Located in the Shenandoah Valley at elevations averaging 1,000 feet, Broadway's camping areas offer easy access to both the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountain ranges. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F during the day while dropping to the 60s at night, making properly ventilated accommodations important for comfort. Most campgrounds in the area maintain gravel roads that can become dusty during dry periods.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: The area surrounding Emerald Pond Primitive Campground provides excellent starter backpacking experiences with its ridgeline trails. "You start at the old Welcome Center... and take a really steep ascent to the ridgeline, but then it's mostly flat for the remainder. It gets the hard part out of the way at the start," according to Jon N., who recommends the site for newcomers to backpacking.
Cave exploration: Endless Caverns RV Resort offers on-site cave tours at discounted rates for campground guests. "Their cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed," notes Clark P., who appreciated that the tour guide "was a sweetheart, taking time for the two little kids, and still giving the information older people like."
Local attractions: The region around Luray KOA features numerous historical and natural sites within short drives. "Close to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive as well as Luray Caverns and a few smaller tourist attractions including the Luray Zoo and Bear Mountain Zip-lines," writes Matt S., highlighting the campground's convenient location for exploring regional attractions.
What campers like
Mountain views: Many campers cite the panoramic vistas as a highlight when staying at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views. "Wow, what a view! Sunset over the mountains from our campsite each evening. Who could ask for more?" shares Matt S., describing the campground's setting as "the best view from a campsite we've ever experienced."
River access: Waterfront camping at Bennie's Beach Campground offers direct access to the North Fork Shenandoah River. "We were the only campers on a giant spot right on the river. The grounds are well maintained and stunning. Water is crystal clear and everyone is respectful," writes Sumner C., highlighting the pristine water quality.
Wildlife sightings: The forested settings near Broadway provide frequent wildlife encounters. At Big Meadows Campground, Carol B. observed "plenty of deer!" during their November stay, while Rachel M. noted, "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Winter temperatures at elevation can be extreme. Carol B. reported from Big Meadows Campground: "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," emphasizing the importance of campground amenities during colder months.
Site selection is crucial: At Creekside Campground, site layout varies significantly. "The spaces at this campground are pretty tight. Not much room for activities other than sitting by a fire. Getting in and out on a weekend is pretty difficult too," notes Wyatt S., though Janice N. suggests that "it was not at all what I thought it would be upon first sight. But turned out to be a really nice weekend."
Cell service limitations: Remote locations often have connectivity challenges. At Endless Caverns, Dale Y. found that "Cell signal and camp wifi are bad. I was just able to get a decent signal with Starlink by carefully pointing at a small gap between trees," suggesting campers should prepare for limited connectivity.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds with structured programs keep children entertained. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Anne K. reports, "This isn't my idea of camping, but I brought my 11 year old nephew. He was able to run around and make friends with his aunt always looking over his shoulder. He had lots of fun at pool, movie night, making s'mores, and jumping on bouncy mound."
Swimming options: Natural water features provide cooling relief during summer months. At Emerald Pond, E.R. shares, "We hike this bird knob trail all the time and usually end it by swimming across emerald pond. It's the perfect temperature (in July and august when we've done it). We hang a hammock and let the kids play."
Tent site selection for families: When camping with kids, location matters. At Loft Mountain Campground, Annie B. recommends careful site selection: "The sites were fairly close, but separated by trees, so you felt private. You could hear people on the other side of the trees, but no one was loud and it was very quiet and peaceful at night! Some sites are more private than others, so do a little scouting if that's what you want!"
Tips from RVers
Level sites matter: RVers emphasize the importance of choosing appropriate sites at Broadway-area campgrounds. At Endless Caverns RV Resort, Sara M. advises, "Sites are mostly level. The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD. Be very particular with your site selection!"
Campground access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. Michael H. notes that Creekside Campground has "sites are simple, some are bigger than others. Hookups are easy to get to," while also advising visitors to follow the campground's directional signs rather than GPS.
Resource availability: For pet-friendly camping near Broadway, Virginia, knowing where to find essential services matters. "Due to the creek it isn't a good place for kids to run around without supervision, there isn't a playground or pool," Michael H. explains about Creekside, adding "The town has a laundromat, the campground does not. A short drive away is the usual assortment of convenience stores, restaurants and grocery stores."
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