Loft Mountain Campground is situated at over 3,300 feet elevation in the southern section of Shenandoah National Park, providing cooler temperatures than surrounding areas even during summer months. The campground's high elevation location creates frequent morning fog and mist after rainfall, with temperature differences sometimes reaching 10-15 degrees cooler than the valley floor. Several hiking trails connect directly to the campground, allowing hikers and pet owners immediate access to wilderness experiences.
What to do
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Access the famous AT directly from Loft Mountain Campground without needing to drive elsewhere. "The AT runs right through the campground," notes Katrin M., making it convenient for day hikes or short explorations with your pet. Another camper mentions "lots of trails all around" the campground area.
Visit Blue Ridge breweries: Take a short drive to Devils Backbone Camp where you can enjoy craft beer after a day of hiking. "Walking distance to devils backbone brewery. Clean bathrooms. Close distance to hiking trails and other breweries and cideries," reports Chyna K. The brewery features outdoor seating with fire pits and an outdoor stage.
Explore waterfalls: Within 30-40 minutes of Free Union, access several waterfall trails in Shenandoah National Park. "Check out rose river trail and bearfence mountain. Also went down to Charlottesville and visited beaver creek lake which was an cool little trip," recommends Sam M. from Dundo Group Campground. These trails offer varying difficulty levels and most allow leashed pets.
What campers like
Morning wildlife viewing: Early risers at Big Meadows Campground regularly spot deer wandering through camp. "We love seeing the deer so close and other wildlife. Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife," shares Terri S. The meadow areas attract wildlife throughout the day.
Quiet evenings for stargazing: The high elevation and distance from urban areas creates exceptional night sky viewing. "At night you could see stars. We took a walk to the overlook in the middle of the night to stargaze," reports Kate from Dundo Group Campground. The dark skies policy in Shenandoah National Park enhances this experience.
Camp stores with essentials: Most campers appreciate not having to leave park boundaries for supplies. "There is also a very nice and well stocked campstore. They had everything you need," according to Katrin M. about Loft Mountain Campground. Many campers mention the convenience of having forgotten items available within walking distance of their sites.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The mountain elevation brings unpredictable weather patterns. "The mountain remained fogged in for most of our stay, but hikes on the AT and Doyles Falls were stunning," shares Cindy M. about Loft Mountain. Morning dampness requires extra consideration for tent campers with pets.
Wildlife precautions: Bears are active throughout the Shenandoah region. "They take food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out," warns Anna R. at Big Meadows Campground. Store pet food securely in provided bear boxes alongside human food.
Limited cellular connectivity: Most campgrounds have minimal or no cell service. "No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online," explains Veronica S. Plan accordingly if you need to stay connected while camping with pets.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with natural boundaries: Look for sites with vegetation borders for added privacy when camping with active children and pets. "Our site was definitely spacious. The campsite has the common amenities - a firepit, a bench, and a picnic table," notes Katrin M. about Loft Mountain Campground.
Consider generator-free loops: For families with noise-sensitive children or pets, select campground sections with limited generator use. "I would recommend the generator-free loop for tent campers with pets who prefer a quieter environment," advises a camper at Misty Mountain Camp Resort.
Pack for temperature swings: Mountain elevations can experience significant day-to-night temperature changes. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," reports Carol B. about Big Meadows Campground. Extra blankets for both humans and pets are essential.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: At Charlottesville KOA, RVers appreciate the thoughtful site layout. "The hooks were the closest we have ever had - which is very nice!" shares Jennifer K. Check specific site details when booking as hookup locations vary significantly between campgrounds.
Site leveling challenges: Mountain campgrounds often have uneven terrain. "Sites are generally level and have full hook-up. Our campsite was a back-in which was in a quiet corner of the campground," notes Nancy W. Bring adequate leveling blocks for your RV, particularly at national park campgrounds with fewer improvements.
Low clearance awareness: Some access roads to pet-friendly campgrounds near Free Union have overhanging branches or tight turns. "The site we were at was pretty private behind our camper. Bushes and trees on all sides of our fire ring and picnic table," reports Shane T. about Loft Mountain Campground. Larger RVs should research specific route conditions before arrival.
