Camping near Lake Monticello with wildlife watching
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98% (4580 reviews)
- Lake Monticello
98% (4580 reviews)
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12 top campgrounds near Lake Monticello with wildlife watching
99%
(144)
Peaceful Meadows Farm
17 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Palmyra, VA
Learn more about this land:
When you arrive you will drive up to your campground destination which is 16 acres of Loblolly Pine trees. There is a 1 1/2 acre pond stocked with Catfish, Bass, Crappies, Brim and Shell Cracker. Also there are two smaller ponds with minnows and one is home to Tucker the Turtle 🐢 .
We have several trails on the property to walk as well. You are welcome to 🐠 fish for dinner but we ask that you notify your host if you want to keep some fish. Otherwise please practice catch and release policy. Each site will have a fire ring available.
We are AUTISM Friendly 💙,so if you have a camper that needs a little more encouragement about camping or other accommodations please let your host know. You are welcomed to bring your furry family members, bikes and kayaks.
We are only 35 minutes from Carter’s Mountain, Monticello and Jefferson Winery’s. Thistle Gate Winery is only 5 minutes away and 20 minutes to Scottsville were you can enjoy the James River. UVA sports complex is only 30 minutes away and your able to go the back way in to skip the gridlock of the traffic.
There so much more within 30 to 45 minutes of this camping area I can’t list it all. I promise you will Enjoy your stay!
Pets
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from
$40
/ night
99%
(165)
Hawthorn Hollar
3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents214 acres · Palmyra, VA
Our family has owned the property since 1949.
Come fish on our pier or from our ganoe, catch and release or hike our 8 miles of trails. Let your dogs run free on our large spacious private camp sites. You can also rent all the sites and ride to your hearts content if you bring your four wheelers, side by sides and dirt bikes. Waivers required for all riders and they are provided on site. These are "dry" rustic sites so you need to be self contained. We have an off-the- Grid cabin with a composting toilet, a double futon pull out and 4 cots with a view of the pond. We have a simple playground for small children that encourages their imaginations.
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$36
/ night
99%
(705)
Private Paradise on Rivers Bend
4 sites · RVs, Tents55 acres · Brightwood, VA
Welcome to Private Paradise on Rivers Bend!Campsite has a firepit, picnic table, river frontage with beach, and fishing hole. Campers can enjoy hiking and the many breweries and wine vineyards in the Shenandoah. Great access point for kayaking. Firewood available (reasonable rates)close to:-Scenic Skyline DriveThorton Gap entrance (33 miles)Swift Run Gap entrance (29 miles)-Shenandoah National Park (50 miles)-Many great VineyardsPrince Michele (3 miles away)Early Mountain (10 miles away)DuCard (16 miles)Barboursville (24 miles)Horton’s ( 25 miles)Old Rag Mountain which was voted #10 in the Top 25 hikes in the world,(20 miles)Historic homes of Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson (Monticello - 41 miles) or James Madison (Montpelier- 21 miles)
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$55
/ night
98%
(1127)
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.
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$50
/ night
100%
(280)
The Forge at Fiddler's Ridge
4 sites · Tents120 acres · Scottsville, VA
The farm was owned in the 30's by a musical family who's members were invited to play for FDR at the White House. My background is as a horse shoer and black smith and I have made Fiddler's Ridge my home since 2003. I have a forge on site and will be happy to demonstrate or give a beginner lesson. Just ask for details.Learn more about this land:Explore 100 acres of forest in eastern Albemarle county including beautiful walking trails & nearby creek. Peaceful and private camping sites with individual fire pits and outhouse access. A shower is available 1/2 mile up private driveway if desired. 20 minutes to Charlottesville and 15 minutes to Scottsville.Site 1- Beautiful pastoral views from a hilltop campsite perfect for 1-2 tents. Site 2- Great for couples to larger groups. Includes use of older pole barn in case of inclement weather.
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$35
/ night
100%
(460)
Seven Islands River Front Camping
3 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Arvonia, VA
Please note that we have a new entrance. 9337 Bridgeport Road. New driveway is just beyond the old one on the right. Look for the aluminum canoe sign at the edge of the drive way. Riverfront camping at its finest . Bateau boats pass by all 3 campsites on the third Thursday ofJune. This is due to a yearly Festival held in Scottsville where Historic river boats that used to haul goods up and down the river back in the day are maned by people in period clothing re-enacting the route that was taken. 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 . You can now buy river tubes from the host. We will pump them up and deliver to your site. Fire wood also available delivered. 30.00 for UTV 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.
Pitch your tent on the beach or under the trees if you prefer some shade.
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.
The real estate sign at the entrance is for the farm house only. Camp sites are not for sale and won’t be. Future bookings are no problem
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.
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$60
/ night
100%
(16)
Nealand Farm
3 sites · Tents65 acres · Scottsville, VA
Nestled on 65 acres of rolling hills, Nealand Farm offers a perfect balance between pastoral beauty, farm experiences, and modern convenience.
Visitors can hike through our broadleaf forests, explore two different creeks, and wander through pastures. Sharp-eyed guests may spot our pair of resident Cooper's hawks.
You'll be staying on an active sustainable farm and homestead. We can arrange for interactions with goats, dogs, chickens, and cows, and we offer tours of our gardens during the growing season. You can relax on a hammock or on our front porch. We often feel like we're in the middle of nowhere, but it's a 3-minute walk through the woods to a grocery store, post office, food, and more. Historic downtown Scottsville and access to the James River are about a mile down the road.
The campsites are located in an area with views of both beautiful sunrise and sunset, and they're mostly shaded throughout the day. You'll have access to our toilet trailer (compost toilet and sink), electricity (our property is 100% solar-powered), and wifi that reaches the campsites. There are no campfires at the campsites, but all campers can use our firepit area and the patio with a picnic table. Our chickens and Livestock Guardian Dog have access to campsite areas. The dog is very friendly, but if that's a problem, let us know and we can move him to prevent access.
Potable water
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$25
/ night
89%
(51)
Graves Mountain Farm Campground
10 sites · RVs, Tents1800 acres · Syria, VA
Campground by Shenandoah National Park
Maximum Length of Stay 7 Days
1800 Acre Farm to Play On
Lots of activities - from live music, to nature walks, horseback trail rides, fly fishing, 18 miles of trails, mountain biking, road biking.
Campground is 7 acres on the Farm and on large attendance weeks it goes up to 55 acres.
Campground is free-form. You make your own area, no reserved "spaces".
Porta-toilets, pit toilets, excellent mountain well water.
No picnic tables or fire rings as we use the spaces for different events.
No hook-ups. We do have a dump station with a fee of $40.00.
2 Mountain Streams - Rose River & Robinson River
2 Fishing Ponds - no license needed
18 Miles of Trails
Seasonal Pool - fee payable $10 pp per day in 2023
Free-form Camping - no assigned spaces
Well Behaved pets are welcome - on leads please.
No hook-ups at this time
7 acres of meadows on the 1800-acre Farm & Graves Mountain Lodge
Please stay within signed areas as the size of the campground changes according to festival events
Wood - collect from forest or buy down at the Graves Mountain Market, Campground Entrance or at the Main Lodge.
Water spigots up front near the barn.
Small electrical supply up front - for devices only
Porta-toilets and pit toilets
Wet toilets, sinks and showers are usually available down at the bathhouse in the DORM area behind the packing shed opposite the Market or at the Old Farm House bathhouse near the Main Lodge.
Fiber Optic WiFi- that allows for Cell service calling and receiving - even without cell service - up front. Get password at bulletin board, Market or Main Lodge
Cell phones - connect to your network via our WiFi both to call out and receive calls. We are remote so no cell towers available
Open 24 hours - at night please be quiet when arriving at setting up
Old Rag Hike- 6.5 miles to the back entrance (Weakley Hollow/Berry Hollow Fire Rd and Old Rag Shelter |10.5 miles to Nethers/Front Entrance.
White Oak Canyon Hike - 6.5 miles up our back hollow road
12 Outdoor Adventures and a Whole Farm to Get to Know
Hiking and fishing on our 1800 acres and National Park, horse-back riding, nature hikes, guided hikes, yoga, live music, own hard cider, Farm to Table Restaurant, Market Deli and tackle for needs, prepared foods - or giving in to a massage - even Reiki.
Live sing-along, open mike on Friday evenings and live Bluegrass on sat evening. Our own hard cider, fir-pit, marshmallows.
What will be happening on the farm - see our calendar of activities: https://www.gravesmountain.com/calendar-events-shenandoah-blue-ridge/
Huge seasonal pool, volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, corn-hole, ping pong, board games, and books - a whole library for you.
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$12
/ night
100%
(58)
Billyville in Bells Crossroads
7 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Louisa, VA
Billyville is not just a state of mind, it is a place to camp, play, and relax. Located in rustic Bells Crossroads, VA three miles from I-64, Billyville is a work in progress featuring 2 tent and 4 RV sites with electric hookup and lots of space. Wifi, well water from a hose and composting outhouse facilities are available. Other amenities include a six hole disc golf course, little free library.
Within one hour’s ride is a wealth of things to do, experience and see; within reach are the Shenandoah mountains, the University of Virginia and Charlottesville and Lake Anna . There is something for everyone from children to seniors, from outdoor adventurers, to history buffs, arts and entertainment seekers, bargain shoppers and local gourmet food and drink lovers.
At days end you can go to concerts or “clubbing” in town or return to Billyville and enjoy the quiet, peaceful ambiance of a campfire under a starlit sky.
Check-Ins and Arrival Instructions:
Check-ins on weekdays are dependent on my work schedule. If this is your first time at Billyville, I need to be on property to guide you into your site. Please reach out before your stay so we can coordinate. If I am off on that day, check-in is after 1pm. If I am working, it will be after 5pm and occasionally after 7. I am currently testing out some procedures to allow self check-in. We'll see how that pans out.
Anyway, to get to Billyville:
Turn onto Bells Lane. (Dirt Road). You'll see a white fence on your left down the lane about .2 miles. Just after the fence, you'll see a red sign at the beginning of a rope fence. Turn off Bells Lane just after the sign and follow the fence, keeping it on you left.
Here's a Youtube video of the approach into Site 3: https://youtu.be/xUxmTelkidw
(see links below for things to do and see)
https://www.travellens.co/best-things-to-do-in-louisa-county-va/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g57704-Activities-Elkton_Virginia.html
https://www.virginia.org/places-to-visit/regions/central-virginia/charlottesville/?view=list&sort=qualityScore&bounds=false
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$36
/ night
96%
(42)
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%
(38)
Big Island South
2 sites · Tents100 acres · 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.
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$45
/ night
97%
(158)
Warren Ferry Landing
4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents16 acres · Scottsville, VA
Come enjoy Warren Ferry Landing, our expansive and shaded property just steps from the James River! Our property boasts 400+ feet of river frontage for you to enjoy and you can swim, fish, or even launch a canoe directly from our sites.
About the property
Our property is located adjacent to the historic Warren Ferry crossing of the James River. This is one of two historic ferry crossings near Scottsville, VA! The other, Hatton Ferry, is located a little bit down river from this location.
Our property is only 8 miles from Scottsville so if you need to pop into town for something you forgot it is quite easy. There are many other activities that you can partake in nearby or on our property. There is fishing, swimming, hiking, and kayaking all within easy reach of our property.
We do not live onsite but we aim to be easily reachable over the phone or text. If you have any questions before or during your stay please don’t hesitate to reach out. Keep in mind that during the night it is possible to hear some train activity from across the river.
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from
$49
/ night
Under $50
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Camping near Lake Monticello with wildlife watching guide
Overview
Looking for a camping adventure near Lake Monticello, Virginia, with a focus on wildlife watching? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 1200 options specifically tailored to your preference, you'll have plenty of choices to find your perfect spot. From private farms like Private Farm Minutes to Cville with 354 reviews, to beautiful meadows like Camp Shenandoah Meadows with 295 reviews, and cozy cabins like Cabin on the Seven Bends with 243 reviews, you'll be sure to find a campsite that suits your needs. The average price per night is $45, but with options as low as $1, you can camp on any budget. Popular amenities include potable water, trash disposal, and campfires, while popular activities range from swimming and surfing to fishing. Start planning your wildlife watching adventure today!
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