Glamping opportunities abound within 40 miles of Steeles Tavern, Virginia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains at an elevation of 1,430 feet. The area experiences all four seasons distinctly, with fall temperatures ranging from 45-70°F making it prime time for luxury camping experiences. Winter glamping options typically include heated accommodations while summer visitors can expect daytime temperatures in the 80s.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: 1.5 miles from Crabtree Falls Campground, campers can access one of Virginia's most impressive cascades. According to a reviewer, "Crabtree Falls is a mile up the road and very easy to get to the trail head. The AT is also close by and easily accessed." Waterfall hikes range from easy to moderate difficulty.
Fishing for trout: Montebello Resort offers convenient fishing without a license. "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 visitor who still enjoyed the experience.
Mountain biking: Douthat State Park Campground maintains extensive trail networks. "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!" advises a regular visitor.
What campers like
Clean bathhouse facilities: Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park maintains exceptionally clean restroom facilities. "The bath houses were pristine," notes one visitor. Another adds, "Bathrooms were very clean! Would be really nice come the summer for sure."
Riverside campsites: Campers at Crabtree Falls Campground appreciate the water proximity. "Sites are right on the river, we had a walk to which gave us some extra privacy," writes one reviewer. Another mentions, "The campground did have facilities that were about a quarter mile walk away from our sites; this is something to consider if you are camping with older folks or children."
Proximity to Blue Ridge Parkway: Otter Creek Campground offers direct access to the scenic byway. "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 a camper who rated their experience positively.
What you should know
No cell service at some locations: Montebello Resort visitors should prepare for digital disconnection. "The location of the campground is remote with zero cell coverage or wifi, and other than the store on-site, there isn't much outside of a few hiking trails, within 30 minutes," reports a reviewer who stayed for five days.
Limited availability during fall season: "We went in the middle of October when the leaves were changing in Virginia. It was a good place to stay overall," notes a camper about Montebello Resort, confirming peak season fills quickly.
Varying levels of privacy: Sites at Stoney Creek Resort offer different experiences based on location. "This campground is so big. I believe they currently have around 400 spots. It is divided into upper and lower sections. The lower is much more wooded and gives off more of a camping feel while the upper is much more open," explains a visitor who appreciated the variety.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley features multiple swimming options. A reviewer notes, "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, restaurant and off to the side a little store for floats with putt putt golf."
Educational trails: Family-friendly learning opportunities exist at Douthat State Park Campground. "Lovely falls over a dam, sandy beach, picnic areas, hiking on a trail maintained by the Youth Conservation Corps, kayaking," shares a camper who enjoyed the educational aspects.
Budget-friendly options: When glamping near Steeles Tavern, look for off-peak timing. "Stayed here for two nights in the middle of the week in the summer of 2019. I stayed in one of the lakeside sites... pretty quiet. I met more people in this campground than all of the others combined, a nice group of folks," reports a camper who noted mid-week stays cost less than weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Stoney Creek Resort, choose sites based on your camping style. "Despite having so many sites, they are rather spacious. All are back in and some can be difficult due to some trees but all are manageable and they base your site based on your rig size so they know their site sizes well," notes an RVer.
Seasonal campground differences: "We stayed in Site 42 E/W with a view of the Lake. It has one Bath House but it was a 9 out of 10 for cleanliness. No Cell service or Internet but that was what I was looking for," shares a Montebello Resort camper who visited during low season.
Hookup availability: RV campers at Walnut Hills appreciate the organization. "Short-term sites are in the very front but you do have to take a circuitous route through the campground to get back to that area after checking in. Many long-term sites around the lake and up in the hilly area. Short-term sites are electric and water only but there is a free dump station down in the back."
