Shenandoah River State Park and surrounding areas near Flint Hill, Virginia feature diverse camping opportunities from primitive riverside sites to fully equipped RV spots. Flint Hill sits at 705 feet elevation in Rappahannock County, with moderate year-round temperatures ranging from 25°F in winter to 85°F in summer. The region receives approximately 42 inches of annual precipitation, creating lush forest conditions and reliable water levels in the Shenandoah River.
What to do
River activities: Explore the Shenandoah River at Low Water Bridge Campground, which offers excellent river access and equipment options. "The campground offers cabins, RV sites, and primitive tent camping. No yurts. Elec/water sites available. Staff was amazing and super helpful. Police patrol at night to enforce quiet hours," notes a reviewer who valued the quiet atmosphere.
Hiking: Access multiple trail systems for all skill levels. Explore trails within Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground where campers appreciate the varied terrain. "This is a good state park. Not anything fancy. The views are amazing and the hiking make up for the no frills compared to other state park facilities," reports one visitor who enjoyed the natural surroundings.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for deer and other animals throughout the camping areas. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. 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," explains a visitor describing the natural encounters possible in the region.
What campers like
Year-round availability: Camp in multiple seasons with options for different weather conditions. "We stayed here on the night of December 11, 2020. No problem finding a spot, campground was about half full when we got there around 4pm. The Primitive Camping spots were all taken however, so arrive early if you want one of those. Water and electrical available at all the spots even though it was winter."
Water access: Enjoy riverside camping spots at #1 Rock Tavern River Kamp, where tent sites provide direct water views. "We could not have asked for a nicer location! Our tent was about 20 feet from the river and the campground had everything we could have asked for (including spotless bathroom and shower facilities!)," states a camper who appreciated the riverside setting.
Rustic options: Experience primitive camping for a more natural stay. "There are several rustic campsites located on the Southfork of the Shenandoah River, as well as modern electric sites, RV sites, and cabins. Park and campgrounds are clean and well maintained. Tons of trails, wildlife and activities in and near the park," notes a camper describing the variety of accommodation options.
What you should know
Yurt camping in Flint Hill, Virginia: Book early for unique yurt accommodations in the region. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray offers yurt options among other accommodations. "Beautiful location, nice campground. not a lot of woods but lots to do including jumping pillows, paddle boats, swimming. the cabins are spacious and nice though you have to bring your own linens," explains one visitor who enjoyed the amenities.
Site selection considerations: Review site maps carefully before booking. "We had a great stay at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views in Luray, VA. We stayed in a level back-in site(#39) with picnic table on a concrete patio, Adirondack chairs under a pergola on a second concrete patio, clean gravel surface, and fire pit. The site was big enough for our motor home and Jeep."
Cell service limitations: Prepare for connectivity gaps in certain areas. "Note: There is absolutely no Verizon service here (ATT seems to work pretty well). You'll have to drive 10-15 in either direction on Rt. 211 before you can catch a signal," warns a camper about connectivity at Low Water Bridge Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Select campgrounds with kid-friendly activities when visiting with younger campers. "This campground is nice and 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 a visitor who found the amenities convenient for family use.
Educational opportunities: Take advantage of ranger programs at Big Meadows Campground. "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up. Very small campground store on site but a much larger store at visitor center. Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground."
Safety considerations: Follow food storage guidelines when camping with children. "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. They take food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Bring extra leveling blocks for some campgrounds in the region. "Camp ground is nice. Check in was a breeze. The only drawback is that it is not quite. The sites are nicely spread out. My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," notes a visitor at Bull Run Regional Park.
Water fill logistics: Plan your water needs carefully when visiting campgrounds without hookups. "RV sites are spaced out and have wooden fences on the sides. 30 amp service at the site. You can fill your water tanks as you enter the campground," explains an RVer describing the facilities available.
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for premium sites, especially during peak season. "Though this campground is HUGE, the sites are not piled on top of each other. Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy."
