J
John F.
Scout
ScoutCreekside Campground
Quit, right along the creek, dollar general is right down the street. If only that house wasn’t looking down on me🤷♂️
Camping near Culpeper, VA
130 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Culpeper serves as a jumping-off point to some great camping in Virginia, particularly in nearby Shenandoah National Park. Big Meadows Campground sits within the park and puts you close to many hiking trails and lookout points. You'll find flush toilets, showers that cost a few dollars, and a small store for basics. Another good option is Loft Mountain Campground, which has roomier sites and nice mountain views. The campground has drinking water and bathrooms that make longer stays more comfortable. If you want something quieter, Lewis Mountain Campground typically has fewer people and a more laid-back feel. It comes with standard campsite setups - picnic tables and fire rings - and trails start nearby. Bears and wildlife are common throughout this area, so you'll need to store food properly using bear containers or by hanging food bags from trees. Spring and fall camping work best here when the weather is mild and the trees look amazing. Summer can get hot, though these mountain campgrounds stay cooler than the surrounding lowlands. It's always smart to check the weather before heading out.
Best Campgrounds near Culpeper (130)
1. Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
"Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability2. Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park
"This is a nice and very large campground tucked away in the northern part of Shenandoah. The facilities and grounds were well kept and it’s a short car’s travel (but there’s also a trail!)"
"There are a few trails encompassing and leading out from the campground, and it's nice to have a central location from which you can out on small hikes."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability3. The HarmStead Campground
"Lots of land to walk. Fire pit, chairs and picnic table at site."
from $50 - $95 / night
Check Availability4. Lewis Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park
"Lewis mountain has all the amenities of home within walking distance if you just can’t live without them; bathrooms,showers, kitchen sink, fire pit, small store and 2 personal vehicle parking spots steps"
"Arrived before the weekend, around late morning. Greeted by the park ranger, they gave the basic information for these sites. Limited spots here. You’re pretty close to your neighbor."
from $30 / night
Check Availability5. Rappahannock River Campground
"Great for a weekend away from all the hustle and bustle. Very relaxing"
"We paid our fee, which was only around $15, and then another $5 for a bunch of firewood. The Firewood was a bit wet and didn't work out, but hey, beggars can't be choosers."
6. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground
"Our patio was on the side next to the road which was a little close to traffic but we still loved siting there, especially in the evening with a campfire."
"Virginia has the best state park campgrounds. Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms. Nice hiking in the park. Near SNP. Responsive and friendly rangers."
from $27 - $427 / night
Check Availability7. Casa Vargas
"Casa Vargas offers secluded RV & Tent sites near the famous Skyline Drive that offers great views of the Shenandoah Mountains. "
from $50 - $75 / night
8. A World Away Farm LLC
from $20 - $50 / night
9. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray
"Close to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive."
"They had plenty of appearances of Yogi or Cindy bear at activities and just driving around the park on a golf cart."
10. Lake Anna State Park Campground
"Our site was nicely situated between a trail down to the lake and bathhouse. We had a long driveway that was perfect for throwing a ball around."
"Great walking trails surrounding the campground. Well maintained."
from $32 - $459 / night
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Drive Time
- 44 min from Charlottesville, VA
- 1 hr 6 min from Harrisonburg, VA
- 1 hr 9 min from Winchester, VA
- 1 hr 15 min from Washington, DC
Recent Camping Photos near Culpeper, VA
391 Photos of 130 Culpeper Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
A World Away Farm LLCM
Watercress Inn at Landon Farm
Labyrinth, Trails, and Solitude
Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages
Graves Mountain Farm CampgroundE
Rappahannock River Campground
Wilderness Presidential Resort
Laurel Prong Trail DispersedA
Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Hazeltop Summit Dispersed Camping
Hazeltop Summit Bluff Dispersed CampingB
Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National ParkA
Recent Reviews near Culpeper, VA
1073 Reviews of 130 Culpeper Campgrounds
Nadine R.
Guide#1 Rock Tavern River Kamp
I fear that yurt glamping may have ruined me against tent camping again! This was absolutely lovely. We stayed in the painted horse yurt. Cozy, comfy, lots of amenities. The only downside here is the sulfur odor the water in the bathroom has, but it is very good for your skin at least! I’d stay here again for sure.
- FFrederick M.
TravelerMathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Great spot! Water taps appear to be turned off for winter. Flushing toilets. Waterfall hike nearby!
- MMichael W.Scout
Shenandoah River Outfitters Camp Outback
Off-peak small RV camping
Stayed here for 2 weekday nights in mid-October, late season. Nice & quiet. Warm showers, clean bathrooms, nice staff.
There was some vehicle activity with vehicles as they were still running river trips.
Very pleasant.
Ada R.TravelerGooney Creek Campground
Quite the dump and almost no one around to talk to. There is a bathroom with running water, flushing toilets, and a shower. But it is cramped and not attractive. Most of the sites are right underneath the freeway, and very noisy. Primitive sites away from the road noise are nothing more than a wide area of the dirt road.
- MMartin L.Scout
Creekside Campground
Very friendly and helpful
Arrived late (after dark) owner met us entrance and site with a flashlight to help back in. Provided his number in case we had any problems. Extremely nice
Jennifer S.TravelerMisty Mountain Camp Resort
Location is wonderful, however campground is lacking in every area
Very disappointed in our recent four-night stay at Misty Mountain Campground this October.
Prior to our arrival, both my husband and I made numerous attempts to verify our site and reservation details. My husband called for five consecutive days and left messages each time, and I sent an email; however, we received no response.
When we arrived, the check-in process was extremely frustrating. I was initially told we had no reservation. After explaining that I was part of a wedding group, had already paid, and had been assigned a site number, the registration staff member continued to insist the reservation could not be found. After being ignored for 10 minutes and having to explain the situation again, she located our booking, but assigned us to the wrong site.
Additionally, the site and facilities fell far below expectations for an "RV Resort":
- Site Condition: The campsite was overcrowded, overgrown, and in poor condition.
- Facility Cleanliness: The restrooms were dirty, with grime on the doors, and clearly lacked regular cleaning (the same debris remained on the floor for days).
- Amenities: We were unable to purchase propane as none was available. Furthermore, we were refused change for the laundry facilities under the claim that they were closing for renovations, despite the door remaining open with no work taking place.
Overall, the lack of communication, poor customer service, and substandard conditions made for a very negative experience. I hope they deal with their issues because it is a lovely area.
Matt M.TravelerCamp Roosevelt
Small but mighty
The camp is small. Only 10 sites. Camp sites have been refreshed with new boarders and fill. Pretty well maintained with clean porta-poti. Small walking trail with educational maps and info. Pretty interesting history. There Is a picnic area with tables and a pavilion. Some larger hiking trails nearby. It's primitive camping, no water or electric, but for $10 it gives you some amenities. It was a beautiful fall weekend and there was only one other camper there.
Christi G.ScoutBull Run Regional Park
Site #133 — Great site once you figure out the best way to get into it
We stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
Guide to Culpeper
Camping in the Shenandoah region near Culpeper, Virginia ranges from primitive sites to full-service campgrounds. The Blue Ridge Mountains area sits at elevations between 1,000-3,500 feet, offering cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Many camping options in this region remain open from April through November, with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: 1-3 miles from campsites Several trails lead to waterfalls throughout the region. At Big Meadows Campground, "There are several campsites available at this National Park. I like this campsite particularly because its close to one of my favorite waterfall hikes in VA," notes Tom C.
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution The higher elevation campgrounds offer excellent stargazing opportunities. "We love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," says Rachel M. The clear mountain air provides visibility of celestial features not visible in urban areas.
Wildlife observation: Dawn and dusk best times Many campers report deer and bear sightings. At Mathews Arm Campground, "We even had a doe and fawn right in our campsite! Just be careful of the black bears," advises Stephen K. Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Better privacy options Tent campers appreciate sites with natural separation. At Lewis Mountain Campground, "This campground has a lot of sites but they've spaced them so that they can be pretty private and quiet. If you get in early there a lot of really choice sites," mentions Lisa D.
Riverside camping: Direct water access Some campgrounds offer proximity to the Shenandoah River. At Rappahannock River Campground, "The area of the campground is deep in the woods with the only audible intrusion coming from the infrequent airplane or helicopter passing by," explains Derek E. "Great spot right next to the Rappahannock River, plenty of place to set up camp. It was super easy to get down to the water."
Well-maintained facilities: Regular cleaning schedules Many campers note the cleanliness of facilities. "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up. Very small campground store on site but a much larger store at visitor center," reports Kim L. about Big Meadows.
What you should know
First-come sites: Early arrival recommended Several campgrounds have non-reservable sections requiring early arrival. For Lewis Mountain, "Out of the 31 sites (including host site), only 3 remained when we arrived at about 1:45 PM on a Friday afternoon, and those remaining filled up within the hour," warns Danielle V. Arriving before noon significantly improves your chances.
Wildlife precautions: Required food storage Bear activity requires proper food storage. "You can be fined for leaving food out," notes Anna R. Most campsites provide bear boxes, but not all do. Rangers regularly patrol to ensure compliance.
Seasonal considerations: Altitude affects temperatures Mountain campgrounds experience significantly different weather than nearby towns. At Shenandoah River State Park Campground, "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," mentions Carol B. Always check weather forecasts specifically for the campground's elevation.
Tips for camping with families
Ranger programs: Educational activities Many campgrounds offer ranger-led activities. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground," notes Kim L. Programs typically run May through October.
Jellystone amenities: Kid-friendly features For families seeking more activities, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers numerous options. "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. The birthday boy also loved the outdoor laser tag!" shares Jen O.
Animal encounters: Educational opportunities Some campgrounds feature farm animals. At The HarmStead Campground, "The hosts provided our kids with a cup of animal food to feed the goats and the emu. The spot had a fire ring and a picknick table. Highlight for the kids were the playground and the fireflies at night," explains Michael.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Limited within park Full hookups are rare in Shenandoah National Park campgrounds. Big Meadows provides water but no electric or sewer hookups. Private campgrounds outside the park offer more options.
Site leveling: Check before booking Some RV sites require significant leveling. "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV," cautions Jen O. about Jellystone Park.
Dump station access: Plan ahead Most park campgrounds have dump stations but limited sewer hookups. Smaller private campgrounds may have full hookups but fewer amenities. "Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms," notes Adam and Suzanne B. about Shenandoah River State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Culpeper, VA?
Where are the best campgrounds near Culpeper, VA?
Several excellent campgrounds are located within a short drive of Culpeper. Cedar Mountain Campground is just 6 miles from town, offering tent sites, RV accommodations, showers, and bathhouses for $25 per night plus tax. For those willing to venture a bit further, Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views provides beautiful mountain vistas, immaculately maintained grounds, and a unique experience adjacent to a working farm with various animals. The campground also features a large dog park and a pool. Other noteworthy options in the region include Shenandoah National Park campgrounds like Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain, which provide excellent access to hiking trails and natural attractions.
How much does it cost to rent a camper in Culpeper?
How much does it cost to rent a camper in Culpeper?
Camper rental prices near Culpeper typically range from $75-$200 per night depending on the RV size, age, amenities, and season. Smaller trailers and pop-ups generally start around $75-100 per night, while larger Class C motorhomes can cost $150-200+ nightly. Many rentals require a minimum 2-3 night stay. Additional costs often include a security deposit ($100-500), mileage fees for motorhomes (often with 100-150 free miles daily), generator usage fees, and cleaning fees ($50-100). For a luxury camping experience, Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages offers premium sites with stone borders, walls, and fire pits, though you'll need to bring your own RV or rent one to stay there.
What amenities are available at Harmstead Campground in Culpeper, VA?
What amenities are available at Harmstead Campground in Culpeper, VA?
The HarmStead Campground offers several practical amenities for campers. The campground features full hookups for RVs, making it particularly big-rig friendly for larger vehicles and trailers. Water hookups are available at the sites, eliminating the need to haul your own water. The campground operates on a reservation system, allowing you to secure your spot in advance rather than relying on first-come, first-served availability. For those seeking alternatives with additional amenities, Loft Mountain Campground in nearby Shenandoah National Park offers a more rustic experience with access to numerous hiking trails while still providing essential facilities.
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