RV campgrounds near Earlysville, Virginia range from 1,500 to 3,500 feet in elevation, with sites strategically positioned along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Camping conditions in this region vary dramatically with the seasons, with summer temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler at higher elevations than in the valley. Fall camping brings colorful foliage from mid-October through early November, requiring earlier reservations during this peak season.
What to do
Hiking trails and waterfalls: Endless Caverns RV Resort provides access to on-site hiking trails and is located near numerous waterfall hikes. "There are some local trails and 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," notes one camper at Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer stocked fishing ponds suitable for beginners and experienced anglers. "The kids were able to fish for hours at the two fishing ponds, which both were stocked with bass and bluegill," mentions a visitor at Fort Valley Ranch.
Cavern tours: Several campgrounds are located near underground cave systems with guided tours available. According to a reviewer at Endless Caverns, "Their cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed. Our tour guide, Haley, was a sweetheart."
River activities: Seasonal tubing and swimming options exist at campgrounds situated along the Shenandoah River. "The ride down the river from one end of the park to the other is around 30 minutes," reports a camper at Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River, noting that visitors need to provide their own tubes.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers consistently praise the generous site dimensions at many Earlysville area campgrounds. One visitor to Endless Caverns wrote, "Wonderful size lots. We were early in the camping season so we had no one around us. The size of the lots were amazing, plenty of room."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds in the region offer opportunities to observe deer, bears, and other native wildlife. A camper at Big Meadows Campground reported, "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience."
Natural surroundings: Sites embedded in forested settings provide shade and privacy. "Nestled in nature, lined by trees with a steam running behind us," describes one visitor to Endless Caverns RV Resort.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive consistent positive feedback. A guest at Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park observed, "The bath houses were pristine," while another noted the "nice dog park for our fur babies and doggie duty stations with bags in several locations throughout the park."
What you should know
Seasonal weather variations: Higher elevation campgrounds experience significant temperature drops after sunset, even in summer months. A camper at Big Meadows noted, "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Insect activity: Certain times of year bring increased bug populations at specific campgrounds. "The bugs when we got here were kinda crazy. They don't bite but they swarm your head and try to enter every orifice for some reason. A head net was helpful to get the tent and screen room set up," advised a visitor to Big Meadows.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects the ambient sound levels at certain campgrounds. One camper at Misty Mountain Camp Resort observed, "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."
Reservation timing: First-come, first-served campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "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," reported a camper at Lewis Mountain Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Recreational amenities: Look for campgrounds with multiple activity options for children. A visitor to Luray RV Resort noted, "Great proximity to Shenandoah National Park while still being close enough to a Walmart and fuel. Easy to access sites, great for larger rigs! If you have kids definitely get closer to the play ground, you won't regret it!"
Ranger programs: Some campgrounds offer educational opportunities led by park staff. A camper at Big Meadows mentioned the "nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs" that appeal to families with children.
Site selection strategy: Consider proximity to facilities when camping with children. One family at Misty Mountain Camp Resort shared, "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. The only detractors were that our site (52) was tiny so it was a tad stressful having kids running around right beside the road."
Seasonal activities: Plan around special events during major holidays. "We had a great Halloween weekend, our family had a fantastic time!" reported a family who stayed at Endless Caverns during their holiday-themed weekend.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: RV sites vary in their natural grade across the region. "Sites are mostly level, requiring only minor adjustments," notes a camper at Endless Caverns, while another at Walnut Hills mentioned, "Our site was full hookup and a very nice, mostly level, spacious, and had a covered picnic table on a deck."
Steep access roads: Some campgrounds require navigating significant grades to reach RV sites. A visitor to Endless Caverns advised, "Roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful," and another mentioned "The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD. Be very particular with your site selection!"
Hookup placement variations: Positioning of utilities can require planning for adequate connection cables. One RVer at Misty Mountain noted, "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."
Internet connectivity: Cell service quality varies significantly based on location and elevation. A visitor to Luray RV Resort reported, "AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty," providing useful information for remote workers.
