The Blue Ridge region near Waynesboro, Virginia features diverse camping options at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 feet, creating distinct microclimates throughout the camping season. Summer temperatures average 10-15 degrees cooler at higher elevation campgrounds compared to Waynesboro itself. Most campsites in this area receive significant rainfall from May through August, with afternoon thunderstorms common during peak summer camping months.
What to do
Brewery trail hiking: 1-mile trail from Devils Backbone Camp connects directly to the brewery. The campground offers two hiking trails (3km and 5km) on property for casual exploration. Camper Jennifer E. mentions, "Walked some of the easy trails that were in the area. The scenery was beautiful and our overall experience was great."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked ponds available at Shenandoah Valley Campground with no license required for guests. The campground maintains a dedicated fishing pond separate from swimming areas. Jerry G. notes it has a "pretty cool water fall, lots of colorful bunnies, decent fishing in the pond."
Water activities: Tubing along Middle River with natural waterfall access. The river flow varies seasonally but remains gentle enough for family tubing most of the year. Camper Joy A. describes it as having "Fishing lake, river to swim and tube down... You can even have a tent right on the river. Across from a beautiful waterfall."
What campers like
Clean, modern bathhouses: Sherando Lake Campground features recently upgraded facilities with ADA compliance. The shower houses were rebuilt to accessibility standards within the last five years and are centrally located within each camping loop. According to Lee D., "Sherando had both [showers and flush toilets]. Also, if you stay in the B or C loops, there are electric hookups, something else I was surprised to see in a NFS campground."
Riverside tent sites: Premium riverside spots at Crabtree Falls Campground offer natural water sounds throughout your stay. These sites are strategically positioned just 10 feet from the Tye River. Summer M. describes the experience as "peaceful bliss" and notes that "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."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds feature resident wildlife including deer and rabbits. Dawn and dusk offer best viewing opportunities near wooded edges. Ryan Z. mentions, "Great campground with lots to do with the family. My kids loved all the bunnies, the river, pool and putt-putt."
What you should know
Bear activity management: Food storage regulations strictly enforced throughout the area. Most established campgrounds provide bear boxes at individual sites. Lisa M. warns about Loft Mountain Campground: "A young bear was repeatedly visiting site A9 up the road from me and I had to chase him off when he came near my site!"
Reservation challenges: Peak season availability extremely limited at popular campgrounds. Many campgrounds open reservations six months in advance with most summer weekends booking completely within days. Linda C. explains the difficulty: "Half the sites are first come-first serve and half can be reserved. The only drawback is that many people love this park and it is difficult to get reservations."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies dramatically by provider and location. Verizon generally offers best coverage, though still spotty at many campgrounds. Karen notes at Shenandoah Valley Campground, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select camping spots near Waynesboro with dedicated play areas. Most family-oriented campgrounds feature multiple playgrounds for different age groups. Katie M. recalls, "The kids enjoyed playing on the playground, skipping rocks, and fishing as well. Such a family-friendly campground."
Budget-friendly options: Kiss the Earth offers primitive camping close to Shenandoah National Park at lower rates. This private land camping option provides basic sites without facilities at approximately half the cost of established campgrounds. Della notes, "It's super close (only an hour drive) to Shenandoah NP! Host is super responsive to questions/concerns that arise but it's not necessary to communicate with them if you prefer the privacy."
Weekend activity scheduling: Many campgrounds run organized family events during peak season. Activities typically include outdoor movies, crafts, and themed weekend events. Christopher T. shares about Misty Mountain Camp Resort: "Very laid back atmosphere, plenty for the kids to do! Kept them occupied the whole trip! Enjoyed the music and smores offered by the campground."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Consider space requirements carefully when booking RV sites. Many campgrounds have tight turning radiuses and limited large rig accommodations. Robert M. warns about Devils Backbone Camp: "Some of the pads (#9 in our case) had a septic cap that was too high. We didn't have those things to raise the hose up, so I had to manually lift and empty the hose for the duration of our emptying."
Year-round camping access: Walnut Hills Campground remains open throughout winter months. Full hookup sites available year-round with plowed roads after snowfall. DK S. shares, "Booking was easy. Arrived after hours, staying one night. Our tag was waiting for us with a map to our RV spot with E/W by the creek and pond. It was off season, so plenty of spots and privacy."
Utility management: Power and water hookup locations vary significantly between campgrounds. Many RV sites require extension cords longer than standard 20ft. Mike G. notes about Misty Mountain Camp Resort: "Electric sites have 20a, 30a, and 50a hookups so small trailers can use a normal extension cord."
