Fairy Stone State Park Campground in Stuart, Virginia sits at approximately 1,700 feet elevation in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The region experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers, mild springs and falls, and temperatures that can drop below freezing in winter months. Cabin camping options range from rustic one-room structures to multi-bedroom cottages with varying levels of amenities, offering shelter regardless of weather conditions.
What to do
Stone hunting expeditions: Several campgrounds near Stuart offer opportunities to search for the rare cross-shaped staurolite crystals known as fairy stones. "We learned about the mysterious 'Fairy Stones' and went to the hunt site to see for ourselves. Sure enough - we found several fairy stones and the kids were very happy!" reports a visitor to Fairy Stone State Park Campground.
Disc golf courses: Newer recreational options have been added to camping areas near Stuart. At Chantilly Farm RV/Tent Campground, "they have free wifi along with a brand new 9 hole disc golf course!" One visitor enjoyed "Frisbee golf and cornhole" among the available activities.
Hiking trails: The mountainous terrain around Stuart provides numerous trails with varying difficulty levels. "The park has great trails around it, they can be pretty challenging when it comes to elevation gain," notes one camper at Fairy Stone State Park. Another visitor at Stone Mountain State Park added that "Most of the trails were very easy, but the view on top of Stone Mountain was nice."
What campers like
Cabin quality: The cabins near Stuart, Virginia receive high marks for comfort and amenities. At Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground, visitors appreciate that "The cabins are sturdy, very clean, pet friendly, and complete with a refrigerator/microwave and coffee maker." Another guest commented on their cabin: "it was clean with fresh linens, a fridge, and microwave. Comfortable relaxing porch chairs to watch the sunset over the mountains."
Peace and quiet: Meadows of Dan Campground gets praise for its tranquil setting. "Very well-kept campground. Peaceful, Quiet, Wonderful Staff," wrote one reviewer. Another visitor described it as a "Mountain Quiet Campground" with "lovely tree cover in both the RV and tent camping areas."
Wildlife viewing: Campers enjoy animal sightings at the parks near Stuart. "We saw lots of deer roaming around," reported a visitor to Fairy Stone State Park. Another camper at Stone Mountain noted "lots of nice spot, tons of wildlife and deer," making wildlife spotting a common experience in the region.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many cabins and campgrounds in the Stuart area have limited or no connectivity. At Fairy Stone State Park, "There is no cell service or internet/wifi at the cabins though so come prepared with something to do! We found it to be very relaxing to unplug!"
Weather preparedness: The mountain elevation means weather can change quickly. "It poured - for hours - but our site stayed dry for the most part. The tent pads at this campground are excellent and drain well," reported a camper at Fairy Stone State Park.
Reservation requirements: Popular cabins fill quickly, especially in peak seasons. At Willville Motorcycle Camp, "There are no reservations except for either the one cabin or the bunkhouse," while most other facilities require advance booking.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Several parks feature water recreation options ideal for children. "The lake is perfect for little ones and even grownup kids," says a visitor to Fairy Stone State Park. "We went swimming down at the beach in the morning - $3 per person, but free for campers - just bring your pass!"
Educational programs: Take advantage of ranger-led activities available at some parks. "Perfect places for families. We loved all the ranger programs, especially finding all the fairy stones," notes a family that visited Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground.
Child-friendly hiking: Look for shorter trails suitable for young hikers. "Great park for hiking, seeing waterfalls, and for views!" commented one visitor about Hanging Rock State Park. Another added that "Even though it has hot water, it is NOT handicap accessible, and the shower doors are narrow," which is important information for families with accessibility needs.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites vary considerably in terrain and privacy. "The sites are a little rough but easy to level your rig," notes one RVer about Fairy Stone State Park. At Meadows of Dan Campground, there's "lovely tree cover in both the RV and tent camping areas."
Utilities and hookups: Available services differ between campgrounds. "Good power, water and nice and quite," reports an RVer who stayed at Indian Heritage RV Park. They added, "The site we have was easy to back in. Everything works well. The WiFi is decent."
Off-season considerations: Winter camping requires additional planning. "We visited in December so it was pretty cold weather but the cabin was so cozy and comfortable! We loved having the fireplace!" shared a couple who stayed in a CCC Cabin at Fairy Stone State Park.
