Campgrounds near Wingina, Virginia sit at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,200 feet in the immediate vicinity. The region experiences distinct seasons with spring bringing wildflowers to the surrounding forests, particularly along creekside campsites. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering direct river frontage while others feature small fishing ponds or lake access.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access trails from Sherando Lake Campground, where paths range from easy lakeside walks to challenging ridge trails. "The hiking here is great! The trails around the Upper Lake and Lower Lake are favorites. Lookout Rock and Torry Ridge Trails are fun too," notes Katie M., who mentions the trails connect to the Blue Ridge Parkway and intersect with the Appalachian Trail.
Music and festivals: Glen Maury Park hosts regular events throughout camping season. "There are many activities such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival. This year they built large models of the twin towers and had a program about them on September 11th," explains Priscilla S., highlighting the cultural experiences available beyond standard camping activities.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked ponds and river access points provide fishing options across several campgrounds. Camper John D. recommends bringing equipment: "Really cool set up clean campground. The people are nice and the so are the views. The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" Many sites offer morning and evening fishing when fish are most active.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive particular attention from reviewers at Devils Backbone Camp, where Vy N. states, "This campground has some of the nicest facilities of any campground I've stayed at." The campground maintains modern bathroom facilities despite remote mountain location.
Creek and river access: Several campgrounds feature water-adjacent sites. Emily R. from Crabtree Falls Campground shares, "The site backed up to a creek that created natural flowing water that we enjoyed wading through. The bath house was well maintained and super clean." Water levels vary seasonally, with spring offering stronger flows.
Dark skies: Rural locations provide excellent stargazing opportunities. One camper described the benefits of camping at Devils Backbone: "It is nice and dark at the campground, so great for star watching." Many sites maintain minimal lighting to preserve night sky views, particularly during new moon phases.
What you should know
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters require proper precautions. Lisa M. warns campers at Sherando Lake: "Each site has its own food locker which is really important because bears actually frequent the area. 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!"
Seasonal operations: Operating schedules differ between private and public campgrounds. At Cozy Acres Campground, Glenn F. mentions, "This is a nice private campground. They have a play area for the kids, swimming pool, several fishing ponds, bike trails and more." Most private campgrounds in the area operate from April through mid-November, though some offer limited winter availability.
Utility placement: RV campers should note unusual hookup configurations at some campgrounds. Robert M. from Devils Backbone reports: "The power station was on the opposite side of the septic, so make sure you have a 30ft power cord at least!" Site-specific reviews often contain critical information about these logistical challenges.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas suitable for children. "The pool was great for the kids," notes Liz F. about Thousand Trails Lynchburg. She adds that "This was the perfect spot to stay after a long drive. We saw bunnies and then lightening bugs," highlighting wildlife viewing opportunities for younger campers.
Playground access: Family-oriented campgrounds maintain play equipment. Sara L. describes Glen Maury Park noting, "There is a playground that is very nice! They offer entertainment on weekends and some other times of the year." Most playgrounds are centrally located within campgrounds for easy supervision.
Level sites: For families with multiple tents or equipment, seek campgrounds with spacious, flat areas. "The tent pads are large and flat," mentions one Sherando Lake reviewer, who appreciated "firepit, large picnic table, lantern hook and what I'm guessing was a food prep 'counter' - this was awesome to be able to put our camp stove on and something I have never seen before."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose campgrounds with appropriate hookups for your needs. At Walnut Hills Campground, Mimi B. shares, "Our site 112 had water, 50amp and cable. Dump station on premises." She continues, "Located within minutes of I81. We stopped for 2 nights to see the Shenandoah National Park on our way to NC."
Extension cords: Pack longer utility connections than standard. Erika S. warns about Devils Backbone Camp: "If you stay at a full hook up site and are parked in an odd number spot, you will need an extra long sewer hose to reach the connection. For example, we have a small travel trailer and we needed a 30 foot hose."
Off-season advantages: Consider camping outside peak summer months. "We stayed for a month. Close to Lexington," mentions Mario F. about Glen Maury Park, adding, "The stink bugs were terrible in the season we went. 5 months later and we are still finding stink bugs in our 5th wheel camper." Shoulder seasons typically offer better availability at popular RV campgrounds near Wingina, Virginia.
