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Best Tent Camping near Front Royal, VA

991 Reviews

Tent campsites near Front Royal, Virginia include both developed and primitive options, primarily concentrated around the George Washington National Forest and Shenandoah National Park areas. Sky Meadows State Park offers a popular backcountry tent camping experience with a one-mile hike to reach the designated campground area. Little Fort Campground provides a more accessible option for tent campers seeking dispersed camping with basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables.

Most tent sites in the Front Royal region require varying degrees of preparation depending on location and season. The Sky Meadows backcountry sites include tent pads with pea gravel surfaces, bear boxes, fire rings, picnic tables, and lantern poles, though campers must hike in all supplies. Little Fort Campground features dirt surfaces ideal for staking tents, though reviews note potential for mud during rainy conditions. Vault toilets are available at most established sites, but running water is scarce, with only non-potable sources at select locations like Sky Meadows. Cell service ranges from limited to non-existent, with campers reporting no Verizon or T-Mobile coverage at Little Fort.

Areas farther from town like Veach Gap in George Washington National Forest offer deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking true backcountry experiences. The campsite is approximately four miles up from the trailhead with several fire rings at the top of the ridgeline, offering expansive views. Hikers should note water limitations, as one camper advised: "There is no water after the first mile. Pack up all the water you will need for the day/evening/morning." Sky Meadows provides a more accessible backcountry experience, with a relatively flat mile-long hike to reach campsites. As one visitor noted, "The hills are fantastic for helping each site feel like a little private oasis. Even if the campground is full, most of the sites would still feel shaded and private because of how they're dispersed throughout the hills."

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Best Tent Sites Near Front Royal, Virginia (42)

    1. Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Paris, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 592-3556

    "It was a pretty flat walk from the overnight parking area to the campground."

    "Came here for the first time in February 2017 to do a shakedown on some new backpacking and camping gear. Super friendly staff and easy check in process."

    2. Little Fort Campground

    6 Reviews
    Woodstock, VA
    15 miles

    "The campsites have a fire ring, a picnic table, and a flat area to pitch a tent. They have parking spots next to them. There are permanent structure Vault toilets/ out houses."

    "There are 9 campsites, each with at least one fire ring, a tent pad and a picnic table, and there is a vault toilet in the middle."

    3. Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site

    2 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    9 miles
    Website

    "I've both day hiked this and backpacked here several times."

    "Breathtaking views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains. Very much worth the 4 mile hike up to the site. 1,200ft elevation difference from the trailhead to the site."

    4. South Fork Shenandoah River

    5 Reviews
    Rileyville, VA
    16 miles

    "Not too many spaces so it can fill up quick. There is a launch in the middle, so there is a bit of come and go."

    "There were plenty of walk in sites beyond ours. Unfortunately there was a decent bit of trash we cleaned up. The road was a little rough, but our 92 ford camper made it, just go slow"

    5. Twin Rivers Campground

    2 Reviews
    Front Royal, VA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (540) 636-6192

    $40 - $45 / night

    6. Little Crease Shelter

    1 Review
    Bentonville, VA
    10 miles
    +1 (888) 265-0019

    "First, don't be confused by the drive down to the parking area. You'll go from asphalt to gravel road alongside private property. You're in the right place."

    7. Mountain Lake Campground

    1 Review
    Paris, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 837-2134

    8. Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap OHV System

    1 Review
    Woodstock, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 984-4101

    "Great place to camp at if your car can handle it, if you like to offroad this place is for you or if you like hiking this is also for you"

    9. #1 Rock Tavern River Kamp

    4 Reviews
    Luray, VA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 843-4232

    $45 - $225 / night

    "We are located on the Shenandoah River! Our waterfront unique kamp offers yurts and tent sites along with a well maintained bathhouse! Of course I feel we are 5 stars!"

    "River access, hiking near by and if you forget something town is 8 minutes away."

    10. Tom Floyd Wayside Shelter — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    Be the first to review!
    Chester Gap, VA
    5 miles
    Website
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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Front Royal, VA

53 Photos of 42 Front Royal Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Front Royal, VA

991 Reviews of 42 Front Royal Campgrounds

  • RL
    Apr. 13, 2021

    Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    Great views, primitive camping

    We hiked the one mile into the campground and stayed for a night. It was a pretty flat walk from the overnight parking area to the campground. In the campground there is one bathroom facility with two vault toilets (although one of the doors was locked while we were there, which was unpleasant with a full campground). No running water or showers in the bathhouses. Non-potable water pump is near the restroom. Boil water at least three minutes before consuming. There are two areas with firewood (purchase when you check in or pay $6 cash at the kiosk - honor system). Each site has a bear box, fire ring, picnic table, tent pad with pea gravel, and a lantern pole. Definitely will be back!

    The park has wide open rolling hills and mountain views. Lots of families picnicking and flying kites 🪁💙

  • Nick C.
    Jul. 25, 2022

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Centralized spot in Shenandoah - hot showers!

    I stayed in the tent only / non generator sites which is definitely the way to go. My site was actually a walk in. So I had to park and lug my gear up some steps about 200 feet. The site was shaded with a nice spot for a hammock. Including a fire ring and grill grate, picnic table and a bear box. You are close to the road, so you get noise and headlights in your tent sometimes. Deer and skunk walk through camp all the time. Heard some owls at night. Whooooooo

  • Corey B.
    Jun. 15, 2018

    Little Fort Campground

    Great Stay

    Small and simple campground with a handle full of sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Sites are semi secluded from each other. Some sites have direct access to the Peter's Mill Run OHV complex. Vault toilet for all sites to share. No water, no electricity. Have to pack trash out. Sites were first come first serve. Free to camp.

    We camped so we could spend two days on the OHV Trails with the Jeep. Had an incredible time. We'll be back.

  • Mary S.
    Oct. 11, 2018

    Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Well-maintained, quiet campground in a national park

    What do I love about Mathews Arm Campground in Shenandoah National Park? So many things!

    • The simplicity of a national park setting: no frills in a beautiful setting.
    • Generator-free area: No generators are allowed in parts of the A and B sections.
    • Non-reservable sites! This makes it easier to travel without a plan other than arriving early at a campground. The entire A section (A1-A116) and a small part of C (C143-C145) cannot be reserved. Sites in B (B117-B141), the rest of C (C146-C164), and D (group sites D165-D167) can be reserved.
    • $15 price: Our Lifetime Senior Pass cuts that in half (and covers the park admission fee).
    • Hiking! You can hike to Overall Run Falls from a trail in the parking lot near the campground and turn this into a loop hike by returning a different way. The ranger at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center near the Front Royal (North) Entrance Station was extremely helpful. We told her we planned to try 3 of the 4 campgrounds as we drove north to south on Skyline Drive and wanted hiking recommendations. There are 15 separate maps with multiple hikes in each, and we left with several of those marked up by the ranger. We also hiked the Stony Man loop on the way to our next stop at Big Meadows; the 180+ degree view while standing up on top of the rocks was spectacular.
    • It's quiet! People don't come to national park campgrounds to party. They come to see the sights and hike. They're tired at night and don't make a lot of noise.

    I guess that's enough.

    The Sites

    • Sites are large but many are lined up right next to each other. I recommend staying away from A72 to the end of A. They're lined up too closely for my taste, and there isn't much shade.
    • I liked our site A55 and thought A56-A61 were nice sites. When we entered a sparsely populated park in mid-afternoon on a Monday in October, those sites were already taken. By evening, the park was half full. Arrive early in the day if you don't have a reservation, especially later in the week.

    Amenities

    • Bathrooms are adequate. There is potable water and a utility sink near the bathrooms, but there are no showers. The closest (coin-operated) showers are about 30 miles south at Big Meadows Campground, the next campground on Skyline Drive. Bathrooms are newer/nicer at Big Meadows and Loft Mountain.
    • Trash disposal, ash disposal and recycling bins are available.
    • Some sites have food storage lockers. Google reviews indicated park rangers insist you keep all food in a locker, camper or vehicle and you can be fined if you don't. Apparently, bears recognize coolers so you should cover them up in vehicles. (I also heard this at Rocky Mountain NP.)
    • There's no store at the campground, but there's one a couple miles south on Skyline Drive.
  • Austin-Tarra G.
    Dec. 28, 2021

    Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground

    Beautiful State Park Right near the Shenandoah River

    Beautiful views of the mountains from campsite. Shenandoah River is right there on the campsite, would be great for the summer months. Tons of trails great for families with dogs or those wanting to get out and hike. The campsite featured some of the best bathroom/ shower houses, they were super clean and well maintained. Each campsite had tons of space and was gravel and featured a picnic table and fire pit. We had electric and water hookups at our site. There was a dump site available. There were several gas stations nearby and we were less than 30 minutes away from Front Royal and the entrance to Shenandoah National Park. We paid$46 a night for the campsite and felt it was worth it.

  • Carol B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2025

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Full campground, but a happy overnight

    I tent camped for one night at the start of Easter weekend. Lots and lots of folks about, but still enough space to NOT feel encroached upon. Level grass spot for a tent, fairly level paved parking area if car camping, picnic table, fire ring with grill grate. I was on the no generator loop, but in a non electric site (vs tent walk in type). Warm bathrooms, utility sinks in several, pay hot showers, lots of greenery. I will visit again! NO Verizon cell service at all!

  • Terri S.
    Sep. 23, 2019

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Beautiful , well maintained

    Big Meadows Campground was wonderful. Facilities were clean and well maintained. Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife. Fire ring with grate was available. Large site size. We had site 23. Highly recommend!

  • Lucas B.
    Jul. 2, 2017

    Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    Awesome foray into backpacking

    Came here for the first time in February 2017 to do a shakedown on some new backpacking and camping gear. Super friendly staff and easy check in process. Parking is in a locked lot steps away from trail head which leads to campsites about a mile away. Campsites are in a wooded area of park well away from other park attractions so it's very quiet. Sites are spaced far apart and come with tent pad, picnic table, fire pit and lantern pole. Non potable water is available via hand pump near rest rooms. Rest rooms are very nice and clean. No showers. This was one of my favorite camping experiences ever and I will definitely be back!

  • Jon N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 2, 2022

    Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site

    My favorite Hike in the area

    I've both day hiked this and backpacked here several times. You will want to drive in and park at the Veach Gap Trailhead which is listed on Google Maps, then follow the trail and make the left when it comes to the intersection. It is about 4 miles up, so not too bad, but there is no water after the first mile. I have seen a small trickle part way up the mountain, but don't count on it. Pack up all the water you will need for the day/evening/morning. Once you get to the top there are several sites with little fire rings, and since it is on the ridgeline, the views are breathtaking. I've had good luck finding wood from dead trees at the top, but just make sure you're being safe and treating nature kindly. Follow the Leave no Trace rules so the next campers can enjoy this spot too.

Guide to Front Royal

Front Royal, Virginia, offers a variety of tent camping experiences that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility in nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tips for tent camping near Front Royal

  • When visiting Little Fort Campground, remember to pack out all trash, as there are no trash facilities available on-site.
  • At Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site, ensure you bring enough water for your hike, as there is no water source after the first mile.
  • If you plan to camp at South Fork Shenandoah River, be prepared for limited amenities and bring your own toilet paper, as the bathrooms may not always be stocked.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Front Royal, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Front Royal, VA is Sky Meadows State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.

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