Best Campgrounds near Chester Gap, VA

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 (147)

    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

    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

    "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 Reviews near Chester Gap, VA

954 Reviews of 147 Chester Gap Campgrounds


  • Alex R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Graves Mountain Farm Campground

    Great camp site for our motorcycle trip

    Awesome views, good food in the restaurant up the hill. Lots of people on horses running around which we loved, and good live music after dinner. Could get muddy if you're there after rain

  • C
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm

    Convenient location

    It s nice to have a camp option near Harrisonburg. I agree with others that the tall grass seems like a tick risk. The tall grass is too close in the more private fire circle for fire safety. It was nice to hear several owls nearby. There is road noise during the day. Orv is welcoming and accommodating.

  • Nicholas H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Lovers Lane FarmStay

    Campsite didn't get reservation from Dyrt

    Reserved campsite through Dyrt. Upon calling the campsite to confirm the booking they said they didn't receive the reservation and that the site was already booked by another group. They said this has happened in the past for others. Do not recommend booking.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Watermelon Park Campground

    Beautiful setting!

    This camping ground is for RVs only. It's right on the Shenandoah River so it's a quiet peaceful setting. However it's a long way from any town, has terrible wifi, (the mobile data was slightly better) & doesn't hav a laundry room. The road in is very narrow so our moterhome had a little difficulty getting in, but we made it! There is only a dumping station. This is just info, not a bad review :) they have showers & firewood & the staff is very friendly & helpful! Tubing on the river was closed for the season but that wud have been a great pass time!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Beautiful spot!

    Our site was amazing! The very last car camping site on the road. We were right on the river, we swam and fished. There were plenty of walk in sites beyond ours. Unfortunately there was a decent bit of trash we cleaned up. The road was a little rough, but our 92 ford camper made it, just go slow

  • Zoey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Horrie Neighbors

    dont disregard the warnings about noise like i did, constant speakers all the time until 4am. i think its out of jurisdiction for park rangers so they wont do anything either

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Riverside site

    The site at the end of the road is beautiful. We stayed right at the end of the road, since we have a 30 foot RV, but there are sites you can walk to all the way down the river. I saw one other site before ours. So limited, but we saw very few people. Got buggy at night, but that happens. Also wish people picked up their trash, but we helped. Absolutely recommend

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Quiet, lots of room

    This is a National Park campground so there are no hookups! Generators are allowed during designated hours. (Please don’t bring one.) Hot shower, bathrooms and laundry are available. Camp store with basics. The sites are large, some are not level but are workable. Lots of wildlife. Near trails.


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 147 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 Shenandoah National Park and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.