Waterfront camping in Virginia does not have to mean paying private-resort prices.
Several U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds in Virginia sit right along major lakes, with RV-friendly sites with water and electric hookups, boat ramps, swim beaches, showers, and dump stations. Even better, the campgrounds on this list have campsites listed at $34 per night, and eligible campers with an America the Beautiful Senior Pass or Access Pass may receive 50% off the camping fee, bringing the nightly cost down to $17.
Most of these campgrounds are on John H. Kerr Reservoir, also known as Buggs Island Lake, a large lake along the Virginia and North Carolina border. The list also includes one campground on Philpott Lake in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Rates, seasons, and site availability can change, so always confirm the current price and rules on Recreation.gov before booking.
1. Buffalo Park
Location: John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir near Buffalo Junction, Virginia
Price: $34 per night
Senior/Access Pass price: $17 per night
Reservations: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233442
Buffalo Park is a smaller campground on John H. Kerr Reservoir, making it a good choice for RVers who prefer a quieter setting over a large, busy campground. The park sits along the lake and includes both camping and day-use facilities.
The campground has 21 sites total, including 11 electric sites and 10 primitive sites. The electric sites are shaded, while the primitive sites are in a more open field with limited shade. Two of the electric sites are paved and accessible.
For a small campground, Buffalo Park still has several useful amenities. Campers have access to individual family-style restrooms with hot showers, sinks, and flush toilets. There is also a small dump station, swim beach, picnic shelter, and boat ramp.
The campground is open seasonally from May 1 through September 30, while the day-use area is open year-round.
This is one of the better picks on the list for campers who want lake access without choosing one of the larger Kerr Lake campgrounds.
2. Goose Point
Location: Philpott Lake near Bassett, Virginia
Price: $34 per night
Senior/Access Pass price: $17 per night
Reservations: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233687
Goose Point Campground sits on Philpott Lake in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It has a different feel from the Kerr Reservoir campgrounds on this list, with clear water, mountain views, and a more rugged natural setting.
The campground has 63 campsites, including 53 sites with electric and water hookups. That makes it a strong option for RVers who want a waterfront campground but still want basic hookups at their site.
Campground amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water, and a dump station. Goose Point also has several recreation features on-site, including a beach, boat ramp, dock, fishing pier, picnic shelter, playground, and amphitheater.
During the non-peak season from November through March, the campground and bathhouses are closed. The boat ramp remains open, but only a vault toilet is available and there is no drinking water.
For RVers who want lake camping with a mountain backdrop, Goose Point is probably the most scenic option on this list.
3. Longwood Park
Location: John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir near Clarksville, Virginia
Price: $34 per night
Senior/Access Pass price: $17 per night
Reservations: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233545
Longwood Park is another waterfront campground on John H. Kerr Reservoir. It sits near Clarksville, Virginia, which is a convenient location for campers who want lake access but still want to be near gas, groceries, and town services.
The campground has 66 sites for tents or RVs. Campers have access to hot showers, flush toilets, and a dump station, which gives the campground a comfortable setup without turning it into a high-priced resort.
Longwood Park also has a swimming beach and picnic shelter, making it a practical choice for families or anyone planning a simple lake weekend. The campground is forested and offers plenty of shade, which can be a big plus during a Virginia summer.
This one is a good fit for campers who want a smaller Kerr Lake campground with basic RV conveniences and easy access to the water.
4. North Bend Park
Location: John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir near Boydton, Virginia
Price: $34 per night
Senior/Access Pass price: $17 per night
Reservations: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233563
North Bend Park is the largest campground on Kerr Lake, and it offers the most developed recreation setup of the five campgrounds on this list.
The park has more than 200 sites for tents or RVs. Campers have access to hot showers, flush toilets, and a dump station. Each camping area has its own swim beach, which is a nice perk in a campground this size.
North Bend Park also has a large day-use area with picnic shelters, a swim beach, three boat ramps, an amphitheater, a disc golf course, and a paved 1.5-mile bicycle trail. That makes it a good option for families, boaters, and campers who like having more to do without leaving the park.
Because North Bend is larger and has more amenities, it may feel busier than some of the smaller campgrounds on this list. For some RVers, that is a tradeoff worth making. More sites can also mean better odds of finding availability, depending on the season.
5. Rudds Creek Recreation Area
Location: John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir near Boydton, Virginia
Price: $34 per night
Senior/Access Pass price: $17 per night
Reservations: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233610
Rudds Creek Recreation Area is located on John H. Kerr Reservoir near Boydton. The campground is open from April 1 through October 31, while the day-use area across Highway 58 is open year-round.
The campground has 98 sites for tents or RVs. Campers have access to hot showers, flush toilets, and a dump station. Electric sites also have water hookups, which is a nice benefit for RVers who do not want to rely only on their freshwater tank.
Rudds Creek also has a swimming beach, picnic shelter, boat ramp, and courtesy dock for campers. The campground is forested and has plenty of shade, and it is only a short drive from Boydton for gas, groceries, and other supplies.
This campground is a strong pick for RVers who want a Kerr Lake camping trip with water access, hookups on electric sites, and a campground that is not as large as North Bend.
A Quick Note About the Senior Pass Discount
The America the Beautiful Senior Pass is available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 and older. At many federal campgrounds, including these U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, eligible passholders may receive a 50% discount on camping fees.
For the campgrounds listed here, that can turn a $34 campsite into a $17 campsite.
The passholder usually must be present, show the pass and identification, and stay at the campsite during the reservation. Discounts may not apply to every fee or every type of site, so check the specific campground rules before booking.
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