If you want to explore the beauty of Steeles Tavern, glamping is an excellent option. Glamping near Steeles Tavern is a great way to travel off the beaten path. Find the right glamping site for you with our user-submitted photos, reviews, and tips. You're sure to find glamping for your Virginia camping excursion.
$28 - $55 / night
$35 / night
This place is incredibly special. Walnut Hills is beautiful and a place to make memories for years to come!
$45 - $99 / night
Tucked away in the quiet Virginia town of Stuarts Draft, Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley, formerly known as Shenandoah Acres Family Campground, provides over 130 acres of beautiful wooded grounds. Bring the family to experience our outstanding location in the Shenandoah Valley, near many unique and historic attractions in Charlottesville. You can also have an outdoor adventure at Shenandoah National Park or a scenic journey along the famous Skyline Drive.
Families can create their perfect stay from our great selection of RV sites or furnished vacation rentals. We also have a full amenity package that includes favorites like the swimming lake and beach area, four playgrounds, an arcade, and a fishing pond.
Experience a vacation surrounded by the breathtaking beauty and historical attractions of Shenandoah Valley at our beautiful resort. Treat yourself, your significant other, or the whole family to an amazing getaway in Virginia.
$29 - $45 / night
Ready to truly get away from it all? We welcome you to unplug, unwind, and relax at Montebello Resort. Rental Cabins, Camping, Fishing, and a Country Store are all available at our mountain top resort.
We are nestled high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just three miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, in Nelson County VA. Montebello means “beautiful mountain” and is a pristine hamlet tucked into the folds of Appalachia. Steeped in history and rich in charm, hearts are warmed and memories are made for all those who come to visit.
Route 56, which winds and climbs up to the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Montebello, was once an old Indian trail that connected present-day Nelson County with Steele’s Tavern in Augusta County two hundred years ago.
Atop the Blue Ridge Mountains, and near the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail, Montebello is a beautiful gem that attracts visitors from around the world.
Whether it’s camping, a cozy cabin retreat, apple and berry picking, wine tasting, trout fishing, hiking, biking, hunting, wildlife viewing, or just exploring, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
$38 - $55 / night
Cabins
To camp at Douthat State Park you must have with you either your reservation number(s) or confirmation letter at check-in. If you've arranged for someone else to check in for you, make sure that person has your reservation number as the number is needed to enter the cabin. All cabins are pet-friendly; there is a fee per pet per night. Camping and cabin guests should be prepared to show a valid ID if requested. Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 10 a.m.
Camping
Douthat is known for delightful, inviting campsites and makes great camping near Richmond. Some offer a splendid view of Douthat Lake. Camping is available year-round in Whispering Pines campground. (Note: Water is unavailable at individual campsites from November through March because of freezing weather. As hot water is still available in the bathhouse, camping fees are not reduced.) The campgrounds are pet-friendly. Generators may not be used in any campgrounds.
Lodges
Please note that the cancellation fee for Douthat Main Lodge, Creasey Lodge and Beard's Mountain Lodge is higher than it is for cabins.
Douthat Lodge (atop mountain): Six-bedroom, rents Saturday - Saturday
This log lodge overlooks the park. It was built by the CCC. It sleeps 13 and allows 15. There are six bedrooms: one queen bed, one queen bed, one queen bed, four twin beds, two twin beds and one twin bed. It has a fireplace, two bathrooms, a washer and a dryer.
Creasey Lodge (behind park's main office). Five-bedroom. Weekly rentals start on Friday when a week-long stay is required. Fully universally accessible.
This one story wood-frame lodge is next to the park office. It accommodates up to 18 guests. There are five bedrooms: one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds. It has a fireplace and three bathrooms.
Beards Mountain Lodge: Six-bedroom, maximum occupancy is 16. Weekly rentals start on Sunday when a week-long stay is required.
This frame-built facility is midway up the mountain and is universally accessible. It accommodates up to 16 guests. There are three bathrooms and six-bedrooms; queen, queen, two twins, two twins, two bunk beds, two bunk beds.
$20 - $40 / night
Otter Creek Campground is located at the Blue Ridge Parkway's lowest elevation, only 649 feet above sea level. Picturesque Otter Creek winds through this quiet, rustic campground. Night skies are spectacular here, and there are several nearby trails to hike including the Otter Creek Trail, which is accessible from the campground. Just imagine enjoying the crackle of an evening campfire with the murmur of the creek in the background! Relax....
The James River/Otter Creek recreation area has fishing in Otter Lake and a number of hiking trails including Trail of Trees, Otter Creek, Otter Lake Loop, and James River Canal. Hike the Otter Creek Trail to James River Visitor Center. There visitors can view a restored canal lock from the Kanawha Canal, part of the historic James River transporation artery which was once the primary commercial route in the state of Virginia.
The James River/Otter Creek recreation area has fishing in Otter Lake and a number of hiking trails including Trail of Trees, Otter Creek, Otter Lake Loop, and James River Canal. Hike the Otter Creek Trail to James River Visitor Center. There visitors can view a restored canal lock from the Kanawha Canal, part of the historic James River transporation artery which was once the primary commercial route in the state of Virginia.
This area's abundant water and warmer temperatures support plant and animal communities that are unlike those found at other areas on the Parkway. A short walk along the Trail of Trees or a hike along the clear, cool waters of Otter Creek will give ample proof that there is more to the Blue Ridge Parkway than mountain-top vistas.
Otter Creek Trail (3.5 miles/5.6 km) parallels the Parkway road as it meanders from Otter Creek campground to the James River Visitor Center. Most sections of this trail are easy to hike and can be reached from many points along the motor road. Otter Lake Loop Trail (0.9 miles/1.4 km) provides scenic views of Otter Lake. This is also a good trail for watching wildlife. Look for beaver lodges and dams along tributary streams. Early morning and late evening are prime times for wildlife observations. Trail of Trees (0.4 miles/.6 km) begins near the James River Visitor Center and wanders through a shaded stream drainage. Trail signs identify many of the trees and shrubs of the river valley. This trail also affords a handsome view of the James River water gap, a rare geological feature. Canal Lock Trail (0.4 miles/.6 km) begins at the visitor center and crosses the James River on a walkway beneath the bridge. The restored Battery Creek Lock, located a short distance from the bridge, is typical of those constructed in the 1800s as part of the James River and Kanawha Canal. This canal, with nearly 100 locks, helped make the river a major transportation corridor before the Civil War. Exhibits at the Battery Creek site explain how locks were used to raise and lower boats to adjust for the changing elevation of the river.
$30 / night
Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is a great destination for visitors looking for a fun getaway on Lake Moomaw. The area provides plenty of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, camping and hiking. There is little to no cell service, so be ready to disconnect!
Boating, canoeing, water skiing and relaxing on the beach are popular activities at the lake. Anglers fish for brown and rainbow trout, bass and crappie. A boat ramp is located at the Bolar Flat Marina, which has a modern dock with boat slips. Bolar Mountain boasts 11 miles of hiking trails that lead to two impressive scenic overlooks: Islands Overlook Spur and Grouse Point Overlook. Looking for a more primitive experience? Hike or boat to Greenwood Point for dispersed camp sites.
The campground sits on the northern end of Lake Moomaw, a manmade lake covering 2,530 acres along the Jackson River. The lake is held by Gathright Dam, constructed in the 1980's by the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control. The lake's average depth is 80 feet and it has 43 miles of wooded shoreline making it the second largest impoudment in western virginia.Bolar Mountain is part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest which span 1.8 million acres across Virginia and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. The forest protects 40 tree species within mostly Appalachian hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, 60 species of mammals and 200 species of birds.
Hidden Valley is a short drive from the lake and has ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiast: Hike or ride your horse along the Jackson River, all the way to Poor Farm, cast a line for trout, and stay at the Hidden Valley Campground or even better the historic bed and breakfast. Warm Springs has restaurants, shopping and a Historical Society for Bath County in addition to other typical amenities.
$30 / night
Middle Creek Campground is located in central Virginia, tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just moments from the Appalachian trail, this campground is a desirable location for backpackers and thru-hikers alike. Whether you need a place to rest your aching feet, or if you need a weekend escape, you’ll enjoy sleeping in the shadow of Virginia’s Fork Mountain. There’s plenty to do near Middle Creek Campground; don’t forget the paddles and hiking boots! Bring your kayak for a whirl on the upper James River, bikepack the Blue Ridge Parkway (7mi away), or take the AT on for yourself. And when you’re ready to unwind, rest easy knowing that you can learn some history in the nearby town of Roanoke, or spend a lazy day casting a line close to your site. This campground has 30 sites with 30/50 amp hookups and water, though the campground is also home to a few sites with sewer connections too – so don’t hesitate to ask! Middle Creek has cabins on the premises, and can also accommodate tents, hammock campers, RVs, and even tour buses! You’re sure to fit right in. Come see why so many Virginia campers love spending their weekends at Middle Creek. Cell service and wifi are limited in this neck of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which only adds to the serenity. So “unplug, unwind, and get back to this beautiful natural world!”
$20 - $85 / night
Scout
Staff were friendly campground was nice with shade pull throughs and fairly level.
Traveler
Nothing to write home about but it’s pretty. There’s a road that runs right in front that has some noise. Not all that different from most national forests, which isn’t bad.
Scout
Douthat is really four separate campgrounds. Three of them (i.e. not Whispering Pines) are located near the lake. Each one had a campground host (volunteer) and wood for sale.
White Oak Campground is larger, wooded, and has a significant elevation change between different sites. Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles.
Beaver Dam Campground is relatively flat and similarly wooded while also providing equestrian facilities.
Lakeside Campground is smaller but the front row sites provide great lake views. Unfortunately swimming is only allowed in the Beach area which is not directly connected to this campground.
Whispering Pines is a few miles away along the entry road and has a different character. It’s a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites.
The Lakeside Camp Store is nice and has a to-go counter for food. The facilities, overall, were well maintained and clean. Firewood is for sale for $6 per bundle.
Traveler
Thunder BRidge is a unique property tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Near Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia, the campground was once a CCC camp. Now it is home to many quiet tent sites, screen cabins, log cabins, and even some fully furnished rental cabins.
The campground is about 60% wooded, the rest is open ground with buildings from the camp's earlier days. The open area includes several artists' studios. At one edge is a forest creek, great for wading.
The campground is mostly tenting sites and rustic cabins, but there are RV sites in the open area.
This is not a "resort" but you won't find a more beautiful, quiet campground!
Traveler
Pretty much what a campground should be. Absolutely 0 service. No place to get ice if you’re out. Make sure you have a full tank of gas.
Traveler
Probably a great place to camp during the fall. During the summer they lease space to the 4-H club that teaches people to shoot black powder muskets for the civil war reenactments. From 8:30am until 3-5pm it sounds like a gun range. It’s not a shot here and there, its volleys of black powder guns (think cannons) being shot all at once. It echos off the water and is the opposite of peaceful. The ranger said it would only be for an hour a day, unless it was a competition day, well for the 5 days we were there it must have been competition. We ended up leaving the park during the day.
The sites are good. Most need lots of leveling help (bring spare wood!). The newer part has a nice bathhouse. The older part had a really old bathhouse. (So old it’s hard to tell if it’s dirty or just old.)
It’s not a bad place to visit. But combat veterans should avoid during the summer months.
The sites are nice. The ones in the newer area (laurel ridge) are close to the nice bathhouse. Both bathhouses have WiFi. No cell service to speak of. (We have Verizon but most of these places have none.)
ScoutSwimming in this beautiful and very swimmable and safe lake is limited to a kiddie area - useless if you're looking for exercise. Count on a ranger yelling if you go elsewhere despite the absence of "no-swimming" signs. (Lots of signs about not feeding the wildlife). Tennessee state parks, for example, allow swimming in huge lakes swamped with jet-skis and speed boats. Lake Norris, Harrison Bay... What's wrong with "swim at your own risk?" No cellular signal which can be a plus. Old fashioned pay phone available for the generation that knows how to operate those.
Guide
We love staying right on the creek, the view and sound of it is the best. The ones down by the creek don’t have an electric or water but they’re so worth it. The bathroom is at the top of the hill so that’s kind of a pain but the the only downfall for us. Everyone has always been kind and friendly, our dogs love it here too!
LegendWe were in site #5. It was not level yet nothing in the mountains is level. The electric showed 30 & 50 amp yet the 30 amp was disconnected and that's what we need. We had to use the 50 amp hook up. The electric bo is on the wrong side of the site, most in this loop are on the wrong side. We filled with water this loop you have to fill with water.
The site was nice sized and shaded.
There isn't any cell service yet near the camp loop 2 the loop below ours behind spot #10 as you walk to the lake at a specific spot you can get service.
The lake is beautiful. Our neighbor was catching nice fish out in his boat. Many different kinds of fish and very nice sized brown trout.
There is a swim beach which you can launch a kayak or canoe from the beach.
The Marina is closed yet there is a boat launch near the marina.
They really need to update the campground area's was told it was all closed for a few years too bad they didn't update the campgrounds.
There isn't much around so bring your supplies with you. There is a small general store that sells somethings and gas but it's not a real grocery. They did sell excellent Virginia peanuts there.
favorite campsites are:
Campground 1
sites 9 and 2 were my favorite. Sites 2, 3, 9 & 10 the electric boxes are on the correct side.
Campground 2 sites 44 and 45 are nice with water & electric.
Sites 47, 50, 53, 54, 51 and 55 have no hook ups yet they are waterfront sites.
Campground 3 there is a boat & trailer storage area.
Best sites are 69 and 70 with water & electric.
No hook ups 64, 88 and 89 are waterfront.
They had a problem with the water in our loop so the bath house was closed and they had port o potties in front of the bath house. The day use area is big and was not crowded at all. There were many people camping in our loop it was very quiet.
Guide
I loved the seclusion. But you have to walk to the site
RangerLevel spots right on pond. Nice playground and pool. Friendly environment.
Traveler
Very nice small campground I 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. Campground well maintained and fishing was nice that have a couple of Courtesy watercraft for the campers use.
GuideA very well kept campground. Bathhouses are very clean and sites are well maintained. Sites are paved and not too close. Sites in the older section (red bud) will require leveling. As indicated on park web site there is no cell service in the park. WiFi is available outside the contact station
Scout
We camped at middle creek for two nights in mid may in our travel trailer. It was early season, mid- may, so there were few other campers around. We took a site up their gravel road away from the main campground area. We had a fabulous site tucked beside a little brook, very peaceful and quiet. But even if there had been more campers around, the sites are a bit more generous than your average private campground (we do not like the common ‘ parking lot’ type arrangements) I’d recommend those along the brook because you can face away from the road for a bit more privacy.
The staff were super nice and very attentive…when we needed some firewood and none had been bundled, they said the ‘guys’ would bring us some after they returned from a chore, and sure enough, at 9 pm they delivered directly to our campsite (not to mention it was a very generous amount for ten dollars compared to our experience at state and national campgrounds).
Overall a great place. We will definitely return again. We were driving the blue ridge parkway and it’s about 20 minutes away but on very pretty roads with hiking spots nearby (and even closer if you are on rt 81).
Ranger
This is a very typical KOA and, with one exception, it provides the services one expects from a KOA. However, it is rather small and it has some sites that are not level but can be leveled with some effort by the camper.
The office staff was very professional while still being country-friendly and helpful. Also, the KOA is just a few miles from Natural Bridge State Park. I found it to be worth the $9 admission fee.
I had excellent cell service on Verizon. Although the KOA offers WiFi, I was never able to get a strong enough signal to connect to the internet even though I tried several times during the afternoon, early evening, and late at night.
My biggest disappointment was that although the showers, sinks and toilets were very clean and well maintained, they did not meet my ADA expectations.
I was there on Tuesday, May2, 2023.
TravelerThere are many seasonal campers but not many were at their campers. We had a quiet pull through on the top of the hill which was actually a buddy site with two hookups along the length. Great if camping with friends.
LegendGeneral: There are four campgrounds in Douthat State Park - White Oak, Whispering Pines, Lakeside, and Beaver Dam (equestrian), each in a separate location. This review is for White Oak. White Oak has 31 sites and It was full when we were there on a Tuesday in mid-October.
Site Quality: All sites (except 17 and possibly 18) appeared level and were very generous in size with long driveways. Many trees separate the sites. A picnic table, lantern hook, and fire ring complete the site. Sites 22-29 are tucked further away from the others and the bathhouse.
Bathhouse: Clean and modern. Showers were available but I did not use them so I cannot comment on how well they worked.
Activities/Amenities: A dishwashing sink, fish cleaning area, and many hiking trails throughout the park, including one (to Blue Suck Falls) that has access directly from the campground. We hiked this but the waterfall was just a trickle when we were there!
We met friends here, so it was nice to have adjoining sites. Bear warnings were posted throughout the campground, but we didn’t see any!
ScoutVery comfortable. Restrooms are heated and showers are present.
GuideGreat mix of full hook up, water and electric, and tent sites. A wooded campground with beautiful ponds, and a trout fishing pond. Big enough for small and medium size campers but not being surrounded by giant RV’s and fifth wheels. Just off the blue ridge parkway. GreAt access to all the hiking. Stayed here twice. The little country store is great.
Traveler
We camped here with a group of nine of us (4 tents) and we had plenty of extra room. There was a fire ring with a adjustable grill rack and 6 picnic tables. We had five cars parked right in front of our site and that was super nice.
There were two vault toilets right across where we parked our cars. The bathrooms were super clean with stainless steel toilet seats. We were very happy with the cleanliness of the bathroom. There were also an area for trash disposal. It was nice not having to drive our trash out!
We stayed at campsite 3 which is right next to campsite 2. We could hear the conversation from campsite 2 and see them. Campsite two and one had a water pump. Campsite 1 was right next to the bathrooms and the public picnic area. I would not recommend booking campsite 1. Campsite 1 was also smaller than 2 and 3. On Saturday the public picnic area next to the group camp ground was over flowing. People kept coming into our campsites to use our picnic benches and set up picnic blankets around our campsite. This was very annoying.
We enjoyed making the short trip to the Loft Mountain Camp Store which had souvenirs, food, wood, milk shakes, ice cream, coffee, camping equipment, showers, flushing toilets , and laundry.
We also enjoyed making the short trip to the Loft Mountain Wayside to eat in the restaurant there.
At night the you could see stars. We took a walk to the overlook in the middle of the night to stargaze.
We loved our time here.
RangerQuiet small campground. Couldn't ask for much more. Most sites do kind of pair up so if you need more privacy then reserve the pair of sites. Otherwise most are pretty sizable. We reserved 35&36. 35 was pretty sloped but the gravel driveway wasn't too terribly unlevel. Only real issue was where our steps came out right into a sloped area and was hard to set them right and had to be careful coming in and out. Also it made the awning much lower over our heads but we are both pretty short so no big deal there....except my husband did smack his head pretty good on the awning arm lol no worries he's ok! One night we did have some loud drunken adult neighbors just making strange noises and screaming a whole bunch but seems they didnt stay up too late thankfully. Hosts are friendly and helpful if they are around. A couple bathrooms with shower, utility sinks behind bathroom, water spigots throughout and a playground. Bathrooms were pretty clean but overrun by spiders so I definitely didn't spend any time in there. Firewood and ice available. Water fill and dump station with a lone basketball hoop. Cell service (at&t) was a little spotty but for the most part we usually had about 2 bars and were even able to watch a little netflix on the one rainy day. Lake moomaw is very pretty and just a few miles away to check out the dam, beach and boat ramps. Fishing seems very popular at this lake. Beach was small but pretty. Theres a large bathroom, a volleyball net, picnic tables and I believe a few tent camping spots as well. We visited 4 different campgrounds on this trip and this was definitely one of the top 2 favorites.
TravelerGreat campground. Very quiet, clean and right off of 81. Great place to stop on a southern trip. Pool was clean and bath house was newer and very clean.
Would stay here again.
Guide
Clean campground. Very relaxing surrounded by trees. The sites had great space. Dog friendly.
GuideThis park is in one of my favorite parts of VA. Very beautiful area with plenty of off grid seclusion! It’s a nice scenic drive getting to the park on a quiet and well maintained back road.
The rangers at the park are very knowledgeable and kind and have no problem answering questions. There are many camping areas in the park, Some near creeks and on the lake as well. There are also cabins here! Plenty of picnic areas and great fishing as well!
It’s $8 a day for a fishing pass and you can rent John boats or kayaks here as well, In season the lake and creek are stocked with plenty of Rainbow trout. You can keep them for dinner if you like! Just follow all DNR laws on size and amount!
Some spots include clean bathrooms, hot showers, soda machines, fish fillet tables, Picnic tables, fire pits and so on.
I highly recommend this park for your next getaway or along your way!
GuideThis is a great camp located near lake Moomaw! Right off the road with easy access to the sites. First come first serve but this particular camp has a lot of sites!
Plenty close by to do for outdoor lovers, Lake moomaw is a gorgeous hidden gem that not many people go to. It has a boat launch, shaded fishing areas, bathrooms, Grills, picnic tables and plenty of parking at the lake.
Bigger towns with Big Box stores about 30-45 minutes out, Hilly roads in and out of here but nothing the mini-van couldn’t handle! Spots for RV’s, Tents, And Vans are all accessible here.
Cool foggy mornings and nice dark nights out here, Usually always someone camping in this spot so you mostly won’t be out there alone.
All sites have picnic tables and fire pits, And there is actually a little bit of CELL SERVICE! And good radio service as well!
Great stop for primitive campers!
GuideThis place was certainly beautiful; our site was right on the pond; even though the electric and water hookups were a little funky. Overall a beautiful spot high in the mountains. Be aware; there is zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it’s a bit of a drive. Also FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE CAMPGROUND WEBSITE. VA56 is a very windy road not recommended for pulling a camper through. Use the blue ridge parkway.
TravelerWe stayed in a Pull Through, Full Hookup site on the hillside. It was surprisingly very level. We just used this as a base for visiting Natural Bridge State Park, so it was only an overnighter.
The bathrooms & private showers were amazing & clean. The laundry room looked just as nice, but we didn’t use it.
We didn’t use the pool, but the kids enjoyed the Gameroom!
Of everything we used there, the only thing to mention that was dirty was the game room. But I’ll take that, we were very impressed with the playground, dog park & they even had chickens & a petting farm upon entry.
This KOA seriously restored my faith in KOA’s. I will renew our membership, (which is about to expire), based on this visit. There are great ones out there!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Steeles Tavern, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Steeles Tavern, VA is Crabtree Falls Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Steeles Tavern, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 glamping camping locations near Steeles Tavern, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
