The Potomac Highlands region surrounding Cross Junction, Virginia sits at an average elevation of 700 feet above sea level, characterized by rolling hills and dense forests intersected by the Shenandoah River and its tributaries. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, while spring and fall bring cooler weather with occasional rainfall that creates lush vegetation. Campgrounds in this area offer various accommodation options from primitive tent sites to glamping yurts, with several locations providing water access for fishing and paddling activities.
What to Do
Hiking trails around Lake Habeeb: At Rocky Gap State Park Campground, the 5-mile trail circling the lake offers diverse terrain and scenic views. "There is a 5 mile trail that goes all around the lake. Lots of lake to paddle. Easy to get to from I-70," notes a camper who visited in May 2025.
Fishing at secluded ponds: Middle Ridge Campground provides dedicated fishing areas a short drive from the main camping area. "Short drive down the mountain to get to the ponds but my husband and oldest son had a blast catching fish in their ponds!" reports a camper who appreciated the private fishing spots.
ATV trails for off-road enthusiasts: The extensive trail system at The Cove Campground accommodates various skill levels with miles of marked paths. "Spent a weekend here in mid May. Bugs weren't a problem at all. Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes," shares a camper who enjoyed the trail variety.
Canal path biking: The C&O Canal towpath near Fifteen Mile Campground provides a flat, scenic route suitable for family cycling. "The tow path along the canal is great for a run and quite scenic. There are spots along the canal for through hikers and bikers to camp and various drive up spots," explains a reviewer who appreciates the multi-use path.
What Campers Like
Spacious, wooded sites: State parks in the region offer larger campsites with natural separation. "First time here but will be back. Can't believe how much space is between each site. You're close enough to see other campers but far enough away to feel you have you own sections of woods," reports a camper at Rocky Gap State Park.
Water activities on calm lakes: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas and boat rentals. "Clean, well run camp store. Nice beach area with volley ball nets. Lots of paddle boards and canoes for rent," mentions a Rocky Gap visitor who enjoyed the lake amenities.
Unique campground animals: Middle Ridge Campground offers unexpected animal interactions for guests. "We have three children who absolutely loved petting and feeding Mules and Donkeys! The pool is a nice amenity unfortunately the weather wasn't swimming weather when we were there," shares a family who stayed in May 2025.
Historic location proximity: Several campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring Civil War sites and national parks. "The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center is literally next door. Harpers Ferry Lower Town and Bolivar Heights are a few minutes by car (or shuttle from the Visitor Center)," notes a visitor to Harpers Ferry KOA.
What You Should Know
Train noise considerations: Campgrounds near Harpers Ferry experience regular train traffic. "You drive deep into the woods to get here, which gives it that true, off-the-grid campground feel. It's worth noting that cell service is minimal to nonexistent — not a big deal for most campers, but something to keep in mind," explains a camper at The Cove Campground.
Bathroom facility variations: Quality and proximity of facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. "The bathhouses are always clean and well stocked. The camp sites are tucked into the woods with plenty of room for camping," reports a Rocky Gap State Park visitor who appreciated the maintenance standards.
Limited yurt camping options near Cross Junction, Virginia: While several campgrounds offer cabins, true yurt accommodations are scarce. "We stayed in cabin 170 in Fir loop and the site was incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites," shares a camper about the alternative to yurt camping at Rocky Gap.
Seasonal operation differences: Some water amenities close earlier than the camping season. "We are in Ash loop lot 22. Unfortunately yesterday a storm knocked out the power supply for the campground but otherwise great service," notes a camper who experienced weather impacts during their April stay.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly water features: Shenandoah River State Park Campground offers safe river access for supervised children. "There are several rustic campsites located on the Southfork of the Shenandoah River, as well as modern electric sites, RV sites, and cabins. Park and campgrounds are clean and well maintained," shares a visitor who enjoyed the riverside location.
Bring extra water containers: During busy weekends, shared water spigots can become limited. "We Camped here over Memorial Day weekend with our pop-up camper. We stayed in camp one which offered electrical hook ups. There are 4 water spigots in camp 1. However all the travel trailers hooked up, which means you either had to make friends or disconnect their water in order to have access," advises a camper who planned ahead.
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially those with special activities. "We went here just before the busy season and only had to share the camp loop with one other group. Very nice and peaceful and staff were extremely friendly and helpful," notes a camper who timed their visit strategically.
Pack water shoes for creek play: Several campgrounds feature small streams with rocky bottoms. "Small clean campground on the CO Canal with vault toilets. Easy water access with a small boat ramp. A number of kayakers, canoes, and paddle boarders made use," mentions a visitor who appreciated the water access at Fifteen Mile Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA requires careful site selection for larger rigs. "Heads up, big rig owners! Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," warns an RVer who had to request a site change.
Tight access roads: Several campgrounds have narrow, winding entrance roads requiring careful navigation. "Road to access the campground was good with some tight turns up the hill the last couple of miles. The campground itself is gravel roads that were pretty tight gettin in and out of and fairly steep with trees on all sides," cautions a Middle Ridge Campground visitor with a larger rig.
Water pressure variations: Some campgrounds have inconsistent water systems for hookups. "Water pressure was just a bit weak and used our water tank and pump during our stay. Best we could get for water pressure out of the hose was 25-20 psi. No issues with power or sewer," shares an RVer who found a workaround at Middle Ridge.
Cell service limitations: Many wooded campsites have minimal connectivity. "Starlink was sketchy at best, Verizon had one bar and slightly usable, ATT was best with a couple of bars and ok speeds," reports a camper who tested multiple service providers during their stay.
