Jorrit G.
Scout
ScoutBig Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Nice flat spots
Good facilities for a NP campground
Camping near Chester Gap, VA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping opportunities near Chester Gap, Virginia span from developed sites at Shenandoah River State Park to primitive backcountry options in Shenandoah National Park. The area includes several established campgrounds with a range of amenities, including Gooney Creek Campground and Elizabeth Furnace Campground, both positioned within 10 miles of Chester Gap. Accommodation types vary considerably throughout the region, with tent camping prevalent at locations like Mathews Arm Campground, while full-service RV hookups can be found at Low Water Bridge Campground and Jellystone Park in Luray. Many campgrounds also offer cabin and yurt rentals for those seeking alternatives to traditional camping.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping access in the Shenandoah Valley region. Most developed campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park, including Mathews Arm and Big Meadows, operate only from May through late October or early November. As one visitor noted, "We were looking for a quick night to tent out with the kids," highlighting the importance of advance planning. Year-round options exist at Elizabeth Furnace and Sky Meadows State Park, though winter camping requires appropriate cold-weather gear. Permits are required for backcountry camping in Shenandoah National Park, while most established campgrounds accept reservations. Travelers should note that many campgrounds in the area have limited or no cell service, and some access roads may be challenging in inclement weather.
Creekside camping represents a particularly valued feature in the Chester Gap area. At Gooney Creek Campground, multiple reviews praise the waterfront sites and swimming opportunities. "Located right on the bank of the creek you sleep with the sound of the babbling water," shared one camper. Proximity to Shenandoah National Park's northern entrance provides convenient access to Skyline Drive's scenic overlooks and hiking trails. Several visitors mentioned the quality of facilities varies considerably between campgrounds, with some reviewers noting older bathrooms and showers at certain locations. The mix of camping environments—from mountain views to riverside locations—allows visitors to select sites based on their preferred activities, whether hiking, fishing, or simply enjoying natural surroundings.
Best Campgrounds near Chester Gap (157)
1. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground
"Our patio was on the side next to the road which was a little close to traffic but we still loved siting there, especially in the evening with a campfire."
"Virginia has the best state park campgrounds. Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms. Nice hiking in the park. Near SNP. Responsive and friendly rangers."
from $27 - $427 / night
Check Availability2. Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park
"This is a nice and very large campground tucked away in the northern part of Shenandoah. The facilities and grounds were well kept and it’s a short car’s travel (but there’s also a trail!)"
"There are a few trails encompassing and leading out from the campground, and it's nice to have a central location from which you can out on small hikes."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability3. Gooney Creek Campground
"We are tent campers and we’re looking for a place close to Shenandoah to ride our motorcycles. This was 3 miles from the north entrance to the park, perfect."
"Hike up a trail or up through the creek itself to a swimming hole only accessible to campers. Saw some decent sized fish swimming around in there."
4. Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
"Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability5. Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park
"It is suitable for novice campers to experienced off-trail campers. You'll never tire of the wonders this beautiful piece of America has to offer."
"There was definitely a lot less privacy/space between sites here at SNP than I’ve noted at other parks across Virginia."
6. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray
"Close to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive."
"They had plenty of appearances of Yogi or Cindy bear at activities and just driving around the park on a golf cart."
7. Elizabeth Furnace Campground
"In the valley outside of Shenandoah, it was a nice spot to return to at night. There are also some hiking trails across the street."
"Campground Review: What a great find, so close to a town….though feels like you are deep in the forest!"
from $20 / night
Check Availability8. Low Water Bridge Campground
"Positive: Friendly staff, near the river, close to Shenandoah NP, quiet camping, every site has a fire pit. Negative: sanitary fascilities are old."
"Sites 31 and 32 (despite being near the campground’s public river access) look large and private. Both riverside."
from $30 - $125 / night
Check Availability9. Sky Meadows State Park Campground
"Parking is in a locked lot steps away from trail head which leads to campsites about a mile away. Campsites are in a wooded area of park well away from other park attractions so it's very quiet."
"When we were there they were having a historical reenactment near the visitors center that was so cool! We came in August and it was super hot, but that is just Virginia."
from $21 - $112 / night
Check Availability10. Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground
"Great spot right outside Shenandoah NP with quick access to the park or nearby trails. great fishing and hikes for kids, too!"
"There are a couple of sites that have a path to the creek that flows behind the campground.There is also plenty of hiking trails to be completed around the campgrounds of various levels from beginner to"
Drive Time
- 30 min from Winchester, VA
- 1 hr 4 min from Harrisonburg, VA
- 1 hr 6 min from Hagerstown, MD
- 1 hr 16 min from Charlottesville, VA
Recent Camping Photos near Chester Gap, VA
371 Photos of 157 Chester Gap Campgrounds
Les R.
Compton Gap Backcountry camping — Shenandoah National Park
Adelle C.
Gooney Creek Campground
Jacob S.
Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground
Shari G.
Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park
Christopher L.
Low Water Bridge Campground
Jon N.
Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site
Nick C.
Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park
The Dyrt
Elizabeth Furnace Campground
QSquared2
Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground
Katie M.
Sky Meadows State Park Campground
Sumner C.
South Fork Shenandoah River
Fort Valley Ranch C.
Fort Valley Ranch
Recent Reviews near Chester Gap, VA
998 Reviews of 157 Chester Gap Campgrounds
- CCrispin S.
GuideLittle Fort Campground
Good Sleep Spot
This spot was good for a one night pull over and just wanted to rest; I would not set up camp and spend some time at this site.
There are several spots with a vault toilet. We stayed at campsite 6. This spot had a tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table but overall pretty small. It did offer a slight more privacy due to the tent pad being below the parking spot and surrounded by overgrown brush. There are no views with this spot but does offer a trail. I would not recommend the trail being it has been used as a bathroom spot with toilet paper and heavy smell included.
The vault toilet was just a vault toilet. It is a heavy noise area with other campers and ATV so if you are looking for a secluded peaceful site with spectacular views, this is not it. If you just need a place to lay your head or wanting to bring your ATV along this is for you.
- BBob B.Guide
Lewis Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Wow!
This campground is awesome! It's quiet, cool (temperature), great camp neighbors. The general store has ice, firewood, showers and any other necessities you may need.
Kat E.ScoutBurke Lake Park Campground
Amenities good
The park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
Tatiana I.GuideCandy Hill Campground
All you need campground
Wonderful campground that has all you need: full hookup, bathrooms, shower, laundry, gift shop, parts shop
Cari E.
RangerBig Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
A classic for good reason
This is a classic National Park campground, and it’s important to keep in mind that it opened in 1937–the sites are small as travelers weren’t equipped with large vehicles, as such, it may not be the best option for large rigs but my van fit comfortably though the neighbors were rather close. If you’re expecting that, you’ll be more than happy. Walking distance via a connector trail to Dark Hollow Falls trail. Sustainable T-Mobile service for remote work, but Zoom may lag. No shore power or water hookups, but drinking water spread throughout the park and modernized bathroom and showers. There was also a circular, shaded tent area as part of D155, behind the drive. I’d stay again in a heartbeat.
- Cari E.Ranger
Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground
A lovely, quiet state park
I stayed two nights in between bookings at the national park and I was surprised by how lovely the state park was. Quiet with great trails for strolling and peaceful river views. Level, spacious sites with some privacy offered by tree/bushes and a clean, modern bathroom (loved that the showers told you what temp the water is and that each shower was private/in its own room).
- TTroli R.Guide
Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Beautiful as always (despite re-paving project)
Great summer destination to escape the heat! Weather in late June was amazing - highs in the 70s; lows in the 60s; and crystal clear skies. Not too buggy either. Pulled ONE tick off of me before it bit me, but otherwise not much to speak of in the way of mosquitos or biting gnats/flies.
This particular site was smaller (RV back in) but private and level near the bath house. There IS a bear box present, and you'll want to use it for any unattended food outside an RV. The mini-bears are beggars. We saw several chipmunks in our site and a particularly clever bird successfully stole from our neighbors.
If you are RV-ing, fill your tanks at the dump station before heading to the ranger station for check-in. You don't want to carry all that water up the mountain, and they don't like you to block the campground road trying to fill along the loop. The dump station is located on the right prior to arrival at the ranger station.
Also, there are no dumpsters at the dump station (weird). So upon departure, pull your trash prior to leaving the site.
As always, there is virtually no cell signal in this site and no electric hookups anywhere in the campsite. So bring a generator or a lot of solar if you want to run your electrical. (Though this site being so shady doesn't provide a lot of solar power.) There IS wifi at the visitor's center if you want to call home or do a daily socials check. ;-)
We DID have one day there that was a pretty noisy from paving equipment re-doing the road. But I think they're almost done with their project, and honestly it wasn't that big a deal because we were on trails most of the time anyway.
There are great ranger programs here - it's one of the larger hubs for programming, and they're listed at the visitor's center because they change seasonally. Don't miss out on the chance to explore the meadow. What may LOOK like a vast, boring expanse of grass is actually a fascinating variety of foliage when you're out in it. Many, many wildflowers that can't be seen from the visitor center's overlook.
Also, many of the park's most popular hikes can be easily accessed from here, including Dark Hollow Falls and Bearfence Rock Scramble.
Ethan L.
TravelerGraves Mountain Farm Campground
Graves Farm
Beautiful spot. The campsite is across the street from the lodge. G-Maps and Apple will take you to the lodge however. Loved the Freeform and “make your own” spot vibe
Guide to Chester Gap
Chester Gap camping offers diverse options at elevations ranging from 600 to over 3,000 feet. The area sits where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the Shenandoah Valley, creating distinct microclimates across different camping zones. Winter camping remains available at several locations while most Shenandoah National Park sites close from late October through April.
What to do
Stream fishing: Gooney Creek Campground offers direct creek access for fishing. "We set out along the numerous trails to find a spot that would provide us with some privacy from day hikers as well as proximity to passage creek to do some fishing," notes one visitor about Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground.
Stargazing: Best on weeknights when campgrounds are less crowded. A camper at Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground mentioned, "the stars at night were breathtaking." Light pollution is minimal at higher elevation sites.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning provides best opportunities. "We saw a black bear cub run off into the woods along the Piney Branch Trail," reported a backpacker at Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites. Deer sightings are common throughout the area.
What campers like
River access: Waterfront sites allow direct swimming and paddling opportunities. One camper at Low Water Bridge Campground remarked: "We got a site right on the river bank so we just hopped out and were at our site!" Many river sites book quickly during summer months.
Trail connectivity: Hike directly from camp without driving. "Lots of great hiking to do in the area. When we were there they were having a historical reenactment near the visitors center that was so cool!" shared a visitor at Sky Meadows State Park.
Hammock camping: Dedicated posts available at select sites. "If it hadn't rained, I also would've been able to use the hammock posts at my site (you could use these to hang a clothesline too if you wanted)," reported a Sky Meadows camper.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Mixed approaches across campgrounds. "You have to call in your reservations - can't book online," noted a visitor to Low Water Bridge Campground, while Elizabeth Furnace sites are first-come, first-served.
Bear safety: Essential throughout region. "There are bear boxes at my campsite to store my food/trash/toiletries was so much easier than hanging a bear bag," explained a Sky Meadows camper. Bear activity increases in spring after hibernation period ends.
Weather variability: Prepare for all conditions. "We needed every layer we brought, including winter hats, puffy jackets, and gloves. During the 6 days we were in the backcountry, we experienced everything from warm summer-like weather to chilly winter winds," shared a backpacker at Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites.
Tips for camping with families
Choose established campgrounds: Extra amenities make family trips easier. At Mathews Arm Campground, a visitor observed, "Great campground! A lot of hiking and nature everywhere. We even had a doe and fawn right in our campsite!"
Creek crossings: Use caution with children. "The creeks (runs) and springs are really flowing this time of year, with some nearly thigh deep. We didn't see a single bridge, though there were a few creeks that had downed trees or make-shift rock crossings," noted a backpacker in Shenandoah.
Scout group options: Dedicated areas available for larger groups. "My site bordered the buddy site and scout group sites at the beginning of the campground, so there was noise from loud kids but not as bad as I thought it might be," reported a Sky Meadows visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Plan accordingly. At Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground, a camper noted, "You will enjoy 30/50 amp electric and water. No sewer at the sites, so plan on using the dump drain on the way out."
Site leveling challenges: Check reviews before booking. "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV," shared a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray.
Length restrictions: Most National Forest sites accommodate smaller units only. "Rigs longer than 25 feet, most likely will not fit," warned a camper at Gooney Creek Campground, emphasizing the importance of checking size limitations before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Chester Gap, VA?
What camping is available near Chester Gap, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Chester Gap, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 157 campgrounds and RV parks near Chester Gap, VA and 17 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Chester Gap, VA?
Which is the most popular campground near Chester Gap, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chester Gap, VA is Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 58 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chester Gap, VA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chester Gap, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Chester Gap, VA.
What parks are near Chester Gap, VA?
What parks are near Chester Gap, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Chester Gap, VA that allow camping, notably Shenandoah National Park and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
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