Campsites near Steeles Tavern, Virginia sit at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 feet, creating distinct microclimates throughout the camping season. Fall temperatures can drop into the 30s at night even when valley temperatures remain mild. Most campgrounds in this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains and George Washington National Forest operate from early April through late October, with limited facilities available during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Montebello Resort maintains both a stocked trout pond and a bass/crappie lake on property. "The trout pond is not what they make it out to be on the website. It's a very small pond with zero shade at the entrance of the resort. It is not catch and release, it is catch and keep, whatever you catch, you pay for power pound," notes one camper, adding useful context for fishing enthusiasts.
Rock scrambling: Spy Rock offers challenging terrain for those seeking elevated views. "It is a great hike with a small rock scramble at the top for an extra bit of fun. Not only that, but the top has almost 360 degree views of the Shenandoah Valley," writes one visitor. The site requires a 1.5-mile hike from the Fish Hatchery in Montebello to access camping areas.
Swimming: Walnut Hills Campground provides water recreation with its fishing pond and swimming pool. "The lawns were kept up and looking good. There is a very nice playground and a pet exercise area. You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything," reports one camper, highlighting the multiple recreation options beyond just camping.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Devils Backbone Camp, campers appreciate the thoughtful site layout. "Walking distance to devils backbone brewery. Clean bathrooms. Close distance to hiking trails and other breweries and cideries," notes one reviewer. Another mentions, "Large campground with plenty of room. The bathhouse is top notch! Squeaky clean with lots of space."
Bathroom facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom quality across several campgrounds. At Sherando Lake Campground, one visitor reports, "The shower houses are at the center of each loop and have been rebuilt to ACA standard with in the last five years." Such specific details about facilities matter to many campers selecting sites.
Off-grid tranquility: Many campers value the lack of connectivity. At Montebello Resort, a reviewer notes, "This place was certainly beautiful; our site was right on the pond. Be aware; there is zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it's a bit of a drive." This disconnection from technology appears as a positive feature in many reviews.
What you should know
Bear activity: Multiple campgrounds report bear encounters. At Sherando Lake, one camper warns, "A young bear was repeatedly visiting site A9 up the road from me and I had to chase him off when he came near my site!" The campground provides individual food lockers at each site to address this concern.
Site availability patterns: During peak season (June-August), weekday availability vastly exceeds weekend options. At Crabtree Falls Campground, sites along the river are particularly sought after. One camper advises, "The tent sites we stayed in were right on the river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night."
Road access considerations: Access to several campgrounds requires navigating steep mountain roads. For Montebello Resort, a reviewer cautions, "VA56 is a very windy road not recommended for pulling a camper through. Use the blue ridge parkway." Similarly, roads to dispersed camping areas often require high-clearance vehicles or careful driving.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Family campers consistently mention water features as key amenities. Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley offers structured aquatic recreation. One camper reports, "There's always tons of activities to do for everyone of age. Gold cart parades, crafts hours, poker run, corn hole tournaments. And of course their lake that has two jumping decks, water slide, snack bar."
Playground locations: Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA receives positive mentions for its family amenities. "The campground itself has a pool, open seasonally, a game room, and a playground. It's an old school playground but the gkids love it. They also have a couple of walking trails and a small dog park," notes one grandparent who visits regularly.
Kid-friendly hiking: Sherando Lake offers graduated hiking options suitable for different age groups. "The kids enjoyed playing on the playground, skipping rocks, and fishing as well. There are big loop and small loop hiking trails close by," reports a family that visits annually, suggesting the varied activities keep children engaged.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: At Devils Backbone Camp, RVers note unusual utility arrangements. "The hookups in this area where 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," explains one RVer.
Seasonal road closures: Many forest service roads accessing remote campgrounds close seasonally or after heavy precipitation. For campgrounds along mountainous routes, several RVers recommend calling ahead during spring and fall to confirm access. The Blue Ridge Parkway occasionally closes sections during winter weather and high winds.
Site leveling requirements: Multiple RVers mention bringing extra leveling blocks for mountain campsites. At Stoney Creek Resort, sites require additional adjustment. "Site was somewhat level," notes one RVer, with the understated assessment typical of those accustomed to mountain camping conditions.
Traveler
