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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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."
