Family-friendly camping options spread throughout the Afton region, with sites situated at elevations between 700 and 1,600 feet. Seasonal temperature variations impact camping experiences, with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter nights frequently dropping below freezing. Campers should note that several campgrounds in the region remain open year-round despite the seasonal climate changes.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls and mountain views: Crabtree Falls Campground sits just one mile from its namesake waterfall trail. "Crabtree Falls are beautiful but watch out for large crowds," notes one visitor. Another camper mentioned, "The AT is also close by and easily accessed."
Explore underground caverns: Endless Caverns RV Resort offers on-site cave tours with discounted rates for campground guests. "The Endless Caverns actually adjoin the office welcome center and tours are offered multiple times daily. It would be tough for arthritic knees… but we really enjoyed the raw nature of the caverns," reports one visitor.
Visit local breweries and wineries: Devils Backbone Camp provides direct access to their brewing operations. A camper explains, "A short walk through the tent area brought you to the large brewery area. This area includes a brewpub, large outdoor seating area with fire pits and an outdoor stage, a distillery, cigar and cocktail lounge, an additional outdoor bar and grille, a breakfast building with craft coffee, and a gift shop."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing options. At Walnut Hills, one visitor recommends, "The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" Another camper at Stoney Creek Resort noted their "Great swimming lake. Family friendly."
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Crabtree Falls Campground receives consistent praise for upkeep. "The bath house was well maintained and super clean," reports one camper. Another visitor appreciated that "The sites are right on the river, we had a walk to which gave us some extra privacy."
Swimming options during summer months: Many campgrounds feature water recreation. A visitor at Shenandoah Acres (now Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley) mentioned "The swimming 'lake' cools ya off" while noting the facilities include "a pond with a 'beach' and golf cart rentals to get around."
Proximity to natural attractions: Misty Mountain Camp Resort serves as a convenient base for regional exploration. "Located within minutes of I81. We stopped for 2 nights to see the Shenandoah National Park on our way to NC," shared one camper at a nearby facility. Another noted, "Great access to Shenandoah NP, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and wineries."
Privacy options: Several campgrounds offer secluded sites. At Endless Caverns, a visitor reported, "Sites in C usually back up into a wooded or naturally landscaped area that allow a nice sense of woodsy privacy."
What you should know
Navigation challenges: Mountain roads require careful planning. A camper at Endless Caverns cautioned, "Roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful." For some campgrounds, visitors need to account for terrain variations when selecting sites.
Site leveling requirements: Glen Maury Park and similar facilities present topographical challenges. One visitor noted, "The power station was on the opposite side of the septic, so make sure you have a 30ft power cord at least!"
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping experiences throughout the year. A Glen Maury visitor shared, "Great campsites available at a very reasonable price. Beautiful views at the upper campground. Full hookup only on upper campground. Lower campground only has water and sewage. The stink bugs were terrible in the season we went."
Variable connectivity: Cell service varies significantly across campgrounds. At Devils Backbone Camp, campers report "Cell service and wi-fi are spotty at best, but what do you expect? You are in the middle of the mountains."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley offers extensive recreation options. "There are a lot of kiddos riding bicycles, hover boards, scooters, and skateboards around the loops, so the 5 MPH speed limit is important," observed one visitor, while another noted "There is also a very nice playground!"
Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds organize regular events. A visitor at Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley mentioned, "There are many activities such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival. This year they built large models of the twin towers and had a program about them on September 11th."
Water recreation options: Swimming areas provide summer entertainment. "The pool is very large, very clean, and has a diving board. And there's a wonderful swimming hole if you can find it," shared a Glen Maury Park visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Staver Farm reports "Trail cams are showing an increase in wildlife this past month (May 2023) Black Bear, Deer, Coyotes, Bobcats, & Turkeys."
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: At Devils Backbone Camp, RVers should verify utility locations. "If you stay at a full hook up site and are parked in an odd number spot, you will need an extra long sewer hose to reach the connection. For example, we have a small travel trailer and we needed a 30 foot hose."
Site selection strategies: Endless Caverns offers varied camping areas. "Many FHU sites in our area (C) are large enough for a trailer, TV and a clam. Pull-through sites are available... Sites in section E appear tighter with less shelter. The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD. Be very particular with your site selection!"
Seasonal site availability: For RV camping near Afton, Virginia, year-round options exist. "Overnight stay off I-81. Easy in and out. VERY well kept and super friendly staff. I highly recommend. Larger rigs need to stay in the lower campground and there are no sewer connections, but the dump station is all good," shared a Glen Maury Park visitor.
Budget considerations: Several campgrounds offer discount programs. One camper noted, "Given how nice the RV park is, the fee feels appropriate. There are 3-night and 5-night stay discount codes on the Promos tab."
