The Shenandoah Valley camping region near Boyce, Virginia sits at elevations ranging from 500-800 feet, experiencing moderate rainfall of 42 inches annually. Many camping options exist within a 30-mile radius of Boyce, offering access to both the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. Seasonal conditions vary dramatically, with summer temperatures often reaching the high 80s and winter nights frequently dropping below freezing.
What to do
Tubing and river activities: At Harpers Ferry Campground, campers can access the Shenandoah River directly from their sites. "Lots of activities - tubing, zip lining, fishing," notes Darcy S., who appreciates the river access. The campground offers tube rentals and transportation: "Cheap tube rentals with busses that take you 2-3 miles up the road and drop you at boat landing," explains Matt S. from Watermelon Park Campground.
Historical exploration: The region contains significant Civil War history within short driving distances. "The Virginia Museum of the Civil War and the New Market Battlefield Museum" are recommended by Sara M. from Endless Caverns RV Resort. For hiking with historical context, Anthony S. recommends "the hike that leads to the lookout about harpers ferry," noting it "takes you well above the town settled in West Virginia."
Cave tours: Several campgrounds feature on-site cavern tours with varying geological features. One visitor at Endless Caverns described their tour as "lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed." Most campgrounds with caverns offer discounted tours to overnight guests, with tours typically lasting 45-60 minutes.
What campers like
Privacy and site spacing: Campers frequently mention site spacing as a critical factor. At Fort Valley Ranch, Jason G. noted, "Our site (site 3) was an easy level pull-through site, making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless." Similarly, Casey S. at Endless Caverns appreciated the "very nice size camping sites" available at their mountain location.
Water proximity: Many campers value direct water access. "Our campsite was right along the water (all spots are along the water). We love walking and having a nice walk right from our campsite is a big bonus," reports Mikala S. from Harpers Ferry Campground. At Brunswick Family Campground, one camper appreciated how "the river view was nice" despite some other drawbacks.
Natural surroundings: The forested environment attracts many visitors. At Berryville Berries, Chris E. values how the property has "all the feel of being remote and isolated" while still being "in very short range of all the amenities you'd ever need." Multiple reviews mention the scenic qualities: "The creek, surrounding hills, woods, and a few open fields make this a great remote, primitive campsite."
What you should know
Train noise: Multiple campgrounds mention proximity to active train tracks. At Harpers Ferry Campground, Kristen M. warns: "The Marc train runs right above your head all night. If you are looking for a relaxing camp experience make sure to bring your noise cancelling headphones." Similarly, Sherri C. notes that "the train... was 12 feet up a hill across the road from the site."
Site leveling challenges: Campgrounds in mountainous areas often require leveling equipment. At Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park, campsites are described as needing "only minimal leveling." However, other campgrounds built on slopes require more extensive preparation, with one reviewer noting that "sites in the higher elevation may require 4WD vehicles."
Seasonal flooding: Low-lying river sites can experience flooding during heavy rains. One camper mentioned that "a fairly heavy day of rain" resulted in "lots of standing water at our campsite" due to obstructed drainage culverts. Spring camping especially may encounter muddy conditions at waterfront sites.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Bull Run Regional Park offers extensive facilities for children. "This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it," writes Bridget H. "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon... miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt."
Swimming access: Several campgrounds offer swimming options directly from the camping area. At Brunswick Family Campground, campers note the water access, though one mentions "that area of the river has a very muddy/mucky bottom so you will need to walk (not far) down to the rocky entrance."
Noise considerations: Families with light sleepers should consider train noise at several campgrounds. For some, this isn't an issue: "There is a train going through day and night. For me it's a minor inconvenience and my daughter, who even as a baby, slept through it," explains Maggie A. about Harpers Ferry Campground.
Tips from RVers
Approach routes: Mountain roads leading to several RV campgrounds near Boyce can be challenging. One visitor noted, "I was initially concerned about the road leading into the campground, as my rig is over 50 feet in total length. However, we were surprised that the winding roads presented no issues for us." Clark P. advises that at Endless Caverns, "Roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful."
Utility connections: Many campgrounds offer varying hookup options. Watermelon Park provides water and electric without sewer hookups but has a dump station on-site. One camper notes that Brunswick Family Campground has sites "with water and electric hookups" but "no sewer," finding the "$60 per weeknight" price high considering these limitations.
Site dimensions: KOA Luray RV Resort (formerly Country Waye) receives positive reviews for its layout. Tina notes they "had a great back in site, that although a little unlevel, was really private and in the back corner." However, she mentions a potential challenge: "The road between the office and campsites is a bit narrow and one lane so can be tricky when people are arriving or leaving with rigs."
