Camping options around Woodstock, Virginia range from established campgrounds to free primitive sites within the George Washington National Forest. The area includes Little Fort Campground, a free dispersed camping area located near the Peters Mill Run OHV trails, and Creekside Campground in Edinburg which offers full hookup RV sites along a creek. Additional tent and RV accommodations can be found at Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area and various campgrounds within Shenandoah National Park, approximately 30 minutes east of Woodstock.
Access to camping areas varies significantly with the seasons and terrain. Many Shenandoah National Park campgrounds operate only from May through October or November, while national forest sites like Little Fort remain open year-round. "Nice flat camp site with picnic table and fire pit. Comes with tent pad but surface is too hard to use pegs. No requirements, just show up and claim your spot on the board," noted one reviewer about Little Fort. Road conditions can be challenging at some forest service locations, with several reviews mentioning the need for higher clearance vehicles. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at many national forest sites, and campers should come prepared with water as many primitive sites lack drinking water facilities.
Campers consistently praise the peaceful settings and natural features of the region's camping areas. Creek-side camping opportunities earn positive reviews, with several Creekside Campground visitors highlighting the relaxing sounds of flowing water. One camper mentioned "the creek is right outside your door so its wonderful to listen to. Ducks landing on the creek was a highlight." Little Fort Campground receives high marks for its secluded sites and easy access to OHV trails, though some reviewers note occasional noise from off-road vehicles during daytime hours. Most primitive sites in the region include basic amenities such as fire rings and picnic tables, while developed campgrounds offer varying levels of hookups, flush toilets, and shower facilities.
$27 - $427 / night
"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."
"In my opinion it has the best location of the 3 Turks they have. It’s it the woods close to a boat landing you can see a bit of the river. In the fall or spring I’m sure the view is amazing."
$30 - $75 / night
"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."
$30 - $75 / night
"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."
$20 / night
"Being able to drop down into Woodstock (all the stores you could need, including Walmart etc) in around 20 mins was a bonus, as we got prepared to head to more remote spots, and we finished our time there"
"This campsite is by far one of my favorite free campsites that Virginia has to offer. what makes Wolf Gap so speacial is the the 4 mile hike that leads to a rocky overlook of the valley."
$26 - $47 / night
"Make sure you visit the mill before you leave and there is a beautiful kids park in Woodstock that is perfect for killing some time with the kids."
"We spent 2 nights at Creekside Campground in Edinburg, VA on our way to West Virginia—- and found a real gem. We paid$50/night for Back-in Creekview FHU Site#20."
$31 - $230 / night
"Adjacent to a working farm where cows, sheep, llamas, chickens and roosters can graze next to the campsites. The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean."
"We stayed at this KOA on our way to Virginia Beach but wanted to a day in Shenandoah National Park. "
"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."
"Off the beaten path for sure. Only a couple of other campers there when we visited. No issue for our 2wd SUV. Quite a bit of hunters gunfire in the distance, but otherwise very peaceful."
"Some sites have direct access to the Peter's Mill Run OHV complex. Vault toilet for all sites to share. No water, no electricity. Have to pack trash out. Sites were first come first serve."
"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."
$20 / night
"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!"
LegendWe stayed in site #27 for two nights. It was a walk-in tent site, but the car was very close. The site offered plenty of privacy. We could see the other sites, but they weren't close. We had a nice bear box and good hammock trees, plus a picnic table and decent tent sites. Lots of deer walked through our site in the morning, and we had easy access to several trails.
TravelerVery nice spot, good tent setup pads and fire rings at all the sites, my one complaint is that it is right next to the road that while not frequently used, the occasional car can often take away from the remote experience. There are some sites a little further in but the diff is minimal. Overall very great, well maintained spot
ScoutThis was a great place to camp. Lovely. The price was affordable. We stayed in the cabin. Electricity. Air conditioning. Running water. The property owner manager is very accommodating and pleasant to talk with.
Highly recommended.
~Robert
art505.com
ScoutThis KOA was quiet and perfect for a short stay. We enjoyed our time here. The staff was friendly.
GuideI chose Big Meadows to stay at because my traveling companion is definitely a bit bougie and was anxious about camping in the mountains of a NP. Due to this site having showers, toilets, a laundromat, camp store(s) and even a lodge/taproom, they felt more comfortable. We stayed at site D142, right near the entrance by the registration office and showers. I didn’t expect the site to be so nice and quiet and still feel quite private despite the location! We checked out the loops and besides the tent sites, I actually preferred our site. We stayed the week before Memorial Day weekend and I was pleased with how quiet it was. Quiet hours were strictly adhered without rangers having to ask, other campers were respectful toward each other and we had no issues. The NP staff were awesome and the concession employees for the showers, camp store, and the Wayside grill were genuinely friendly and obviously cared about their jobs, which I sincerely appreciate. Wayside grill with attached camp store was fun and had some great gift items as well as some pretty solid quality hiking and camping items. The grill even had a beyond burger which I greatly appreciated! The lodge was funky but not my cup of tea, the taproom was ok, although the employees were really nice.
It did rain half the time we were there with extremely heavy fog so we only did a few hikes but they were still a lot of fun. We didn’t see any bear either! The number one animal we had invade our campsite on the regular were birds. Two catbirds regularly tried to involve themselves in everything, including landing on a pot of oatmeal I was actively cooking and standing next to! We followed leave no trace of course but any chance the birds got, from catbirds, robins, brown thrashers, towhee, and even a redstart, they would try to investigate.
There is clean drinking water listed on the campsite maps, there are utility sinks for grey water (don’t use the bathroom sink!), bathrooms were always clean and bathrooms and showers are open 24/7 and are well lit. I didn’t buy the firewood so I’m unsure how much it is but the little camp store was open from 9-6 (right by the bathroom) for firewood, ice, and other various supplies.
Only downsides to the site are 1) showers are not cheap ($5 for 10 mins) and don’t stay warm for long so you’re showering in chilly water. Some stalls last a bit longer than others. 2) The biggest issue though was surprisingly the bear boxes. They are quite large and fit a lot of stuff which is great. However, you are expected to keep your cooler in them. I have a bear proof cooler (IGBC) so I’ve never had to experience this situation before. The bear box being made of metal, heated everything up in it which caused rapid melting of ice. Despite pre-chilling it and my ice usually lasting for days and days, we had to refill it daily. The camp store thankfully sold ice (10 lb bags for $5) but it was frustrating that there was no other option for bear proof items. I didn’t fight the rangers regarding it because it’s their rules, it’s for the safety of the bears and people, and the rangers and park staff have enough stuff to deal with.
All in all, I’ve never really glamped before so it was quite a luxurious trip even with the rain and fog for half the trip. I’ll most definitely be back and would even stay at the same site or a tent only site with no driveway.
GuideMy wife and I stayed here one night, while driving south to north, Skyline Dr. the drive has been awesome and this campground is the perfect resting spot for us, for the night. Had a couple drinks at the lodge while watching a spectacular sunset. I’d definitely come back.
ScoutClean facilities, each site has plenty of space. Never had an issue with noisy neighbors. Excellent access to the river. 10/10
ScoutI will start with the negatives. They do not enforce quiet hours. At all. We had multiple nights with a large group neighboring campers partying well past midnight. Yelling, slamming car doors, absolutely no regard for fellow campers. I would not recommend staying along the road sites unless you are equipped to deal with noisy neighbors in close proximity.
And the good... The sites in the more wooded areas on the edge of the campground are beautiful. You are less likely to deal with groups of campers there to party. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained, with pay showers available. Firewood, though expensive, was plentiful. Being close to hiking, the lodge, camp store, and visitor center are excellent perks for the price of each site.
I really wish the staff was there to better enforce the quiet hours, as there were multiple campers that struggled to sleep/relax with the raucous crowd so close.
ScoutI have a great spot right by the river. It is away from all noise but the flow of water. Right on the river
The George Washington National Forest surrounds Woodstock, Virginia with elevations ranging from 500 to 4,000 feet, creating diverse camping environments with temperature variations of 10-15 degrees between valleys and ridges. Campsites in this region often feature gravel pads that may require alternative tent securing methods since standard tent stakes don't penetrate well. Most primitive campgrounds remain open year-round while established sites with amenities typically close from November through April.
Hiking to mountain views: At Wolf Gap, campers can access the popular Big Schloss trail directly from the campground. "Wolf Gap is great—the campsites are high quality and well-maintained. The hiking around here is first rate—Big Schloss offers one of the most unique views in the region!" reports Andrew M.
Wildlife viewing: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground offers excellent wildlife observation opportunities. "Beautiful views, tons of hiking & biking trails. Wild life is visible everywhere you go. The children's programs offered on the weekends were great too," notes Melissa T. The park features over 24 miles of multi-use trails.
Fishing and stream recreation: Multiple campgrounds provide water access for fishing and wading. At Elizabeth Furnace Campground, "There is a pretty creek running through the campground" that provides ambient sounds and fishing opportunities. Gooney Creek Campground positions campers right beside water. "The site is located near a highway, so getting a spot in the back is ideal. It is minutes from the Shenandoah State Park and multiple canoeing and tubing companies," shares Deanna S.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain air and distance from urban areas create excellent night sky viewing conditions. One camper at Wolf Gap noted, "I loved my stay at Campsite 4! I even surprisingly got one bar of 4G, too." The campground's 2,300-foot elevation provides expansive sky views after sunset.
Creek-side camping: Gooney Creek Campground receives praise for its water-adjacent sites. "We landed the prime spot all the way at the back of the campsite, nearest to the swimming hole... each site came with a fire pit and cooking grates, as well as trash bins," notes one reviewer. The sound of running water enhances sleep quality.
Rustic accommodations: Many campers appreciate the simplicity of Elizabeth Furnace Campground. "This is a very nice little campground offering several types of non-hook up sites. The sites are quite private and are mostly flat. Some of the sites are best for tent camping as the parking pad is either very short or is blocked off from the rest of the camp site," explains Chris C.
Reservation systems vary: Some of the best places to camp near Woodstock operate on different reservation systems. "This campground is by far one of my favorite free campsites that Virginia has to offer," notes Casey about Wolf Gap, where sites work on a first-come, first-served basis with a reservation board on site.
Bathroom facilities: Campground bathrooms range from basic to well-maintained. At Mathews Arm Campground, "Bathrooms are adequate. There is potable water and a utility sink near the bathrooms, but there are no showers. The closest (coin-operated) showers are about 30 miles south at Big Meadows Campground."
Water availability: Many primitive sites lack drinking water. One Wolf Gap camper advises, "Highly recommended you bring your own water or container to fill at the spring down the road." Elizabeth Furnace provides water pumps during off-season: "arriving in April meant pulling out the pocket shower and using water from the handpump."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require careful navigation. At Little Fort Campground, a reviewer noted it's "Not easy if you are pulling a trailer (I would not recommend that for any large trailers) but it was a nice place with awesome atv trails."
Kid-friendly water features: Creekside camping offers natural entertainment for children. At Creekside Campground in Edinburg, "Ducks are there and you hear the water which is very soothing to us." However, the same reviewer cautions, "Due to the creek it isn't a good place for kids to run around without supervision, there isn't a playground or pool."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led programs. Shenandoah River State Park features "very doable hiking and mountain biking options for beginners," making it accessible for families with various skill levels.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly, with significant temperature drops after sunset. At Big Meadows Campground, one camper experienced "an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Wildlife encounters: Wildlife viewing opportunities double as teaching moments. "We even had a doe and fawn right in our campsite!" shares a Mathews Arm camper. Another notes, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached."
Site selection for larger units: Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views offers dedicated RV accommodations. "We stayed in a level back-in site(#39) with picnic table on a concrete patio, Adirondack chairs under a pergola on a second concrete patio, clean gravel surface, and fire pit. The site was big enough for our motor home and Jeep. Full hook-ups with 50-amp service," reports Matt S.
Mountain driving considerations: The mountainous terrain requires preparation. "The drive in requires about 25-miles through the roller coaster of steep grade(7+%) hills. There's no way around that, you're in the mountains. Just be aware and be prepared," advises an RVer about the roads to Spacious Skies.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, one camper noted, "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV."
Seasonal availability: Most RV sites with full hookups are operational only during warmer months. Big Meadows Campground operates from "May 6 to November 13," while Mathews Arm is open from "May 6 to October 30." Winter camping usually requires dry camping preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Woodstock, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Woodstock, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 152 campgrounds and RV parks near Woodstock, VA and 22 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Woodstock, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Woodstock, VA is Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 56 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Woodstock, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Woodstock, VA.
What parks are near Woodstock, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Woodstock, VA that allow camping, notably Shenandoah National Park and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
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