Campgrounds near Etlan, Virginia include multiple established sites within Shenandoah National Park and several privately operated facilities in the surrounding area. Big Meadows Campground and Graves Mountain Farm Campground offer different levels of amenities, with options ranging from primitive tent sites to cabins and RV camping. The region includes both National Park Service managed campgrounds along Skyline Drive and privately run campgrounds in the valley, providing a mix of developed facilities and more rustic experiences. Camping in Etlan gives visitors excellent access to natural attractions and scenic mountain trails, including portions of the Appalachian Trail.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping in the Etlan area, with most Shenandoah National Park campgrounds operating from May through October or early November. "We stayed at Big Meadows in mid April and there was hardly anyone there. The staff was friendly and more than willing to point us towards things to see and do," noted one camper. Mixed-use campgrounds like Graves Mountain Farm operate with varying facilities, sometimes requiring campers to bring their own water. Reservations are recommended for park campgrounds during peak seasons, especially summer weekends and fall foliage season. Cell service is limited throughout the region, with several reviews mentioning no Verizon coverage within park boundaries.
Campers frequently mention wildlife encounters, particularly with deer at Big Meadows and bears throughout the park. Tent and RV sites at established campgrounds provide basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathrooms. Reviews indicate that Big Meadows offers coin-operated showers and a camp store, while some privately run facilities have more limited facilities. A visitor to Graves Mountain noted, "We enjoyed the peace and quiet and the lovely mountain views," though several reviews mention the primitive nature of facilities there. Proximity to hiking trails, particularly the Appalachian Trail which runs through the area, represents a significant draw for many campers seeking developed campgrounds with trail access, and several reviewers mentioned using campgrounds as a base for exploring the park's extensive trail network.
$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 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."
$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."
"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."
$27 - $427 / night
"Virginia has the best state park campgrounds. Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms. Nice hiking in the park. Near SNP. Responsive and friendly rangers."
"In my opinion it has the best location of the 3 Turks they have. It’s it the woods close to a boat landing you can see a bit of the river. In the fall or spring I’m sure the view is amazing."
$40 - $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. "
"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."
$12 / night
"Lodge close by if food, warmth, or better restroom desired."
"Lots of people on horses running around which we loved, and good live music after dinner. Could get muddy if you're there after rain"
$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."
$35 - $75 / night
"The location was easy to find, which made the journey hassle-free. The cleanliness of the campsite was impressive, and I truly enjoyed my time there."
"Did two nights at Butterfly Camp while hiking Old Rag and other trails in Shenandoah."
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
ScoutThe river is nice for floating when water is high enough. Nice waterfall for pics. Sites are close together but still ok. They have planted trees between sites so in time it will get even better. Camping by the river is very peaceful.
GuideThis camp ground is very nice with a rustic vibe
GuideThe sites vary greatly in size. That being said, each site is spaced or aligned to offer privacy. Bathrooms are easily accessible. Showers can be a bit of a hike away depending on your site location. Pricey; &5 dollars for ten minutes. No other option.
If you are camping off season the biggest inconvenience is the registration process if you are arriving “day of”. There is no WiFi outside of the camp store with is about .75 mile away from the campground. If you find a site you have to drive all the way back to the store to get the WiFi needed to register with Rec.gov. Try to identify 2 or 3 sites in case you drive back and find out that one may not be available. The volunteer “ranger” drives around to monitor. Our volunteer said that a site may be taken but no reservation slip has been attached to the campsite post. We thoroughly enjoyed our site. The fog rolled in and out of the valley like a heavy blanket. The camp was quiet and peaceful in large part due to the absence of noisy generators. There were several hikes of varying abilities that could be accessed from the campgrounds. A great asphalt path led to the camp store. Great for walking g or biking. There was also a gas station and a small cafeteria for those who want a note to eat.
TravelerSo clean and well maintained! We went in April and the waterpark was not opened yet. Most campgrounds we looked to stay at mentioned not being opened until mentorship day but here did not have it listed anywhere. We love our site. Golf carts were so fun to ride around through their back trails along the water. Tubing in the river was so peaceful and relaxing.
ScoutPaved road all they to the campsite. If you are vehicle, the parking spots are paved. Not all spots are completely level and pretty short. If you’re in a long van or truck, you may be unable to fit. sites are decently spaced out not the best but far from the worst.
Dispersed camping near Etlan, Virginia centers around the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with elevations ranging from 800 to 3,500 feet creating distinct ecological zones throughout the region. The area sits just east of Shenandoah National Park's central section, where the terrain transitions from the park's mountainous landscape to the gentler Piedmont region. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F during day with overnight lows around 65°F, while fall brings cooler conditions with greater temperature fluctuations between day and night.
Hike to waterfalls: Several campgrounds offer access to waterfall trails within hiking distance. At Big Meadows Campground, "There are so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," according to Rachel M. The campground serves as a starting point for hikes ranging from 1-5 miles to nearby falls.
Wildlife viewing: The region's biodiversity makes wildlife observation a popular activity. "We saw a barred owl, tons of awesome bugs (moths, beetles, etc), brook trout, a salamander, and some other wildlife," notes one visitor to the Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites. Early morning and dusk offer optimal viewing times, with meadow areas providing the best opportunity to see deer.
Star gazing: The higher elevation campgrounds provide excellent night sky viewing with limited light pollution. At Lewis Mountain Campground, "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," writes Veronica S. Visitors should plan star viewing for moonless nights and bring red-filtered flashlights to preserve night vision.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the layout at Lewis Mountain Campground where "the spots are secluded" and the campground "has a nice communal feel, doesn't get rowdy, has water and bathrooms, and isn't too crowded. The sites are adequate and spaced enough apart to not be sleeping on top of your neighbors," according to Leslie B. This smaller 31-site campground typically fills by early afternoon on weekends.
Access to Appalachian Trail: Multiple campgrounds connect directly to the AT, making them ideal for day hikes or multi-day backpacking. Mary S. notes that at Mathews Arm Campground, "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." The Overall Run trail connects to the AT within 2 miles of the campground entrance.
Primitive riverside camping: For those seeking a more rustic experience, the primitive sites at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park offer direct river access. "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," reports Matt P. These sites require reservations and cost $15-25 per night.
Bear activity: Black bears are active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. "There are no bear boxes at this campground, but there are indeed bears, so keep all food in your car," warns Eric K. about Mathews Arm Campground. Most established campgrounds provide either bear boxes or require food storage in vehicles.
Limited cell service: Connectivity is minimal to non-existent in most camping areas. One camper at Watercress Inn at Landon Farm appreciated the "secluded" nature of their site, offering "a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life." Visitors should download offline maps and campground information before arrival.
Weather variability: Mountain weather can change rapidly, especially at higher elevations. A backpacker at Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites reports, "During the 6 days we were in the backcountry, we experienced everything from warm summer-like weather to chilly winter winds, both day and night." Spring and fall campers should pack for temperature ranges from 30°F to 75°F in a single day.
Jellystone Park activities: For families seeking structured activities, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers organized programming. "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," reports Anne K. Daily activities are included with camping fees.
Ranger programs: National Park campgrounds offer educational programs ideal for school-age children. Kim L. mentions that Big Meadows has a "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs" and is "family oriented" with programs typically lasting 30-60 minutes in the evening hours.
Farm animal experiences: Some private campgrounds incorporate farm elements that appeal to children. At Graves Mountain Farm Campground, visitors can explore "a duck pond, chicken coop, shallow brook, disable farm tractor, and some other stuff to play with/on/in across the street near the lodge." These activities provide entertainment options during non-hiking hours.
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have terrain issues affecting RV setup. At Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views, one camper noted, "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended, especially for larger rigs.
Generator restrictions: Most campgrounds within Shenandoah National Park restrict or prohibit generator use. Mary S. notes that at Mathews Arm Campground, "No generators are allowed in parts of the A and B sections," which creates quieter camping zones but requires self-sufficient power solutions for RVers.
Mountain driving considerations: Accessing some campgrounds requires navigating steep mountain roads. One visitor to Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views cautioned, "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." RVs over 30 feet should check specific route recommendations before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Etlan, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Etlan, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 139 campgrounds and RV parks near Etlan, VA and 19 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Etlan, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Etlan, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 123 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Etlan, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Etlan, VA.
What parks are near Etlan, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Etlan, VA that allow camping, notably Shenandoah National Park and Prince William Forest Park.
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