Campground review · Hillsville, Virginia
Country setting, busy pool days, and a site choice worth thinking through.
Lake Ridge RV Resort gave us the kind of weekend we like: plenty for the kids to do, a setting that still felt country, and a walk back up from the water slides that quietly became everybody’s workout.
The short version
Who we think Lake Ridge fits best
Best for
Families who want pools, water slides, plenty to do, and a country setting close to Hillsville.
Think twice if
You need a completely flat site, want every amenity immediately beside your camper, or prefer a very quiet adults-first stay.
Our call
We would go back. The fun easily made up for the extra walking, and switching our original site was absolutely the right call.
Our stay
A country campground that gives the kids a full agenda
Lake Ridge sits outside Hillsville at 8736 Double Cabin Road. It feels like a country campground, not a resort that happens to allow campers. There is also enough going on to keep us from hearing “What are we doing next?” every twenty minutes—which is always a win.
The pools and slides were the center of our visit. The two larger slides were fun for the older kids, and climbing back up the hill after each ride turned the attraction into a surprisingly effective workout. Our daughter was happier in the smaller pool and on the smaller slide, where the pace felt more manageable for her.
Some activities are far enough away that you may want to drive over, rent a golf cart, or take everything you need in one trip instead of making six little ones. Comfortable shoes earn their keep here.
The exact site matters
Why we changed our first site before setting up
Our first assignment was a grassy back-in site with a noticeable downhill approach. It may have been fine in dry weather, but all we could picture was departure day after a good rain. With a travel trailer, dogs, a child, and Monday morning waiting at home, “it will probably be fine” was not especially comforting.
We asked about another option and moved before unhitching. The replacement site worked well and let us enjoy the campground without wondering whether the truck would be fighting wet grass on the way out.
Amenities
More than pools and slides
Lake Ridge currently lists paddle boats, catch-and-release fishing, pickleball, basketball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, a playground, an arcade and billiards area, Movies Under the Stars, a craft room, picnic areas, fire rings, Wi-Fi, a camp store, a seasonal snack bar, propane, firewood, golf-cart rentals, and a dog park. In other words, running out of things to do takes some effort.
That is a big list, but not everything runs every day or all season. Pool and slide hours change, and activities can depend on weather, staffing, and the weekend calendar. We would call about the two or three things your family really cares about instead of promising the kids every item on the website.
A Hillsville weekend
Using Lake Ridge as a base for the town-wide flea markets
Hillsville is known for its Memorial Day and Labor Day flea markets. The town’s official calendar lists the 2026 events for May 22–25 and September 4–7. Those weekends bring more traffic, more people, and a whole lot more treasure hunting, so this is not the time to wait until the last minute to reserve.
Lake Ridge works well as a family base because one adult can browse while the rest of the crew still has plenty to do. Just do not plan it like a normal quiet weekend. Leave extra driving time, check the event parking details, and book earlier than you think you need to.
Check the Town of Hillsville’s official flea-market page before making plans because dates, vendor areas, and traffic information can change.
What we would pack
Small choices that make this campground easier
- Comfortable shoes for the hills and the walk back from the slides.
- Water shoes and a dry change of clothes for pool days.
- Leveling blocks plus enough time to evaluate the site before unhitching.
- A wagon for pool gear if you do not plan to drive or use a golf cart.
- Bug spray and a light layer for Virginia mountain evenings.
- A printed or saved campground map so the family can group activities by area.
Would we go back?
Yes—with a site conversation before arrival.
Lake Ridge worked for us because it combined country-campground character with enough water and recreation to make the trip feel like an event for our daughter. It is not effortless: the property has hills, activities can be spread out, and the specific site can change the whole experience. But once we moved to a site that fit our comfort level, it became the kind of lively family weekend we would gladly repeat.
Our recommendation is simple: book for the fun, then call about the site. Ask the questions that matter for your rig, your mobility, and the weather you may be towing home in.
Editorial note: This review combines our firsthand stay with campground and municipal information checked in August 2026. Amenities, prices, hours, policies, and event dates can change. We paid for our stay and this is not a sponsored review.
Official planning links: Lake Ridge RV Resort · Amenities · Hillsville flea markets
