Shenandoah Valley offers diverse camping options within a 30-mile radius of Free Union, Virginia. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 800 to 3,000 feet, the region experiences mild temperatures between 50-80°F during peak camping seasons. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing, especially at higher elevations near Shenandoah National Park.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: 3 miles from Crabtree Falls Campground, visitors can access one of Virginia's tallest waterfalls. A reviewer shared: "Crabtree Falls is a mile up the road and very easy to get to the trail head. The AT is also close by and easily accessed."
Horseback riding: $35-65 per session at Walnut Hills Campground, which features both on-site equestrian facilities and nearby trails. "Beautiful sunsets over the stables and horse pastures," reports one camper who stayed at this facility for two weeks.
Fishing: No license required for children under 16 at Lake Anna State Park. According to a visitor: "If you're looking for a relaxing fishing afternoon, they have some of the nicest fishing piers with ample sitting area. The sunsets over the water are priceless."
Mini golf and ziplines: Within 15 minutes of Harrisonburg Shenandoah Valley KOA, visitors can access family-friendly activities. A camper noted: "The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean. It also had the largest dog park area of any campground I've ever seen."
What campers like
Riverfront sites: 10 feet from water at Crabtree Falls Campground where the sound of flowing water creates a natural soundtrack. One camper explained: "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night."
Cleanliness: Daily maintenance at Big Meadows Campground impresses visitors. "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," according to a recent camper.
Privacy: Variable by site location at Dundo Group Campground which offers more secluded options. "We camped here with a group of nine of us (4 tents) and we had plenty of extra room. There was a fire ring with a adjustable grill rack and 6 picnic tables."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk are prime times for seeing deer and other animals. A visitor to Big Meadows noted: "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
Elevation affects temperatures: Higher elevation campgrounds like Big Meadows Campground experience more dramatic temperature changes. "Elevation above 3000 feet and plenty of deer! It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14°F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Seasonal closures: November through April for many facilities in Shenandoah National Park. "Showers and laundry were closed for the season but are centrally located near entrance area of campground," one off-season camper reported.
Insects: Late spring through summer can bring heavy bug activity in some areas. "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."
Bear-safe food storage: Required at most campgrounds in the region, with fines possible for non-compliance. "You can be fined for leaving food out," warns a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, adding that they "take food clean up seriously."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Multiple age ranges catered to at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray with activities scheduled throughout the day. A parent shared: "The kids loved running off in the open field and playing on the zip line. We loved that we could see them from our site."
Educational programs: Free ranger talks available at several parks, particularly during summer. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground," notes a visitor to Big Meadows.
Swimming options: Natural vs. pool available at different campgrounds. Lake Anna State Park offers a natural beach setting: "The swimming area is clean and very family oriented. It has great hiking trails and if you're looking for a relaxing fishing afternoon, they have some of the nicest fishing piers."
Biking trails: Paved and unpaved options suitable for different ages and skill levels. "Our grandchildren love that they are able to bike ride and enjoy the beautiful scenery," mentions a grandparent who visited Lake Anna State Park.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Bring blocks for some campsites at Walnut Hills Campground. "Access was easy. The campground was busy and everything was clean and neat. The sites were a little tight...I parked a little goofy it seems so I needed a little extra footage for my electrical hookup."
Dump station conditions: Variable by season and campground. One RVer cautioned about Shenandoah Acres: "Since our site had no sewer hook up, we needed to dump before leaving. It's conveniently located on the way out, BUT was completely overflowed."
Connectivity: Minimal cell service in many areas, with WiFi available at select locations. "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," reports a camper at Harrisonburg Shenandoah Valley KOA.
Route planning: Steep grades on approaches to some campgrounds require proper vehicle preparation. "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."
