Camping options near Elkton, Virginia center around the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 800 to 3,000 feet. The area receives approximately 42 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest conditions and moderate humidity during summer months. Fall temperatures average 55-70°F during daytime with nighttime lows dropping into the 30s by late October, making it a popular season for regional camping.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Big Meadows Campground connects to several waterfall trails within Shenandoah National Park. "Big Meadows Campground was wonderful. Facilities were clean and well maintained. Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife," notes Terri S. Another visitor points out, "I like this campsite particularly because it's close to one of my favorite waterfall hikes in VA."
Stargazing opportunities: Night skies in the Shenandoah Valley provide excellent visibility for astronomy enthusiasts from April through October. "Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience. With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," shares Rachel M. Light pollution remains minimal at most Elkton area campsites, especially those at higher elevations.
River tubing: Several campgrounds offer direct river access for summer recreation. "You can go tubing on the river but need to provide your own tubes. The ride down the river from one end of the park to the other is around 30 minutes," explains Joe from Outlanders River Camp. Water temperatures range from 65-75°F during summer months, ideal for cooling off.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Luray RV Resort receives praise for its site layout. "The RV sites at this campground are very spaced out, you have a lot of room to each side of your RV," reports Joe. Another reviewer confirms site privacy is dependent on timing: "The campground was virtually empty which made our stay so much more peaceful and enjoyable. The sites are quite close together with virtually no privacy so if they were busy and full, I'm not sure I'd be leaving the same review."
Clean facilities: Campground bathhouses and common areas generally maintain high cleanliness standards. "Bathrooms were amazing. Very clean. Huge showers and hot water. There's also a dish sink on the back side of the shower house," notes Melissa W. about Outlanders River Camp. Another camper at Shenandoah River State Park mentioned, "Bathrooms and showers were nearby and clean."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local animals safely. "We saw many deer and bear while camping," reports Rachel M. from Big Meadows. Another camper shared, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking, especially from May through October. At Dundo Group Campground, "Each of the campsites provides plenty of tent space, a couple picnic tables, fire pit with grills, bear boxes, potable water, and a shared vault toilets in the middle of the sites." Group sites accommodate 15+ people.
Bear safety: Food storage regulations exist across all Shenandoah National Park campgrounds. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience," notes Rachel M. Another camper emphasizes, "They take food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between glamping locations close to Elkton, Virginia. "No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online," reports one camper. Other locations note: "Cell signal and camp wifi are bad. I was just able to get a decent signal with Starlink by carefully pointing at a small gap between trees."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers multiple activities designed for children. "This isn't my idea of camping, but I brought my 11 year old nephew. He was able to run around and make friends with his aunt always looking over his shoulder. He had lots of fun at pool, movie night, making s'mores, and jumping on bouncy mound," shares Anne K. The park maintains scheduled activities throughout summer.
Primitive sites with river access: Several locations offer streamside camping suitable for families with older children. "The primitive spots are right next to the river. The 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," explains Matt P.
Ranger programs: Educational opportunities occur regularly during summer months. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground," notes Kim L. Programs typically run 45-60 minutes and cover wildlife, geology, and local history.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for terrain variations when glamping close to Elkton, Virginia in larger vehicles. "We had a great back in site, that although a little unlevel, was really private and in the back corner," explains Tina at KOA Luray RV Resort. She adds, "The road between the office and campsites is a bit narrow and one lane so can be tricky when people are arriving or leaving with rigs."
Hookup positioning: Consider utility placement when selecting sites. "The sites are large enough and level enough. The power pole is well positioned," shares Dale Y. Electric connections range from 30-50 amp service depending on location, with water hookups typically grouped on shared pedestals.
Weather considerations: RVers should plan for significant temperature variations, especially in spring and fall. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14°F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," notes Carol B. Propane heating becomes essential during shoulder seasons when overnight temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
