The best lakeside camping near Brookneal

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Brookneal draws campers for its lakes—quiet mornings, smooth water, and long shorelines to explore. You’ll find over 670 options for pitching a tent lakeside, many with easy access for fishing or a lazy afternoon kayak. Prices start at $25 a night, averaging around $50, so there’s room for every budget. Campsites like Thunder BRidge (377 reviews), Arcadia Sanctuary (216 reviews), and Smith Farm (41 reviews) top the list—expect friendly hosts, quiet spots, and plenty of open space. Most sites offer toilets, showers, and allow campfires, so you won’t have to rough it too much. Pack your rod for fishing, your boots for hiking, and keep your eyes out for deer and herons along the water’s edge. If you want a simple lakeside escape, Brookneal’s got you covered.

99% (773)

Top-rated campgrounds

One of the 3 screened cabins

1. Thunder BRidge

99%
(688)
48mi from Brookneal · 26 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Natural Bridge Station, VA
Starting December 1, or first night below freezing we will be closing down Bath House and only access will be at outhouses. Only sites near outhouses will be open and there will be no access to water. 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. Most of the buildings out front are artist studios (currently for 16 artists). We like to share the camp with others and watch 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. If you are a star gazer you won't be disappointed by our dark sky. We want to share our property with those who want to stay for more than one night, so we do not accept inquiries of single night stays.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$37
 / night
Arcadia Sanctuary

3. Arcadia Sanctuary

97%
(370)
47mi from Brookneal · 16 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Buena Vista, VA
Welcome to Arcadia Sanctuary An 83-Acre Mountainside Retreat for Earth-Based Spirituality in Central Virginia Arcadia is our beloved sanctuary for earth-based spirituality, nestled on the southeastern slope of 4,000-foot Mount Pleasant in Central Virginia. Conveniently located near I-81, Arcadia offers a secluded, nature-immersed experience—just a short drive from the modern world, yet miles away in spirit. Please note: There is a town called Arcadia off I-81, but we are not located there. Be sure to follow our directions carefully. A Living Landscape of Forest, Water, and Wildness Our land features a flowing mountain creek with waterfalls, towering Beech and Sycamore trees, and Witch Hazels leaning gracefully over the water. You'll encounter trout, crayfish, salamanders, snakes, and the full chorus of mountain wildlife. With nearly 2,000 feet of vertical mountainside, Arcadia offers trails to explore and camping options ranging from creek side convenience to secluded mountain hideaways. While most of our gathering areas are near creek level, higher sites are available for those seeking solitude—just be prepared for a bit of a hike to the bathrooms, showers, and fresh water. A Natural Amphitheater for Music and Gathering Arcadia is home to one of the finest private stages on the East Coast. Our natural amphitheater—shaped like a pie wedge carved into the mountainside—hosts live performances throughout spring, summer, and fall. With a top-quality sound system and stunning surroundings, it’s a magical venue for music, ceremony, and celebration. Stay With Us: Yurt Glamping, Tent Camping & More Our beautiful yurt is available for rent and offers a unique glamping experience surrounded by nature. For traditional campers, we offer multiple campsites near the creek, as well as more remote locations higher up the mountain. Every stay includes access to the shared amenities: bathrooms, hot showers, fresh water, and community gathering spaces. Meet the Arcadia Community Arcadia is alive with more than just trees and streams. You’ll share space with our free-roaming flock of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and guinea fowl, along with two friendly dogs, nine curious cats, and the human stewards who live and care for this land year-round.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$23
 / night
Lev at Little Lake

7. Lev at Little Lake

95%
(22)
44mi from Brookneal · 2 sites · Tents · Clarksville, VA
🌿 Welcome to Lev @ Little Lake 🌿 A Private Land-Based Sanctuary Rooted in Faith and Stewardship We invite you to experience Lev @ Little Lake, a peaceful haven nestled in the hills of Clarksville, Virginia. This land is not a commercial campground—it is our private inheritance, stewarded in faith and dedicated to the Lord as part of our family’s life work and spiritual calling. When you stay here, you are not paying for access to a public business. Your contribution is a gift of support that helps sustain our ongoing private mission: developing a place of worship, restoration, and community gathering, built upon biblical stewardship and constitutional liberty. We maintain this land as a Private Membership Association and trust—not for profit, but for purpose. Your visit supports:     •    The cultivation of food and beauty through regenerative practices     •    The quiet development of festival grounds for appointed times of worship     •    Our family’s dedicated labor in ministry, music, photography, education, and hospitality     •    The protection of sacred land and private religious use from overreach or commercial misclassification We ask that all guests arrive in a spirit of respect and peace. This land is not a venue, event space, or public attraction—it is our home, our sanctuary, and a resting place for those who value simplicity, nature, and the presence of God. Come walk the trails. Sit by the water. Watch the sunset. Let your soul breathe. And know that your presence here is more than a stay—it’s a blessing. “You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” — Psalm 128:2
Pets
Campfires
from 
$50
 / night

Brookneal draws campers for its lakes—quiet mornings, smooth water, and long shorelines to explore. You’ll find over 670 options for pitching a tent lakeside, many with easy access for fishing or a lazy afternoon kayak. Prices start at $25 a night, averaging around $50, so there’s room for every budget. Campsites like Thunder BRidge (377 reviews), Arcadia Sanctuary (216 reviews), and Smith Farm (41 reviews) top the list—expect friendly hosts, quiet spots, and plenty of open space. Most sites offer toilets, showers, and allow campfires, so you won’t have to rough it too much. Pack your rod for fishing, your boots for hiking, and keep your eyes out for deer and herons along the water’s edge. If you want a simple lakeside escape, Brookneal’s got you covered.

99% (773)

Top-rated campgrounds

One of the 3 screened cabins

1. Thunder BRidge

99%
(688)
48mi from Brookneal · 26 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Natural Bridge Station, VA
Starting December 1, or first night below freezing we will be closing down Bath House and only access will be at outhouses. Only sites near outhouses will be open and there will be no access to water. 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. Most of the buildings out front are artist studios (currently for 16 artists). We like to share the camp with others and watch 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. If you are a star gazer you won't be disappointed by our dark sky. We want to share our property with those who want to stay for more than one night, so we do not accept inquiries of single night stays.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$37
 / night
Arcadia Sanctuary

3. Arcadia Sanctuary

97%
(370)
47mi from Brookneal · 16 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Buena Vista, VA
Welcome to Arcadia Sanctuary An 83-Acre Mountainside Retreat for Earth-Based Spirituality in Central Virginia Arcadia is our beloved sanctuary for earth-based spirituality, nestled on the southeastern slope of 4,000-foot Mount Pleasant in Central Virginia. Conveniently located near I-81, Arcadia offers a secluded, nature-immersed experience—just a short drive from the modern world, yet miles away in spirit. Please note: There is a town called Arcadia off I-81, but we are not located there. Be sure to follow our directions carefully. A Living Landscape of Forest, Water, and Wildness Our land features a flowing mountain creek with waterfalls, towering Beech and Sycamore trees, and Witch Hazels leaning gracefully over the water. You'll encounter trout, crayfish, salamanders, snakes, and the full chorus of mountain wildlife. With nearly 2,000 feet of vertical mountainside, Arcadia offers trails to explore and camping options ranging from creek side convenience to secluded mountain hideaways. While most of our gathering areas are near creek level, higher sites are available for those seeking solitude—just be prepared for a bit of a hike to the bathrooms, showers, and fresh water. A Natural Amphitheater for Music and Gathering Arcadia is home to one of the finest private stages on the East Coast. Our natural amphitheater—shaped like a pie wedge carved into the mountainside—hosts live performances throughout spring, summer, and fall. With a top-quality sound system and stunning surroundings, it’s a magical venue for music, ceremony, and celebration. Stay With Us: Yurt Glamping, Tent Camping & More Our beautiful yurt is available for rent and offers a unique glamping experience surrounded by nature. For traditional campers, we offer multiple campsites near the creek, as well as more remote locations higher up the mountain. Every stay includes access to the shared amenities: bathrooms, hot showers, fresh water, and community gathering spaces. Meet the Arcadia Community Arcadia is alive with more than just trees and streams. You’ll share space with our free-roaming flock of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and guinea fowl, along with two friendly dogs, nine curious cats, and the human stewards who live and care for this land year-round.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$23
 / night
Lev at Little Lake

7. Lev at Little Lake

95%
(22)
44mi from Brookneal · 2 sites · Tents · Clarksville, VA
🌿 Welcome to Lev @ Little Lake 🌿 A Private Land-Based Sanctuary Rooted in Faith and Stewardship We invite you to experience Lev @ Little Lake, a peaceful haven nestled in the hills of Clarksville, Virginia. This land is not a commercial campground—it is our private inheritance, stewarded in faith and dedicated to the Lord as part of our family’s life work and spiritual calling. When you stay here, you are not paying for access to a public business. Your contribution is a gift of support that helps sustain our ongoing private mission: developing a place of worship, restoration, and community gathering, built upon biblical stewardship and constitutional liberty. We maintain this land as a Private Membership Association and trust—not for profit, but for purpose. Your visit supports:     •    The cultivation of food and beauty through regenerative practices     •    The quiet development of festival grounds for appointed times of worship     •    Our family’s dedicated labor in ministry, music, photography, education, and hospitality     •    The protection of sacred land and private religious use from overreach or commercial misclassification We ask that all guests arrive in a spirit of respect and peace. This land is not a venue, event space, or public attraction—it is our home, our sanctuary, and a resting place for those who value simplicity, nature, and the presence of God. Come walk the trails. Sit by the water. Watch the sunset. Let your soul breathe. And know that your presence here is more than a stay—it’s a blessing. “You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” — Psalm 128:2
Pets
Campfires
from 
$50
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field