Campsites near Elkton, Virginia sit within the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Massanutten Mountain range. Most campgrounds in this region range from 800 to 3,000 feet in elevation, with mountain sites experiencing temperature drops of 10-15 degrees compared to valley locations. October through April temperatures can dip below freezing overnight, requiring proper cold-weather gear for tent camping.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access the Appalachian Trail and numerous waterfall hikes from Lewis Mountain Campground. "Bearfence is just down the trail, you can walk out of camp and start hiking. Originally was opened in 1939 as 'Lewis Mountain Negro Area', not having all the amenities that whites only campgrounds had," notes reviewer Max O.
Cavern exploration: Visit underground formations at Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages. "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," reports Sara M. Tours are discounted for campground guests.
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer direct river access. At Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River, "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," says reviewer Joe.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate sites with natural screening. At Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages, "sites in C usually back up into a wooded or naturally landscaped area that allow a nice sense of woodsy privacy." Reviewer Clark P. adds: "This is a quiet campground, with no street lights, and quiet hours from 11PM to 8AM. Definitely not a party campground."
Mountain views: The elevated terrain provides scenic vistas at many campgrounds. At KOA Luray RV Resort, you'll find "all level padded sites. Most with Blue ridge views," according to Sally S. The resort sits surrounded by fields with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Wildlife viewing: Big Meadows Campground offers frequent wildlife encounters. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," observes Veronica S. Another camper notes: "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."
What you should know
Cell service reliability: Mobile connectivity varies significantly depending on campground location. At KOA Luray RV Resort, "AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty." Many campgrounds have limited WiFi that may not support streaming.
Terrain challenges: Many campsites require careful navigation. At Endless Caverns, "the higher sites might require your TV have 4WD." Roads can be steep, narrow, or subject to washout during heavy rains.
Reservations recommended: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. Lewis Mountain Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. "Out of the 31 sites (including host site), only 3 remained when we arrived at about 1:45 PM on a Friday afternoon, and those filled up within the hour," reports Danielle V.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several RV campgrounds near Elkton offer dedicated children's areas. Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA features "Halloween in full effect including a haunted walk. Sites are spacious and have natural stone in ground fire pits instead of rusted metal rims which adds character. Dog park, pool, and plenty of games are available on site," according to Zach L.
Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning about local history. A Lewis Mountain visitor shared: "We visited the VA Civil War Museum & homestead, Luray Caverns (which was super busy) and Cooter's Dukes of Hazzard store/museum/cafe. In New Market we enjoyed Pack's soft serve ice cream stand, Southern Kitchen diner and the old General Store."
Fishing options: Many campgrounds offer fishing opportunities that appeal to children. Fort Valley Ranch provides "two fishing ponds, which both were stocked with bass and bluegill," according to Jason G., making it ideal for families wanting to fish without traveling.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Most RV sites in the region require some adjustment. At Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park, "our site 33 was full hookup and a very nice, mostly level, spacious, and had a covered picnic table on a deck." Even at Endless Caverns, sites are "mostly level, requiring only minor adjustments," according to David G.
Hookup variations: Services differ between campgrounds and specific sites. Walnut Hills offers "propane fill services on premises," while some campgrounds only offer partial hookups. At Luray RV Resort, "the RV sites at this campground are very spaced out, you have a lot of room to each side of your RV."
Bathhouse conditions: Clean facilities are consistently mentioned at most area campgrounds. At Walnut Hills, "bath houses were pristine," according to Kate A., though some campgrounds have seasonal limitations for shower availability.
