Rustburg, Virginia sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at an elevation of about 900 feet, creating a diverse terrain for outdoor recreation near the James River watershed. The area experiences four distinct seasons with mild springs and falls that are ideal for camping, while summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with moderate humidity levels. Many campgrounds around Rustburg remain open from March through November, with some luxury accommodations available year-round.
What to do
Hiking near waterfalls: Crabtree Falls Campground provides direct access to one of Virginia's most impressive waterfall hikes. "This is very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and close to Charlottesville and Staunton. The falls are a great hike and there are lots of services nearby. A great Parkway stop," notes Anna R.
Stargazing opportunities: Staunton River State Park Campground is designated as an International Dark Sky Park with minimal light pollution. "It is an International Dark Sky Park. If you love stargazing this is the park for you. The park offers rentals of telescopes too," shares Bridget H. The park also features astronomy programs for beginners.
Fishing in stocked waters: Montebello Resort offers both trout and bass fishing options within the campground. "The trout pond is not catch and release, it is catch and keep, whatever you catch, you pay for power pound," explains Adrian K. The stocked pond makes it easy for novice anglers to catch something, while the back lake contains bass and crappie.
Historical exploration: The Natural Bridge area provides multiple historical sites within a short drive. "We only stayed one night but was a nice area. The kids liked the petting zoo," says Stephanie H. about Natural Bridge KOA, which serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby historical attractions.
What campers like
Private creek access: At Crabtree Falls Campground, sites feature direct water access. "The sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night," says Britt S. The campground offers both walk-in and drive-up sites along the river.
Well-maintained facilities: Holliday Lake State Park Campground receives consistent praise for upkeep. "The showers were hot and the bathrooms were clean. The rangers were nice and helpful," notes Bridget H. Most Virginia state parks in the region feature recently renovated bathhouses with hot water.
Family-oriented activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge offers structured recreation programs. "There was a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging, laughing, loving, and hanging out!" shares a camper. The park also features water recreation facilities during summer months.
Peace and quiet: Several campgrounds near Rustburg provide secluded options. "It never felt crowded. Lots of trees and the sites were roomy. The campground had everything we needed without unnecessary frills," Katie mentions about Montebello Resort. Many campsites in the area benefit from the natural sound buffer of surrounding forests.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the region have minimal connectivity. "No cell service to speak of. (We have Verizon but most of these places have none.) To get decent service it's a bit of a drive," warns Quinn G. about Montebello Resort. Many parks offer WiFi near office buildings but not at individual campsites.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change quickly in the Rustburg area. "We were tent camping, in the beginning of May, and the weather was cold and wet," shares Jacob S. about his stay at Holliday Lake State Park Campground. Pack layers and rain gear regardless of season.
Booking windows: Most popular campgrounds require advance planning. "We were there on a busy fall weekend. The campground has Halloween themed activities for kids on specific weekends," notes Kathleen M. about Jellystone Park. Reservations for premium sites often open 6 months in advance and fill quickly for holiday weekends.
Terrain considerations: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven terrain. "The sites were a good size but were very difficult to get even a small trailer into the site due to the narrow roads," explains Jacob S. Review site details carefully when booking, especially if you have accessibility needs.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Multiple swimming areas provide summer cooling options. "The kids loved swimming in the lake while the parents loved kayaking and fishing. It was too hot to hike while we were there, but there seemed to be plenty of trails," shares Pixton F. about Holliday Lake State Park.
Educational programs: State parks offer ranger-led activities. "Awesome staff. Awesome kids and learning program for the weekend. Really loved the lights in the water at night and nighttime walk," says Ross B. These programs typically run Friday-Sunday during peak season and include topics like wildlife identification and outdoor skills.
Playground accessibility: Middle Creek Campground features family-friendly amenities. "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," shares Amanda about the variety of recreation options. Most family-oriented campgrounds in the region have playgrounds within walking distance of campsites.
Kid-friendly glamping: Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground offers comfortable alternatives to traditional tenting. "Sites are large and a good distance apart. RV sites are good and have decent privacy. Power and water are reliable," notes Scott B. Their cabin options include basic amenities like electricity, beds, and climate control for families seeking more comfort.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground requires proper equipment. "For RV'ers bring your leveling blocks - you will need them!" advises Jennifer K. Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain around Rustburg require leveling equipment.
Hookup reliability: Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA offers consistent utilities. "Great job building level sites in a hillside. Easy in and out. Clean facilities," notes Marletta & Ed M. The campground features full hookup sites with 50-amp service and sewer connections at most sites.
Access considerations: Site access varies widely between campgrounds. "The campground is rather hilly, although our site was a rather level gravel pad. They have a new area, not flat ground, that has cement pads and pretty wood benches around fire pits," describes Karen about Natural Bridge KOA. Many locations offer premium sites with concrete pads for easier setup.
Winter camping options: Several locations near Rustburg offer year-round RV accommodations. "Spending some time in Lynchburg on business and decided to check out this park. The campsites seemed clean/well maintained and the facilities were clean as well," notes Sara S. about Smith Mountain Lake State Park, which maintains water and electric hookups throughout winter months.
