The Shenandoah Valley region surrounding Crozet, Virginia sits at elevations ranging from 700 to 2,000 feet, creating variable camping conditions throughout the year. Fall temperatures in the area typically range from 40-70°F with significant cooling at night, while summer averages 75-85°F with humidity increasing in lower elevations. Camping options extend beyond typical RV parks, with both established campgrounds and primitive sites available within a 30-mile radius.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park provides fishing ponds that campers enjoy. "The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" notes John D. in his review.
Cavern exploration: Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages offers on-site cave tours. "The cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed," writes Clark P. The caverns remain at consistent temperatures year-round, making this a good rainy day option.
Hiking trails: Many campgrounds offer on-site trails with varying difficulty levels. "We enjoyed the on-site hiking trails... the 15-minute hike up to the Endless Caverns sign offers a lovely view of the valley and an acre+ field of wildflowers they have sewn," says Sara M. about her experience at Endless Caverns.
Music and entertainment: Glen Maury Park hosts regular music events. "There are many activities such as a bluegrass festival, fiddle festival, and jazz festival," mentions Priscilla S. Most concerts occur on weekends from May through October.
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. "The bathhouse was close and clean with laundry and dump site next to it. They pick up trash each morning and have propane refill, if needed," reports DK S. about Walnut Hills Campground.
Spacious sites: Some locations offer larger campsites with more privacy. At Crabtree Falls Campground, "Each campsite was a little drive away from each other which was very nice in terms of privacy. You could drive into the campground so you didn't have to carry everything," according to Aakansha J.
Natural water features: Several campgrounds feature rivers or ponds that enhance the camping experience. "The sites backed up to a creek that created natural flowing water that we enjoyed wading through," writes Emily R. about Crabtree Falls Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Rural settings provide opportunities to see local animals. At Staver Farm, "Trail cams are showing an increase in wildlife this past month (May 2023) Black Bear, Deer, Coyotes, Bobcats, & Turkeys," reports Donald S.
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts campground operations. "Booking was easy. Arrived after hours, staying one night. Our tag was waiting for us with a map to our RV spot with E/W by the creek and pond. It was off season, so plenty of spots and privacy," notes DK S. about Walnut Hills.
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer the same features or privacy. "The sites were more private than the river sites. The winding layout allowed for more distance between other sites," shared a camper.
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain. At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, "The lower section near the entrance is very loud (road noise). I'm in the upper section (steep and windy road to get up here) It's better noise wise here," cautions Mara S.
Flooding risk: Weather can create hazards at certain sites. "It looks like a really great camp ground. T-1 though T-6 sites flood often because they are low and next to the river. We camped at T2 and had to tear down as soon as we set it up," reports Jennings A. about Misty Mountain Camp Resort.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several RV sites near Crozet, Virginia include play areas for children. At Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley, "There is a very nice playground and a pet exercise area. You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything," notes Laure D.
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds organize regular events for children. "This campground was really great for a family with small children. There were events the entire time we were there and the staff were awesome," shares Chaz M. about Misty Mountain Camp Resort.
Swimming options: Water recreation varies by campground. "Really cool set up clean campground. The people are nice and so are the views. The fishing ponds are great, bring a fishing pole!" mentions John D. about Walnut Hills.
Site privacy considerations: Selecting the right site impacts family comfort. "Our site (52) was tiny so it was a tad stressful having kids running around right beside the road," cautions Chaz M. about Misty Mountain Camp Resort.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: RV sites offer different utility connections. "Our site 33 was full hookup and a very nice, mostly level, spacious, and had a covered picnic table on a deck. Not all sites have full hookup," explains Laure D.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entry roads. "The campground is on the side of a mountain so it is very steep in some sections. (One entire loop says 4 wheel drive recommend, so read carefully before booking!)," advises Jess about Endless Caverns.
Utility placement: Hookup locations can impact site usability. "Site 50 is a bit strange. Camping area is big enough for a small rig but the power pedestal is far away, so you might have to be creative in setting up. Unless you have a long power cord or don't hook up at all," notes Mara S. about her experience at Misty Mountain.
Site leveling needs: Terrain variations affect setup time. "Access was easy. The campground was busy and everything was clean and neat. The sites were a little tight. We were there for the local hiking so we didn't spend too much time in the park. I parked a little goofy it seems so I needed a little extra footage for my electrical hookup," shares Ralph P. about Walnut Hills.
