Camping areas around Danville, Virginia offer distinct experiences across southeastern Virginia and northern North Carolina. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 500-900 feet, creating moderate weather conditions that allow for year-round camping opportunities. While summer temperatures can reach the high 80s with humidity, spring and fall provide milder camping conditions with temperatures ranging from 50-75°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Hyco Lake State Park Campground provides multiple fishing piers and lake access. "Great ramp, ample trailer storage, frisbee golf, beautiful hiking trail. You will NOT regret booking here!" notes a visitor.
Disc golf courses: Lake Reidsville Recreation Park offers disc golf among its recreational activities. "Kayak rental, disc golf course, playground, picnic area and nature trail. Sites are a bit close, go for a lakefront site or one on the side of the campground," advises one camper.
Hiking trails: The region offers hiking trails for various skill levels. A visitor to Hanging Rock State Park describes, "There are a lot of reasons to love Hanging Rock State Park. There are lots of trails to explore, but they are not just trails to nowhere. There are five waterfalls to see, a climbing access area, Cook's Wall, and much more."
Water activities: Multiple lakes provide boating and paddling options. "You can rent paddle boats or kayak's or paddle boards. You may fish or ride boats," mentions one Lake Reidsville camper, though they note "the only down fall is the bath house needs updating and you can't swim."
What campers like
Lakefront camping: Most popular campgrounds feature waterfront sites. At Goose Point COE Park, "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."
Shaded sites: The wooded nature of the region provides natural cooling. At Smith Mountain Campground, a visitor notes, "Nice family owned campground with site by a babbling brook. 4 private bathrooms that are very clean at a centrally located cabin. The RV side is one one half with tent camping on the other."
Family-oriented atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to families with amenities. A visitor to Paradise Lake & Campground shares, "We had a really relaxing stay here. There were storms during our stay and the staff was very responsive to campers that were affecting by winds and debris. The pool was clean and well balanced."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain bathhouses and common areas. "The campground is broken up into three separate loops: a, b and c. Loop a has 19 sites with water and electric hookup. This loop is a little distance from the lake," explains a Goose Point camper, adding "Facilities are very nice and kept clean."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Hyco Lake, a camper reports, "Nice roads but the sites could use some updating. A lot of them are sloped. Very hard to level out a RV."
Seasonal water activities: Some campground amenities operate limited hours. "According to what I understand from their website, canoe rentals and concession stands at the lake are open weekends only in the spring and fall (10am - 5:30pm)," explains a visitor to Hanging Rock State Park.
Insect activity: Wooded areas can have significant insect populations. A Paradise Lake visitor advises, "The walking trail was nice but you will for sure want to take an extra large can of deep woods off or equivalent. There are swarms of large flys all around the water on the trail."
Reservation timing: Popular sites require advance planning. A Goose Point camper recommends, "All the activity at this campground is around the lower loop. The sites in the lower loop are close to each other but the views make up for that."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers family-friendly amenities. "Semi private campsites...close enough to the showers/restrooms without compromising all of your privacy. During the day, the state park offers trails and a beach area to swim, kayak or canoe," writes one visitor.
Swimming options: Lake access provides cooling recreation. "There is a nice swimming area, boat ramp and dock in the loop. There is also a second shower house located here," notes a Goose Point camper about the facilities.
Kid-friendly hiking: Several parks offer shorter trails suitable for children. At Hanging Rock, "The shortest hike to see a waterfall is relatively easy and is only three-tenths of a mile one way."
Site selection strategy: For families with children, choose sites strategically. "I will say if you are a tent camper like us, site 35 is the best site to avoid noisy neighbors, and is right by the bathrooms," advises a Goose Point camper who adds, "The c loop is gorgeous but the sites are very close together for tent campers."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At several campgrounds, hookup placement requires planning. A Hyco Lake camper notes, "We also noted that our water and electricity was on the passenger side of our vehicle so it was a good thing we had an extra hose to reach the water as well as a long enough cord to reach the electric box."
Entry challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access points. At Indian Heritage RV Park, a camper reports more positively, "The site we have was easy to back in. Everything works well. The WiFi is decent."
Size limitations: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs. At Paradise Lake, "No pull through sites that I saw - some site seemed precarious for larger rigs."
Winter camping considerations: Several parks remain open year-round. A Lake Reidsville camper shares, "We stayed here in the winter months (Feb - April) and it was really nice. Nearest town for groceries is 10 min away but you'll have to travel to Greensboro for bigger stores."
