Camping near Delaplane, Virginia positions visitors in the northern Shenandoah Valley foothills, with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,800 feet. This transitional zone between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Piedmont region creates diverse camping environments with over 40 inches of annual rainfall. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F during the day, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures with colorful woodland scenery.
What to do
River activities on the Potomac and Shenandoah: Both rivers offer excellent recreation opportunities near Brunswick Family Campground. "The Shenandoah is beautifully clean, clear and cool," reports one visitor, while another mentions the "easy to walk into the river or tube down it" access.
Explore Civil War sites: Prince William Forest RV Campground offers proximity to numerous historical sites. "Civil War National Parks nearby. DC just up the road. National Marine Corp Museum just around corner," notes one camper who appreciated the location's historical significance.
Cave exploration beyond Luray: While Luray Caverns is well-known, Endless Caverns provides a less crowded alternative. "The caverns are super awesome as well, especially considering they have not been fully explored. It is not as crowded as some of the other caverns in the area which in my opinion is a plus," shares a visitor who enjoyed the "old world charm."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Harpers Ferry Campground provides riverside camping that visitors consistently praise. "Gorgeous spot on the river. Small campground with not a lot of amenities BUT THAT RIVER IS GORGEOUS. Lots of activities - tubing, zip lining, fishing," notes one enthusiastic camper.
Privacy in wooded settings: Fort Valley Ranch campground offers well-spaced sites that balance community with privacy. "Our site (site 3) was an easy level pull-through site, making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless. All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed," reports a satisfied visitor.
Clean bathhouse facilities: Bull Run Regional Park maintains exceptional bathroom facilities. "The best review I can give us of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," shares one camper who stayed during a rainy weekend but still had a good experience.
What you should know
Train noise impacts some campgrounds: Several campgrounds near Delaplane sit close to active rail lines. At Harpers Ferry Campground, "The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will. Every hour through the night," warns one visitor.
Variable cell service: Service strength depends on terrain and specific carrier. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, "I can confirm Verizon and Google fi have great service. I would imagine any other carrier would work just as well," reports one camper.
Seasonal maintenance issues: Spring visits may encounter muddy conditions while late summer can bring maintenance challenges. One visitor to Prince William Forest noted, "Not happy about: Promised wi-fi does not even appear as an available signal. Toilet paper roll dispensers empty. Grass 8" high. No hot water at dishwashing sink."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Bull Run Regional Park offers excellent facilities for children. "This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it. The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt."
Water activities for kids: Watermelon Park Campground provides budget-friendly river activities. "Cheap tube rentals with busses that take you 2-3 miles up the road and drop you at boat landing. Bring your own tubes and have a camp member drop you off as well," suggests one family visitor.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer educational programming for children. Brunswick Family Campground's proximity to the C&O Canal allows families to "walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours! Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail," notes one visitor.
Tips from RVers
RV site selection importance: At rv sites near Delaplane, Virginia, choosing the right spot matters significantly. At Brunswick Family Campground, "Great campground as long as you select the correct site as that is incredibly important. I'm sure in peak season or holidays it can be very busy and then you'd be very tight to your neighbor especially in the A loop. Sites on the ends are by far larger than the center."
Leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the rolling Shenandoah terrain require leveling equipment. At Bull Run Regional Park, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," explains one RVer.
Water fill procedures: Some campgrounds with partial hookup RV sites have specific water protocols. At Watermelon Park Campground, "Price is a little high considering there is no sewer hookup (dump station is on site)," notes one RVer, while another points out that "not all sites have picnic tables" despite the water and electric connections.
