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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Chatham, VA
42 campgrounds and RV Parks near Chatham, VA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
42 campgrounds
2285 campsites
61 RVs available for delivery
From $21/night
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Best campgrounds near Chatham, VA
Paradise Lake and Campground
Virginia (8 miles away)
$$$$$
(85 sites)
+10
Smith Mountain Campground
Penhook, VA (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(62 sites)
+7
Leesville Lake Campground, LLC
Gretna, VA (19 miles away)
$$$$$
(23 sites)
+12
Lake Sugar Tree
Laurel Park, VA (19 miles away)
Sweetwater RV Park
Virginia (25 miles away)
$$$$$
(18 sites)
+5
Blue Ridge Campgroud and Marina
Virginia (26 miles away)
(94 sites)
+2
Goose Dam Campground
Rocky Mount, VA (27 miles away)
Halesford Harbour Resort
Moneta, VA (28 miles away)
Indian Heritage RV Park
Martinsville, VA (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(71 sites)
+3
Smith River RV Park
Bassett, VA (31 miles away)
Lynchburg RV Resort
Virginia (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(223 sites)
+7
Equestrian - Fairy Stone State Park
Stuart, VA (39 miles away)
$$$$$
(10 sites)
+4
Most common amenities
Toilets Pet friendly Tables Grills Dump station Showers Internet Playground Laundry Hiking
Campgrounds near Chatham, Virginia
Chatham sits in the center of Pittsylvania County in south-central Virginia, along U.S. Route 29 between Danville and Lynchburg. The town serves as the county seat and is within a short drive of Leesville Lake, Smith Mountain Lake, and the Staunton (Roanoke) River, giving RV travelers ready access to lake and river recreation without leaving the Piedmont foothills.
Private campgrounds carry most of the overnight demand in the immediate area. Leesville Lake Campground, LLC sits within walking distance of Leesville Lake on a 40-acre property with full-hookup sites, wooded surroundings, and a swimming pool. Paradise Lake and Campground and Smith Mountain Campground add more lakefront and hookup options in the broader Smith Mountain Lake area. Lake Sugar Tree and Sweetwater RV Park round out the private choices with level, full-hookup sites suitable for larger motorhomes.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park, on the north shore of the lake in Bedford County roughly 40 miles from Lynchburg and Roanoke, adds a public option with a 50-site wooded campground reservable through the Virginia State Parks system.
Things to do near Chatham
Water recreation drives most trips. The 17-mile Leesville Lake and the larger Smith Mountain Lake both offer fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and other water sports. Leesville Lake Campground provides walking access to the lake, and marinas around Smith Mountain Lake rent pontoons, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards during the summer season.
Anglers target largemouth bass, striped bass, walleye, crappie, channel catfish, and white perch across the two lakes and the tailwater below Leesville Dam, which sees seasonal spawning runs on the Staunton River.
On land, Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers swimming, boat rentals, a boat ramp, a universally accessible fishing pier, a visitor center, an amphitheater, special programs, and miles of trails. Chatham itself offers a walkable historic Main Street for a low-key afternoon between lake days.
Camping spots and RV parks near Chatham, VA
Seasonal patterns and when to visit
- spring
March - May
68° / 46°F 95 mmMild days; foliage returns; cool nights
- summer
June - August
88° / 66°F 110 mmHot, humid; lake peak season; afternoon storms
- fall
September - November
72° / 48°F 85 mmFoliage peaks mid to late October; sites fill fast
- winter
December - February
48° / 30°F 85 mmQuiet season; state park campground closed
Spring and fall are the strongest windows for comfortable RV travel around Chatham. March through May brings mild days, blooming foliage, and cooler nights that still call for a heater hookup. Fall foliage builds through October and typically peaks in mid to late October across the Piedmont and Blue Ridge foothills, drawing weekend demand at both private parks and the state park.
Summer is peak season for the lakes. June through August is hot, muggy, and wet, with afternoon thunderstorms common. The prime time to visit Smith Mountain Lake State Park is between May and September, when the weather is warm and all facilities, including the guarded beach, are open, so summer weekends fill early.
Winter is the quiet season. Camping at Smith Mountain Lake State Park is available from the first Friday in March through the first Monday of December, so cold-weather RVers rely on year-round private parks such as Leesville Lake Campground. Snowfall in the region typically begins around December and ends by February, averaging only a few inches per year.
How to book a site
For Smith Mountain Lake State Park, reservations are accepted up to 11 months in advance via reservevaparks.com or 1-800-933-PARK. A park pass is required to complete a campsite reservation. The 50-site campground is divided between 26 tent-only sites and 24 sites with water and 20/30-amp electric hookups, with five of the hookup sites pull-throughs.
Private campgrounds around Chatham handle their own bookings directly. Leesville Lake Campground takes reservations by phone, and its office keeps limited afternoon hours, so calling ahead of arrival is recommended. Advance reservations are strongly recommended for summer weekends, holiday weekends, and fall foliage weekends across the region, when nearby parks routinely fill.
What to expect on arrival
Most private parks near Chatham are small, owner-operated properties with on-site staff. Expect gravel roads and parking pads with mowed grass and shade trees, with some sites in the open and others under trees. Reviewers repeatedly note that owners at Leesville Lake Campground are friendly and walk arrivals to their sites. Sweetwater RV Park offers full hookups with 50-amp service on level pads that suit larger motorhomes.
At Smith Mountain Lake State Park, the campground is entirely wooded with no waterfront sites. Every site has a picnic table, fire ring grill, in-ground cooking grill, and lantern post, and a full-service bathhouse provides hot showers and a dishwashing sink. Generators are prohibited at all times, and WiFi is not available at the campground but can be accessed at the park's Discovery Center.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Chatham, VA
How do I choose the right campsite for my RV?
Start with the practical stuff: site length, the hookups you need, and whether it's a back-in or pull-through. Camping conditions in the U.S. vary by region and elevation, so check the local season, road access, and reservation requirements before you book. Federal campgrounds use Recreation.gov and state parks each have their own systems. Learn more.
How much are RV campsites near Chatham, VA?
Campsite prices near Chatham, VA depend on the type of campground. State park sites typically run $20-$45 with hookups. Private RV parks in town often run $40-$100, with tourist-hub locations charging more. Nearby Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management sites are usually $10-$25, often without hookups.
Is there any free camping near Chatham, VA?
Free camping near Chatham, VA depends on what federal public land is in driving distance. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land usually allows up to 14 days of dispersed camping at one spot. Check fire restrictions before you head out. Learn more about free camping.
Can I book a campsite through RVezy?
Not directly. RVezy doesn't handle campsite reservations, but each campground listing links to the operator's website or booking page when one's available.
What's the best time to go camping near Chatham, VA?
Camping near Chatham, VA works best in the shoulder seasons, with spring and fall hitting the sweet spot in most of the country. Summer is peak in northern climates; winter is peak in the southern and desert states. Local weather and elevation drive the specifics.
How far are RV campgrounds from Chatham, VA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Chatham, VA. The closest are: {closestCampgroundsWithDistance(3)}. Most U.S. cities have a state park or private RV park within an hour's drive.
Where are dump stations near Chatham, VA?
Dump stations near Chatham, VA are usually at private RV parks and state park campgrounds, sometimes for a fee if you're not staying overnight. RVDumpsites.net maps the nearest options.
What's the best time of year to rent a RV in Chatham, VA?
Renting a RV in Chatham, VA works best in the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) across most of the U.S. Peak rental demand runs June through August nationwide, while the snowbird stretch from December through March drives winter demand in the southern states and southwest deserts.
What's the best time of year to rent an RV in Chatham, VA?
RV rentals in Chatham, VA peak from June through August when school is out. Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) usually have better availability and lower rates. Winter is high season for snowbird destinations in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and southern California.
Can I have an RV delivered to my home or campground in Chatham, VA?
Yes. Many RVezy hosts in the U.S. deliver and set up at your home, a campground, or a destination. It's especially useful for first-time renters and for trips into remote areas where backing in a big rig isn't fun.
Can the RV be delivered near Chatham, VA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Chatham, VA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
Nearby cities with campgrounds
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