Dispersed camping options near Stuart, Virginia are limited due to land management regulations, with most camping concentrated in established campgrounds along the Blue Ridge Parkway and around Philpott Lake. Stuart sits at approximately 1,400 feet elevation in Patrick County, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Campgrounds in this area typically operate from early spring through late fall, with only a few facilities offering winter camping.
What to do
Hiking trails at Hanging Rock State Park: Located about an hour from Stuart, this park offers over 20 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels. "The trails are well-marked, maintained, and offered a good variety for all skill levels. Our kids (ranging from early elementary to preteen) managed the trails with some effort but plenty of enthusiasm," notes a visitor to Hanging Rock State Park Campground.
Rock climbing access: The area provides several locations for both novice and experienced climbers. A visitor to Pilot Mountain State Park shares, "I've been here several times, and it's one of my favorite places for toprope climbing in the area. If you're not a climber, the views are still worth the drive."
Water recreation on Philpott Lake: This 3,000-acre lake near Stuart offers swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. "We canoed and that was fun," mentions one Salthouse Branch Campground visitor, while another notes the "nice swimming area, boat ramp and dock in the loop."
Hunt for fairy stones: A unique activity specific to the Stuart area. "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 camper at Fairy Stone State Park Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities and well-maintained grounds: Many campgrounds in the Stuart area receive positive reviews for their upkeep. A visitor to Rocky Knob Campground observed that it's a "clean wooded campground" with "clean and quiet" facilities where "no generators [are] allowed in tent camping area and quiet hours [are in effect] after 10pm."
Lake access for swimming: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas. "The lake is perfect for little ones and even grownup kids," according to a camper at Fairy Stone State Park. Another visitor adds, "We went swimming down at the beach in the morning - $3 per person, but free for campers - just bring your pass!"
Motorcycle-friendly options: The Blue Ridge Parkway area attracts many motorcyclists. A visitor to Willville Motorcycle Camp shares, "Clean showers, big fire pit, free coffee in the morning. Several restaurants nearby," while another notes it's "only a couple of minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway."
Scenic waterfront sites: Lakeside camping is popular in the region. At Goose Point COE Philpott Lake, a camper reports, "The lower loop is the most popular because it is down by the water and each of the sites have great views of the lake. Reservations have to be made well in advance for the lower loop sites."
What you should know
Limited or no cell service: Many campgrounds in the Stuart area have poor connectivity. A visitor to Fairy Stone State Park warns there's "No Verizon service or WiFi. We go here to get away."
Weather considerations: The mountains can bring rapid weather changes. One camper at Rocky Knob shared that despite rain "it poured on us all night, we still loved it."
Varying amenities between loops: Different camping loops often have different facilities. At Meadows of Dan Campground, "No trees for the pull throughs but still a nice place and right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway," while tent sites have "lovely tree cover in both the RV and tent camping areas."
Reservation needs: Popular sites book quickly. A Goose Point visitor advises, "Reservations have to be made well in advance for the lower loop sites."
Site conditions: Terrain varies widely between campgrounds. At Salthouse Branch, "Level site with good drainage made this a nice spot for a 3-day rest during a time of limited personal mobility."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. A visitor to Fairy Stone State Park noted, "The kids love the playground nearby," while another mentioned they "had a great playground for the kids nearby."
Educational programs: Rangers often provide family-friendly activities. "Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids and they haven't stopped talking about the magic of the hunt!" shares an enthusiastic parent who visited Fairy Stone State Park.
Shallow swimming areas: For families with young children, some lakes offer gradual entry points. A parent camping at Mayberry Campground mentioned "2 good-sized ponds for catch and release and also 2 kids playgrounds," providing recreation options for children.
Kid-friendly hiking trails: Look for shorter trails with interesting features. At Hanging Rock State Park, "The shortest hike to see a waterfall is relatively easy and is only three-tenths of a mile one way," making it manageable for younger hikers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Some campgrounds have limited space for bigger RVs. At Salthouse Branch, one RVer warns, "Sites are a bit small for anything over 35' but we did manage our 41' in there... they do have some large back-in FHU sites if you need but not many."
Road access considerations: Mountain roads can be challenging. An RVer at Salthouse Branch cautions, "The roads going into the campground is very narrow and steep up and downs. My breaks were gone by the time I got to the entrance."
Hookup availability: Varies widely between campgrounds. At Rocky Knob, sites are "primitive, very shady, and for the most part sites are pretty small. Very nice place if you're into dry camping, or car camping."
Leveling requirements: Many mountain sites require leveling. At Fancy Gap KOA, an RVer noted, "Nice place, hard to navigate," explaining, "they had us camp up on the top of the hill and it was difficult to navigate back down, with some very sharp turns for our fifth wheel."
