RV camping near Sperryville, Virginia offers access to the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations reaching over 3,000 feet at nearby Shenandoah National Park. Campers experience temperature drops of 10-15 degrees at higher elevations compared to the valley floor, creating cooler summer camping conditions. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can dip below 20°F, particularly at sites like Big Meadows Campground.
What to do
Hiking trails with elevation views: The Storybook Trail near Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages provides a mountain overlook experience. "We loved the Storybook Trail (no signs to find it...use gps!) that was closeby. It had a beautiful overlook of the valley," notes a visitor who appreciated this lesser-known trail.
Cave exploration beyond Luray: Endless Caverns offers tours directly from their campground. "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," shared one camper who appreciated the authentic cave experience.
River activities for summer refreshment: Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River provides direct river access for tubing and swimming. "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 a camper who enjoyed this cooling activity during summer months.
What campers like
Spacious sites with natural buffers: Campers appreciate the roominess at Fort Valley Ranch. "Our site (site 3) was an easy level pull-through site, making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless. All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed," reports a satisfied guest who valued the well-designed camping spaces.
Clean facilities: Prince William Forest RV Campground maintains high standards for their amenities. "Quiet campground with tables and fire rings at all sites. Small, well stocked camp store. Propane and 2 easy dump stations. Nice pool and bath house," writes a visitor who found the facilities comprehensive and well-maintained.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Big Meadows Campground offers frequent wildlife encounters. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience," comments a camper who enjoyed the natural animal sightings that occur regularly in the campground area.
What you should know
Mountain driving considerations: The approach to some campgrounds requires careful planning for larger vehicles. "I was initially concerned about the road leading into the campground, as my rig is over 50 feet in total length. However, we were surprised that the winding roads presented no issues for us. The access was smooth and hassle-free," explains a Fort Valley Ranch visitor.
Variable cell service: Communication capabilities differ significantly between locations. "The wifi was terrible and unusable, even with our antenna. AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty," reports a visitor to KOA Luray RV Resort, highlighting the importance of checking carrier coverage before arrival.
Seasonal insect activity: Prepare for bugs during warmer months. "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," advises a Big Meadows camper from summer 2025.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly campground activities: The HarmStead Campground offers animal interactions that children enjoy. "The hosts provided our kids with a cup of animal food to feed the goats and the emu. Highlight for the kids were the playground and the fireflies at night," shares a family who camped there with their children.
Swimming options for hot days: Multiple campgrounds feature pools for cooling off. "There is a small but nice swimming pool," notes a KOA Luray visitor, while Endless Caverns RV Resort also maintains a pool area that remains popular during summer months.
Educational opportunities: Look for ranger programs at established campgrounds. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground," explains a Big Meadows visitor who took advantage of these educational sessions.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: When booking at Endless Caverns, consider terrain challenges. "Be very particular with your site selection! The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD," cautions an experienced RVer who navigated the mountainside campground.
Leveling expectations: Many campgrounds require some adjustment for comfort. "Sites were large and easy to level out at," notes a Riverside Cabins and RV Park visitor, while another camper at Endless Caverns commented that "most sites are level. requiring only minor adjustments."
Seasonal availability limitations: Several campgrounds in the region operate on limited schedules. Big Meadows Campground runs from early May through mid-November, with one camper noting they "camped here the last night of the season (Nov30)" when temperatures dropped to 14°F overnight.
