Campsites near Roseland, Virginia sit within the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,500 feet. The area features a mix of hardwood forests, rolling hills, and mountain streams that provide natural boundaries between many camping areas. Fall temperatures typically range from 45°F to 70°F with summer highs reaching the upper 80s, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The area features several stocked fishing ponds and natural lakes. At Stoney Creek Resort, campers enjoy a "great swimming lake" that also offers "great fishing," according to visitors. The resort maintains a dedicated fishing pond separate from the swimming area.
Hiking trails: Multiple trail systems connect camping areas to the Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway. At Devils Backbone Camp, hikers can access "two hiking trails (one 3km and another 5km)" right from the campground. One camper mentioned they "hiked to Humpback Rocks which is a decent climb, so be prepared, but once you summit, the views are amazing."
Live entertainment: Many campgrounds feature weekend performances during the main camping season. At Glen Maury Park, "there are many activities such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival. This year they built large models of the twin towers and had a program about them on September 11th," noted one visitor. Regular weekend entertainment rotates through several parks from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Modern bathhouses and shower facilities receive frequent praise from visitors. At Sherando Lake Campground, the "shower houses are at the center of each loop and have been rebuilt to ACA standard with in the last five years." Another reviewer pointed out that "it's rare that a campground is close to all the amenities it has to offer without moving your vehicle but Sherando Lakes is one of them."
Lake swimming: Natural swimming areas provide relief during summer months without the chlorine of pools. Campers at Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley appreciate the "great swimming lake" that "cools ya off" during hot summer days. The lake features "two jumping decks, water slide, snack bar, restaurant and off to the side a little store for floats with putt putt golf."
Brewery access: Several campgrounds offer direct walking access to local breweries. A visitor at Devils Backbone Camp noted that "a short walk through the tent area brought you to the large brewery area. This area includes a brewpub, large outdoor seating area with fire pits and an outdoor stage, a distillery, cigar and cocktail lounge."
What you should know
Mountain driving considerations: Many access roads require careful navigation. A visitor to Thousand Trails Lynchburg noted that "the A loop was in terrible shape as far as the roads go" while recommending the C Loop instead. Some campgrounds have "lots of road wash outs" after heavy rains, which can make navigation difficult for larger vehicles.
Variable electric capacity: Not all sites offer equal power capabilities. At Thousand Trails Lynchburg, visitors observed that "almost every site has a bag over there electricity. Limited 50 amps." During peak season, higher-amp sites fill quickly, making advance reservations essential for RVers with larger power requirements.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly by location and carrier. At Sherando Lake Campground, while "it is close to Waynesboro, Charlottesville and Roanoke, it is sufficiently remote to require a car ride to find cell and internet access." Most higher-elevation campgrounds maintain better connectivity than valley locations.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing: Educational opportunities abound with local fauna. At Staver Farm, trail cameras have documented "an increase in wildlife this past month (May 2023) Black Bear, Deer, Coyotes, Bobcats, & Turkeys," offering families potential wildlife viewing opportunities while maintaining safe distances.
Playground facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature child-friendly play areas. Glen Maury Park offers "a playground that is very nice" according to reviewers, and Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley includes "multiple playgrounds" throughout the property along with "a huge playground with volleyball and basketball court near the pavilion."
Booking timing: Family-friendly sites fill quickly during school breaks. For Sherando Lake Campground, "the window opens six months out and are usually booked for the high season summer months." For midweek stays with children, one visitor recommended "coming in the middle of the week is the best time if you like to have peace and quiet and the place all to yourself."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for proper RV setup. At Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley, one RVer needed assistance because "our site was not level and it took us an hour to get our rig set up." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended for most sites in the area.
Hookup configurations: Pay attention to utility placement when booking. At Devils Backbone Camp, an RVer found "the hookups in this area were different than I have ever experienced as the hookups were shared between two sites. If you were on an even number site, this was no problem. However, if you were on an odd number site, you either had to hope you had the length on your water and power lines to run to the opposite side of your rig or you had to pull into the site the opposite way."
Extension cord requirements: Electrical connections may require additional equipment. A visitor to Devils Backbone Camp advised bringing long power cords as "the power station was on the opposite side of the septic, so make sure you have a 30ft power cord at least!" Many sites throughout the region have similar placement issues requiring extensions.
