The best river, stream, or creek campgrounds near Charlottesville, Virginia

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to resource for camping in the United States! With over 1,000 options near Charlottesville, Virginia, with a river, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your outdoor adventure. Whether you're looking for a riverside camping experience or a cozy cabin nestled by the water, we've got you covered. Check out top campsites like Private Farm Minutes to Cville (354 reviews), James River Depot (305 reviews), and Cabin on the Seven Bends (243 reviews). Enjoy popular amenities like pet-friendly sites, toilets, and trash disposal. And don't forget to take advantage of activities like fishing, wildlife watching, and snow sports. Get ready to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Charlottesville, Virginia!

98% (5.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Kayaking on the pond! It actually goes down to a depth of about 30 feet in the middle. Super refreshing for an afternoon or morning dip.

/ night

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Phantom Hill Forest Retreats

99%

(143)

21mi from Charlottesville · 6 sites · Tents, Lodging · Louisa, VA

Three creek-side tent sites and an RV site in an enchanted forest! Enjoy well maintained walking trails, hidden treasure boxes, art and game station, scavenger hunts, gnome hide and seek, and learning about a working shiitake mushroom farm! All sites are spaced out for maximum privacy - see map! Each site includes a large propane grill, fire pit, solar string lights, tables and seating, hammocks, critter proof boxes for food, and firewood available for purchase (conveniently located at the site). Clean composting toilet (serviced 2x a day). Rental items include tents (we will set up for you), sleeping pads, coolers with ice, potable water jugs, and insect screens. Within a couple miles of Southern Revere Brewery/Winery and scenic Forrest Green Farm. There is a lot to do on the property: * 40 acres with a couple miles of trails you can hike or bike (map provided) * Self-guided tour of mushroom farm * Hidden creature scavenger hunt * Gnomes are hidden throughout the forest for you to find AND hide! * Hidden treasure boxes - take something and/or leave something!

Rockfish River Landing

98%

(81)

21mi from Charlottesville · 1 site · Tent · Schuyler, VA

Property lies along the Rockfish River in Southern Albemarle County, a short drive to country stores and many public boat landings on the James River. There are no public boat landings on the Rockfish River so you are ras likely to see a Blue Herron as another paddlers. Fishing is best in the spring when the Smallmouth spawn.

Southern Revere Vineyard & Farm

100%

(90)

22mi from Charlottesville · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Louisa, VA

We are a family owned and operated vineyard and farm. Home to Southern Revere Cellars - Farm Brewery and Winery! 70 acres of forest and fields with a small pond and 3 Nigerian Dwarf goats. There are some fish in the pond, but it is catch and release. Fenced dog park and playground located behind the tasting room. Located conveniently between Richmond and Charlottesville only 3 miles off I-64 but feels like the secluded countryside. There are trails around the property to explore as well (please be considerate of other campers if present). You are welcome to visit the playground behind the tasting barn too. Porta john is also available in front of tasting room building, and water hose on East side of building for small amounts of water if needed (not intended to fill camper tanks). *Do note that we are a public business open Thurs-Mon, so there may be some noise and driveway traffic during open hours. Though we encourage you to join the fun! Check out our events calendar here: facebook.com/southernrevere/events **Please leave no trace and clean up after your pets. Pets must be on leash if coming to tasting room. QUIET HOURS: 10PM-7AM (please be courteous of potential fellow campers on the property).

Big Island South

93%

(43)

22mi from Charlottesville · 2 sites · Tents · Scottsville, VA

The Premier Overnight Float Trip Campsite on the Middle James River - Boat in Only---No onsite parking or hiking in. Learn more about this land: Please note this is a boat in only listing--so launch your canoe or kayak upstream to float in and enjoy a stay! You MUST take the south channel (some call it "River Right") as you approach the Seven Islands chain to access Campsite 1. You MUST take the North Channel or "River Left" to access Campsite 2. See satellite imagery. Read on-- Approximately 8 miles downriver from Scottsville and 2.5 miles downriver from the Hardware River Wildlife Management Area, this is the Premier campsite for an overnight float trip on the middle James. With some of the best smallmouth bass fishing the James River has to offer, this is perfect stopover for a take out at the New Canton/Bremo Bluff boat landing 4 miles downstream. Enjoy an overnight or a couple of days. The 2 acre campsites are on an elevated sand and gravel bar on the north and south shores of Big Island. There's ample room for multiple tents and boats. Pools and slow moving water to cool off after your float down, and a great place for catfishing and watching satellite fly-bys at night. Plenty of Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and just about all of Virginia's animals inhabit this section of the James. Enjoy the scenery! KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK and GO 1. Check out river levels, forecasts and warnings. There can be class 1 and 2 rapids (and more) depending on river height. Very experienced paddlers only once the river gets above approximately 5.0 feet or so at Scottsville. The host will gladly rebook your stay should the river height not be safe for your group. Check James River height at Scottsville or other reputable data source. 2. You must take the south channel (some call it "River Right") as you approach the Seven Islands chain to access Campsite 1. You must take the North Channel or "River Left" to access Campsite 2. See satellite imagery. 3. Both campsites are only accessible by canoe, kayak or other small craft from the west/upriver. 4. Cell phone coverage is very spotty in this section of the river bottom.

Seven Islands River Front Campsites

99%

(608)

23mi from Charlottesville · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Arvonia, VA

NOTICE: Some campers are having navigational problems with their phone’s GPS feature. Having a paper roadmap available for a backup is recommended . 9337 Bridgeport Rd, Arvonia Va.23004. NOTE:We have changed things a bit. We are going with only 2 sites this year. Site 1 is no longer available. Turn at the aluminum canoe placed on top of a large orange road barrier at the edge of our drive way. The canoe is bolding displaying the word HIPCAMP with a red arrow leading the way. Follow the drive down to the river front campsites.. This is due to a yearly Festival held in Scottsville where Historic river . Smallmouth and catfish are biting. Go by a local store and buy night crawlers,worms and a pack of 2/0 hooks and you will catch something . Firewood available per request and delivered for$30.00 a load. Accessible by car or canoe, East End at Seven Islands provides endless fun for the whole family, including your well behaved off-leash dogs. When you arrive take a cooling dip in a quiet “river pool”, relax on your private beach, or see if the fish are biting. Let your kids experience the best the river has to offer by exploring the shallows for crayfish, chasing minnows, or watching for Bald Eagles patrolling the river. Your site is approximately 2 acres, so you will have your choice of where to pitch a tent or place your camper or trailer. Spend your nights stargazing, enjoying a campfire (remember to bring s’mores ingredients), or fishing for catfish. This is an ideal family-oriented campsite about an hour NW of Richmond. Come, enjoy and make some memories! Children 10 and under are free On the other side of the river you might hear a train passing by at different times, both, day and night. Safety Notice: Not accessible by boat, canoe, or kayak when the James River level is 6 feet or higher at Scottsville. At 7.5 - 8 feet, there is not much beach to play on and the river is too dangerous to navigate. You can drive in and camp, but please stay clear of all water activities, including fishing, in these dangerous conditions.

LongView Farm

100%

(78)

23mi from Charlottesville · 24 sites · Tents · VA

This bucolic property on 60+ acres offers some of the best 360, panoramic views in Nelson County and a peaceful stay at LongView Farm. Currently accepting tent campers and truck/tent setups (no trailers or RV's... yet!). Experience Davis Creek, woods, pastures, and miles of dirt roads for biking/hiking. Just minutes from the Nelson 151 Craft Beverage trail (over 15 family friendly breweries/winers) and right across the street from Woodridge Farm Brewery. There's an Exxon station less than .5 a mile from our entrance, and Public Access to the Rockfish River is available .75 mile away. Charlottesville is an easy 25 minute drive. 10/2022: Fire extinguishers and first aid kids now available at the entrance to each property! 08/2022: Picnic Tables and Fire Rings now provided! GROUPS: We only allow a small amount of bookings at each of our three sites to allow for a spaced-out, private experience BUT if you have a large group of people and would like to book an entire site we can add spaces to that site for the dates you are looking to book to accommodate; just shoot us a message. -----||----- Site Descriptions: Sandy Bottom: open field, access to Davis Creek, parking at site, road noise Crawfish Creek: most secluded/quiet, Creek access, parking at site Sunset Ridge: best views, parking at site, closest to residence CURRENTLY CLOSED Hidden Hollow -----||----- UPDATE 08/2022: We now have Picnic Tables and Fire Rings available! Sandy Bottom, Crawfish Creek and Sunset Ridge are all three open available. Currently only accepting TENT campers until the driveway to Sunset Ridge is re-graded for RVs and Trailers. ----------------- This is a working farm, home to both Livestock Guardian Dogs as well as resident dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, horses, goats and other various livestock. If you choose to bring your dog/s, please let us know when booking. You should NOT bring your dog/s if they are high-strung, overly sensitive, aggressive, or not trained. Our livestock guardian dogs are hard-wired to protect so if they sense an uncomfortable vibe from another dog, it will make them uncomfortable and they need to be focused on doing their jobs. Safety, privacy and environmental impact is very important to us. We require a minimum of 50 feet between each campsite. Please contain all trash, human waste and canine waste and pack it out with you when you leave. Be kind to the areas in which you camp, as they are home to many wildlife, native trees/shrubs/plants and in some cases, food for horses and cows (hay fields). Each site is provided a fire pit (upon request) and we sell firewood. There is so much to enjoy on the farm, but you are also incredibly close to many amazing places such as: Wood Ridge Farm Brewery Public Access to Rockfish River Nelson Lake 151 Craft Beverage Trail Wintergreen Resort Charlottesville/UVA Forget something? There is an Exxon gas station with a convenience store and prepared foods less than .5mile from the entrance to Longview Retreat.

Upper South River Campground

95%

(10)

24mi from Charlottesville · 1 site · Tent, RV · Waynesboro, VA

The camp is secluded on 42 acres of woods and pasture land just outside Waynesboro, VA. The Upper South River is spring fed, and it runs diagonally through the property. Day lease fly fishing is also conducted on the property. Though urban, it is very private and the water is always cool. The campsite has a fire ring, cooking grates, rotisserie, picnic table and a trash can. It is primitive camping with no outhouse (yet). There are 5 campsites on the property, spaced apart nicely to keep it private. Orkney Springs Outfitters provides lessons and guide services onsite and on surrounding waters from this location. Hit the Tye River, South Fork of the Potomac, Cow Pasture and the Jackson River, to name a few. Excellent access to Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, Blueridge Parkway.

South River Camp

95%

(21)

25mi from Charlottesville · 4 sites · Lodging · Grottoes, VA

Welcome to South River Camp: Where Nature Is Real and Expectations Are Optional If you’re dreaming of a glamping getaway where the birds file noise complaints against themselves and the rest of the world disappears beyond a 50-mile radius… well, this isn’t that place. At South River Camp, we celebrate actual nature — chirping birds, babbling water, star-filled skies, and yes, a few passing cars from the nearby bridge and adjoining roads. You might even catch a distant train whistle about half a mile away. (Darn Norfolk Southern Railway.) We’re tucked along the beautiful South River in the Shenandoah Valley, where comfort and nature meet in perfect balance — yet remain conveniently close to civilization. Sip your coffee by the river, roast marshmallows under the stars, and let nature do its thing — without filing a noise complaint against a frog choir. ⸻ A Few “Concerns” to Clear Up • “This isn’t off-grid.” If your idea of off-grid is 100 miles from civilization and reachable only by carrier pigeon, then sure — we’re not that. But there’s no power, no running water, no gas line, and nothing tied into municipal infrastructure. We’re powered by nature, not a utility bill. So yes, we’re off-grid — just not your wool-socks-and-Birkenstocks version of it. (Though, for the record, we wear Birkenstocks too.) • “We were seen in towels.” Hmmm… which is why we gently suggest skipping the towel parades through camp. Our enclosed shower stalls are there for a reason: shower, dry off, then get dressed before rejoining the great outdoors. • “It was in somebody’s backyard.” Sorry — our two acres aren’t tucked away in the middle of a federally protected reserve in the middle of nowhere. But our closest neighbor is nearly 300 feet away, and we happen to think riverside camping with a little civilization nearby is a pretty great trade-off. ⸻ If those realities feel unacceptable, we wish you luck finding a soundproof, neighbor-free, bird-mute utopia. But if you’re after a laid-back, laughter-filled, and unapologetically outdoor getaway on the banks of the South River — welcome. You’ve found it. Don’t forget your robe.

Public campgrounds near Charlottesville

96%

(50)

Loft Mountain Campground

18mi from Charlottesville · 202 sites · Tents, RVs · in Shenandoah National Park

96%

(15)

James River Campground

33mi from Charlottesville · 25 sites · Tents, RVs · in James River State Park

95%

(144)

Big Meadows Campground

33mi from Charlottesville · 221 sites · Tents, RVs · in Shenandoah National Park

83%

(15)

Bear Creek Lake Campground

37mi from Charlottesville · 17 sites · Tents, RVs · in Bear Creek Lake State Park

Holliday Lake Campground

45mi from Charlottesville · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Holliday Lake State Park

Stories from the community

R

Rachel

5 days ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Diamond Heritage Nature Sites

My friend and I had an amazing time camping on Ryant’s property! The site was very spacious and Ryant offered many supplies to us for us such as firewood, lounge chairs, and tiki lamps. He was very friendly and welcoming when we first arrived as he showed us around the site and told us the story behind his property. The highlight of the trip was Ryant’s “glamper” tent which he offered us when we arrived. It’s an elevated platform with a tent and storage unit on top. It made our stay all the more comfortable and easy! I would 10/10 recommend this property to anyone wanting to camp for cheap and receive great care and service from Ryant.

Gate removed, signs changed, but I keep this as a reminder of the day we decided to retire back here. "REDUCED SPEED AHEAD" was the sign we needed!

S

Steve

2 weeks ago

18 ft campervan

1 night at Camp Cove Creek

Awesome spot! Love the freedom to roam and set up camp wherever. The subtle ground lighting at some of the sites was a nice touch.

B

Barry

2 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Wolftrap Farm

What a great spot. Nice out of the way tranquil place to unwind. Keith and Tina very accommodating

Amanda

2 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Seven Islands River Front Campsites

My partner took me camping for my birthday and he chose the site. The view was spectacular and the hosts were very friendly! There is a really cool train that passes on the other side of the water, and it is so cool to watch. We got a bundle of wood, and it lasted us all weekend. I was on site 2, and the only suggestion I might make is to perhaps make stairs going down to the water level area. I'll be back for sure!

K

Kylie

2 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Private Farm Minutes to Cville

Amazing!! The site was private and there was a fire pit which was great! The bathroom was easy to get to and had everything you could need! The property was so beautiful and we loved looking at the horses and donkeys!!

Do your own thing, be alone with nature.

L

Luke

3 weeks ago

Tent

2 nights at Private Farm Minutes to Cville

Bob was incredibly helpful at relocating us because site #2 doesn’t allow dogs. He moved us to the spacious #7 campsite at no additional charge, and we never had to talk to another person while we were camping. It was exactly the kind of escape into nature that we were looking for. We will be back!

A

Adrienne

3 weeks ago

10 ft travel trailer

2 nights at Private Farm Minutes to Cville

Beautiful site. Excellent communication with the host. Feels remote while being close to many amenities. We will definitely stay here again.

E

Erik

3 weeks ago

16 ft car

With kids

Weekend Trip to Private Farm Minutes to Cville

The campsite was the perfect Fall escape—wide open views of rolling hills with the Blue Ridge in the distance, golden light through the trees, and an unexpected bonus: several well-kept horse fields that made the place feel unique. Clean, scenic, and peaceful—absolutely worth the trip for families looking for a quiet weekend with actual views, not just a parking lot with trees.

B

Ben

3 weeks ago

25 ft fifth wheel

With pets

Weekend Trip to Upper South River Campground

It's the perfect fish camp, where you are landing beautiful fish within sight of your campsite. The guys were accommodating and communication was excellent. Its also 5-10min from some good food an bars, grocery, etc. in case you forget something. Really enjoyed it.

A

Amy

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Southern Revere Vineyard & Farm

We enjoyed our stay on this property! The archers den campsite felt very private and had plenty of space. We loved the big fire pit with cooking grate.. The three campsites are far enough away from the winery/brewery that you don’t feel like you are camping at public business. Even though they had live music playing and seemed pretty busy we could barely hear anything going on. On the other hand if you wanted to enjoy the festivities it’s just a short walk from the campsites.

Kaity

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Southern Revere Vineyard & Farm

This campsite was great and the winery/ brewery on site was so much fun. Our puppy loved the dog park as well as walking around the campsite. The picnic table and fire pit were high quality and thus was the perfect back drop to the Fall season. Will definitely be coming back. Sheridan was wonderful and very quick to respond even when I mistakenly went to the wrong location, she redirected us with ease!

K

Kristy

3 weeks ago

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Private Farm Minutes to Cville

This was our second time camping there and we'll be back again. We have a teardrop camper and the site was perfect for our needs. Beautiful farm and absolutely perfect location.

T

Tish

3 weeks ago

20 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Private Farm Minutes to Cville

I couldn’t believe how peaceful this place was, so close to town. Standard camp spots, nice tree canopies, and generally level. Waking up to soft rolling hills and grazing horses (and 2 very charming mules) hit the spot!! Highly recommend.- tho I confess part of me wants to keep this gem a secret - so it’s always available for when I return! ;) Thank you again!

E

Erica

3 weeks ago

18 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Private Farm Minutes to Cville

Lovely HUGE site with beautiful views of the horse farm and the mountains. Special little oasis so close to town! We will be back!

O

Orice

3 weeks ago

15 ft pop-up camper

With kids

Weekend Trip to Seven Islands River Front Campsites

Vistas were great, very private and flat site. Easy to navigate to thanks to it being well marked with signage. Will definitely be coming back!

J

Justin

3 weeks ago

19 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Private Farm Minutes to Cville

It was a great site, super convenient. We will definitely be back!

J

Justin

3 weeks ago

2 nights at South River Camp

The tent and all furnishings and equipment were in impeccable condition. We stayed in early November and although it got down to freezing temps outside we were comfy with our heater running.

Lisa

November 2025

Tent

1 night at Ridge Crest Hollow and Lake

We loved it here! The lake is beautiful and we had a wonderful time kayaking. We saw geese and a Great Blue Heron! Thanks so much for your hospitality! We’d love to come back again.

Dan

November 2025

30 ft pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to Private Farm Minutes to Cville

The farm is easily accessible and close to everything. Arrival instructions are impeccable, as is on-site signage. Host communication was prompt. Site #4 was beautiful with south and west views over the horse pastures. It is fairly close to site #5 which was occupied while we were there (5th wheel with a generator and a couple of dogs). The folks at site #5 were super nice and respectful, though we would have preferred to be further away. We were able to arrange our set-up to maximize seclusion. That aside, #4 was still fantastic, and we'd visit again!