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Shawsville, Virginia sits within a diverse camping landscape where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the Appalachian foothills. Camp Alta Mons, located directly in Shawsville, offers 37 RV sites with water and electric hookups plus 7 tent sites along a creek on its 850-acre property. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Dixie Caverns Campground near Salem, which serves as a convenient base for exploring popular hiking trails including Dragon's Tooth and sections of the Appalachian Trail. The region encompasses everything from primitive backcountry sites to full-service RV parks, with several state parks and national forest campgrounds providing varied accommodation options including cabins, yurts, and traditional tent sites.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this mountainous region. Spring brings abundant rainfall that can create muddy conditions on trails and access roads, while summer temperatures remain relatively moderate compared to lower elevations. According to one camper at Alta Mons, "Bring your bug spray, mosquitos here swarm you in apocalyptic proportion at nightfall. Also be prepared for rain, lush green meadows and sod farms give indication of ample rainfall." Cell service varies dramatically throughout the area, with many campgrounds offering limited or no connectivity. Reservations are essential during peak season (May through October), particularly for weekend stays when campgrounds near Blacksburg and Virginia Tech fill quickly during college events and football weekends.
Mountain streams and waterfalls feature prominently in camper reviews of the Shawsville area. Stiles Falls at Camp Alta Mons requires a moderate hike with three creek crossings and some boulder scrambling, but rewards visitors with a scenic cascade. Highway noise impacts several campgrounds in the region, particularly those near Interstate 81. As one reviewer noted about Dixie Caverns, "You are surrounded on three sides by roadway and the noise reverberates off the mountain and surrounding walls 24/7." Wildlife sightings are common, with bears, turkeys, raccoons, and songbirds frequently mentioned in visitor reports. Campgrounds at higher elevations offer cooler temperatures during summer months, while those in valleys may experience more humidity but provide easier access to water features.
"Did I say it’s close to I 81?"
"just off the highway but easily accessible, everything works, friendly staff. Showers in bathhouse are a bit dirty but other than that great!"
"Five Stars– A True Mountain Sanctuary Camp S’mores in Floyd, Virginia is something truly special."
"Plenty of trails to walk and a few ponds on property to fish. Open year round but im too much a wimp to winter camp, cant wait to head back in the spring!!"
"Conveniently located bath house. We got sites right next to our friends where we wanted to be. The lake and beach area were beautiful. Sand was soft and very clean."
"Lots of space, cheap price, walking distance from the lake raccoons and skunks everywhere all night."
from $24 - $459 / night
Check Availability"Not sure about other sections of the venue but we had privacy due to the very few people in sites around a huge field that appears to be a venue for outdoor music festivals."
"This campground is located right outside of Floyd, VA and just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway."
"v=E5_wV2ao_Jo) PROS
•close to Salem/Roanoke
•850 acres
•mountain trails
•Stiles Falls
•peaceful
•clean and cared for
•cheerful staff
CONS
•limitations of use during youth camps
•some"
"Great hiking trails to a beautiful waterfall."
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availability"We spent two overnights— on our way south, then again north— at the Love’s RV Hookup in Elliston, Virginia. "
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Nice hikes walking distance with lots of beautiful stars, trees, and wildlife! Make sure you don't need to text though, you only are able to send messages via satelite."
"Stayed here for two nights with 13 vehicles and 16 people to visit Potts Mountain Jeep trail. nice sized camp spot, vault toilet, and small stream running right behind the canpsite"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"dragons tooth is off a path that is part of the Appalachian Trail, there is a good amount of parking with a bathroom and garbage, once you begin the trail there are a few dispersed obvious camping spots"
"This was a quiet spot that felt safe, with a pit toilet nearby to the trailhead parking area. Car camping is the only option at this time."
"Rocky Knob Campground is right outside of Floyd, VA off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Southwest region of the state. Why stay here? It's right outside of Floyd."
"Inner part of the loop sites are quite close to each other but have convenient access to bathhouse, which is kept pretty clean."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Great little park with lake views, sandy swimming beach, hiking, boating, and state parks and forests nearby for even more recreation options."
"Great little park with lake views, sandy swimming beach, hiking, boating, and state parks and forests nearby for even more recreation options."
from $26 - $68 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThe campground is beautiful and extremely well maintained. The entire staff is friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Very quiet, adjoins the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the small community of Fancy Gap is interesting.
GuideI stayed at Dixie Caverns Campground for two weekend nights and found it to be a good value for the money. This is a very basic campground, so if you're looking for resort-style amenities like a pool, playground, or organized activities, this probably isn't the place for you. However, if you understand what a typical rural campground is like, you'll likely find it meets expectations. One of the biggest advantages is the location. The campground is in the Dixie Caverns parking lot, making it incredibly convenient to visit the caves, and campers receive a discount on cave tours. There is also a brand-new gas station and Which Wich sandwich shop within sight of the campground, which made grabbing fuel, snacks, or a quick meal very easy. The staff deserves special recognition. Everyone I encountered was exceptionally friendly, helpful, and welcoming, honestly some of the nicest campground staff I've met anywhere. The sites are fairly small and close together, but all the hookups worked properly during my stay, including water, sewer, and electric. I had read reviews complaining about unlevel sites and roads, but I didn't experience any issues with leveling my rig. The bathhouse was about what I'd expect from a rural campground. It was functional, but it could use a fresh coat of paint and a more thorough cleaning. It wasn't anything unusual for an older campground, but it is an area that could use some attention. One thing to be aware of is the road noise. The campground sits close to a roadway, so you'll hear traffic throughout much of the day and night. There are also some older RVs in the campground that add a bit of character and are interesting to look at. Overall, Dixie Caverns Campground is not fancy, but it was affordable, convenient, and served its purpose well. If you're a very particular camper who wants premium amenities and a pristine campground experience, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a reasonably priced place to stay with great staff and reliable hookups, I'd say it's exactly what you'd expect for the money and maybe a little better thanks to the outstanding people who run it.
GuideIt’s not too often you get amazing hospitality anywhere these days, BUT THIS PLACE HAS IT! From the phone call to the arrival, the Indian Heritage RV Park is impressive. The park has level gravel sites, both pull-thru’s and back-ins, and they vary from fully- to partially-shaded to full sun. Solid-connecting WiFi is available with speeds to easily watch a movie. There’s even a trash can at each site. But wait, there’s more. If you’ve been on the road way too long and crave personal bathroom space, check out their bathhouse—individual rooms make it feel like you’re at a resort…plenty of space and super clean and inviting! The laundry room offers two washers, dryers, folding tables, and a hanging rack (bring your own hangers); again, super clean. This park is located on the Smith River and I highly recommend getting a lakeside spot if one’s available…spectacular view if you have a back porch on your rig! Jody was our host and makes you feel like you’re part of the family. The owner (sorry I forgot his name) is also very friendly. Restaurants are a few blocks down the street but you wouldn’t know it unless you took a short walk…that’s how tucked away this place is. Definitely staying here again the next time I travel Hwy 58!
ScoutThis is a nice little place with level sites and easy shower/restroom access. I thought it was a little pricey and we had to drive to the lake, but it's a nice place to paddle board or kayak because they don't allow motor boats. They have a nice beach that our kid liked. You also have to the fairy stone hunting ground - we didn't find any. But there's a cool hiking trail with a couple of abandoned mine entrances.
ScoutGood facilities. Clean and hot showers. Good beach area. Docks for fishing could use some markers on the trails to find them. Could use a playground given it's labells as a familycamp
ScoutThis is the perfect camp ground whether you’re wanting a quiet spot, or family fun. The grounds are spacious and the sites offer a great variety.
ScoutThey seem to be doing a lot of upgrades to the campground, and they are much needed to be honest. The arcade is great
TravelerJust arrived, looks great. Opted for a pull thru near the pool.
ScoutTruly a gem of a place if your on two wheels. The sites are perfect for tents and plenty of trees if hammocks are more your thing. The amenities are clean and work well. No complaints about anything other than not having a fireplace at your site, but there is a big community firepit.
Camp Alta Mons, located directly in Shawsville, provides the main camping option within town limits, while several other campgrounds can be found within a 30-minute drive. Situated at around 1,700 feet elevation, this area experiences temperature swings between summer highs in the 80s and winter lows that can dip below freezing. The region's mountains create diverse microclimates, with ridgetop camping spots often 5-8 degrees cooler than valley locations.
Hiking to waterfalls: Camp Alta Mons offers trail access to Stiles Falls, requiring moderate hiking ability. "The hike to the falls moderate to strenuous with three creek crossings and some boulder scampers...give yourself an hour each direction from the parking lot," notes one camper.
Tubing the New River: New River Junction Campground provides river tubing opportunities with shuttle service. "Rent a inner tub or canoe and float down River to a shuttle bus that brings you back to the campgrounds. One of my all time favorite places to camp and fish," shares a visitor.
Cave exploration: Dixie Caverns offers underground tours adjacent to their campground. "The caverns are worth visiting pretty cool cave system. We got in late in the afternoon after the last tour woke up early and caught the first tour before heading on our way," reports one camper.
Disc golf: Some local campgrounds have added this recreational option. One visitor to Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground notes it "has free wifi along with a brand new 9 hole disc golf course!"
Mountain sunset views: Higher elevation campsites near Shawsville provide memorable evening views. At Chantilly Farm, campers appreciate being "on top of a hill with other RV's with gorgeous views and sunsets. The grounds were very well kept and mowed."
Fishing opportunities: Local waters offer good angling. A visitor to New River Junction reports: "Bring your fishing pole for some great catch and release fishing...One of my all time favorite places to camp and fish."
Proximity to Floyd: This artsy mountain town is accessible from several nearby campsites. A visitor to Rocky Knob Campground reports "On BRP near Floyd, VA. A lot of amenities in town and hiking trails nearby. Clean and quiet: no generators allowed in tent camping area."
Privacy options: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites. At Rocky Knob, "C loop is best IMO. Far from RV sites, the spaces are quiet with plenty of room."
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience significant railroad noise. At New River Junction, one camper warns: "THE TRAINS: HOLY HELL. The trains alone are reason enough not to camp here. Especially with a tent. Five trains between midnight and 5am. Every one of them blew the horn well past the crossing."
Highway noise: Similarly, road noise affects some camping areas. Dixie Caverns is "directly off I-81...surrounded on three sides by roadway...and the noise reverberates off the mountain and surrounding walls 24/7."
Cell service variability: Reception depends on specific campsite location and provider. Dragon's Tooth trailhead camping has decent coverage, while deeper mountain sites may have none.
Primitive facilities: Many campgrounds offer basic amenities only. Rocky Knob provides "Minimalist facilities. Good location. Has rv and tent sites. Right off Blue Ridge Parkway."
Water play options: Several campgrounds feature creek or river access. Claytor Lake State Park offers "Waterfront beach available, hiking trails, two piers and a theater spot with a gorgeous view."
Family programming: Some campgrounds organize activities. One family notes Claytor Lake "was a great campground for families. We hiked, played at the lake and attended the roving ranger talks."
Site selection for families: Choose sites strategically based on needs. At Claytor Lake, "site 35 is the best site to avoid noisy neighbors, and is right by the bathrooms."
Rocky river caution: New River Junction has challenging water entry: "The river...ranges in depth, but nothing deeper than waste deep really. It's rocky and slippery so it's dangerous and not very family friendly. Especially for young children and older people."
Site layout considerations: RV sites vary significantly between campgrounds. At COE Philpott Lake Goose Point Park, "Loop a has 19 sites with water and electric hookup. This loop is a little distance from the lake."
Loop selection importance: Different campground areas offer varied experiences. At Goose Point, "Loop c is located on a peninsula and offers 34 sites, many of which are lake front sites. There is a nice swimming area, boat ramp and dock in the loop."
Hookup availability: Utilities vary by campground and loop. At Claytor Lake, "My spot had electric and water hook ups."
Site spacing: Some RV sites provide minimal separation. At Chantilly Farm, visitors note "It was a little taken aback when we first arrived at our site but quickly began to appreciate the beautiful field we were camped in with electric and water hook-ups."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Shawsville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Shawsville, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 136 campgrounds and RV parks near Shawsville, VA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Shawsville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shawsville, VA is Dixie Caverns with a 3.3-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Shawsville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Shawsville, VA.
What parks are near Shawsville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Shawsville, VA that allow camping, notably Philpott Lake and George Washington & Jefferson National Forest.
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