Camping options near Churchville, Virginia extend beyond standard RV parks with sites available within 30-45 minutes of town. The area sits at elevations ranging from 1,300-3,000 feet in the Shenandoah Valley, creating variable weather conditions throughout camping seasons. Winters typically close most tent camping areas, while summer temperatures average 75-85°F with moderate humidity compared to eastern Virginia.
What to do
Explore natural caves: Endless Caverns RV Resort offers on-site cavern tours with discounts for campground guests. "The cavern tour was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed. Our tour guide, Haley, was a sweetheart, taking time for the two little kids, and still giving the information older people like," notes one camper.
Fish in stocked ponds: Multiple campgrounds maintain fishing areas for guests, requiring no additional permits. "The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" recommends a visitor at Walnut Hills Campground.
Attend seasonal events: Many campgrounds host weekend activities throughout summer and fall. A camper at Glen Maury Park reports, "There are many activities such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival. This year they built large models of the twin towers and had a program about them on September 11th."
Hike scenic trails: Several campgrounds offer on-property walking paths with minimal elevation gain. At Endless Caverns, "There are some local trails and the 15-minute hike up to the Endless Caverns sign offers a lovely view of the valley and an acre+ field of wildflowers they have sewn."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region consistently receive praise for maintenance. "The bathhouse was close and clean with laundry and dump site next to it. They pick up trash each morning and have propane refill, if needed," notes a visitor at Walnut Hills Campground.
Water features: Shenandoah Valley Campground offers multiple water recreation options. "They had an awesome pool that was heated, hot tubs, mini golf and good playgrounds. My kids were in heaven," shares one reviewer. Another mentions, "Very nice campground amenities - stocked fishing pond, big swimming pool, and really nice creek for tubing with waterfall to cool down on the hotter days."
Natural surroundings: Crabtree Falls Campground provides riverside sites with natural ambiance. "This campground sits along a river fed by a waterfall just a short hike away. It is the perfect blend of peace and nature as it has a tone of shade making it a perfect summer camp spot," writes a reviewer.
Site privacy: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options. At Crabtree Falls Campground, "The sites run along a river, which provides great back drop for getting away from the city. Our campsite was at the end of a row, which made it great for taking the dogs on little walks away from the campsite."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Carefully research individual campsites before booking. At Endless Caverns, "Sites in C usually back up into a wooded or naturally landscaped area that allow a nice sense of woodsy privacy. Sites are mostly level. Sites in section E appear tighter with less shelter. The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD. Be very particular with your site selection!"
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly by location and carrier. "No wifi, no cable and cell service is limited - definitely not good for Verizon. There were no fewer than half a dozen people walking around with their phones held high trying to get a signal," reports a camper at Shenandoah Valley Campground.
Reservation timing: Fall foliage season (September-October) requires advance planning. Weekend availability becomes limited 3-4 months in advance for most campgrounds, especially during peak summer months.
Weather variability: The valley location creates unique weather patterns. "We stayed here in April so many of the amenities weren't open yet (pool, arcade, rec room)," notes a visitor to Endless Caverns, highlighting the importance of checking seasonal facility availability.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Stoney Creek Resort offers multiple recreation options for children. "Great swimming lake. Family friendly," mentions one reviewer. Another adds, "Clean restrooms and super friendly staff. Camp store prices were reasonably priced compared to most campgrounds."
Nature interactions: Many campgrounds feature resident wildlife. At Shenandoah Valley Campground, "My kids loved all the bunnies, the river, pool and putt-putt. The one problem is the camper section is very tight, whereas the tent sites look more roomy."
Budget-friendly activities: Several campgrounds include free on-site recreation. "Plenty of things to do such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival. The pool is very large, very clean, and has a diving board. And there's a wonderful swimming hole if you can find it," shares a camper at Glen Maury Park.
Multiple accommodation options: Sites accommodate various camping styles. "Our site 33 was full hookup and a very nice, mostly level, spacious, and had a covered picnic table on a deck. Not all sites have full hookup," notes a Walnut Hills Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV sites often require adjustment at campgrounds near Churchville. At Glen Maury Park, "Overnight stay off I-81. Easy in and out. VERY well kept and super friendly staff. Larger rigs need to stay in the lower campground and there are no sewer connections, but the dump station is all good."
Electric service variations: Amperage availability differs between campgrounds. "Located within minutes of I81. We stopped for 2 nights to see the Shenandoah National Park on our way to NC. Called last minute and got a site. Our site 112 had water, 50amp and cable. Dump station on premises," reports a Walnut Hills Campground camper.
Space considerations: RV sites vary significantly in size and proximity. "Access was easy. The campground was busy and everything was clean and neat. The sites were a little tight. I parked a little goofy it seems so I needed a little extra footage for my electrical hookup. They were kind enough to loan us a 25' extension," explains a visitor to Walnut Hills.
Extension cord requirements: Several campgrounds use shared electrical boxes serving multiple sites. "Electric posts support four different sites, so needed to drag out the extension cord. But, power was good and the evening/night was peaceful," notes a camper at Glen Maury Park.
