RV camping near Sugar Grove, Virginia sits in the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations between 2,500-3,000 feet. Summer temperatures average 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowland areas, with nighttime temperatures often dropping into the 50s even during July and August. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with several parks experiencing complete signal loss in valley locations.
What to do
Bike the New River Trail: Access this 57-mile rail trail just one block from Fries New RiverTrail RV Park. "We rode the first 6 miles (and back) of the New River Trail to the train trestle and through the tunnel, just beyond. Easy ride with 2% grade," notes Jennifer K. The trailhead is less than a half mile from the campground.
Attend local music events: Small towns in the region offer authentic Appalachian music experiences. "Thursday evenings, the community center hosts a jam session - check it out!!" suggests Bran P. about Fries. The area sits on the "Crooked River Music Trail" with multiple venues hosting regional performers.
Fishing and water access: Doughton Park Campground offers creek access for fishing. The campground features primitive sites with basic amenities. "There is a nice walking path along the river. It sits down at the base of some rugged hills and gives it a private feel. Deer came right up to our camper," reports June W.
What campers like
Creekside camping: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites. "Several RV parks near Sugar Grove provide sites with various hookup options. "Small, sites right near a babbling brook, and very quaint," writes Bran P. about Fries New RiverTrail RV Park. The sites are arranged in crescents so everyone's door faces the water.
Fall foliage viewing: The Blue Ridge Parkway offers excellent seasonal color viewing. "We stayed for four nights and it was very nice the people are extremely nice," notes Terry A. about Fort Chiswell RV Park. The higher elevation campgrounds provide the best foliage opportunities from late September through mid-October.
Clean, level sites: "Sites are level. Nothing severe at all. All sites are full hookups," reports Nancy C. about Fries New RiverTrail RV Park. This attention to detail is important for RV campers in the mountainous terrain, where uneven sites can cause stability issues.
What you should know
RV size limitations: Mountain roads present challenges for larger rigs. "The roads were windy and a tad narrow but definitely do-able as long as you took your time," notes Bran P. Most campgrounds can accommodate 30-35 foot RVs, but longer rigs may struggle with tight turns and steep grades.
Weather considerations: Flash flooding occurs in valley campgrounds during heavy rain. "Unseasonably wet during our stay. 4 days of almost non-stop rain," writes Roger W. about Doughton Park Campground. Low-lying sites near creeks are most vulnerable during storms.
Limited supplies: Stock up before arrival as rural stores have minimal inventory. "Supplies slim in Fries area. CVS/Dollar General," mentions Monty. Larger towns like Galax (30 minutes from many campgrounds) offer more shopping options for groceries and camping supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: River Country Campground in Piney Creek offers family-friendly amenities. "New playground for the kids! Remodeled bath houses make it the nicest campground on the river," says Melissa P. The playground area provides a designated activity space for children.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water recreation. "The swimming pond was awesome with a spot for the dogs," writes Donna B. about Riverwalk RV Park. Swimming areas provide relief during summer heat, though water temperatures remain cool year-round.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe local animals in natural habitats. "Deer came right up to our camper and my husband saw them while walking our dog," reports June W. Early mornings and dusk offer the best wildlife viewing times when animals are most active.
Tips from RVers
Water pressure considerations: "Being at the end of the water line for the park, our pressure wasn't great so we used our fresh water tank and water pump for showers and to wash dishes," shares Sherri J. about Fries New RiverTrail RV Park. RVers should come prepared with full fresh water tanks as backup.
Site selection strategy: "Site #9, our site, is one of the best sites we have had in almost 4 years of travel. The regulars call this site the 'honeymoon site', because of the heart shaped large rocks which create a lower terraced picnic area," advises Roger W. about Fort Chiswell RV Park. Request specific sites when making reservations.
Offseason benefits: Visiting during spring or fall provides better availability. "We were only planning to stay the night but decided to stay a couple of days to let weather pass us by," notes Mary P. Weekdays from April-May and September-October offer the best combination of pleasant weather and campground availability.
