RE: Montebello......

[CampNfan]

 
Looks like I will be there for Memorial Weekend. Reservations made. Anyone else going then? We have 4 sites reserved. Has anyone gone here? Is it nice?

[DiW]

 CampNfan
CampNfan,
 This place sounds nice. Check out the Montebello thread in the 2003 Eastern Rally forum. Please report back after your trip.
 Di

[Weezy]

We visited Montebello last summer. It was small, but very nice. The sites were pretty big, and the owners were very helpful. I did not like the mountainous climb to get there but it was worth it! The lake was so pretty, and it was so quiet and peaceful I would like to go back in 2006!
Elizabeth

[Jim K in PA]

We are heading there on Wednesday.  I'll post a follow-up report when we get back.

[ColemanCampingFamily]

We are heading there on Wednesday.  I'll post a follow-up report when we get back.

I look forward to reading your report. I checked it out about 2 years ago (went on a Saturday drive around area campgrounds) and it had rained the previous day. Everything was soggy....plus I didn't particularly care for the drive up Crabtree Falls road. Quite scary!!

[Jim K in PA]

We got back from Montebello yesterday, so I thought I would post a review.  I should have a few pictures to post by the end of the week.  We stayed there from Wed July 23 through Saturday July 26.

Short story - it is a great little camp ground that is well maintained, and very scenic.  I recommend it.

Longer story - We had site #19, which is on the "lake".  They call it a lake, but it's really a 4 acre pond.  There is a small "beach" for swimming, but I and my family chose not too.  It was a little too green for me.  There are actually three sites along the lake.  Ours was the middle one, and it had some shade, but not a direct view of the water, as there were a couple of trees and shrubs/Kudzu blocking the view.  Site #20 had a clear view of the entire lake, but no shade until late afternoon, and that site puts you in or near the path of people walking to/from/around the lake.  Site #18 would be my first choice if we return, as it had driect lake access and view,without a lot of traffic near you.  The other sites ranged from nice little tucked away spots, to very small areas right on the main road.  The pull through sites were OK, but not very wide IMO.

There were quite a few pups there, as well as tents, hybrids and quite a few Class As.  There is a small section of seasonals, but they were not near the main campground, and were very nicely kept.

There was a small playground that was well maintained with modern play equipment for little kids.  In addition to the campgroung "lake", there was a smaller fish & pay lake near the entrance, but apparently the fish were not biting.

There is a camp store, which is the Montebello General Store, and is the only store for miles around.  There are gas pumps there as well, but I chose not to look at the price.  Do not expect bargains.  Firewood was $5.50/bundle, but there was ample deadfall around the campground to be dragged to your site should you choose to.

The bath house was clean, but older.  Perfectly fine for our needs, although there were only two shower stalls in the mens/ladies rooms.  Plenty of hot water.  There was also a nice, clean laundry room with coinop machines.

We brought our canoe and used it frequently in the lake.  It was really beautiful in the AM with mist rising off the water.

Access, as mentioned above, is via VA 56, which is Crabtree Falls Rd. to the east of the BRP.  As with many of the east/west routes over the Blue Ridge Mountains, it is a twisty, steep road.  I loved it, and we travelled it quite a bit.  However, I would not want to tow a big TT/5'er up and down that road.  I highly recommend that you have trailer brakes, regardless of your PUP's weight, if you intend to tow up and down roads like these.

Hope this helps.  We did not want to leave.