The Vesuvius, Virginia area sits at the eastern edge of the George Washington National Forest with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates across camping areas. The region experiences cooler nights even in summer, with temperature drops of 15-20 degrees after sunset. Most campgrounds near Vesuvius open from April through October, though several free dispersed sites remain accessible year-round.
What to do
Fishing at multiple elevations: Both Sherando Lake Campground and Montebello Resort offer diverse fishing opportunities at different elevations. "There are two lakes--the lower lake is the largest at 25 acres, and and while the beach can get crowded during peak season, it's an easy walk from the campground, with a large swimming area roped off. Canoeing is available at the lake, and there are several hiking trails," notes one Sherando Lake visitor. At Montebello, "The pond at front has stocked trout and a small lake in the back has bass and crappie. Suitable for paddle boats or kayak," reports a camper.
Appalachian Trail access: Several campgrounds serve as convenient baseballs for AT hikers. "They provide a free shuttle to the camp, as well as group tent area for registered AT thru-hikers," mentions a visitor to Sherando Lake. Another camper at Devils Backbone notes it's "walking distance to devils backbone brewery. Clean bathrooms. Close distance to hiking trails and other breweries and cideries. Close to humpback rock, spy rock, crabtreefalls and many more trails to explore."
Rock scrambling with views: Spy Rock offers a challenging hike with significant rewards. "Spy Rock is this awesome hike about an hour away from Charlottesville, Va. It is a great hike with a small rock scramble at the top for an extra bit of fun. Not only that, but the top has almost 360 degree views of the Shenandoah Valley," shares an experienced hiker. For those camping overnight at the summit, "there is a little clearing meant for camping. Sure you have to cart all of your crap to the top with you, but TOTALLY worth it once you catch that sunrise from the top of the mountain."
What campers like
River proximity: Campers consistently praise sites positioned near moving water. At Crabtree Falls Campground, "The sites run along a river, which provides great back drop for getting away from the city. Our campsite was at the end of a row, which made it great for taking the dogs on little walks away from the campsite," explains one visitor. Another notes that "each campsite has trails that go directly to the river!"
Primitive camping options: Free dispersed camping at Oronoco Campground offers a more rustic experience. "Nice spot, it's small but the sites are free and surrounded by clear mountain streams. We originally were only going to stay the night but liked it so much we stayed for three," shares one camper. Another visitor describes it as "a very nice, pretty open area. This area is designated as a national forest campground, but didn't have a fee or closure dates like others. Creek runs through. Pit toilet bathrooms were open."
Brewery access: Unique to this region is the combination of outdoor recreation with craft beverage access. Devils Backbone Camp receives consistent praise for this feature: "Great site with plenty of room. The bathhouse is top notch! Squeaky clean with lots of space. Love that you can just walk to the brewery from your site," notes one happy camper. Another agrees: "You can have several great beers with your meal and safely walk back to the camp site."
What you should know
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters, particularly bears, require proper preparation at several campgrounds. At Sherando Lake, "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!" reports one camper. The campground provides bear boxes at each site for safe food storage.
Seasonal crowds: Summer brings significant crowds to popular areas, particularly waterfront sites. "The campground gets five stars because of the awesome volunteer hosts. Ron started a fire for us while we were waiting for our firewood to be delivered and the next night, came over to our site bringing additional wood to keep our fire going," notes one Sherando Lake visitor, indicating the helpfulness of staff during busy periods.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically across the region. At Walnut Hills Campground, "Wifi is free and open so no password and therefore, not secure," notes one visitor, highlighting the need for caution when using campground networks. Meanwhile, at Oronoco Campground, a visitor reports "No cell service for AT&T or T-mobile" and at Montebello Resort, campers note "there is zero cell service at the campground. To get decent service it's a bit of a drive."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Several campgrounds offer safe swimming areas ideal for children. At Sherando Lake, "The lake is beautiful! It's a decent walk from the campground but we usually walk down in the morning and spend all day there," reports a regular visitor. They add, "There is great hiking! Beautiful views everywhere. Friendly people. They have activities during the summer like outdoor movies and live music."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature designated play areas for children. At Stoney Creek Resort, "This campground is so big. I believe they currently have around 400 spots," notes one visitor, adding that "They have a pretty big lake available for fishing and swimming (in season) too." The extensive facilities include playgrounds throughout the property.
Educational opportunities: Combining camping with learning experiences enhances family trips. At Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, "There is a gas station right next to it as well as a safari park. The campground itself has a pool, open seasonally, a game room, and a playground. It's an old school playground but the gkids love it," reports a repeat visitor, highlighting the combination of on-site and nearby attractions that appeal to different age groups.
Tips from RVers
Hookup peculiarities: Several campgrounds have unusual utility configurations that require planning. At Devils Backbone Camp, "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 or you had to pull into the site the opposite way," explains one RVer.
Site selection strategy: Carefully researching site dimensions prevents arrival disappointments. A visitor to Stoney Creek Resort notes, "Despite having so many sites, they are rather spacious. All are back in and some can be difficult due to some trees but all are manageable and they base your site based on your rig size so they know their site sizes well." At Devils Backbone, a camper advises, "make sure you have a 30ft power cord at least!"
Seasonal operation differences: Operating schedules vary across campgrounds near Vesuvius. At Walnut Hills, a visitor reports "Short-term sites are in the very front but you do have to take a circuitous route through the campground to get back to that area after checking in. Many long-term sites around the lake and up in the hilly area." They add that "They used to be a KOA but dropped their membership last year because some of KOAs rules just didn't make sense for them."
