RV camping near Edinburg, Virginia offers varied terrain between elevations of 800-4,000 feet with campgrounds situated in both mountain and valley settings. Winter camping requires preparation as overnight temperatures frequently fall below 25°F from November through March. Most campgrounds maintain some year-round sites despite seasonal challenges.
What to do
Hiking near the campgrounds: At Big Meadows Campground, visitors enjoy access to numerous trails directly from the campsite. "There are many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," notes one camper. The campground sits at higher elevations in Shenandoah National Park, providing direct trail access without needing to drive.
Cave exploration: The region offers multiple cave systems for visitors to explore. According to a visitor at Endless Caverns RV Resort, "This is a lovely RV park built up a mountain side overlooking the picturesque Shenandoah Valley... The Endless Caverns actually adjoin the office welcome center and tours are offered multiple times daily. It would be tough for arthritic knees... but we really enjoyed the raw nature of the caverns."
River activities: Many campgrounds offer direct river access for fishing, swimming and tubing. A camper at Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River shares, "The ride down the river from one end of the park to the other is around 30 minutes." This provides convenient water recreation without leaving the campground property.
What campers like
Privacy variations: At Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground, campers appreciate the riverside primitive sites. "The primitive spots are a short walk from the parking area and the campground provides wagons to transport your stuff. Great fishing and swimming right at your camping spot," according to one visitor. These sites offer a more secluded experience compared to standard campground layouts.
Night sky visibility: The minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing opportunities. "Dark sky and an open field for stargazing," notes a camper at Shenandoah River State Park. Similarly, at Big Meadows Campground, visitors report, "the fireflies are spectacular. At dusk, the ground shimmers, and then after they disperse, you will still see them flit by the tent throughout the night."
Wildlife sightings: The region supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," reports a visitor at Big Meadows. Another camper adds, "We saw many deer and bear while camping."
What you should know
Size and spacing considerations: Campground layouts vary significantly across the region. At Smoke Hole Caverns and Log Cabin/RV Resort, "There are a number of campgrounds in the Smoke Hole Canyon/Seneca Rocks area, but most of them are better suited to smaller rigs and tent campers. If you have a class A or are looking for something with full hookups, look no further."
Seasonal timing impacts: Campground amenities change throughout the year. At Shenandoah River State Park, a December visitor noted, "Water and electrical available at all the spots even though it was winter." Conversely, at Big Meadows, late-season campers reported, "Showers and laundry were closed for the season but are centrally located near entrance area of campground."
Internet connectivity: Cell service remains inconsistent throughout the area. At Luray RV Resort, "The wifi was terrible and unusable, even with our antenna. AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty." Similarly, at Shenandoah River State Park, "No cell service but the Visitor's Center has WiFi available."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds feature dedicated recreation areas. At Endless Caverns, families appreciate that "The 'resort' features include a pool, laundry, pickleball courts, volleyball courts, disk golf, horseshoes, picnic tables and fire rings, a kid's activity area, a rec center that includes an arcade, swings, and tables."
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs provide structured learning for children. One Big Meadows visitor noted, "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs." Another camper at Shenandoah River State Park mentioned, "the children's programs offered on the weekends were great too."
Wildlife safety education: Family campers should understand proper wildlife interaction. At Big Meadows, a visitor observed deer that are "unafraid of humans unless directly approached (I did not do this, but I watched someone's child do it)." Another visitor warns, "there were lots of siting and they take food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out."
Tips from RVers
Road access considerations: At Fort Valley Ranch, RVers appreciate the manageable access routes. "I was initially concerned about the road leading into the campground, as my rig is over 50 feet in total length. However, we were surprised that the winding roads presented no issues for us. The access was smooth and hassle-free," according to a visitor.
Campsite leveling: Site preparation varies by location. At Endless Caverns, "Sites are mostly level." Similarly, at Fort Valley Ranch, "All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed." This reduces setup time and stabilizer requirements.
Hookup reliability: Water access can vary seasonally at higher elevations. While Fort Valley Ranch offers "easy level pull-through site[s], making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless," visitors should verify hookup availability during colder months as temperatures frequently drop below freezing.
