Best Campgrounds near Rustburg, VA

Camping areas surrounding Rustburg, Virginia range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites in the George Washington National Forest. The region includes several developed options like Thousand Trails Lynchburg in Gladys and Paradise Lake Family Campground in Spout Spring, both offering tent and RV camping with various amenities. Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA provides cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping options. For those seeking a more rustic experience, dispersed camping is available in the George Washington National Forest off Route 812, where campers can enjoy a more primitive setting with fewer amenities but greater privacy.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with many open from spring through fall. Thousand Trails Lynchburg operates from April 28 to October 29, while the Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA remains open from March 18 to November 30. Otter Creek Campground along the Blue Ridge Parkway maintains a similar seasonal schedule from May to October. Campers should note that while established campgrounds typically offer amenities like drinking water, electric hookups, and sanitary facilities, dispersed camping areas generally lack these conveniences but compensate with natural settings and free access. A visitor to the area observed that "George Washington National Forest off 812 has drinking water and allows fires, with free camping and pet-friendly policies."

The Blue Ridge Parkway serves as a scenic corridor connecting several campground options near Rustburg. Peaks of Otter Campground at Milepost 85.9 and Otter Creek Campground at Milepost 60.9 both receive positive reviews for their natural settings. Water access represents a significant draw for many campsites in the region, with James River State Park offering camping near water. Red Oak Campground within the park provides electric hookups and water access, making it popular for families and those seeking moderate amenities. Campers particularly appreciate the privacy between sites at many locations. One review of Canoe Landing Group Campsite noted, "The campsites are far away from each other. Everything was very clean and taken care of. Our tents were very close to the lake so the dogs had fun and enjoyed swimming."

Best Camping Sites Near Rustburg, Virginia (80)

    1. Thousand Trails Lynchburg

    7 Reviews
    Rustburg, VA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "The campground is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiking trails (a plus!) but, definitely opt for a full hook-up site!"

    "This was the perfect spot to stay after a long drive. We saw bunnies and then lightening bugs. The pool was great for the kids."

    2. Paradise Lake Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Appomattox, VA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 993-3332

    "Has beautiful pool and lake, playground, arcade, and boat rentals. Fishing, hiking, basketball. Very friendly staff all the time."

    "The bathroom was a good walk up the hill so bring your bikes. We would definitely go back though!"

    3. Canoe Landing Group Campsite — James River State Park

    27 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    28 miles
    Website

    $15 - $80 / night

    "We spent one night with our dogs at the walk-in campground at James Lake. It is a wonderful piece of nature. The campsites are far away from each other. Everything was very clean and taken care of."

    "Campsite was right next to lake, beautiful views and easy water access. While we were there in April we only saw a couple other groups, and no other campers were anywhere near us."

    4. Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA

    14 Reviews
    Big Island, VA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 299-5228

    "We stopped here overnight on a trip from Chicago to Virginia Beach. We had reserved a pull through but were just short in length and had to disconnect the tow vehicle for the night."

    "There was plenty for kids to do playground, pool, jump pillow, fishing pond and hiking trails. The tent site was amazing right by the pond. The fire pit has a grate for cooking."

    5. Otter Creek Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    14 Reviews
    Big Island, VA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 299-5125

    $30 / night

    "Great all around virginia campsite"

    "Alternative to crowded Shenandoah campgrounds, although is a good drive away <60+ miles away from entrance."

    6. Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Penhook, VA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 297-6066

    $20 - $40 / night

    "This is a well maintained area with access to several hiking trails of all difficulty levels. The lake is beautiful and my entire family enjoyed our time!"

    "Stopping at Smith Mountain lake was well worth it during my mini road trip through VA. Pros: huge lake with tons of outdoor activities (trails for running/walking, boating activities, kayaking)."

    7. Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    23 Reviews
    Thaxton, VA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 586-7321

    $30 / night

    "Picked for price Quiet

    Enjoyed Blueridge parkway

    NIce retreat in SW Virginia"

    "It was a pull-through site with an additional area containing a picnic table and fire ring, accessible via a small set of steps up the hill."

    8. Red Oak Campground — James River State Park

    17 Reviews
    Greenway, VA
    28 miles
    Website

    $35 / night

    "Nice campground in line with expectations for most Virginia state parks."

    "This state park was a great find on my way south, Off the beaten path with plenty of river frontage and ponds around. There are plenty of places to fish!"

    9. Leesville Lake Campground, LLC

    4 Reviews
    Hurt, VA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 818-1177

    $55 / night

    "A short walk, even shorter drive to the dam and decent fishing at the boat ramp."

    "They walk you right to your site and help back you in! It's a 5 minute walk down to the lake."

    10. George Washington National Forest off 812

    12 Reviews
    Glasgow, VA
    28 miles
    Website

    "There are multiple spots along the road - some are drive in and some require you to park and walk in. Definitely get there early to get a prime spot."

    "There's access to the App Trail on the road so you might see some hikers but it was real quiet otherwise."

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Recent Reviews near Rustburg, VA

553 Reviews of 80 Rustburg Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Middle Creek Campground

    Beautiful and secluded

    Mostly seasonal campers, but an idyllic environment. I am parked alongside a babbling brook. Poor cell reception, no tv. A forced off the grid experience.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Paradise Lake Family Campground

    Not more than one night

    This is an older campground and shows its age…and wear. There are several semi-permanent residents here. Some facilities need repair and/or maintenance. Water in the shower was hot, but the showers were small, and there was no place for d as iso, shaving things, shampoo, ets. And no place to sit to. There is a pool and a lake with a swim beach. Kayak rental. Playground, laundry, showers/ bathrooms are passable. Internet is very slow.

  • Stephanie L.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Sweetwater RV Park

    Quiet, clean campground!

    This campground was exceptionally clean and very quiet/peaceful. We went to the playground to play and pool to swim - had it to ourselves - with our 18 month old. The staff is amazing and clearly love what they do. They were friendly from the start and they let us know they were available for help, etc. The site itself was an easy pull-through. It was clean and hookups were easy to figure out (first time RVers here; not new to camping though). I would say this campground has achieved the 'family-friendly' atmosphere, for sure! SML State Park is 10mns away! We will definitely be back!

    I thought being at the end of the loop would be noisy due to traffic coming through, but it didn't bother us one but!

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Sweetwater RV Park

    Great location at SML

    Really well thought out campground for RV. Plenty of pull through and back in sites. Level sites, utilities are well placed and good height. Well maintained…you can tell staff takes pride in campground. Multiple dog parks….so convenient so you have one close to your area. Lots of recreation, great pickle ball area and pool. Laundry is honor system per load …pay in office.

  • Aaron S.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Stoney Creek Resort

    Lovely people, lovely place

    Overall a nice place to stay. We stayed one night. Hook ups were good, site was somewhat level. The staff are just lovely people, very friendly, helpful, and they go out of their way to do the next right thing.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge

    Helpful staff and nice amenities

    It has all the bells and whistles you’d hope for at a Jellystone. It sounds like staffing has been challenging but the fellow campers and wonderful staff that are here make it well worth staying. We partook in all we could and enjoyed the swimming hole, pool, splash pad, jumping pillow and arcade. I’d stay again and would love to head down to the river for some tubing and fish in the stocked pond.

  • Kevin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    Exceeded expectations

    I was impressed with this campground from the minute I entered it. We were greeted at the entrance and then sent to an escort you smartly showed us to our site by taking the same path at the RV should take; making wise returns and so on. The site was pristine and laid out very nicely. Honestly the whole place was really clean and lovely. This is my first KOA visit and I was thoroughly impressed

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Beautiful place, old campground

    On a Thursday night in July we were the only ones at the campground. Friendly host but the campsites are not level - and we had the best of the lot - very private (if others had been there) but only one side of the picnic table was accessible (bc of the slope). Worked for our setup with rooftop tent but would’ve been difficult for someone w a camper or tent. Lodge was nice and well-kept. Hike to top of peaks was strenuous and gorgeous at the top! Decent stop right off the BRP. Wildflowers were beautiful.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    Convenient and easy

    Lots of pull thru sites, full hook up, even have dog park and laundry.


Guide to Rustburg

Campgrounds near Rustburg, Virginia range from 30-amp hookup sites at Paradise Lake Family Campground to completely primitive options in George Washington National Forest. The region sits between 600-1200 feet elevation with humid summers and mild winters. Most dispersed camping locations require vehicles with moderate clearance and temperatures at higher elevations can drop 10-15 degrees cooler than Rustburg proper.

What to do

Creek fishing spots: Sites at Canoe Landing Group Campsite provide fishing access less than 50 yards from tent locations. "Camping along the river at the Canoe Landing Campground is great in the slower seasons. The sites are pretty close together so I'm sure it would be much more cramped when it's busy but it's a beautiful place. And you can fish right off the bank less than 50yards from your tent," notes Christina.

River swimming access: The water at George Washington National Forest off 812 offers cooling relief during summer months. The creek water remains consistently cool even during July and August heat. "We stopped here for an afternoon, but it was a very cool park with a mile jogging trail, some small rock climbing areas, and access to swim in the James River. The water seemed clear and cool on a Summer day and we had fun fighting the current," Sarah M. advises.

Night sky observation: Red Oak Campground has been designated an International Dark Sky Park with minimal light pollution. "The park is part of the Dark Sky Parks Association and if you are into astronomy and stars this is the place to stay," shares Bridget H. The best viewing conditions occur during new moon phases and clear nights from April through October.

What campers like

Secluded tent platforms: The raised gravel tent platforms at Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA prevent flooding during storms. "The tent sites were large and shaded. We were right by the fishing pond and it was a short walk to the playground, pool, jump pad, and very clean, private bathrooms. It stormed our first night, and the raised gravel tent platforms prevented us from flooding," reports Shannon L.

Access to trails: Peaks Of Otter Campground connects directly to challenging hiking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway. "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," Hannah V. cautions.

Water recreation: The multiple water access points at Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground draw campers seeking kayaking and swimming. "Lake was super calm, clear and not too cold. We went out kayaking and swam out in the open," shares Sarah M. The lake maintains comfortable swimming temperatures from mid-June through early September.

What you should know

Limited connectivity: Cell reception varies significantly across camping areas. Most dispersed sites have no service whatsoever. "Lake James is one of North Carolina's most desolate locations. Hike in, hide your food, and wait for the bear. Right on the water way, the picturesque scenery of the lake is beyond compare," mentions Jenni P. about Canoe Landing.

Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds close completely during winter months. Otter Creek Campground operates only from May through October. "Stayed here about a month ago and the A loop was in terrible shape as far as the roads go. That said, the C Loop (C62 is our site) is very nice and in good condition, in comparison," Gary S. notes about Thousand Trails Lynchburg.

Water pressure variations: Water systems at established campgrounds can be inconsistent. "Horribly low water pressure. Staff reported park has only well water not city provided water so only 35 psi. We removed all our water filters to get slightly better pressure," reports Napunani about Paradise Lake Family Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Bathroom accessibility: Choose sites near facilities when camping with children. "Very friendly check-in staff. Entrances exit gates controlled with key card given to registered campers with return box at the gate. Shady site. Gravel site surrounded by grass with a concrete patio. Clean toilet/shower building," notes Napunani about Paradise Lake.

Activities for children: Look for campgrounds with structured programs. "They had activities every day for the kids. As well as lots of unstructured activities. For example, they had a foosball table and a jumping pad. But they also had a 'color a sack' thing where the kids got a KOA canvas tote and access to fabric markers," Michael L. shares about the Lynchburg KOA.

Swimming safety considerations: Monitor children in natural water bodies. "Note though-- would be careful swimming with children. Most areas are very calm but the river can get rapid at times!" Sarah M. cautions about James River access points.

Tips from RVers

Site levelness challenges: Many campgrounds require significant leveling equipment. "Site unlevel side-to-side. Pull-thru site too short to leave tow vehicle hitched," Napunani mentions about Paradise Lake Family Campground.

Limited hookup options: Advanced reservations for full-hookup sites are essential. "Many of the very best sites are seasonal but there is still good sites on 1st come 1st choice basis make resv. On line at thousand trails staff is very good and helpful," advises Shirley C.

Road access constraints: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "Cram campers in tight. Pool. Lake w/slide. Found it too cramped," Tracy warns about Paradise Lake Family Campground, where narrow roads can make maneuvering larger rigs difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Rustburg, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Rustburg, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 80 campgrounds and RV parks near Rustburg, VA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Rustburg, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rustburg, VA is Thousand Trails Lynchburg with a 3.6-star rating from 7 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rustburg, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Rustburg, VA.