2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground houses several luxury yurt accommodations and glamping units along the picturesque shoreline of Virginia's second-largest freshwater lake. These elevated camping options offer comfortable queen-sized beds with premium linens, climate control systems, and private decks overlooking the wooded surroundings. One guest noted, "We had a wonderful time camping at Smith Mountain Lake State Park with plenty of good sites to choose from and hot showers in spacious, private stall bathrooms." Each glamping unit includes electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings while maintaining a natural setting with ample privacy between sites. The park's glamping options balance rustic charm with modern comforts, situated just minutes from swimming beaches and boat launches.
Visitors access an extensive network of hiking trails directly from these glamping accommodations, with several routes offering spectacular lake views and wildlife spotting opportunities. According to a camper, "The lake is beautiful and my entire family enjoyed our time with access to several hiking trails of all difficulty levels." Safari-style tent accommodations at nearby Natural Bridge KOA feature eco-friendly designs with canvas walls, raised wooden platforms, and outdoor living spaces. The area's glamping destinations provide easy access to Natural Bridge State Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail. Summer visitors can enjoy paddleboard and kayak rentals at Smith Mountain Lake, while cooler seasons offer exceptional stargazing due to minimal light pollution. Most glamping sites in the region require advance reservations, with peak season running from May through September.
"The tent (non-electric, non-hookups) sites are at the back in their own section. They are the farthest from the bathhouse, but also the most private."
"I have camped here for 15 years most in tents, each site contains all you need a table pole for light and fire pit. Bathhouse is open,clean showers are hot."
Available next weekend
from $27 - $144 / night
"All of the sites were roomy and featured a small fire pit, picnic table, water, and electricity. Several of them even had a pull-through site and would work well for a small pop-up."
"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."
Available next weekend
from $20 - $85 / night
"We had a gravel pull through spot with a picnic table on a wooden deck, fire pit, and full hook up. There is a pool and a playground, however they were both closed due to Covid."
"This campground is open year round and is right off the highway. There is a gas station right next to it as well as a safari park. "
from $35 / night
"There was a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging, laughing, loving, and hanging out!"
"If that isn’t enough, there is a lake with a big blow up slide and more in the center and also has river access. You can get free life jackets to use and can rent out boats for the river."
from $39 - $241 / night
"Rangers on site were super sweet."
"Slightly dirty bathrooms, not sanitary, but a lot of bugs, spiderwebs etc. Alternative to crowded Shenandoah campgrounds, although is a good drive away <60+ miles away from entrance."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
from $25 - $150 / night
"This KOA was a very nice surprise given that it was right off the highway. We only were there for 1 night and we didn't hear any highway noise."
"Big patios, bbq grill, tables, fire pit. It was a quiet, well laid out and easy to manage in our 36 ft trailer. Wished I was staying much longer at this campground."
"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."
from $35 - $95 / night
"We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing)."
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $37 / night
"Our spot was right there on the water, there are bathrooms at the top of the hill. Campsites are drive up and can fit 2 vehicles. The spot also has a fire ring and picnic tables."
"I stayed on campground 1 on a lake side site with access to the lake, the views from my tent were breathtaking! The campground is clean, it has shower and flushable toilets."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 - $85 / night
ScoutWe stayed in a tent only spot #46 which is a site off the road and just a short walk away from the parking area. We absolutely loved it. Plenty of spaces to hike and fish great views of the lake. Park staff super friendly and helpful. 10/10 great spot to recommend
ScoutGreat campground post season- open until 10/31. Good weather, leaf peeping. LOTS of trails to the lake, and very dog friendly
RangerCool campground in a remote part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As such, very little phone service and lots of narrow, winding roads. Plenty of hikes and several interesting little towns within 30 minutes. I thought it was an interesting mix! We had a power outage during our visit, which also eliminates water access at this site. I was grateful to have an inverter to keep us online since there is zero AT&T service. I had a pull-through site and I'm not certain that I could have made the exit if the campers ahead of me didn't leave.
GuideWe had a blast here. My kiddo was able to roam freely and safely with other kids. We enjoyed a hike with the dogs, as well as swimming at the beaches.
ScoutThis is a nice little place with level sites and easy shower/restroom access. I thought it was a little pricey and we had to drive to the lake, but it's a nice place to paddle board or kayak because they don't allow motor boats. They have a nice beach that our kid liked. You also have to the fairy stone hunting ground - we didn't find any. But there's a cool hiking trail with a couple of abandoned mine entrances.
LegendVery beautiful surrounds and plenty of family fun to be had here. Pool, waterslides, splash pad, jumping pillows, playgrounds, mini golf, and of course the James River, to which our campsite was immediately adjacent. It's 8 minutes to the state park with the natural bridge, which is spectacular. . The staff are super nice and helpful.
ScoutBeautiful campground, all sites are paved with designated tent pads,h20,and power 20/30/50 amp. There is plenty to do at park fairy stone hunts, paddling, hiking, beach etc.
GuideTypical campground with rv spots close together with no shade. Fill hook ups at each site.
RangerMostly seasonal campers, but an idyllic environment. I am parked alongside a babbling brook. Poor cell reception, no tv. A forced off the grid experience.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park provides several camping options with varying amenities near Thaxton, Virginia. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains foothills, the area features elevations between 800-1,500 feet with significant temperature drops at night, even during summer months. The tent sites are spacious and well-separated, typically measuring 25-30 feet apart, making this location suitable for both RV and tent campers seeking privacy.
Stargazing sessions: Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "Boy are there some amazing stars out here," notes a visitor to Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground. Plan your stargazing for clear nights, with best viewing after 10pm.
Trout fishing: The streams near Middle Creek Campground provide excellent fishing opportunities, especially after restocking periods. "We arrived the day after trout stocking and so there were quite a few fishermen in the stream and on the lake. I caught a few large trout in the stream on a fly," reports a visitor to Douthat State Park Campground.
Swimming options: Beyond the designated beach areas, many campgrounds offer creek access for wading. 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," making it perfect for hot summer days when you need to cool off.
Lake access for paddling: The calm waters make this area perfect for kayaking and canoeing. "I actually stayed in an Airbnb along Smith mountain lake, but can imagine camping would be beautiful. Lake was super calm, clear and not too cold. We went out kayaking and swam out in the open," shares one visitor about the lake conditions.
Proximity to breweries: The Thaxton area is conveniently located near several craft breweries. "Stopping at Smith Mountain lake was well worth it during my mini road trip through VA... There is a cool brewery nearby (Sunken City Brewery)," notes a camper from Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground.
Wide range of yurt options: Yurt camping near Thaxton, Virginia offers comfortable accommodations with basic to deluxe amenities. At Crabtree Falls Campground, visitors appreciate the variety, with one noting, "I can't wait to snag a cabin or water front tent site on our next visit." These semi-permanent structures provide a glamping experience with solid flooring and canvas walls.
Limited tent site availability: At some campgrounds, tent sites are extremely limited. A visitor to Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA warns, "There are tent sites which cost less here, BUT there are only 5 of them in the entire campground so if you end up there on a weekend don't count on them being open at all."
Reservations essential: The popularity of glamping and yurt camping in Thaxton means advance booking is necessary. "We were only going to stay 2 nights... We were glad we stayed! The campground was very nice as well as the owners and staff," notes one camper who was fortunate to find availability.
Wildlife encounters: Bears are occasionally spotted in the area. A visitor to Middle Creek Campground reports, "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear." Store food securely and follow posted wildlife safety guidelines.
Family-friendly water features: Kids particularly enjoy the recreational water options beyond swimming beaches. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge, "There were a ton of things for the kids to do here which was great. I really enjoyed the water park myself as it was in the high 90's/low 100's when we were there," mentions a satisfied family camper.
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds offer ranger-led programs. "Virginia is for lovers and camping lovers! All types of sites and hookups plus cabins. Fishing, lake swimming, hiking, educational opportunities galore," shares a visitor about the family-focused activities available.
Playground options: For families seeking structured play areas, several campgrounds offer modern facilities. "This place has tons of activities for kids and teens. This place has a family feel to it," reports a visitor about the amenities at Jellystone Park, which includes multiple playgrounds and organized activities.
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. One RVer at Middle Creek Campground shares, "Relatively level site. Location of campground was excellent with convenient access to breweries, great hike, blue ridge parkway, etc." However, they caution that not all sites share this feature.
Guide assistance: Some campgrounds provide personalized arrival help. "We were greeted at the entrance and then sent to an escort who smartly showed us to our site by taking the same path that the RV should take; making wise returns and so on," notes a camper appreciative of the extra service.
RV size limitations: Carefully check site dimensions before booking. A camper advises, "Call ahead about RV lengths to make sure you are booking the correct site for your size. I noticed more than a few people struggling with their units and some of this could have been avoided with proper booking."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Thaxton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Thaxton, VA is Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Thaxton, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Thaxton, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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