Best Campgrounds near South Boston, VA

Campgrounds near South Boston, Virginia include several established state parks and recreational areas offering a mix of developed sites for various camping styles. Staunton River State Park Campground provides tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options with both electric and non-electric sites. Located approximately 20 miles southwest of South Boston, this park is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park with exceptional stargazing opportunities. Other notable options include Occoneechee State Park Campground and Buffalo Park, which provide access to regional waterways like the Staunton River and Kerr Reservoir.

Access to most campgrounds in the region remains available year-round, though services may be limited in winter months. Most developed campgrounds feature gravel pads with varying levels of privacy between sites. "The campground needs some updating - there's only one bathhouse with just 2 showers- if the campground would've been full, it would've been miserable," notes one visitor about Staunton River State Park. Cell service can be spotty throughout the area, particularly at Mayo Lake Park where reviews indicate very limited connectivity. Many campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, especially during summer months when the swimming facilities at Staunton River State Park become popular destinations.

Water access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the South Boston area. Several state parks and recreation areas provide boat launches, fishing opportunities, and waterfront campsites along Kerr Reservoir, Hyco Lake, and the Staunton and Dan Rivers. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "We had easy access to the lake from our camper where we did some kayaking. Priced extremely reasonable." The region's designated dark sky status at Staunton River State Park adds unique appeal, with the park offering telescope rentals for stargazing enthusiasts. Visitors frequently mention wildlife viewing opportunities, including deer, groundhogs, and various bird species. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, disc golf courses, and hiking trails complement the camping experience at most developed campgrounds, though bathroom and shower facilities receive mixed reviews regarding maintenance and capacity.

Best Camping Sites Near South Boston, Virginia (48)

    1. Staunton River State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Henrico, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 572-4623

    "We camped here again at Staunton River State Park, this time we stayed in site 21, which is an electric site near the bathrooms/showers and one of the best for viewing stars."

    "Bathrooms are within walking distance from all campsites. Ours was a bit of a walk uphill but not bad. Nice clean, hot showers!"

    2. Occoneechee State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Clarksville, VA
    22 miles
    Website

    "If you have dogs like we do that hate squirrels they drove them nuts- squirrels running around in our campsite and up trees in our campsite. And while walking around."

    "It’s a 3BR/2BA spacious cabin, wooded and lakeside. Great sunsets and nice big deck (some areas of the porch are covered, and have rocking chairs)."

    3. Callahan's Hideaway

    3 Reviews
    Red Oak, VA
    12 miles
    +1 (434) 471-1699

    $22 - $53 / night

    "Very nice place to walk and lots of sight seeing close by and shor t walk or drive to the water"

    "One mile walk to Buffalo park a beautiful place with lots of history. I love it .Great day for a picnic ."

    4. Mayo Lake Park

    4 Reviews
    Red Oak, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 597-7806

    $12 - $25 / night

    "We had easy access to the lake from our camper where we did some kayaking. Priced extremely reasonable. If you have to have cell phone service it is very spotty."

    "There is a single dump station near the entrance. The road leading to the camping area is single lane so if you meet another camper going the other way it could get a little dicey."

    5. Hyco Lake State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Leasburg, NC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 599-4343

    "We had a blast it was the weekend prior Labor Day we fished saw old friends in Virginia and had a wonderful time. The stuff was amazing"

    "Also in shower house the lights are motioned sensored which are super inconvenient when you're the only one in there and it cuts off 2 or 3 times while your showering and you have to carefully walk in"

    6. Country Line Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Leasburg, NC
    20 miles
    +1 (336) 432-3385

    $40 - $60 / night

    "Walking trails along the creek, and minutes away to local restaurants and bars! Check them out, take some photos, and leave them some love here!"

    7. Buffalo Park

    2 Reviews
    Henrico, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 374-2063

    $24 - $68 / night

    "We stayed at the west Bank which offered a great view of the lake. We stayed at camp number 7. There is many activity to do here such as fishing."

    8. Paradise Lake & Campground

    8 Reviews
    Danville, VA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 836-2620

    "The walking trail was nice but you will for sure want to take an extra large can of deep woods off or equivalent. There are swarms of large flys all around the water on the trail."

    "This place is relatively small, but surrounds a small lake. Sites are close together, but everyone is respectful."

    9. Rudds Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Boydton, VA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 738-6827

    $24 - $68 / night

    "The exception to this is people putting old rugs or carpet around the shore where the park their boats."

    "The bathrooms were very clean and an easy walk from our campsite. The map showed bathrooms in our loop but there wasn't anything there. Had to walk to the showers but not too far."

    10. Longwood Campground at John H Kerr Reservoir

    5 Reviews
    Clarksville, VA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 374-2711

    $50 / night

    "You have to travel back to a self service trailer about 4 miles near the local CVS on Route 58. In my humble opinion, Site 16 was the best view of the Lake and has easy accessibility (see photos)."

    "The spots are pretty close together so you don’t get much privacy, luckily we had a older couple next to us who was just the sweetest. We booked last minute so beggars cant be picky I suppose."

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Recent Reviews near South Boston, VA

342 Reviews of 48 South Boston Campgrounds


  • Harry B.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Occoneechee State Park Campground

    Decent Campground Iron Bow

    Decent bathhouse on Iron Bow. Sites are really close together and narrow so doesn’t leave a lot of room between campers. Not terrible but also have had stayed at more spacious state park campsites. 7$ bundles for firewood for sale near the bathhouse. The Visitor center is nice with some good souvenirs for purchase and history section. Plenty of spots for fishing and launching watercraft. No designated swimming areas though. No WiFi. Verizon device at the campground worked okay. Clarksville town is quaint with some shops worth checking.

  • Donnelle The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Butner lake WMA

    Be Advised!

    All Campers MUST have a fishers/hunters license. Rangers wrote us a warning ticket for not having our own, but we are headed to Walmart to get one for about $30

  • 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.

  • S
    Aug. 14, 2025

    Hibernia Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    One of our favorite places!

    Hibernia, on Kerr lake is a wonderful campground with plenty of easy access to the lake. We chose site 77 because it was in full shade with nice lake views. There's a cove with a sandy beach and clear water just steps away. Our kids enjoyed hours of time swimming and floating on rafts. Super clean restrooms and showers are just 2 minutes from our site.

    Note: Site 77 required 75 feet of hose to reach water nozzle. Website said 35' so glad we were prepared.

  • 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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2025

    Sweetwater RV Park

    Nice place

    A quiet and clean campground. The pool was great for my son and we had it to ourselves multiple days.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2025

    Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground

    Excellent campground

    Tent sites are large and a good distance apart. RV sites are good and have decent privacy. Power and water are reliable. There is one dumping station.

  • Donnelle The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2025

    Butner lake WMA

    Quiet, Discreet and Welcoming

    My fiance and I camped out a little longer than the actually extension period for individuals, but never had a problem. Several others have showed up to camp out a couple days but were gone shortly. For the most part it was just us. And whatever it is running around in the woods. I heard many coyotes elks and a an owl but nothing never stumbled to our campsite close enough to get a look at it other than one young fox which was running away when we pulled in one late night. I think the animals are aware that the campground is human territory so they stay away. It's at 10 different spots to set up with your car parked right next to your tent. Our Boost mobile wi-fi worked perfectly fine. There is a lake 2 mins away one way and another 7 mins away the other way. The city dump is also 2 mins away. And town is 5 mins away. I wish the gates never closed because we would still be there.


Guide to South Boston

Camping near South Boston, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

What campers like

What you should know

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. One family at Staunton River State Park Campground enjoyed, "They had smores around the fire on a Friday night."
  • Safety First: Ensure the campground has safety measures. A camper at Eno River State Park Campground appreciated, "The gates close at 7:30 pm, which is great for added safety."
  • Space for Kids to Play: Choose campgrounds with open areas. A visitor at Twin Lakes State Park Campground noted, "There are a few trails and a beach on one of the lakes."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: Make sure to check the level of your site. A camper at North Bend Park mentioned, "Many of the sites in A are not very level for vans."
  • Amenities Matter: Look for campgrounds with good facilities. A visitor at William B. Umstead State Park Campground said, "The sites are level and spacious."
  • Plan for Noise: Be aware of potential noise from nearby roads or airports. A camper at Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area noted, "Sure, we heard the planes overhead but it didn’t keep us up."

Camping near South Boston, Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

What activities are available while camping in South Boston, VA?

The South Boston area offers diverse outdoor activities centered around its beautiful lakes and natural areas. Fishing is extremely popular, especially at Bullocksville Campground on Kerr Lake, which provides excellent shoreline access. Water activities abound with opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing at Satterwhite Point where campsites sit just steps from the water. Hiking trails wind through the lush forests surrounding many campgrounds, offering wildlife viewing and bird watching. Stargazing is exceptional, particularly at less-wooded sites. The region's numerous parks also provide picnicking areas, boat launches, and quiet natural settings perfect for photography and relaxation.

Where can I find camping near South Boston, VA?

Several excellent camping options surround South Boston, VA. Staunton River State Park Campground offers electric sites with minimal tree cover, making it perfect for stargazing. For lakeside camping, Kerr Lake State Recreation Area provides multiple campgrounds with waterfront sites, clean facilities, and easy lake access. Other nearby options include Hyco Lake State Park, Callahan's Hideaway, and Paradise Lake & Campground. Most campgrounds in this region offer drive-in access with water and toilet facilities, and many sites can accommodate RVs. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer months.

What camping is available near South Boston, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, South Boston, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 48 campgrounds and RV parks near South Boston, VA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near South Boston, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Boston, VA is Staunton River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near South Boston, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near South Boston, VA.