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Lakeside camping in Virginia

Iconic hikes, history, and golden beaches await campers in Virginia’s 41 state parks.

96% (3173 reviews)
96% (3173 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Virginia

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Dog-friendly getaways

12 top lakeside campgrounds in Virginia

97%
(955)

Camp Shenandoah Meadows

11 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents40 acres ¡ Woodstock, VA
We welcome you to our view of the great outdoors. We are 30 minutes from the entrance of the well known Skyline Drive, part of the Shenandoah National Park. We are surrounded by multiple hikes, restaurants, breweries and wineries less than a 30 minute trip! Onsite we have numerous amenities open to all camping guests which include, fish stocked pond, large swimming pool, basketball court, and soccer field. We welcome you to stay with us and enjoy our 40 acre view!  This camp was previously operated as a summer camp for large groups, but will now be open to groups of all sizes including campers throughout the year! This is new for the camp and the new owner, but we’re excited about hosting everyone going forward!Welcome!
from 
$40
 / night
99%
(299)

Thunder Bridge

23 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres ¡ Natural Bridge Station, VA
Situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and bordering the Jefferson National Forest, Thunder BRidge has scenic, large, private tent sites and cabins in the woods for those who want to experience camping at its finest. Many of the sites border Elk Creek. Our RV sites are large, flat and at the edge of the forest in a well kept open green space. Our 100 acres was originally a camp built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the "30s and early '40s, then a boys' juvenile detention center and Big Brothers'/Big Sisters' camp, which closed in 2009. The tent sites and cabins are in the forest, away from the buildings out front, but you're free to walk around and check out the historic site. We'd like to share the camp with others and see it come back to life. All within a short driving distance are the Natural Bridge, wineries, breweries, Natural Bridge Zoo, Safari Park, Dinosaur Kingdom, Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, James River, historic Lexington, Devil's Marbleyard, Glenwood Horse Trail, swimming holes, etc. We have river access 2 miles up the road if you'd like to fish or put your kayak or canoe in. Truly, there is something nearby for everyone. We'd be happy to give you recommendations of things to see and do.
from 
$30
 / night
97%
(37)

Escape to the Lake

2 sites ¡ Tents45 acres ¡ Keswick, VA
Winnington Farms is a spacious 45 acre piece of land just 15 minutes from downtown Charlottesville, and very close to many vineyards, breweries, and hiking! Set-up camp and explore the property with a 3-acre lake for fishing or kayaking and lots of walking, or scouting for wildlife. About Winnington Farms: We purchased this piece of land to escape from the bustle of the city, and wanted to share with others looking to do the same. The property is mostly wooded, but we have cleared areas near the lake and in the woods for camping and hiking, and just enjoying nature. Come pitch your tent and camp on one of two sites we have to offer by the lake! Nearby things to do: We are just under 5 miles from I-64 and 2 miles to Rt. 250, putting you in reach of Monticello, UVa, wineries, breweries, great food and experiences! Check out Merrie Mill Vineyard, Keswick Vineyards, Marigold by Jean Georges, or Castle Hill Cidery nearby! Other things to note: We have a few neighbors close by the lake, however the sites are private and blocked with trees. You will hear the wildlife sounds of birds, tree frogs, crickets and maybe the resident beaver as well as some light traffic from 1-64 (mostly fall and winter), but it’s largely peaceful and relaxing. We offer two campsites, so please keep in mind that while the sites are private, you may come into contact with other campers or hear them around the lake. Please be respectful of the property and others who may be around!
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$30
 / night
92%
(12)

Shenandoah NP Mtn Field

1 site ¡ Tent1 acre ¡ Stanley, VA
PRIMITIVE campsite in a mountain field, AWD or 4WD required to access the off-road campsite. Enjoy this large private camp in the wilderness on the border of Shenandoah National Park and hike nearby to the Appalachian Trail, Big Meadows, and Waterfalls. Campsite has spectacular mountain views.
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$23
 / night
98%
(1107)

Private Farm Minutes to Cville

6 sites ¡ RVs, Tents55 acres ¡ Charlottesville, VA
This was a 55-acre farm, split in half to accommodate a bypass through Charlottesville, so the previous owners had to give up half the land, and actually moved the house down to the other half of the property! They had to build a land bridge to get to the new home site, so they turned the bridge into a dam and created a beautiful large swimming pond, complete with beach and gazebo. My wife Stephanie and I bought the property in early 2017 and have turned it into a private horse farm, adding pastures, a riding ring, and 6-stall barn. There are ~21 horses who live on the property. The property is unique in that you can hardly see another house from anywhere on the property and yet we are only 2 miles from Barracks Rd. Shopping Center, and 4 miles from the University of Virginia.
from 
$50
 / night
Saved 38 times

Beaverdam Falls

2 sites ¡ Lodging65 acres ¡ Covington, VA
Nestled on a private 65-acre farm in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia, Beaverdam Falls is located on VA SR-311 (Kanawha Trail) in the Sweet Springs Valley. Nestled in the old community of Earlehurst, between Covington & Roanoke, Beaverdam Falls are an historic series of waterfalls on private property. The Falls are at the headwaters of Dunlap Creek and are the terminus for the Sweet Springs. Available for guest stays & recreation, are the Upper Falls portion. Surrounded by the verdant George Washington National Forest, the Upper Falls, displays a constant waterfall of around 40-feet in height, & decorates the final mile stretch of the Sweet Springs, both on our property. Additional beautiful cascades pepper our tract of Beaverdam Falls as well. This private tract of unparalleled Virginia countryside will simply astonish your expectations. As the source of the Falls, Sweet Springs Creek, serves as a long, unique home for trout, calcified travertine rock, chalybeate water, and ancient beaver dams (as well as active ones!). Beaverdam Falls is a rare place for the lack of stone and the centuries of beavers who have left their trace in & on our creek—and swamp, the Stick Marsh, which has an active beaver dam. Be careful! They do bite!
from 
$150
 / night
98%
(256)

Arcadia Sanctuary

15 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents83 acres ¡ Buena Vista, VA
Arcadia is the name we gave to our 83-acre mountainside retreat center for Earth-Based Spirituality. It’s nestled on the south-eastern slope of 4000-foot Mount Pleasant in Central Virginia, convenient to I81. (Note, there is a town called Arcadia off I81, but that is not us. Not to confuse.) We have a mountain creek with waterfalls, towering Beech and Sycamore trees, Witch Hazels leaning over the water, trout, crayfish, snakes, salamanders, and all the rest. We have about 2000 feet of the vertical mountainside with trails to explore. (But the stage and most of the camping is down closer to creek-level.) There are more sites higher up the mountain if you like more isolated camping. More of a trek to the bathrooms/showers/freshwater. We have one of the finest private stages on the East Coast with a top-notch sound system and a natural amphitheater which is like a single pie wedge of a Stadium that has regular live performances throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Our yurt is regularly booked as a unique glamping experience. There are chickens, ducks, turkeys, and guinea fowl free-roaming. Two dogs, nine cats, and several humans are blessed to call this home.
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$30
 / night
98%
(28)

Private camp site with water access to Lake Anna, VA

1 site ¡ RV1 acre ¡ Mineral, VA
RV Camp Site on private one acre of land. Not like camp grounds where other people are on top of each other. Water access to Lake Anna, VA. Bring your boat for fishing and swimming. Large community with private roads, great place to walk or ride your bicycle. Lots of wildlife to see. Lots of local wineries
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$69
 / night
99%
(104)

Infinity Acres Ranch

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents61 acres ¡ Ridgeway, VA
Rick & Laura relocated to Ridgeway VA 15 years ago and are in love with the southern pace and park-like setting of the fields, pond and woods surrounding our Ranch. Folks were fascinated with our animals and kept saying we should open it up to the public!! We finally did just that! Then in 2012 we established an Animal Interactive Educational Non-Profit! Currently we share our domestic and exotic animals to benefit 1000's of folks each year! Now we are opening up the Ranch to you as a HIP CAMPER! You can learn more about us by following Infinity Acres Ranch on FACEBOOK, and also check out our website and watch the videos! Just google Infinity Acres Ranch to find us online! Many CHOICES!! You can choose to have an interactive experience, or just enjoy the tranquility of being in the country!! (fyi: roosters &; peacocks add to the experience, but also may wake you up!! ) Talk with Laura when you book and decide what will work best for YOU!! Strict supervision of children is required. Any aggressive behavior or harassment of the animals is prohibited!
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$35
 / night
100%
(342)

Pastimes on Passage Creek Ranch

5 sites ¡ RVs, Tents75 acres ¡ Fort Valley, VA
Runner Up Best in VA 2023 / 3rd Place Best of VA 2022. Passage Trout stocking March 5. Pastimes on Passage Creek Ranch is conveniently located at the north end of Fort Valley, VA. The property consists of 40 acres of low-land pasture, perfect for groups large or small. The Lakeside Mountain Stream site gives you the option to camp on our 5-acre lake, or camp in Creekside Cedar sites in shade along the banks of Passage Creek, just a very short walk to the lake. The property has 1/2mi of Passage Creek running adjacent to the campsites, as well as, the lake to enjoy. The Creekside Cedar sites are located within a sparse, groomed, Cedar grove along the banks of Passage Creek. These sites are extra large and can accommodate multiple family groups. This Lakeside Mountain Stream site is very secluded, overlooking our 5-acre lake and mountain views in the background. This site also has its own dock and is just a short walk to Passage Creek. An additional seasonal mountain stream cascades behind the site and feeds the lake. Locally, the North end of Fort Valley offers many great hiking trails, trout fishing, rock climbing, horseback riding, and the Elizabeth Furnace day-use park. Taskers Gap OHV/ATV park is a short drive south, and the valley is sandwiched between both forks of the Shenandoah River for those looking to paddle. Additionally, the local towns (Front Royal, Strasburg, Woodstock) offer their own charm and wide range of activities and attractions.
from 
$100
 / night
99%
(174)

Chigger Creek Camping

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents35 acres ¡ Dinwiddie, VA
The Meadows is family fun for everyone, featuring a stunning twelve-acre lake stocked with large mouth bass, bream, crappie and catfish for the fishing enthusiast. The property is surrounded by hardwoods, with hiking trails for varied wildlife and bird watching opportunities. We have two camp sites on the water, each a short walk to the main beach for canoeing, kayaking, paddle boating, boarding, swimming, and sunning. We offer a camp kitchen and an outdoor shower at the main lodge for your convenience. Each camp site has their own beach, fire pit and toilet facility for added privacy. (Firewood is provided complimentary) The Meadows is a family friendly destination that won't disappoint. Whether you are a couple seeking a secluded spot for some rest & relaxation, a family looking to reconnect over s'mores after a corn hole tournament or a book club wanting a new get away to dissect their latest read you will discover relaxed Southern hospitality. Nearby attractions include Five Forks National Battlefield, Pamplin Park, The Virginia Motorsports Park and Lake Phoenix Scuba Park. Pricing starts at $65 per night and includes two guests. Please register all additional guests over twelve when booking - price is $25 per additional guest, per day - host will verify guests count on arrival. Check in with your Host when you arrive!
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$65
 / night
100%
(15)

Peace of Earth Farmstead

5 sites ¡ Tents10 acres ¡ Woodford, VA
Our farm is host to wild critters as well as our farm animals. There will always be someone to pet, feed or observe during your stay! Remnants of an old stone mill and 1920's vehicle are a 15-20 minute walk away from camp, right on a creek with a rock scramble and swimming hole! After a good rain, it's common to find old glass bottles, and more artifacts from days gone by. We started on this land in 2019 and have been steadily working to create a cooperative farmstead and nature school to share with our community as well as travelers and explorers. Our space is super kid friendly! Enjoy the animals, treehouse and trails :)
from 
$40
 / night

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Lakeside camping in Virginia guide

Overview

Looking for a camping experience by the lake in Virginia? Look no further than Blackwater Birds and Bees! With over 280 options specifically tailored to your preference for lake activities in Virginia, you're sure to find the perfect spot. And with an average price per night of $50 and options as low as $23, you can enjoy nature without breaking the bank. Need some recommendations? Check out our top campsites like Private Farm Minutes to Cville and Camp Shenandoah Meadows. Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like toilets, trash, and potable water. Don't miss out on the opportunity to enjoy activities like snow sports, hiking, and wildlife watching. Start planning your camping adventure today!

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