. A camper reported: "We would definitely be back to this site - but I recommend stronger bug spray. We all left with more bites that we usually do camping!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Most campgrounds accommodate moderate-sized RVs, but space varies. "Very nice and quiet place to spend a few days. Sites are a bit small for anything over 35' but we did mange our 41' in there... they do have some lrg back in FHU sites if you need but not many," advises a visitor to Salthouse Branch.
Weather preparation: The mountain location means preparing for temperature changes. "Our 40 ft rig is maybe not the right camper for this area but we enjoyed every minute of it!" notes a visitor to Pop's Place, suggesting smaller rigs may handle the terrain better.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide this service. "Convenient location for the Martinsville area... Everything works well. The WiFi is decent," mentions an RVer staying at Indian Heritage RV Park, appreciating the full hookups.
Seasonal site variations: Spring conditions differ from fall. "Loop C is tent only. Inner part of the loop sites are quite close to each other but have convenient access to bathhouse, which is kept pretty clean," notes an October visitor to Rocky Knob, appreciating the seasonal views.
