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The Shenandoah National Park region surrounds Elkton, Virginia with multiple established campgrounds, including Lewis Mountain Campground and Loft Mountain Campground. These areas primarily accommodate tent and RV camping with some cabin options. The Appalachian Trail passes through several camping areas, making them popular bases for hikers. Campgrounds range from smaller, more secluded options like Lewis Mountain with just 31 sites to larger facilities with full hookups for recreational vehicles. Shenandoah Valley KOA and Endless Caverns RV Resort provide additional developed camping areas outside park boundaries.
Road access to most campgrounds requires driving along Skyline Drive, with several entrance points near Elkton including Swift Run Gap. Many sites require advance reservations during peak season, though Lewis Mountain operates on a first-come, first-served basis. As one camper noted, "If you get there when lots of sites are open, pick carefully as there aren't a lot of super flat areas for tents." Seasonal operations affect availability, with most Shenandoah National Park campgrounds closing between November and April. Elevations along Skyline Drive range from 2,000 to over 3,500 feet, resulting in cooler temperatures even during summer months and occasional fog or precipitation.
Campers report high satisfaction with wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the region. Bear sightings are common, with multiple campgrounds requiring proper food storage. "We saw a total of 6 black bears, a barred owl, tons of awesome bugs, brook trout, a salamander, and some other wildlife," noted one visitor to Lewis Mountain. Proximity to hiking trails represents a significant draw, with most camping areas offering direct access to trailheads. The quieter campgrounds like Lewis Mountain enforce strict quiet hours and tend to attract tent campers seeking a more peaceful experience. Several campgrounds feature camp stores with basic supplies, while larger facilities offer amenities like showers, laundry facilities, and sanitary dump stations for RVs. Cell service remains limited throughout much of the region, particularly within park boundaries.
"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 Availability"This campground is perfect for those looking to just get away from things for a couple of days."
"We got a walk in site, so our tent was way far away from cars and other people. The site included a fire pit w/grill grate, picnic table, and metal bear box."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"Convenient to the highway and easy to get to. Sites are well spaced. Hookups were well positioned. Walking trail starts at the campground. WiFi worked pretty well. Overall a great KOA."
"Positive: Friendly staff, close to Shenandoah NP, quiet camping, every site has a fire pit. Negative: Pricing rather high"
"July 10-19, 2020 As my wife and I were discussing my review, I asked her what could we point to to take away from a 5-star rating. Neither of us could think of a single thing."
"We stayed close to the catch & release pond and felt as though we had a lot of privacy despite the spots being right next to each other."
from $45 - $249 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The winding layout allowed for more distance between other sites. The woods were beautiful with easy walking trails right from the site."
"Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field. Bath house was very clean and very well thought out."
from $35 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Convenient location, nice setup with tables and chairs around 2 firepits, space to spread out, and plenty of firewood provided. Friendly host. Thanks!"
"Accessibly located and cute as all get out!"
from $25 - $30 / night
Check Availability"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 stayed at this KOA on our way to Virginia Beach but wanted to a day in Shenandoah National Park. "
from $31 - $230 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability
ScoutThis campground is very basic. The area is very remote. Make sure you bring supplies. Going out to eat is at least a 30-minute drive. Floating the loop at Big Bend is one of the best things you can do without traveling away from the camping area. Seneca Rocks, Smoke Hole Caverns, and Seneca Caverns are all within an hour drive.
TravelerEnjoyed the campground, even during the storm. Disappointed the river was dry, but we enjoyed the pool! I wish there were more activities for children when the river is dry.
RangerThis is a classic National Park campground, and it’s important to keep in mind that it opened in 1937–the sites are small as travelers weren’t equipped with large vehicles, as such, it may not be the best option for large rigs but my van fit comfortably though the neighbors were rather close. If you’re expecting that, you’ll be more than happy. Walking distance via a connector trail to Dark Hollow Falls trail. Sustainable T-Mobile service for remote work, but Zoom may lag. No shore power or water hookups, but drinking water spread throughout the park and modernized bathroom and showers. There was also a circular, shaded tent area as part of D155, behind the drive. I’d stay again in a heartbeat.
RangerI stayed two nights in between bookings at the national park and I was surprised by how lovely the state park was. Quiet with great trails for strolling and peaceful river views. Level, spacious sites with some privacy offered by tree/bushes and a clean, modern bathroom (loved that the showers told you what temp the water is and that each shower was private/in its own room).
TravelerVery quiet, peaceful . The Staff is very helpful.
GuideGreat summer destination to escape the heat! Weather in late June was amazing - highs in the 70s; lows in the 60s; and crystal clear skies. Not too buggy either. Pulled ONE tick off of me before it bit me, but otherwise not much to speak of in the way of mosquitos or biting gnats/flies.
This particular site was smaller (RV back in) but private and level near the bath house. There IS a bear box present, and you'll want to use it for any unattended food outside an RV. The mini-bears are beggars. We saw several chipmunks in our site and a particularly clever bird successfully stole from our neighbors.
If you are RV-ing, fill your tanks at the dump station before heading to the ranger station for check-in. You don't want to carry all that water up the mountain, and they don't like you to block the campground road trying to fill along the loop. The dump station is located on the right prior to arrival at the ranger station.
Also, there are no dumpsters at the dump station (weird). So upon departure, pull your trash prior to leaving the site.
As always, there is virtually no cell signal in this site and no electric hookups anywhere in the campsite. So bring a generator or a lot of solar if you want to run your electrical. (Though this site being so shady doesn't provide a lot of solar power.) There IS wifi at the visitor's center if you want to call home or do a daily socials check. ;-)
We DID have one day there that was a pretty noisy from paving equipment re-doing the road. But I think they're almost done with their project, and honestly it wasn't that big a deal because we were on trails most of the time anyway.
There are great ranger programs here - it's one of the larger hubs for programming, and they're listed at the visitor's center because they change seasonally. Don't miss out on the chance to explore the meadow. What may LOOK like a vast, boring expanse of grass is actually a fascinating variety of foliage when you're out in it. Many, many wildflowers that can't be seen from the visitor center's overlook.
Also, many of the park's most popular hikes can be easily accessed from here, including Dark Hollow Falls and Bearfence Rock Scramble.
GuideThis was a single party campspot, very private and quiet. Perfect!
TravelerBeautiful spot. The campsite is across the street from the lodge. G-Maps and Apple will take you to the lodge however. Loved the Freeform and “make your own” spot vibe
ScoutI camped here on the 4th of July weekend in 2026. The lot was over $70 and the lot was a gravel lot in full sun, and our air conditioner could not keep up with the heat, because of the conplete lack of shade. These are the only lots available to campers. The water was toxic and brown out of the tap, and our water tank happened to be empty. We complained to the office, and they refused to help us by obtai i g some bottled water that was potable, and the manager basically said screw you. They didn’t care and claimed the water passed a water test. I run a campground myself and am very familiar with these issues, and guarantee this would not pass a potability test. I am reporting them to the local health dept and to the state liscensing department. If they think they can just blow me off, they are picking a battle with the wrong guy. O well, their mistake!!
Shenandoah camping areas near Elkton, Virginia range in elevation from 1,200 feet at lower campgrounds to over 3,500 feet along Skyline Drive. This creates distinct microclimates with temperature variations of 10-15 degrees between valley locations and mountain sites. Many established campgrounds offer designated tent pads on platforms to manage the sloped terrain common throughout the region.
Waterfall hiking trails: Near Lewis Mountain Campground, multiple waterfall destinations require moderate hiking. "Nearby are a Dukies of Hazard themed spot and also Luray Caverns which is known for its musical stalactites and stalagmites, it is a must see!!!" notes one camper about regional attractions.
Stargazing sessions: The Shenandoah region offers excellent night sky visibility during clear weather. At Dundo Group Campground, "At night you could see stars. We took a walk to the overlook in the middle of the night to stargaze," reports a visitor who appreciated the minimal light pollution.
Appalachian Trail access: Direct trail connections exist from multiple campgrounds. "This did not feel like a chain, it didn't feel like a private owner who had some land and used it as an after thought to generate some money, instead it felt like someone was welcoming you to stay with them," notes a visitor to Luray KOA about the friendly atmosphere while accessing nearby trails.
Privacy between sites: Many campers value separation from neighbors. At Loft Mountain Campground, "The sites were fairly close, but separated by trees, so you felt private. You could hear people on the other side of the trees, but no one was loud and it was very quiet and peaceful at night!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region supports diverse animal populations. At Big Meadows Campground, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached (I did not do this, but I watched someone's child do it)."
Fire features: Many sites include stone fire rings rather than metal. At Harrisonburg Shenandoah Valley KOA, "Sites are spacious and have natural stone in ground fire pits instead of rusted metal rims which adds character." These built-in features make cooking over open fires more convenient.
First-come, first-served limitations: Some campgrounds don't accept reservations. "We stayed here July 3rd and were worried there would be people making a ruckus till all hours, but it turned out to be quiet and peaceful. Mostly families. Some staying for extended trips. We got there just after 12pm and there were only a couple of sites left," reports a Lewis Mountain visitor.
Elevation affects temperature: Prepare for cooler nights even in summer. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14°F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," notes a November visitor to Big Meadows Campground.
Bug activity varies seasonally: Insects can be intense during certain periods. "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."
Road grade considerations: Some access roads have steep sections. At Endless Caverns RV Resort, "Roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful." Similar conditions exist on Skyline Drive approaching many campgrounds.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's programming. "We had a great time at Jellystone. The Mountain View is gorgeous. The sites are kept up, well equipped and the bath house is very clean. The staff are friendly and there is a large selection in the store."
Playground accessibility: Onsite play structures provide recreation options. At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, "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."
Wildlife education opportunities: Animal sightings create learning moments. "Big Meadow has many amenities which make it popular and oftentimes crowded during weekends and holiday's. But, many of these amenities make camping with families a convenience. We saw many deer and bear while camping."
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some sites. "The only reason it didn't have 5 stars was the price itself was a bit higher than other accommodations in the area. I feel like this was fair considering the accommodations," notes an RVer about regional pricing versus amenities.
Seasonal shower availability: Some facilities close during shoulder seasons. "Showers and laundry were closed for the season but are centrally located near entrance area of campground," reports a late-season camper at Big Meadows.
Electricity options vary: Check specific hookup configurations before booking. At Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm, "If you are tent camping or have a camper van the area is fine. Large RV will have a difficult time setting up in the camp area." Many small private campgrounds have limited RV infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping spots near Elkton, VA?
Elkton offers excellent access to Shenandoah National Park's campgrounds. Loft Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park is a peaceful retreat with curvy roads that minimize traffic noise, perfect for those seeking a quiet getaway. Another fantastic option is Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views, featuring beautiful mountain vistas, manicured grounds, and a unique setting adjacent to a working farm with livestock. For those who enjoy brewery access, Devils Backbone Camp provides a clean camping experience with minimal noise. Additional options include Mathews Arm Campground with excellent hiking trails, Big Meadows Campground with its central park location, and Endless Caverns RV Resort known for its beautiful stone features and fire pits.
Are there RV rental options available in Elkton, Virginia?
While direct RV rental services in Elkton itself are limited, several nearby campgrounds cater excellently to RVs and may offer rental options. Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages is specifically designed for RV camping with beautiful stone borders and fire pits at every site. Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA, just a short drive from Elkton, typically offers RV rentals on-site. Alternatively, consider renting from regional companies in Harrisonburg or Charlottesville and driving to Elkton area campgrounds. These companies often provide delivery and setup services at your chosen campground for an additional fee.
What camping is available near Elkton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Elkton, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 147 campgrounds and RV parks near Elkton, VA and 22 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Elkton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Elkton, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 127 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Elkton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Elkton, VA.
What parks are near Elkton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Elkton, VA that allow camping, notably Shenandoah National Park and George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.
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