Mountain terrain and riverside settings define the campground landscape near Blue Grass, Virginia, with elevations ranging from 1,000 to nearly 5,000 feet above sea level throughout the Monongahela National Forest and Shenandoah Valley region. Camping options include both established RV parks and rustic sites, with many situated along the North Fork South Branch Potomac River. The region sees seasonal closures in higher elevations while valley locations often maintain year-round operations.
What to do
Hiking to scenic overlooks: The trail to Seneca Rocks from Seneca Shadows provides rewarding views after a moderate climb. "We did a little climbing & bouldering over the weekend. Definitely want to go back! Super clean facilities," notes Chris E. A trail to the Endless Caverns sign offers panoramic valley views, with one visitor noting "the 15-minute hike up to the Endless Caverns sign offers a lovely view of the valley and an acre+ field of wildflowers they have sewn."
Fishing for trout: Multiple campsites offer direct river access for fishing enthusiasts. At Smoke Hole Caverns and Log Cabin/RV Resort, Rob F. reports "Only 10 sites right on the river. Great fishing. Very quiet. Full hookups for RVs including cable. A little pricey for the area. Would stay here again. Easy access to Dolly Sods, short drive to Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob. Did I mention access to multiple areas for great trout fishing." Hone Quarry also offers fishing opportunities, with one reviewer mentioning "The river that runs right by the campground was recently stocked with trout and they were very active."
Cave exploration: Several cavern systems near RV campgrounds Blue Grass, Virginia provide guided underground tours. The Smoke Hole Canyon area features accessible caverns near camping areas. Casey L. shares, "Location is prime!! Loved the RV sites right on the water. Perfect if you are a trout fisherman or hiker. Trail head to Chimney Rock is 2 minutes from camp site."
What campers like
Natural water features: Campgrounds with river access rank highly among visitors. At Shenandoah Valley Campground, guests appreciate multiple water options. "They have it all. Fishing lake, river to swim and tube down, They have a store, a grill, a game room, and a big swimming pool. And large beautiful fields. You can even have a tent right on the river. Across from a beautiful waterfall," shares Joy A. Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground offers "rustic, clean porta johns, private, primitive spots on river. Community fire rings on beach area."
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. Jean C. describes Smoke Hole Caverns as offering "Dark sky and an open field for stargazing." Seneca Shadows campers also note the exceptional darkness, with one reviewer commenting "this place is DARK DARK, but your campers, so."
Historical connections: The region features Civil War sites and preserved historic structures. Near Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages, Sara M. notes "Locally you can enjoy wineries, orchards and cideries. Luray Caverns is a pleasant 35-minute drive. Virginia's Skyline Drive and the Shenandoah National Park crosses near Luray. New Market offers significant Civil War appeal. We greatly enjoyed the Virginia Museum of the Civil War and the New Market Battlefield Museum."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. At Hone Quarry, visitors report "no cell service" throughout their stay. Similarly, at Shenandoah Valley Campground, one reviewer notes "No wifi, no cable and cell service is limited - definitely not good for Verizon. There were no fewer than half a dozen people walking around with their phones held high trying to get a signal."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require navigating steep or rough terrain. Sara M. describes Endless Caverns: "The campground is on the side of a mountain so it is very steep in some sections. One entire loop says 4 wheel drive recommended, so read carefully before booking!" Hone Quarry presents similar challenges: "The first camp sites are easy to get to are close to bathrooms and a creek if you keep going down the road the road does get pretty rough and I wouldn't recommend any cars or less the 4 wheel drives at that point."
Payment systems: Several campgrounds operate on self-registration systems. David B. notes that at Hone Quarry, "Sites are $5 and by honor system but rangers do come through and check. Sites are nice and level tent spots." Brooklyn Heights maintains similar low-cost, minimal-amenity arrangements.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature abundant wildlife encounters. Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park visitors note unique wildlife viewing options. "Really cool set up clean campground. The people are nice and the so are the views. The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" says John D. Another reviewer highlights "Wild but tame bunnies are everywhere" and "lots of colorful bunnies, decent fishing in the pond."
Playground availability: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. Walnut Hills features "a very nice playground and a pet exercise area." Shenandoah Valley Campground provides "an awesome pool that was heated, hot tubs, mini golf and good playgrounds. My kids were in heaven," according to Lo H.
Space considerations: Site sizes and privacy levels vary significantly. At Seneca Shadows, Jillian E. advises "The campground is a short drive from Seneca Rock. Wind back into the woods for camping in a quaint quite setting (A-D) or camp in the meadowlands with Seneca Rock in the background (walk-sites)." Another camper notes "The tent areas were not very private and wasn't exactly what we were looking for but had a very nice view of Seneca Rocks."
Tips from RVers
Site selection importance: Carefully research specific sites when making reservations. At Riverside Cabins and RV Park, Mark B. shares "We tent camped and Steve (owner) took us down to the bank of the south branch of the Potomac. Perfect!" At Walnut Hills, one visitor advises "The sites along the lower area near the lake were shaded mostly, some more than others, while the sites up the hill at the top and near the front entrance (pull through sites) were not shaded much."
Hookup considerations: Full hookup availability varies by campground and specific site. At Endless Caverns, Clark P. notes "This campground (RV Resort) is simply beautiful. Wooded, stone borders, stone walls, and stone fire pits at every site, plus full hookup at each site. They cater nicely to big rigs, offering numerous pull-through sites as well as back-in sites, as your need exists."
Access concerns: Vehicle size restrictions apply at numerous campgrounds. At Smoke Hole Caverns, Jean C. advises "There are a number of campgrounds in the Smoke Hole Canyon/Seneca Rocks area, but most of them are better suited to smaller rigs and tent campers. If you have a class A or are looking for something with full hookups, look no further."
