Camping options around Luray, Virginia center on Shenandoah National Park, with several developed campgrounds including Big Meadows, Mathews Arm, and Lewis Mountain offering tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. The area features a mix of national park campgrounds, private RV resorts, and state park facilities. Shenandoah River State Park provides year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts. Private campgrounds like Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park complement the public options with additional amenities and glamping opportunities.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the region. Most Shenandoah National Park campgrounds operate from spring through fall, with Big Meadows open May 6 to November 13 and Mathews Arm from May 6 to October 30. Winter camping is limited primarily to Shenandoah River State Park and select private campgrounds that remain open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak fall foliage season when the area experiences its highest visitation. The region's mountainous terrain affects both temperature and accessibility. A camper noted, "The drive in requires about 25-miles through the roller coaster of steep grade(7+%) hills. There's no way around that, you're in the mountains. Just be aware and be prepared."
Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty and diverse recreational opportunities available near Luray. The proximity to Skyline Drive, numerous hiking trails, and Luray Caverns makes the area particularly appealing for extended stays. Several visitors mentioned the quality of wildlife viewing, with black bears being a common sight in Shenandoah National Park. One reviewer commented, "Super secluded woodsy location. Lots of wildlife. Bears are a real thing here. They'll fine you for leaving food out." Campgrounds enforce strict food storage regulations to minimize wildlife encounters. Water features also enhance the camping experience, with the Shenandoah River providing opportunities for fishing, tubing, and swimming. Campgrounds vary significantly in terms of privacy and spacing, with national park sites generally offering more seclusion than private facilities where sites can be closer together.
$30 - $75 / night
"The bathroom was just a short walk away. There are no hookups in this campground. We did drive to the shower house and paid a fee to take a shower. "
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
$30 - $75 / night
"Super secluded woodsy location. Lots of wildlife. Bears are a real thing here. They’ll fine you for leaving food out. They’re serious about quiet hours."
"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!)"
$27 - $427 / night
"They have the perfect paved bike trail. There's a kayak place that'll pick you up and drop you off at the camp! They have zip lining too!"
"There are trails that run right by the campsites! So good for a hike or a nice morning trail run! I chose to run in the morning and ran the trail right alone the Shennandoah River!"
"Plus its pretty close to Luray Caverns which is a must see."
"They had plenty of appearances of Yogi or Cindy bear at activities and just driving around the park on a golf cart."
$31 - $230 / night
"Adjacent to a working farm where cows, sheep, llamas, chickens and roosters can graze next to the campsites. The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean."
"We had a great stay at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views in Luray, VA. "
"Just 17 min from the Luray Caverns. Only issue for us was the the trash disposal situation. Only pick ups are from 9 - 12. Other wise you have to walk all the way to the entrance of the campground."
"This campground has an awesome location between Harrisonburg and Luray/Shenandoah. It has great amenities like a pool and playground, a camp store and lots of friendly and helpful employees."
$45 - $249 / night
"This is a lovely RV park built up a mountain side overlooking the picturesque Shenandoah Valley, located in a deep old hardwood forest."
"One entire loop says 4 wheel drive recommend, so read carefully before booking!) It's a pretty large campground. Most sites are well spaced but a lot are right beside each other, too."
$30 / night
"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."
"It is suitable for novice campers to experienced off-trail campers. You'll never tire of the wonders this beautiful piece of America has to offer."
"There was definitely a lot less privacy/space between sites here at SNP than I’ve noted at other parks across Virginia."
$26 - $47 / night
"We spent 2 nights at Creekside Campground in Edinburg, VA on our way to West Virginia—- and found a real gem. We paid$50/night for Back-in Creekview FHU Site#20."
"We had a large grass space with water and power on the edge of a beautiful creek and enjoyed the sounds of it both nights."
LegendWe stayed in site #27 for two nights. It was a walk-in tent site, but the car was very close. The site offered plenty of privacy. We could see the other sites, but they weren't close. We had a nice bear box and good hammock trees, plus a picnic table and decent tent sites. Lots of deer walked through our site in the morning, and we had easy access to several trails.
ScoutShowers are well removed from the center of activity
Also the personalities at the office are extremely short
TravelerVery nice spot, good tent setup pads and fire rings at all the sites, my one complaint is that it is right next to the road that while not frequently used, the occasional car can often take away from the remote experience. There are some sites a little further in but the diff is minimal. Overall very great, well maintained spot
ScoutThis KOA was quiet and perfect for a short stay. We enjoyed our time here. The staff was friendly.
GuideI chose Big Meadows to stay at because my traveling companion is definitely a bit bougie and was anxious about camping in the mountains of a NP. Due to this site having showers, toilets, a laundromat, camp store(s) and even a lodge/taproom, they felt more comfortable. We stayed at site D142, right near the entrance by the registration office and showers. I didn’t expect the site to be so nice and quiet and still feel quite private despite the location! We checked out the loops and besides the tent sites, I actually preferred our site. We stayed the week before Memorial Day weekend and I was pleased with how quiet it was. Quiet hours were strictly adhered without rangers having to ask, other campers were respectful toward each other and we had no issues. The NP staff were awesome and the concession employees for the showers, camp store, and the Wayside grill were genuinely friendly and obviously cared about their jobs, which I sincerely appreciate. Wayside grill with attached camp store was fun and had some great gift items as well as some pretty solid quality hiking and camping items. The grill even had a beyond burger which I greatly appreciated! The lodge was funky but not my cup of tea, the taproom was ok, although the employees were really nice.
It did rain half the time we were there with extremely heavy fog so we only did a few hikes but they were still a lot of fun. We didn’t see any bear either! The number one animal we had invade our campsite on the regular were birds. Two catbirds regularly tried to involve themselves in everything, including landing on a pot of oatmeal I was actively cooking and standing next to! We followed leave no trace of course but any chance the birds got, from catbirds, robins, brown thrashers, towhee, and even a redstart, they would try to investigate.
There is clean drinking water listed on the campsite maps, there are utility sinks for grey water (don’t use the bathroom sink!), bathrooms were always clean and bathrooms and showers are open 24/7 and are well lit. I didn’t buy the firewood so I’m unsure how much it is but the little camp store was open from 9-6 (right by the bathroom) for firewood, ice, and other various supplies.
Only downsides to the site are 1) showers are not cheap ($5 for 10 mins) and don’t stay warm for long so you’re showering in chilly water. Some stalls last a bit longer than others. 2) The biggest issue though was surprisingly the bear boxes. They are quite large and fit a lot of stuff which is great. However, you are expected to keep your cooler in them. I have a bear proof cooler (IGBC) so I’ve never had to experience this situation before. The bear box being made of metal, heated everything up in it which caused rapid melting of ice. Despite pre-chilling it and my ice usually lasting for days and days, we had to refill it daily. The camp store thankfully sold ice (10 lb bags for $5) but it was frustrating that there was no other option for bear proof items. I didn’t fight the rangers regarding it because it’s their rules, it’s for the safety of the bears and people, and the rangers and park staff have enough stuff to deal with.
All in all, I’ve never really glamped before so it was quite a luxurious trip even with the rain and fog for half the trip. I’ll most definitely be back and would even stay at the same site or a tent only site with no driveway.
GuideMy wife and I stayed here one night, while driving south to north, Skyline Dr. the drive has been awesome and this campground is the perfect resting spot for us, for the night. Had a couple drinks at the lodge while watching a spectacular sunset. I’d definitely come back.
ScoutClean facilities, each site has plenty of space. Never had an issue with noisy neighbors. Excellent access to the river. 10/10
ScoutI will start with the negatives. They do not enforce quiet hours. At all. We had multiple nights with a large group neighboring campers partying well past midnight. Yelling, slamming car doors, absolutely no regard for fellow campers. I would not recommend staying along the road sites unless you are equipped to deal with noisy neighbors in close proximity.
And the good... The sites in the more wooded areas on the edge of the campground are beautiful. You are less likely to deal with groups of campers there to party. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained, with pay showers available. Firewood, though expensive, was plentiful. Being close to hiking, the lodge, camp store, and visitor center are excellent perks for the price of each site.
I really wish the staff was there to better enforce the quiet hours, as there were multiple campers that struggled to sleep/relax with the raucous crowd so close.
ScoutI have a great spot right by the river. It is away from all noise but the flow of water. Right on the river
Camping spots near Luray, Virginia range in elevation from 700 feet in the valley floor to over 3,500 feet along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Temperatures can vary significantly between these elevations, often 10-15 degrees cooler at higher altitudes than in town. Wildlife encounters are common at most camping areas, with proper food storage required for safety and to avoid fines.
Hiking directly from camp: Big Meadows Campground offers several trails accessible right from your site. "There are so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," writes Rachel M. The campground's location along Skyline Drive provides easy access to numerous day hikes.
Cave exploration: When staying at Mathews Arm Campground, you're positioned to visit multiple cave systems in the area. "The ranger at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center near the Front Royal (North) Entrance Station was extremely helpful. We told her we planned to try 3 of the 4 campgrounds as we drove north to south on Skyline Drive and wanted hiking recommendations," reports Mary S.
Water activities: From fishing to swimming, many campers enjoy water recreation. "You can hike to Overall Run Falls from a trail in the parking lot near the campground and turn this into a loop hike by returning a different way," notes one visitor to Mathews Arm. At Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park, "There are several rustic campsites located on the Southfork of the Shenandoah River," according to Ricki F.
Wildlife encounters: Animal sightings are frequently mentioned in reviews. "Lots of wildlife. Bears are a real thing here. They'll fine you for leaving food out," notes Anna R. about Big Meadows Campground. At Endless Caverns RV Resort, a visitor noted, "Care has been given to support the original trees and native plants. The 'resort' features include a pool, laundry, pickleball courts, volleyball courts, disk golf, horseshoes, picnic tables and fire rings."
Nighttime experiences: The dark skies at many Luray camping areas offer exceptional stargazing. "The campground is quiet at night in my little corner of camp and I could walk out a bit from my site and see the entire night sky which was amazing!" writes Crystal C. about Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views. At Lewis Mountain Campground, another reviewer appreciated that "It has a nice communal feel, doesn't get rowdy, has water and bathrooms, and isn't too crowded."
Privacy levels: Different campgrounds offer varying degrees of seclusion. "The spots are secluded, there's bathrooms that are in good shape, and it's super close to some awesome hikes and great sunset lookouts!" writes Molly G. about Lewis Mountain Campground. At Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites, "These sites are backcountry meaning they are not established sites. You just wander down the trail and pick your favorite spot with consideration to not disturbing as much nature as possible."
Weather variations: Be prepared for significant temperature fluctuations. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," reported Carol B. at Big Meadows Campground, which sits at over 3,500 feet elevation. Many campgrounds at higher elevations experience much colder nights than expected.
Reservation requirements: Availability varies significantly by season and campground. "Check online for seasonal pool closures if you are planning on taking a dip," advises Crystal C. about Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views. At Lewis Mountain Campground, "Reservations are first-come, first-served, which makes it a bit tricky. Out of the 31 sites (including host site), only 3 remained when we arrived at about 1:45 PM on a Friday afternoon."
Access challenges: Mountain roads present navigation issues for some vehicles. "The drive in requires about 25-miles through the roller coaster of steep grade (7+%) hills. There's no way around that, you're in the mountains," notes Matt S. about Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views. At Endless Caverns, "Roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful."
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to families. "They have a pool, pillow trampoline, playground, basketball court," writes Cory D. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray. "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!" adds Jen O.
Educational opportunities: Rangers offer programs at many locations. "The children's programs offered on the weekends were great too," notes Melissa T. about Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park. At Big Meadows, a reviewer highlighted the "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs."
Safety considerations: Wildlife awareness is important with children. "We had a doe and fawn right in our campsite! Just be careful of the black bears," warns Stephen K. about Mathews Arm Campground. Bears are active in the region, and many campgrounds enforce strict food storage rules to prevent unwanted encounters.
Site selection: Choosing the right site can make a significant difference. At Creekside Campground, "We paid $50/night for Back-in Creekview FHU Site #20. Once I was able to negotiate a few big trees, the site was plenty roomy and right on the water," writes Matt S. Another camper advises, "You NEED site 13."
Utilities and hookups: Options vary widely between campgrounds. "Sites are large and easy to level out at," reports a reviewer about Endless Caverns RV Resort. At Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park, "Water and electrical available at all the spots even though it was winter."
Maneuvering challenges: Some sites require careful navigation. "Sites in section E appear tighter with less shelter. The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD. Be very particular with your site selection!" advises Sara M. about Endless Caverns. Another visitor to Creekside Campground notes, "If you're coming into town from I-81 don't follow Google Maps to the left on Main St, but rather follow the signs to turn right– it makes for an easier access."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Luray, VA for families?
Luray offers excellent family-friendly camping options. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray is perfect for families with roomy RV sites and plenty of activities to keep kids entertained. Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views is another outstanding choice with beautifully manicured grounds, a working farm where children can observe animals like cows, sheep, and llamas, plus a large dog park area and nice swimming pool. The park is exceptionally clean and well-maintained, making it ideal for families who appreciate both comfort and natural beauty. Both campgrounds offer easy access to local attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities in the Shenandoah Valley area.
How close are camping areas to Luray Caverns?
Several campgrounds provide convenient access to Luray Caverns. Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA is just 17 minutes from the caverns, offering a clean, well-maintained park with activities for kids on weekends. KOA Luray RV Resort features easy access to the caverns with level, padded sites and Blue Ridge Mountain views. Camp Roosevelt is another option just outside the caverns area with about 10 sites featuring fire pits and picnic tables. Most campgrounds in the Luray area are within a 15-25 minute drive of this popular attraction, making it easy to plan a day trip during your camping stay.
What amenities are available at Luray campgrounds?
Luray area campgrounds offer diverse amenities to enhance your camping experience. Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages features a swimming pool, laundry facilities, pickleball courts, volleyball courts, and disc golf in a beautiful hardwood forest setting. Shenandoah River Outfitters Camp Outback provides on-site river tubing access with helpful staff. For those seeking more rustic experiences, Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park offers sites that can accommodate trailers, nearby bathrooms, and a shower house (fee-based). Most private campgrounds in the area provide full hookups for RVs, while public campgrounds typically offer more basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets or restroom facilities.
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