Craigsville camping options range from rustic dispersed sites to full-service family campgrounds across the George Washington National Forest and surrounding areas. At 1,500 feet elevation, the region experiences wide temperature variations, with summer days reaching 90°F and dropping to 60°F at night. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop into the 20s even when nearby valleys remain milder.
What to do
Hiking from your campsite: At Braley Pond Dispersed Camping Area, trails connect directly to your camping area. "There are pit toilets down the road that weren't terrible. The only downside was that someone painted bright orange smiley faces on several of the trees. Not cool. But overall it was a clean, peaceful place to camp for a few nights!" according to Sarah and James H.
Fishing opportunities: The area's stocked ponds provide accessible fishing without leaving camp. "The pond has a great little trail you can walk around and at night the stars are gorgeous. The water is also stocked with fish!" notes Cara P. about Braley Pond.
Mountain biking: Douthat State Park Campground offers dedicated biking trails for various skill levels. "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!" says Robyn S.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Crabtree Falls Campground provides sites directly alongside running water. "The campground did have facilities that were about a quarter mile walk away from our sites; this is something to consider if you are camping with older folks or children. The vibes were peaceful, no loud or wild campers," writes Britt S.
Brewery access: Devils Backbone Camp combines outdoor recreation with craft beer access. "A short walk through the tent area brought you to the large brewery area. This area includes a brewpub, large outdoor seating area with fire pits and an outdoor stage, a distillery, cigar and cocktail lounge, an additional outdoor bar and grille, a breakfast building with craft coffee, and a gift shop," notes Steve V.
Lake activities: Swimming beaches provide summer cooling options at several campgrounds. "There are two lakes--the lower lake is the largest at 25 acres, and while the beach can get crowded during peak season, it's an easy walk from the campground, with a large swimming area roped off," writes Stephanie J. about Sherando Lake.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Communication can be difficult at some Craigsville area campsites. "There is no cell signal here (at least with Verizon as of 3/2020)," reports Dave P. about Braley Pond. Many forest service campgrounds have similar coverage gaps.
Reservation requirements: Peak summer weekends fill quickly at established campgrounds. "The window opens six months out and are usually booked for the high season summer months," mentions Linda C. about reservations at popular campgrounds.
Wildlife awareness: Bears actively visit campgrounds in this region. "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!" warns Lisa M. at Sherando Lake Campground.
Weather considerations: The mountain climate can create challenging camping conditions. "This area is fairly low, and the road and sites can easily be soaked, if not underwater after really heavy rains," notes Dave P. about Braley Pond.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Shenandoah Valley Campground provides multiple water features for children. "They have it all. Fishing lake, river to swim and tube down, They have a store, a grill, a game room, and a big swimming pool. And large beautiful fields. You can even have a tent right on the river. Across from a beautiful waterfall," Joy A. explains.
Activity variety: Look for campgrounds with structured recreation programs. "They have an incredibly chill and laid-back vibe. You are a quick walk to the brewery and café, where you can grab breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is nice and dark at the campground, so great for star watching," recommends Erika S. about Devils Backbone Camp.
Bathroom proximity: Choose sites strategically near facilities when camping with young children. "The sites were level and everything looked recently upgraded. We didn't get in the water, but we saw the beach and it looked perfect for kids," Mike G. observes about Sherando Lake.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Stoney Creek Resort offers well-spaced hookup sites. "Hook ups were good, site was somewhat level. The staff are just lovely people, very friendly, helpful, and they go out of their way to do the next right thing," mentions Aaron S.
Site selection: Reserve based on specific needs and unit size. "All sites are back in and some can be difficult due to some trees but all are manageable and they base your site based on your rig size so they know their site sizes well," explains Sammii D.
Spacing considerations: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. "This campground is so big. I believe they currently have around 400 spots. It is divided into upper and lower sections. The lower is much more wooded and gives off more of a camping feel while the upper is much more open," adds Sammii D. about Stoney Creek Resort.
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