Camping areas near Free Union, Virginia sit at elevations ranging from 800 to 3,500 feet above sea level, creating diverse microclimates across the region. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at higher elevations, with summer highs typically reaching 80-85°F. Several primitive camping areas feature tent platforms to minimize impact on the forest floor and provide more level sleeping surfaces during periods of heavy rainfall.
What to do
Brewery hopping from camp: 5-minute walk to Devils Backbone Camp offers a unique opportunity. "Walking distance to devils backbone brewery. Clean bathrooms. Close distance to hiking trails and other breweries and cideries," notes Chyna K. The brewery complex includes two hiking trails (3km and 5km) on the property for short nature walks.
Rock scrambling and peak hiking: 30-minute drive from Lewis Mountain Campground leads to challenging terrain. "Bearfence is just down the trail, you can walk out of camp and start hiking. Originally was opened in 1939 as 'Lewis Mountain Negro Area', not having all the amenities that whites only campgrounds had, I find it interesting that this is now the best spot in town!" shares Max O. Many trails feature rock scrambles requiring use of hands.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime opportunities. "The family just returned from 3 days hidden away at Loft Mountain. Our site was flat and spacious with a sturdy picnic table and large fire ring with adjustable height grill. We were certainly surprised to have a deer family join us during dinner," reports Cindy M. Eastern gray squirrels, chipmunks, and over 190 bird species inhabit the area.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: At Big Meadows Campground, sites feature natural barriers. "Big Meadows Campground was wonderful. Facilities were clean and well maintained. Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife. Fire ring with grate was available. Large site size," explains Terri S. Sites along the campground perimeter typically offer more seclusion.
Clean bathroom facilities: Many campers note the quality of amenities. "The bathhouse was a nice short walk away... Beautiful! At dusk, the ground shimmers, and then after they disperse, you will still see them flit by the tent throughout the night," writes Veronica S. about Big Meadows. Bathroom facilities generally include flush toilets and running water, though not all campgrounds offer showers.
Proximity to hiking trails: Direct access to hiking paths ranks highly among visitors. "We had a great time staying here, the site we were at was pretty private behind our camper. Bushes and trees on all sides of our fire ring and picnic table," notes Shane T. Most campgrounds connect to at least one trail system, allowing for morning hikes directly from camp without driving.
What you should know
Weather variation: Temperatures change significantly with elevation. At Loft Mountain Campground, "The mountain remained fogged in for most of our stay, but hikes on the AT and Doyles Falls were stunning," mentions Cindy M. Temperatures at higher elevations can be 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely throughout the area. "Though this campground is HUGE, the sites are not piled on top of each other. Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy. No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online," explains Veronica S. Verizon typically provides the best coverage.
Shower availability: Not all campgrounds offer shower facilities. "The shower was about 0.3 miles away. They charge $5 for 10 min, which you have to pay in quarters," reports Katrin M. about Loft Mountain. Prepare with quarters if planning to use pay showers, as change machines aren't always available.
Tips for camping with families
Campground activities: Misty Mountain Camp Resort provides numerous structured options. "Very laid back atmosphere, plenty for the kids to do! Kept them occupied the whole trip! Enjoyed the music and smores offered by the campground," shares Christopher T. The resort includes a jumping pad, pool tables, and organized evening activities.
Wildlife education opportunities: Ranger programs provide learning experiences. "Big Meadow has many amenities which make it popular and oftentimes crowded during weekends and holiday's. But, many of these amenities make camping with families a convenience. We saw many deer and bear while camping," explains Rachel M. Programs often focus on bear safety, local ecology, and night sky viewing.
Consider tent platforms: Platform sites keep sleeping areas drier. "My daughter picked site A33g since it was secluded and we were unlikely to have neighbors during our midweek visit. It was a bit of a walk through lush greenery from the car to the tent site, but once there, you really feel like you are the only humans on the mountain," notes Cindy M. about Loft Mountain. Platform sites typically include corner posts for attaching tarps.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations and lengths: At Shenandoah Valley Campground, be prepared for site variations. "We spent 2 weeks at SVC while our trunk was in the shop. Everyone on staff was accommodating, helpful and friendly. Very nice campground amenities- stocked fishing pond, big swimming pool, and really nice creek for tubing with waterfall," mentions Gabe. Some sites require longer-than-standard power cords and water hoses.
RV site positioning: Pay attention to utility placement when reserving. "Some sites have a septic cap that was too high. We didn't have those things to raise the hose up, so I had to manually lift and empty the hose for the duration of our emptying. Also, the power station was on the opposite side of the septic, so make sure you have a 30ft power cord at least!" advises Robert M. about Devils Backbone Camp.
Winter camping limitations: Year-round options exist but with restrictions. "We camped here the last night of the season (Nov30) and shared the campground with a mix of tent campers, car/van campers, and a few larger units. The bathrooms were plentiful, heated, hot running water. Showers and laundry were closed for the season," notes Carol B. about Big Meadows. Winterization affects water availability at some sites.
