Best Campgrounds near Winchester, VA

Winchester, Virginia has several good camping options nearby. Shenandoah National Park includes Big Meadows Campground, which has room for tents and RVs along with bathroom and shower facilities. From Big Meadows, you can easily reach many hiking trails and lookout points throughout the park. Wildlife is common in the area, so proper food storage is important. The roads to the park are typically in good condition, though you'll want good shoes for some trails. Loft Mountain Campground is another choice within Shenandoah National Park, with comparable facilities and access to nature. The Shenandoah River is close by if you want to go fishing. Winchester's surrounding area contains many Civil War battlefields and historic sites worth checking out. Weather can change quickly here, with notable temperature drops at night. Many campers prefer visiting during spring and fall when the weather is mild and the leaves are colorful. You should book early during busy times as these campgrounds fill up fast. Winchester makes a good starting point for trips throughout this part of Virginia. Always clean up after yourself and practice Leave No Trace principles when camping here.

Best Camping Sites Near Winchester, Virginia (165)

    1. Candy Hill Campground

    22 Reviews
    Winchester, VA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 662-8010

    $38 - $77 / night

    "Unfortunately, it is located right on a major highway. This means there is easy access, but the traffic noise is less than ideal. But the gem of this place is the management and staff!"

    "No restaurant within walking range so have food on hand. There are a few places that will deliver but the food is a 5 out of 10 at best. Hwy 81 is right next door so you will hear road noise."

    2. The Cove Campground

    15 Reviews
    High View, VA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 858-2882

    "Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes."

    "The road is gravel and could use some work, I’d recommend 4x4 drive. We really enjoyed it and will go back. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5, water situation and the roads could use some work."

    3. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    23 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."

    4. Berryville Berries

    5 Reviews
    Boyce, VA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 955-6648

    $50 / night

    "With easy access off major roadways and a short drive from Winchester, VA, you can get whatever you need and then be back in the woods in no time."

    "Best thing about it is the proximity to the WMA.  It's rustic and somewhat remote, but easily accessible from the WMA.  Lots to do as Berryville is a quaint little town but not far from Winchester."

    5. Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    39 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 535-6895

    $40 - $80 / night

    "We were able to walk or ride our bikes to the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and access the C+O Canal Tow Path from there."

    "We set up camp at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday as our launchpad to visit the historic sites in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland. "

    6. Watermelon Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Berryville, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 955-4803

    $60 - $150 / night

    "It is a nice campground, decent and clean facilities and a nice location near the river. Price is a little high considering there is no sewer hookup (dump station is on site)."

    "Well maintained and owner was around everyday doing work on the property and was friendly."

    7. Hawk Recreation Area Campground

    15 Reviews
    Star Tannery, KY
    18 miles
    Website

    "Although it's not immediately convenient to the various hiking trails in the Lee Ranger district of Washington-Jefferson NF, this little site is tucked away atop a mountain far from any crowds."

    "Tent sites are rough, some outside ring sites have tent pads."

    8. Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Paris, VA
    17 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."

    9. Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    44 Reviews
    Rileyville, VA
    29 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."

    10. Gooney Creek Campground

    16 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    21 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."

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Recent Reviews near Winchester, VA

1196 Reviews of 165 Winchester Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Large wooded sites

    The owners are so friendly and personable. The sites are actually in a wooded area not just a big field. Each site has full hookups. We will definitely return.

  • 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.

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Hidden Springs Campground

    Labor Day Weekend

    It was packed-all went smoothly. From check in, wood delivery, and parking.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    KOA Luray RV Resort

    Just turned into a KOA?

    Wright next to the Luray caves and near the starting point of the Skyline drive. Nice, quietly located camping, surrounded by fields. You have all the necessary amenities that you would expect on a KOA camping. (I think they just now became KOA, last month it was still the big skies camping). There is a small but nice swimmingpool. Fun; lots of fireflies (in the right seasons?)

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views

    Very clean and Nice Views

    Very clean campground with super friendly staff. I really enjoyed my time here.

  • M
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Perfect Site

    This was the perfect little site. Super friendly and accommodating, beautiful walking paths, great campsites. We really enjoyed our stay.


Guide to Winchester

Camping near Winchester, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails right from your campsite. At Big Meadows Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "We went and did several hikes, including Dark Hollow Falls," making it clear that there are great hiking options nearby.
  • Fishing: Enjoy some quiet time by the water. Campers at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground have noted, "Hiking, fishing, breathtaking views, tons to do in the area!"
  • Stargazing: The clear skies in the area make for excellent stargazing. One visitor to Big Meadows Campground shared, "We spent a late evening in the Big Meadow on a picnic blanket stargazing."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Rocky Gap State Park Campground states, "The bathhouses are always clean and well stocked."
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a sense of seclusion. A camper at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground mentioned, "Decently private and not on top of each other with tons of vegetation all around."
  • Proximity to attractions: Being close to national parks and historical sites is a big plus. One reviewer at Bull Run Regional Park said, "We booked site 136 due to proximity of the playground."

What you should know:

  • First-come, first-served sites: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A visitor at Mathews Arm Campground noted, "Seemed odd that we could not pick any site that wasn’t reserved."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Lewis Mountain Campground mentioned, "It has clean facilities, showers, water, and a store, but no electric hookups."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. One camper at Big Meadows Campground warned, "There are bears so make sure you don't leave any food out."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. A family at Rocky Gap State Park Campground enjoyed, "Our site 27 was very tight and narrow, but pretty level."
  • Check for playgrounds: Some campgrounds have playgrounds nearby. A reviewer at Bull Run Regional Park mentioned, "The playground and trails were nice, kids really enjoyed the chance to take in nature."
  • Plan for activities: Bring games and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. A camper at Greenbrier State Park Campground said, "The kids loved the man-made beach and park."

Tips from RVers:

Camping around Winchester, Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost of camping in Winchester, VA?

Camping costs in the Winchester area vary by amenities and location. Berryville Berries offers a more rustic, affordable experience with the feel of remote camping while still being accessible to Winchester and Berryville. On the higher end, Candy Hill Campground requires a minimum stay (typically 3 nights) with pricing that reflects its developed facilities and close proximity to Winchester. For budget-conscious campers, public options like Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground offer more economical rates. Generally, expect to pay $25-40 for basic tent sites and $45-75 for RV sites with hookups throughout the Winchester region.

What are the best campgrounds near Winchester, VA for families?

Families camping near Winchester will find excellent options with kid-friendly amenities. Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views offers beautiful views, a large dog park, a nice pool, and the unique experience of camping adjacent to a working farm where children can observe cows, sheep, and llamas. Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA is another family-friendly option with a large pool, organized activities for kids, and convenient access to historic sites and river recreation opportunities including float trips and whitewater rapids adventures. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities and provide the perfect base for exploring the Winchester area with children.

What are the best seasons for camping in the Winchester, VA area?

Spring and fall offer the most pleasant camping experiences in the Winchester area. Spring (April-May) brings stunning wildflowers to campgrounds like Mathews Arm Campground in Shenandoah National Park, with visitors specifically noting beautiful bluebells. Fall (September-October) delivers spectacular foliage colors throughout the region, making Harpers Ferry Campground particularly scenic with its riverside location and hiking trails. Summer camping is popular but can be hot and humid, though many campgrounds offer swimming access. Winter camping is available at select year-round facilities, but services may be limited. For the ideal balance of comfortable temperatures and natural beauty, aim for mid-spring or early autumn visits to the Winchester area.

Are there any RV parks with full hookups in Winchester, VA?

Yes, the Winchester area has several RV parks with full hookups. Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages is a highly-rated option featuring beautiful stone borders, walls, and fire pits at every site. The resort is well-maintained with wooded surroundings while still providing comprehensive hookups. Brunswick Family Campground, located a short drive from Winchester, offers riverside RV sites with hookups and helpful staff to assist with setup. Most RV parks in the region provide water, electric, and sewer connections, with many also offering cable TV and WiFi. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons, as these full-service RV parks tend to fill quickly.