Camping cabins near Front Royal, Virginia offer direct access to the Shenandoah River with river access points at several locations. The region sits at the northern entrance to Shenandoah National Park with elevations ranging from 500 to 3,500 feet, creating diverse camping environments from riverside locations to mountain settings. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing December through February, with occasional site closures during these months.
What to do
River activities: Low Water Bridge Campground provides river access for kayaking and tubing with shuttle services. "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 visitor who enjoyed the water activities.
Hiking trails: Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views campground is situated near multiple trail options. "Less than 20-minutes from Shenandoah National Park and Luray Caverns," according to a camper. Several walking paths lead directly from campsites to longer trail systems with varying difficulty levels.
Wildlife viewing: The Cove Campground features both forest and lakeside habitat for spotting wildlife. "Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun," mentions one camper who visited in October. The property includes a lake for fishing plus hiking trails for wildlife observation.
What campers like
Riverside sites: Low Water Bridge Campground offers premium sites directly on the Shenandoah River. "The river sites are worth the few extra bucks, but they book up fast. You have to call in your reservations - can't book online," explains one visitor. Sites 15, 31 and 32 are particularly noted for river access and privacy.
Mountain views: Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views (formerly Luray KOA) provides cabins with scenic mountain vistas. "Sunset over the mountains from our campsite each evening. Who could ask for more?" writes a camper who particularly enjoyed the views. Sites have concrete patios with Adirondack chairs under pergolas.
Clean facilities: Big Meadows Campground maintains high standards for bathrooms and common areas. "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up," notes a recent visitor. The campground also provides bear boxes at each site for proper food storage.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Peak season cabins at most campgrounds require advance booking, especially riverside sites. "We were there during a heat wave so there were bugs but being from Georgia the heat was bearable. Speaking of bears- there were lots of sightings and they take food clean up seriously," warns a camper at Big Meadows Campground.
Water conditions: Water quality varies between properties, with some cabins having occasional issues. "The water has problems and runs orange and ruined some of my clothes. They will not reimburse you for anything being ruined," reports a visitor at Skyline Ranch Resort. Consider bringing drinking water for certain locations.
Cell service limitations: Many camping cabins near Front Royal have limited or no mobile connectivity. "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," explains a camper at Low Water Bridge Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray offers dedicated programming for children. "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," notes a visitor.
Wildlife education: Several campgrounds offer ranger programs focusing on local wildlife. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground," comments a Big Meadows visitor, highlighting the educational opportunities available.
Safety considerations: Proper food storage is essential in bear country. "They take food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out," explains a camper who experienced multiple bear sightings during their stay. Most cabin properties provide bear-safe storage containers or specific instructions.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Some campgrounds near Front Royal have difficult approaches for larger RVs. "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," advises a visitor at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views.
Utility considerations: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground provides both electric and non-electric sites. "You will enjoy 30/50 amp electric and water. No sewer at the sites, so plan on using the dump drain on the way out," mentions a camper who stayed at the state park. Water fill stations are available at campground entrances.
Off-season camping: Winter cabin options remain available at certain locations. "We camped here on the night of December 11, 2020. No problem finding a spot, campground was about half full when we got there around 4pm. Water and electrical available at all the spots even though it was winter," reports a visitor at Shenandoah River State Park.
