Camping options near Wingina, Virginia sit at elevations ranging from 450-800 feet in central Virginia's piedmont region. This area experiences humid summers with temperatures often reaching the upper 80s and mild winters with occasional snow. Cell service can be spotty or non-existent at many campgrounds, making them ideal for those seeking a true digital detox while enjoying tent camping, RV sites, or yurt camping in Wingina, Virginia.
What to do
Fishing opportunities year-round: At Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground, the 40-acre manmade lake supports multiple fish species. "The lake itself is very pretty, 40 acres and manmade. We brought innertubes and just floated but we saw people fishing, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, and paddle boating. There were lots of people fishing, and someone got a catfish and kept it for dinner," notes one visitor.
Historical exploration nearby: When staying at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA, campers can easily access several historical sites. "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... It is a very comfortable, pretty spot for car camping and a GREAT home base for exploring the local breweries and wineries and Staunton - dont miss going into town to enjoy this delightful little historic mountain town and home to the Woodrow Wilson library!"
Hiking trails for all abilities: Otter Creek Campground along the Blue Ridge Parkway offers access to multiple trail systems. "It's close to three different hikes, each a different grade and there's a nice pond you can drive too," writes a camper. Another notes: "This campground is close to the AT and blue ridge parkway and about an hour from Shenandoah Nat'l Park. Clean bathroom, spacious sites, very pretty creek."
What campers like
Swimming lakes with accessible beaches: Powhatan State Park Campground offers water recreation beyond just swimming. "There's also a canoe-in site with 8 primitive sites: no water, electricity, or facilities (there's a pit toilet). Depending on the time of the year they might be in the flood zone if the river is high, which it was during this trip." Bonus for families: "The park has lots of trails, miles of open meadows, and James River access. Great park for bicycling."
Sites with privacy and shade: Campers at Stoney Creek Resort appreciate the space between sites. "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." The campground offers both wooded and open options: "Plenty of room at each site, great lake for fishing even has a beach in the mountains, clean bathrooms both wooded and open lots."
Clean facilities and campground maintenance: A common praise for many campgrounds in the Wingina area is cleanliness. At Powhatan State Park, a camper noted, "I was very happy to see such a clean bathhouse, especially during the current pandemic." Another camper at Holliday Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Bathhouses are well maintained and clean."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the Wingina area have spotty or no cell coverage. A camper at Holliday Lake State Park shared, "It is completely off grid, and we like that! With busy jobs during the week it's nice to unwind and enjoy nature." Plan accordingly by downloading maps and information before arrival.
Site leveling challenges: Prepare with leveling blocks, especially at Holliday Lake. As one camper advised, "Bring leveling supplies! Some sites are reservable, some are not." Another noted, "The sites were a good size but were very difficult to get even a small trailer into the site due to the narrow roads."
Seasonal considerations: The region's weather varies significantly by season. A camper at Otter Creek Campground observed, "Quiet campground along Blue Ridge PKWY, hardly anyone there in middle of summer." For fall visitors to Powhatan State Park: "The fall foliage was very beautiful... We stayed during the week in October. It was warm enough during the day and got a bit chilly at night."
Tips for camping with families
Ranger-led activities: At Holliday Lake State Park, educational programs enhance family visits. "The rangers here are awesome! Very helpful and knowledgeable. They even came around passing out flyers Friday night for the activities that weekend. Some of the activities included spear throwing, how to start different types of fires, nocturnal animals sounds, and watching fish at night."
Playground accessibility: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Crabtree Falls Campground, families appreciate the nearby activities: "This camp ground was nice and cozy. 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."
Tent pad selection: When tent camping with kids, consider pad composition. At Bear Creek Lake: "The tent pads are filled with shredded tires instead of gravel or dirt, which provides a little extra cushion, but can be uncomfortable on bare feet." Also, "All sites have fire rings, lantern hooks, and extra long picnic tables. Tent pads are of varying sizes."
Tips from RVers
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds have restrictions that might affect larger rigs. At Bear Creek Lake State Park, be aware of "Limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer." For sites at Holliday Lake, "The paved area for parking and campers weren't as level, and most people got creative with leveling out the campers."
Hookup availability: When booking your yurt camping Wingina trip or RV site, verify what hookups are available. At Walnut Hills Campground, "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. Short-term sites are electric and water only but there is a free dump station down in the back."
Road conditions within campgrounds: Interior roads vary by facility. A Walnut Hills camper noted, "The campsites are very close to each other and the roads are very narrow. We can't even extend our awning due to through traffic." For Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA: "The roads are rough dirt and gravel and not conducive to bike riding."
