Campers visiting Stuarts Draft in Virginia will find several good camping areas within driving distance. Big Meadows Campground sits inside Shenandoah National Park, where the sites have enough room for gear and connect to many hiking paths. The Sherando Lake Campground has a lake where people can swim and fish, plus a beach section for relaxing. If you want fewer neighbors, Lewis Mountain Campground is smaller and tends to be less crowded than the others. You can drive to all these places without much trouble since the roads are kept in good shape. Watch for deer and birds around your camp, and store your food properly so animals don't come looking for a meal. Fire rules change depending on how dry it's been, so check what's allowed before you go. During busy times like summer weekends, you should book ahead since these places fill up fast. The Stuarts Draft area features quality campgrounds that provide excellent basecamp options for exploring Virginia's mountains, with sites available for different camping preferences and group sizes. The weather around Stuarts Draft can change quickly, and it's often cooler at higher spots in the mountains, so bring layers even in summer.
$25 - $47 / night
"Sherando Lake is a well-maintained, popular campground located in the George Washington National Forest near Lyndhurst, VA."
"The lakeside is wonderful for sitting, reading and swimming. The "upper lake" is great for fishing. "
$25 - $140 / night
"First time camping in any part of Virginia, very nice and clean campground, not too much outside noise besides the random car driving on the one road near by."
"We set up camp then walked over to the brewery/ restaurant for some flights and dinner. I recommend grabbing some growlers to go. Showers and restrooms were clean."
$45 - $99 / night
"You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything. Wifi is free and open so no password and therefore, not secure. Trash picked up each day."
"Good location close to I81 but little road noise. I did hear a train."
$35 - $75 / night
"The winding layout allowed for more distance between other sites. The woods were beautiful with easy walking trails right from the site."
"Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field. Bath house was very clean and very well thought out."
$28 - $55 / night
"The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night."
"I’ve camped at a completely different part of this place before which was a site without access to bathrooms and showers."
$29 - $45 / night
"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 and Jenna,etc."
"Lots for them to do, great swimming lake, employees were a pleasure. Trash pick-up was awesome !! Our site was gorgeous. Not a full hook up(more on that later), but absolutely perfect."
$36 - $132 / night
"We spent 2 weeks at SVC while our trunk was in the shop(our travel trailer got towed there- highly recommend Good Sam Roadside policy). Everyone on staff was accomodating, helpful and friendly."
"It was clean, but had a trail of ants get into my belongings. Sites are close to one another and the cabins are not near the water. They are near the bath house though."
$30 - $75 / night
"This campground is perfect for those looking to just get away from things for a couple of days."
"We got a walk in site, so our tent was way far away from cars and other people. The site included a fire pit w/grill grate, picnic table, and metal bear box."
"Beautiful surroundings. No phone signal and wifi was a joke but that's not a bad thing!"
"Ate at their on-site restaurant while a local band played outside. Mostly used by local folks as a seasonal CG. Lots of semi-permanent fixtures attached to rigs. Did get a PassPort America discount."
$38 - $55 / night
"This is one of Virginia’s best kept secrets for Cabins, RV or Tent camping. The location is awesome; close to some great hiking spots, very accessible & well laid out."
"The upstairs neighbors were probably as quiet as they could be but you could still hear them walking around and using the plumbing. The trout pond is not what they make it out to be on the website."
ScoutI loved this camp spot, easily accessible with any vehicle (no need for 4 wheel drive). There are a couple trails near the campground that you could take and do an early morning sunrise hike which was beautiful. I tent camped, there was plenty of flat space to set up the tent. Quiet area overall with a nice creek running nearby.
LegendThis is the first site after you leave Douthat State Park. It is on the left and large enough for a small to medium camper or a few tents. Good flat area between Wilson Creek and Douthat State Park Road. There may been an area in the woods for this site but I wasn't able to explore to check it out.
TravelerThis place charges $100 a night after fees and taxes. Decent enough place but definitely not worth the money. Not one working toilet or shower and if you want some firewood it costs $1 per piece. You can do so much better than this place.
TravelerIt was a great public spot to disperse camp as there are plenty of areas to set up camp on the way to the summit, but none beat the view of this one. The view from both sunset and sunrise are immaculate, with an unobstructed stunning sunset view from the camp site, and a gorgeous golden glow coming from just across the trail. There is plenty of room to find the perfect spot to set up camp and truly find your best view. While you would want to bring everything for a good time, pack light for the hike if there are not many hands. The somewhat steep hike seems to be 1.0 mile from the Booten’s Gap Parking Lot to the summit (Booten’s being the base of the hike).
TravelerThe road to drive down to the lake is really rocky and not paved, make sure you have a good car (we did not)! There are multiple campsites that are all beautiful, the forest is really fun to explore. You can see lots of stars if the night sky is clear, which to me is always such a plus! Overall a great low-key campsite with great nature and easy set up! Also if you go camping bring a trash bag from home and collect your trash littering is not okay. There was lots of litter around the campground but we had brought a trash bag and collected the litter that had been left there. Be kind to nature!!
LegendThis is the first of 10 sites on Hercules Road, Route 812. This Forest Service Road #36 runs along Rocky Row Run Creek and is open all year long. This site is on the right and sits along the creek. There is a fire ring behind the barrier rocks and flat areas for tents both inside and outside of the rocks. There is also two more fire rings and tent areas as you walk along the creek.
Check out site 1 and all the others on this road in our video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjBE-ASivns&t=36s
LegendThis is the largest site on the road. Plenty of room for a large group to spread out. There are even three walk in sites around the main site if you want a little more privacy.
Check out site 5 and all the others in our video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjBE-ASivns&t=640s
LegendWe have camped here a couple times when it was empty and had a really peaceful experience. It’s a simple, no-frills national forest campground with a nice open grassy area and a small creek running next to it. Plenty of room to spread out.
We didn’t have any issues during our stay. It was quiet, clean, and easy to access. I can see how it might feel different depending on timing, though, during the hunting season there are usually a lot more people around. Most of the time when we’re in the area, we actually camp about 2 miles up the road where there are 5 dispersed campsites that offer a bit more separation.
LegendWe have camped here a couple of times. Nothing special but access to the river makes it great if you are fishing or kayaking. You will need a fishing license or access pass and must register that you are camping here. Other then the needed pass or license there is no camping fee.
Camping near Stuarts Draft, Virginia offers several options for outdoor enthusiasts in the Blue Ridge Mountain region. At approximately 1,400 feet elevation, the area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby cities. Fall camping is particularly popular when the surrounding forest displays vivid color changes, typically peaking in mid-October.
Fishing opportunities: Montebello Resort offers both a stocked trout pond and a small lake for fishing. "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 Adrian K.
Waterfall hiking trails: The Crabtree Falls trail, located near Crabtree Falls Campground, provides access to one of Virginia's tallest waterfalls. "The falls are a great hike and there are lots of services nearby. A great Parkway stop," explains Anna R., while another camper mentions you can "walk 15 min up the road to the waterfall hike - parking can be crazy up there but you can walk!"
Brewery visits: Several campgrounds provide access to local breweries. At Devils Backbone Camp, "You are a quick walk to the brewery and café, where you can grab breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is nice and dark at the campground, so great for star watching," according to Erika S.
Lake activities: The swimming areas at Sherando Lake appeal to many campers. "Sherando Lake campground was clean and easy to access just off of the BRP. The sites were level and everything looked recently upgraded. We didn't get in the water, but we saw the beach and it looked perfect for kids," according to Mike G.
Privacy options: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites. A camper at Loft Mountain Campground shares, "My daughter picked site A33g since it was secluded and we were unlikely to have neighbors during our midweek visit. It was a bit of a walk through lush greenery from the car to the tent site, but once there, you really feel like you are the only humans on the mountain."
Riverside camping: Multiple campgrounds feature sites alongside waterways. At Crabtree Falls Campground, "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night," says Britt S., highlighting the natural sound barrier these sites provide.
Cell service limitations: Many campsites have limited connectivity. At Montebello Resort, a camper notes, "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."
Road access considerations: Mountain roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. "Be aware; VA56 is a very windy road not recommended for pulling a camper through. Use the blue ridge parkway," advises Quinn G. about accessing Montebello Resort.
Wildlife precautions: Bears are active in the region. A camper at Sherando Lake Campground reports, "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!" All sites in this area provide bear boxes for food storage.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide child-friendly water activities. At Shenandoah Valley Campground, "We had a great site on the river. Spaces were small but big enough for all our equipment. They had an awesome pool that was heated, hot tubs, mini golf and good playgrounds. My kids were in heaven," shares Lo H.
Multiple activities: Some campgrounds offer various entertainment options. "There are a lot of kiddos riding bicycles, hover boards, scooters, and skateboards around the loops, so the 5 MPH speed limit is important," reports a camper about Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley.
Campsite selection: Families should consider bathroom proximity. At Sherando Lake Campground, one camper shares, "We always get campsite A13, which is right across from the bathrooms. Very convenient with kids. The site is pretty secluded with trees, so you can't see your neighbors."
Hookup positioning: At some campgrounds, utility connections may require planning. At Devils Backbone Camp, "The hookups in this area were 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 to run to the opposite side of your rig," notes Steve V.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites. "The one problem is the camper section is very tight, whereas the tent sites look more roomy," says Ryan Z. about Shenandoah Valley Campground, while another camper at Walnut Hills Campground noted, "Access was easy. The campground was busy and everything was clean and neat. The sites were a little tight."
Dump station maintenance: Check the condition of dump facilities. A camper at Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley cautions, "Since our site had no sewer hook up, we needed to dump before leaving. It's conveniently located on the way out, BUT was completely overflowed. Toilet paper everywhere, and oh the stench."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds in Stuarts Draft, Virginia?
While there aren't campgrounds directly in Stuarts Draft itself, several excellent options surround the area. Devils Backbone Camp is a popular private campground nearby, known for its clean facilities and proximity to the brewery while maintaining a peaceful atmosphere. To the east, Loft Mountain Campground in Shenandoah National Park offers a perfect getaway from everyday life with curvy roads that create a secluded feel despite easy access from the park entrances. Most campgrounds in the region are situated within the surrounding mountains and forests that encircle the Stuarts Draft area.
What camping options are available near Stuarts Draft, VA?
The Stuarts Draft area offers diverse camping experiences to suit different preferences. For an exceptional wilderness experience, Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest is highly rated for its personality and well-maintained facilities with potable water. Families might enjoy Thunder Bridge, a unique property tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains that was once a CCC camp, now offering tent sites, screen cabins, log cabins, and fully furnished rentals. Additional options include private RV resorts, state park campgrounds, and national forest campsites, providing everything from primitive tent camping to full-hookup RV sites with amenities.
How far are the nearest campgrounds from Stuarts Draft?
The closest campgrounds to Stuarts Draft are within 20-30 minutes driving distance. Sherando Lake Campground is approximately 15 miles away near Lyndhurst, offering well-maintained facilities in the George Washington National Forest. Another nearby option is Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park near Staunton, about 12 miles from Stuarts Draft. For those willing to drive a bit further, campgrounds in the Shenandoah National Park are within 45-60 minutes, offering more remote camping experiences with beautiful mountain views and hiking access.
Keep Exploring
