The Shenandoah Valley region offers numerous camping options throughout the year, with elevations ranging from 700 to 4,000 feet providing varied temperatures and conditions. Many campgrounds near Crozet maintain availability through November, with select facilities offering heated amenities for late-season campers. Fall temperatures typically range from 30°F to 65°F, requiring appropriate cold-weather gear.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Several trails are accessible directly from campgrounds without driving. At Crabtree Falls Campground, the waterfall trail starts just a mile from the sites. "The AT is also close by and easily accessed," notes reviewer Britt S. For more challenging terrain, Harrisonburg KOA offers on-site hiking options. "Great hiking trail into the hills and woods at the back of the property. Gave me and my pups a chance to run, walk & stretch," shares Kathy L.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer no-license-required fishing areas with equipment rentals. Montebello Resort provides two distinct fishing experiences - "a stocked trout pond" where "you pay for what you catch," plus "a nice small lake" with bass and crappie fishing. The campground "provides kayaks and paddle boats as well, at no charge," according to Adrian K.
Seasonal events: Fall and spring feature organized activities at many campgrounds. Walnut Hills Campground hosts weekend entertainment during peak months. "The staff were top notch with plenty of amenities to offer," reports Todd C. Winter visitors should check ahead as many facilities reduce operations from December through March.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. Big Meadows Campground maintains exceptionally clean facilities with daily service. "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up," confirms Kim L. Even smaller operations like Crabtree Falls Campground earn praise for maintenance. "The bath house was well maintained and super clean," reports Sarah G.
Waterfront sites: Many campers prefer spots along water features. "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night," shares Britt S. about Crabtree Falls. At Stoney Creek Resort, the "swimming lake" provides a natural feature popular with families.
Wildlife viewing: Animal sightings occur regularly throughout the area. Big Meadows Campground offers frequent wildlife encounters. "We saw many deer and bear while camping," states Rachel M. Several reviewers note deer walking through campsites during morning and evening hours. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory," confirms Veronica S.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies dramatically by location and carrier. Big Meadows Campground has essentially no service. "No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online," reports Veronica S. Similarly, Montebello Resort has "zero cell coverage or wifi," requiring a significant drive to find reception.
Site variability: Campsite quality differs considerably within the same campground. At Montebello, "We had a site on the perimeter, which was nice, as the interior sites are really on top of one another." Anthony I. notes this distinction is crucial for privacy. Some sites have uneven terrain requiring substantial leveling equipment.
Weekend crowding: Most campgrounds experience significant population increases Friday through Sunday, particularly during fall color season. "Depending on what time of the year you go, you might find some solitude," advises Tom C. about Big Meadows. Summer weekends at water-focused campgrounds like Stoney Creek often reach capacity.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Lake-based amenities provide reliable entertainment for children. Shenandoah Crossing features multiple swimming options including a "salt water pool" and lake access with kayak rentals. Nicole P. appreciates the diversity: "Kayak, putt putt, tennis, swim in one of the pools, hot tub, work out in the gym, walk on trails, ride horses, take a carriage ride."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for sites with dedicated play areas. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers extensive child-focused facilities. "The kids loved running off in the open field and playing on the zip line. We loved that we could see them from our site," shares Jen O. The playground equipment varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering modern equipment while others maintain minimal structures.
Bathroom proximity: When camping with young children, consider distance to facilities. At Montebello Resort, some tent sites require "a quarter mile walk" to bathrooms according to Britt S., which "is something to consider if you are camping with older folks or children." Most RV-focused campgrounds offer more conveniently located facilities.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Water and electric connections differ significantly between sites. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, many sites have full hookups, but not all are created equal. "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV," warns Jen O. Some campgrounds offer 50-amp service while others provide only 30-amp connections.
Access challenges: Road conditions vary significantly when approaching campgrounds. At Montebello Resort, the access road requires careful navigation. "VA56 is a very windy road not recommended for pulling a camper through. Use the blue ridge parkway," advises Quinn G. Several campgrounds have narrow internal roads that complicate maneuvering larger rigs.
Seasonal limitations: Off-season camping offers fewer amenities but more availability. "Showers and laundry were closed for the season but are centrally located near entrance area of campground," notes Carol B. about Big Meadows Campground. Extended-season camping often means reduced staffing and facility access, so confirm availability before arrival.
