Camping as a family can be a lot of fun for everyone if you plan ahead and enjoy the adventure. Spending time together in nature is a great way to make memories your kids will remember years from now.
Some reservations for 2024 are open now! Camping has become much more popular in recent years, so don't wait too long to make your 2024 reservations!
Please check for any updates or changes on the campground website before you go.
Start with 10 Tips for Camping with Kids or the Kid-Friendly Nature Scavenger Hunt in the articles below and then check out these campgrounds here in Central Virginia.
Most area campgrounds usually open for the season in spring, although some also offer winter camping. Stay tuned: the 2024 camping season will be here before you know it!
Get Outside With This Kid-Friendly Nature Scavenger Hunt
Virginia State Parks
All Virginia State Parks are currently open for day-use. Cabins and lodges are open year-round. Full-service campgrounds (with bathhouses) are open from the first Friday in March through the first Monday in December with the exception of Douthat, Hungry Mother, Pocahontas and Shenandoah River state parks which have full-service campgrounds open year-round.
Twenty-nine Virginia State Parks offer a variety of tent, RV, cabin, yurt, and lodge camping with a total of more than 1800 campsites through Virginia. The Virginia State Parks closest to Lynchburg which offer camping are: Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Holliday Lake State Park, James River State Park, Twin Lakes State Park, and Staunton River State Park. Most campgrounds are open from the first Friday in March through the first Monday in December; primitive sites are available year-round. It's best to reserve a site as early as possible. Reservations are accepted 11 months in advance through the new Reserve Virginia State Parks website. You can also call 800-933-7275, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Camping fees vary by site and date.
See the website for cabin fees and tent and RV camping fees for Virginia residents and non-residents.
KOA and Public Campgrounds
Every Virginia campground is different and each offers a variety of amenities. Most operate from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Some offer an extended calendar from early spring through late fall.
There are many public campgrounds located throughout Virginia, including primitive sites, well-developed tent sites with electric and water hookups, RV sites with resort-style amenities, such as cable television, wireless internet and everything in between. Check the Virginia Campground Association website to find information about campgrounds across Virginia. Here are some Central Virginia favorites your family may enjoy.
Camp Karma Campground, located at 2056 Stone Mountain Road on 42 acres in Bedford, offers 36 primitive campsites perfect for tent campers, small trailers, and pop-ups up to 25 to 28 feet. The campground borders Goose Creek, where the family can enjoy fishing and swimming. There's also an onsite pond which offers catch and release fishing. Additional amenities include fishing, swimming, hiking trails, outhouses, private bathrooms, 20/30 amp electric hookups, picnic tables, graveled parking, and a camp store with everything you need for your stay. Camp Karma is also conveniently located five miles from Smith Mountain Lake and three miles from Downtown Moneta, where you can enjoy restaurant dining, shops, and boating opportunities.
Explore Park Camping, located at Milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, offers cabins, yurts and RV sites operated by Don’s Cab-Inns or primitive camping and tent rental from Blue Mountain Adventures. Primitive and tent camping are available Thursday, Friday and Saturday from early April through late October, as well as several holiday dates (holiday reservations available only by phone). Cabins, yurts, and RV sites are open year-round.
In addition to camping, there are many on-site amenities at Explore Park including hiking trails, river access, mountain biking, a top ranked disc golf course, and Treetop Quest, a family adventure area for ages 4 and older. Treetop Quest includes kid-friendly courses, zip-lines, tightropes, cargo nets, platforms, Tarzan swings, and other challenges. Some of these amenities are free; however, there are fees for disc golf and Treetop Quest.
Register through Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism's website at the link above; call the Explore Park Visitor Center at (540) 427-1800 during business hours, or register through one of the two private vendors offering camping services at Explore Park (you can access both through the Explore Park Camping website above.
Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA, located at 6252 Elon Road in Monroe, is a small family-friendly campground which is open from March through October. Primitive tent camping is available from April through October. The pool is open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, the campground offers tent, RV, and cabin camping. There are both pull-through and back-in RV sites at the campground. Occupancy on RV sites is limited to 6 persons. Tents sites are limited to 4 persons. The kids will enjoy the pool (open seasonally), train rides, a gem mine, playground, basketball, the Jump Pad, and catch-and-release fishing in the pond. Up to two dogs may accompany the family and will enjoy time at Kamp K9, the on-site dog park. Enjoy hiking or exploring on the Blue Ridge Parkway and it's a only short drive to Natural Bridge State Park, the Peaks of Otter, the National D-Day Memorial and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.
Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA, located at 214 Killdeer Lane in Natural Bridge, is a family-friendly campground offering tent, RV, and cabin camping. Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA will be open from March through mid-December.
There are both pull-through and back-in RV sites at the campground. Occupancy on RV sites is limited to 6 persons. Tents sites are limited to 4 persons. The kids will enjoy many seasonal activities including: swimming pool, wagon rides, two playgrounds, and giant checkers. There's also a large game room with pool tables, ping pong, air hockey, arcade games, picnic tables, board games, and a sitting area with cable TV. Let the four-legged family members enjoy time at Kamp K9, the on-site dog park. The campground is located five minutes from Natural Bridge State Park and 10 minutes from downtown Lexington. Enjoy fishing or boating on the James and Maury Rivers, which are 10 minutes from the campground or hiking in the National Forest or the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge, located at 16 Recreation Lane in Natural Bridge Station, offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with lots of amenities. Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge is open from mid-March through mid-November.
Choose from a site right on the James River or a site closer to the activity center. Family fun amenities include: waterslides, splash park, swimming pool, swimming lake with beach, playground, mini golf, jumping pillows, canoe and tube rentals, and a fishing pond. Enjoy a snack with Yogi, Cindy or Boo Boo Bear in the Cartoon Cafe. Themed weekends offer extra fun for the entire family. Check the website for camping packages and special offers. Some features are only open seasonally.
Paradise Lake Family Campground, located at 1105 West Lake Road in Spout Spring, is a year-round family oriented campground (with limited amenities during the winter months) located midway between Lynchburg and Appomattox.
Paradise Lake offers tent and RV camping. Family friendly amenities include: swimming and fishing lake, swimming pool, playground, game room, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic tables and shelters, walking trails, bathhouses, and a camp store. Paradise Lake is the closest campground to the city of Lynchburg and is also an easy driving distance from Appomattox and Bedford historic attractions. Check the website or call for prices and reservations.
Misty Mountain Camp Resort, located at 56 Misty Mountain Road in Greenwood (near Charlottesville), offers tent, RV, and cabin camping. Misty Mountain is open year-round with special themed weekends from March through November.
Explore nature trails, splash in the pool or splash park, sit by the creek, fish in the pond, play at several playgrounds, climb the hills, play basketball or volleyball, pitch horseshoes, go on a hayride, enjoy live music and dances, shop at the General Store, shoot pool and play video games, relax in solitude or meet new friends. The themed weekends at Misty Mountain make this campground a perfect fit for families.
Lynchburg RV Resort (Thousand Trails), located at 405 Mollies Creek Road in Gladys, offers tent and RV camping from late April through October.
Amenities include: swimming pool, swimming fishing and boating lake, playground, basketball, horseshoes, mini golf, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, shuffleboard, hiking trails, laundry facilities, a trading post, and snack bar. There are many activities available and themed weekends for family fun. Reservations can be made online or call 877-570-2267 for special rates on seasonal and annual sites.
Montebello Camping and Fishing Resort, located at 15072 Crabtree Falls Highway in Montebello, offers tent, RV (up to 40 feet), and cabin camping in a rustic setting. Tent and RV camping is available from April through October. Some of the cabins are available year-round.
Nestled in the George Washington National Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Montebello is only a few miles from Crabtree Falls, the highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi. The Appalachian Trail is also nearby. Amenities include: fishing lake, fee-based stocked trout pond, playground, laundry facilities, picnic areas, game room, convenience store, and pavillion.
National Parks and Forests
Shenandoah National Park, located about 60 miles from Lynchburg, offers tent, RV, and cabin campsites in five group campgrounds. In addition, primitive backcountry camping is available throughout the park. Camping fees can be found on the website. Advance reservations can be made at the recreation.gov website. Shenandoah National Park mile markers on the 105-mile Skyline Drive are numbered north to south, starting in Front Royal.
Concession-operated services are generally open from spring through late fall. Dates vary and can be found on the website.
Elkwallow Wayside (mile 24) for food, gifts, and supplies
Skyland Lodge (mile 41.7 or 42.5) for lodging, food, and gifts
Skyland Stables (mile 41.7 or 42.5) for horseback group rides (Reservations required; 540-999-2213)
Big Meadows Wayside (mile 51.2) for food, gifts, groceries, camping supplies, and fuel (the only fuel services in the park)
Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51.2) for lodging, food, and gifts
Lewis Mountain Cabins and Campstore (mile 57.2) for lodging, gifts, and camping supplies
Loft Mountain Wayside (mile 79.5) for gifts and snacks. Food service is available seasonally.
Loft Mountain Campstore (mile 79.5) for food, gifts, and camping supplies
Campground opening dates for 2024:
Mathews Arm (mile 22.2) open May 1 - Oct.27
Big Meadows (mile 51.2) open March 27 -Dec. 1; reservations only
Lewis Mountain (mile 57.2) open March 27 -Dec. 1; first come, first served only
Loft Mountain (mile 79.5) open May 1 - Oct.27
Dundo (mile 83.7) open May 1 - Oct.27 for reserved group camping only (7-25 people)
Winter conditions on Skyline Drive may necessitate closures at any time. For the most up-to-date road status, call 540-999-3500. You can also opt in to our alert system. Text SHENALERTS to 888777 to opt in.
Shenandoah National Park Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping is a good fit for some families. You must be physically and mentally prepared to hike yourself and all of your gear at least a half mile, set up camp, deal with the elements, and follow the Leave No Trace Principles. Shenandoah National Park has thousands of acres of backcountry and wilderness. Effective Jan. 11, 2024, you must purchase a backcountry camping permit through Recreation.gov or by calling (877)444-6777 to camp in the wilderness areas of Shenandoah National Park. It is strongly recommended that camping occur at pre-existing campsites. These campsites have been created and established by prior visitor use and are not posted, signed, or designated by the park. See the Backcountry Camping Regulations for Shenandoah National Park for more information.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests stretch along the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and cross into parts of West Virginia and Kentucky.
You'll find additional information, including closures and site specific information at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/gwj/recreation
Overnight accommodations are provided at more than 40 developed campgrounds and three cabins in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Advance reservations can be made at the recreation.gov website. You can find additional information about campground camping, RV camping, cabin rentals, group camping, and dispersed (wilderness) camping in national forests across the United States on the USDA Forest Service website.
Blue Ridge Parkway runs between Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The parkway's eight campgrounds in Virginia and North Carolina are open from May through late October, weather permitting.
Open dates for 2024 for all campgrounds will be posted in spring.
Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds
Virginia:
Otter Creek Campground, Milepost 60.8
Peaks of Otter Campground, Milepost 85.9
Rocky Knob Campground, Milepost 167.1
North Carolina:
Doughton Park Campground, Milepost 239.2
Julian Price Park Campground, Milepost 297
Linville Falls Campground, Milepost 316.4
Crabtree Falls Campground, Milepost 339.5
Mt. Pisgah Campground, Milepost 408.8
Reservations available on www.recreation.gov for late May - October. First-come, first-served basis for other open dates. **
Camping is only permitted in the eight campgrounds and three primitive backcountry campgrounds on the Parkway. Fees are $20 per night at the established campgrounds. A signed backcountry permit is required at the backcountry campgrounds. The campgrounds in Virginia and North Carolina, located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, are open from early May through late October with a few opening in April. Advance reservations can be made at the recreation.gov website. All campgrounds are generally first come, first served the last week in October. The Parkway mile markers are numbered north to south, starting in Waynesboro.
Blue Ridge Parkway Backcountry Campgrounds
Rock Castle Gorge near Rocky Knob at MP 167.1
Basin Cove near Doughton Park at MP 239.2
Johns River Road near Julian Price Park at MP 296.9
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) Campgrounds
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages and maintains campgrounds and recreation areas across the United States, all offering water recreation. Many of the campgrounds offer waterside campsites. In Virginia, there are COE campgrounds on Buggs Island / John H. Kerr Reservoir near Boydton, John W. Flannagan Lake near Haysi, and Philpott Lake near Bassett.
The COE campgrounds are all well-maintained and offer a variety of campsites for tents and RVs. Campsites can be reserved for a single night up to 14 nights in a rolling 30 day time period. Prices are very reasonable. At times, same day campsites are available, especially for primitive sites.
Buggs Island / John H. Kerr Reservoir Campgrounds
*NOTE - There are also campgrounds on the North Carolina side of the lake; however, they are managed by the North Carolina State Parks System*
Buffalo Park
Longwood Park
North Bend Park
Rudd's Creek Recreation Area
John W. Flannagan Lake Campgrounds
Cranesnest Camp
Lower Twin Campground
Pound River Campground
Philpott Lake Campgrounds
Deer Island Campground
Goose Point Park
Horseshoe Point Park
Salthouse Branch Park
Advance reservations for all COE campgrounds in Virginia and throughout the U.S. can be made at the recreation.gov website.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Wherever you camp, be sure to follow the Leave No Trace 7 Principles to sustain the beauty of nature for current and future generations.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
You can learn more about Leave No Trace and take a variety of online training courses, including PEAK Online (recommended for children ages 7-12) at www.LNT.org
Camping is a great way to expose kids to the fun of spending time outdoors. Whether you stay in a cabin or RV at a campground with many amenities or set up tents or hammocks in a remote backcountry site, camping is a great getaway experience. Hiking on nature trails, fishing in a stream or pond, wildlife sightings, beautiful views, fresh air, and S'Mores around a campfire all add to the excitement of family time together.
Step outside your comfort zone, unplug from day to day life, escape from your day-to-day routine, and make new memories on a family camping trip.
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