Camping sites near Cross Junction, Virginia offer diverse terrain between 500-1,300 feet elevation within the northern Shenandoah Valley. The region features a mix of river valleys and mountain ridges with temperature swings between seasons, reaching 95°F in summer and dropping to below freezing with occasional snowfall in winter. Many campgrounds provide direct river access with sites situated along the Cacapon and Shenandoah Rivers.
What to do
Shooting and outdoor ranges: The Cove Campground offers outdoor shooting alongside other recreational activities. "On top of them having an outdoor gun range... they have a small beach, picnic tabels everywhere, a volleyball ball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake, rent non motorboats, ATVs welcome," writes Shanna B., who frequently visits The Cove Campground.
Kayaking and paddling: Access the Cacapon River for water activities with minimal crowds. "Beautiful place, tucked in the woods, right next to the river. We brought our kayaks and got them on the river for some time. The scenery will take your breath away," notes Saskia H. about her experience at Camp Cacapon.
Hiking diverse trails: Explore established trails within state parks and forest land. "Shenandoah National Park is right around the corner. This state park campground is clean, with spacious sites and beautiful views of the mountain ranges and the Shenandoah River that backs right up to the campsite," reports Jason E. from his stay at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park.
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: Many campers value private spots near water bodies. "For me the two most difficult amenities to find at one campground is 1) secluded drive-up site 2) that is on a lake/river/etc. So because Sleep Creek has many sites with both, we will continue to go back," explains Vicky M. about Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area.
No-cost camping options: Free camping with basic amenities appeals to budget-conscious visitors. "The campground is free, open from late April through December, and campers may stay up to 21 days. However, there are no online reservations or staff in the area; I would want to have a back-up plan in case all sites are already taken," advises Suzy W. about Hawk Recreation Area Campground.
Truly primitive experiences: Some campers prefer genuine wilderness camping. "Green Ridge State Forest camping is a bare bones affair. There are no showers, bathrooms, or campstores. What it does have is solitude. There are nearly 100 campsites within the forest boundaries and with the exception of the Kasekamp sites... most of them have no neighbor within half a mile," shares Bill G. about his experience camping in the region.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by campground and carrier. "Cell service in the area for both AT&T and Verizon was poor. I do not know if this was due to the terrain or lack of towers," reports Dave B. from his stay at Harpers Ferry KOA.
Water quality concerns: Some areas have mineral-rich water that affects taste and equipment. "The only reason it lost a star is that the water has sulfur. It smells and it stained our brand-new toilet and we had to replace all our water filters after one weekend," warns Adam and Suzanne B. about Lazy A Campground.
Site accessibility challenges: Several campgrounds have rough access roads that limit vehicle types. "Be forewarned that the road is quite bumpy. I was fine in a small car with relatively low clearance, but if you have extremely low clearance or things hanging down from your car, you're gonna have a slow, difficult drive in," cautions Meredith P. about reaching remote camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Multiple swimming spots are available for children. "We choose this campground due to its location near an event we were attending. The camp ground has a dump station, sites with electric and water, primitive sites for tents, access to the river, bathrooms, showers, ice and a playground," explains Amy R. from Lazy A Campground.
Activity-rich environments: Some campgrounds offer numerous built-in activities. "This is a great place with a lot to offer. We stayed in the campground with about 30 other families from our church. Everyone had a great time playing in the pond, kayaking, hiking around, and the giant bon fire put on by the owners was impressive," shares Brian M. about Buffalo Gap Retreat.
Educational opportunities: Historic sites provide learning experiences. "Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is just a stone's throw away, with great hiking, sight-seeing, and cute little shops," mentions Jen V., noting the proximity of historic attractions to camping areas.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers should prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," cautions Matt S. about his experience at Harpers Ferry KOA.
Size restrictions: Many forest service and wildlife management areas limit RV size. "We stayed at campsite #1 off of 15 mile creek Road. Only a mile or so from I68. Great cell and internet reception with AT&T. We have a 25' travel trailer and most places we scouted we probably couldn't take it. Site 2 looks not too bad but a little less level," advises Josh G. about Green Ridge State Forest.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires additional preparation. "We stayed here on the night of December 11, 2020. Water and electrical available at all the spots even though it was winter. Bathrooms and showers were nearby and clean," reports John B. about cold-weather camping at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground.
