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.
$30 - $75 / night
"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."
$30 - $75 / night
"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."
$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."
"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"
$45 - $249 / night
"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."
"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."
$35 - $75 / night
"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."
"The winding layout allowed for more distance between other sites. The woods were beautiful with easy walking trails right from the site."
$25 - $30 / night
"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!"
$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 stayed at this KOA on our way to Virginia Beach but wanted to a day in Shenandoah National Park. "
$30 - $75 / night
"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."
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
GuideThis is an awesome campground that is definitely worth the cost. The sites are really nice, there’s a decent bathhouse and you can walk to the brewery for beers and food. Plus the area is beautiful!
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.
ScoutBeautiful and secluded. Primitive camping area for boondocking or tent camping. Large enough to set up several electric pens for horses.
GuideWe camped here Labor Day weekend 2025. Our site was nicely situated between a trail down to the lake and bathhouse.
We had a long driveway that was perfect for throwing a ball around. Plenty of space to spread out, and surrounded by trees.
Enjoyed a sunset walk down to the lake and exploring the entire beach area. Loved seeing the turtles at the pond and exploring two different play areas.
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.
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 125 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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