Best Campgrounds near Chester Gap, VA

Chester Gap, VA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Chester Gap is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Chester Gap, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Chester Gap, Virginia (144)

    1. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground

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

    $30 - $40 / 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

    44 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

    16 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

    117 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) 743-4002

    "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

    8 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

    "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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Showing results 1-10 of 144 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Chester Gap, VA

927 Reviews of 144 Chester Gap Campgrounds



Guide to Chester Gap

Camping near Chester Gap, Virginia, offers a fantastic mix of natural beauty and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in Shenandoah National Park. Many campers rave about the easy access to trails right from the campgrounds. One reviewer mentioned, "Hiking trails leave right from the campground," highlighting the convenience of getting outdoors.
  • Stargazing: The clear skies in this region make for excellent stargazing opportunities. A camper shared, "We spent a late evening in the Big Meadow on a picnic blanket stargazing," which shows how magical the night sky can be.
  • Fishing and Water Activities: If you're near the Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and kayaking. One visitor noted, "Hiking, fishing, breathtaking views, tons to do in the area!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Loft Mountain Campground stated, "The bathrooms and showers are very clean," which is a big plus for many.
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer ample space between sites. A camper at Big Meadows Campground mentioned, "We could see a couple of other campsites from ours but generally felt we had plenty of space and privacy."
  • Proximity to Attractions: Campers enjoy being close to both nature and local attractions. One reviewer said, "We booked site 136 due to proximity of the playground," showing how family-friendly the area can be.

What you should know:

  • First-Come, First-Serve: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A visitor at Lewis Mountain Campground advised, "Arrive early enough in the day to snag a better site."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have electric hookups or showers. A camper at Matthews Arm Campground noted, "There is no electricity or hookups at Matthew’s Arm."
  • Wildlife Precautions: Bears are common in the area, so it's essential to store food properly. One camper warned, "There are bears so make sure you don't leave any food out."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. A parent mentioned, "The playground butts up against the inner circle," making it easy for families to enjoy.
  • Plan for Noise: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Pohick Bay Campground said, "The weekend tends to be a bit louder but during the week was very quiet."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy while camping. One reviewer at Greenbrier State Park Campground mentioned, "The camp store sells s'mores ingredients," which is a fun treat for families.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site dimensions. A camper at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA noted, "The sites were so unlevel that I was not able to get the RV leveled the entire weekend."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have spotty cell service. A visitor at Oak Ridge Campground mentioned, "Verizon cell service was limited."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have firewood or other essentials available. A camper at Loft Mountain Campground suggested, "Get those off Rte 1," indicating the need to stock up before arriving.

Camping near Chester Gap, Virginia, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while making lasting memories with family and friends.

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 144 campgrounds and RV parks near Chester Gap, VA and 15 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 56 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chester Gap, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 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 Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.