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Best Campgrounds near Chester Gap, VA

974 Reviews

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 Camping Sites Near Chester Gap, Virginia (155)

    1. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 622-6840

    $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."

    2. Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    45 Reviews
    Rileyville, VA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3132

    $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."

    3. Gooney Creek Campground

    17 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 635-4066

    "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

    120 Reviews
    Stanley, VA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    $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."

    5. Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park

    15 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    "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

    24 Reviews
    Luray, VA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 300-1697

    "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

    9 Reviews
    Strasburg, VA
    12 miles
    Website

    $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!"

    8. Low Water Bridge Campground

    9 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 635-7277

    $30 - $125 / night

    "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."

    9. Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Paris, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 592-3556

    $21 - $112 / night

    "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."

    10. Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground

    9 Reviews
    Strasburg, VA
    12 miles

    "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"

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Recent Camping Photos near Chester Gap, VA

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Recent Reviews near Chester Gap, VA

974 Reviews of 155 Chester Gap Campgrounds

  • D
    Apr. 28, 2026

    Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    Not as advertised on website. Loose dogs. Sites not as advertised.

    Less amenities than advertised. We usually camp in more rustic locations and planned this trip simply for the fun of the amenities. Their website claims that the pool is seasonal but doesn't list anything else as seasonal. There was supposed to be mini golf, a giant bounce pillow, indoor basketball, an arcade with air hockey and a pool table. Mini golf was fine. The bounce pillow was deflated and full of water. The arcade/pool table/air hockey building was locked and the maintenance guy(who locks it up) was outside smoking before leaving early for the day. The employee at the camp store said it was supposed to be open until the store closed but that he probably just closed it early.

     The rules state that dogs need to be on a leash at all times and, in the two hours we actually stayed, we saw four that weren't. One was staying near us and started chasing us when we rode our bikes by. One was wandering about 4 campsites down from it's owner. We mentioned it to the person at the camp store before we were chased and she just shrugged it off. 

    The map is incorrect. It lists site numbers that don't exist and doesn't list some sites that supposedly do. We spent a fifteen minutes trying to find a non-existent site before going back to the camp office and getting assigned a new site. They acted like it was a new thing caused by maintenance but we just looked and saw a review from ten months ago saying the map was messed up then. 

    The description of the site we paid for was non electric tent with a sand tent pad. The site we got was on a hill(no actual flat spot) overgrown with weeds, no tent pad, a slanted picnic table, and no actual parking spot. You had to drive over a drainage ditch and park on the hill. If our car didn't have high clearance we wouldn't have made it. There was also a hole in the middle of the site. And the map showed that number site on the corner where another unmarked site was. Our originally assigned site was supposedly in the same group of sites, so it would've been similar. Also don't believe the claim that they're"large sites." Most of them are crammed together. There are a few that look decent sized and flat, but they want you to pay an extra$30 to pick your own site. 

    We didn't even look in the bathrooms. 

    We left after two hours. Definitely a waste of$60+ dollars. 

    Next time we'll go over to the Brunswick Family campground. Their owners are lovely people who care about their customers.

  • Cheryl Ann S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2026

    Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River

    Amazing location

    So clean and well maintained! We went in April and the waterpark was not opened yet. Most campgrounds we looked to stay at mentioned not being opened until mentorship day but here did not have it listed anywhere. We love our site. Golf carts were so fun to ride around through their back trails along the water. Tubing in the river was so peaceful and relaxing.

  • nThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2026

    Wolf Gap

    Nice quiet easy

    Paved road all they to the campsite. If you are vehicle, the parking spots are paved. Not all spots are completely level and pretty short. If you’re in a long van or truck, you may be unable to fit. sites are decently spaced out not the best but far from the worst.

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2026

    Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    Nice clean Campground

    Stayed here for a week while working nearby. Easy to get to and set up. Office was closed when we arrived but arrival paperwork was posted outside office door. Even with busy road nearby, park was quiet and felt private. Sites were level and paved making setup easy. Sites had 1/2 site extra paved for vehicle with extra parking nearby. There was no litter in park, we observed a staff member daily making the rounds to keep everything clean. There was walking access into the park on wide private roads without traffic. With park access you are able to walk into national forest park from RV camp. National Forest visitor center close by, 1 exit away going south I95. Amenities in RV park included swimming pool, chess board with extra large pieces, playground and clean bath house. Firewood and ice on site.

  • C
    Apr. 12, 2026

    Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    Great Campground

    Our family loved this campground. It was entirely wooded with plenty of shade, sites were close but separated enough to feel like you were in your own site. Our kids and others rode their bikes around the loop all weekend long. Bathrooms could have been a little cleaner and all the entrances except one were closed, but that’s what happens when you cut budgets for public lands.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 5, 2026

    Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River

    Would be great for tent campers

    Pros:

    • very large property with tons of spots and amenities
    • great glamping and tent camping spots on the river
    • nice water park
    • Fully equipped store with golf cart rentals

    Cons

    • no shaded spots for RVs
    • no RV spots with a view of the river
    • no privacy from neighbors
    • spots on the edges are overly lit up at night
  • Dani The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 4, 2026

    Gooney Creek Campground

    New owners

    New owners just bought this place. There are upgrades and cleaning needed, but owner was friendly and helpful. Creek and trail is gorgeous. Highway can be loud at times. Surrounding town gorgeous and dog friendly.

  • V
    Apr. 1, 2026

    Brunswick Family Campground

    Lovely campground on the C&O. Beware the trains!

    This is a lovely campground that I recommend and would stay again.  We have been twice:  once as a family and once with a Scout troop.  The RV sites are fairly large and clean.  The tent-only sites are smaller and have a metal fire ring with a grate (nice!).  The  RV sites have mostly brick rings without grates.  The bathrooms are fairly small (two showers on the female and one on the male) which might be an issue on busy weekends.  The only real water entrance is the boat ramp, but you can climb down a cliff in other places.  A, D, and E are sunnier.  B and C and Nottingham are mostly wooded with mature trees.  We used the site as a base for a bike trip along the C&O to go to Harper’s Ferry (14mi round trip along a gravel path).  The staff were friendly and there is a small camp store.

    But the trains!  THE TRAINS!!!  Every review will mention them for a reason.  The site is adjacent to a rail yard that runs all day.  Not just a passing train, but clanging car and engine changes.   It’s LOUD.  I slept with earplugs, but could still hear the noise.  The yard really starts going around 5am and goes all day.  It slows down after 8/9pm, but never stops entirely.  The trains are the only reason for the removed star and it’s not the campground’s fault.  But almost all of the real complaints are about the noise.  If you want an extra quiet campground with only birds and running water, this is not the place for you.  But if you don’t mind the loud bangs and low rumbles, this place is fine!

    The entrance is beyond the train yard and about a mile down a widened part of the C&O.  It is possible to be trapped inside or outside if a train is stopped at the crossing (30min for us, once).  

    In short, it’s a great campground if you bring ear plugs!

  • kellysue H.
    Mar. 29, 2026

    Candy Hill Campground

    Not friendly

    The lots are very tight and the manager is not friendly. Make sure to read all the rules. No one can visit you unless they pay 10$ to come onsite and I am not talking about spending the night just visiting.  There are other campgrounds in the area such as Watermelon RV Park that are more welcoming.

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?

According to TheDyrt.com, Chester Gap, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 155 campgrounds and RV parks near Chester Gap, VA and 17 free dispersed camping spots.

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 55 reviews.

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?

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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