Camping options around Fulks Run, Virginia typically sit between 1,200-2,500 feet in elevation, creating distinct temperature variations throughout the year. Spring camping features 40-70°F temperature swings between day and night, while summer maintains steadier 70-85°F daytime temperatures. Fall campers experience early frost at higher elevations by mid-October, with snow possible at campgrounds above 2,000 feet.
What to do
Hiking from campground trails: At Big Meadows Campground, multiple hiking trails start directly from the campsite area. "There's great hiking nearby," notes one camper, while another mentions "nice trails are accessible from campground" with "Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground."
Swimming in mountain lakes: Brandywine Lake offers a designated swimming area with natural shoreline access. According to a visitor, "The lake has a small but clean beach" and another camper adds, "Nice lake to swim, fish & kayak. The sites are spacious and private."
Cavern exploration: Located at Endless Caverns RV Resort, cave tours provide underground adventures with unique geology. A reviewer explains: "Their cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed. Our tour guide, Haley, was a sweetheart, taking time for the two little kids, and still giving the information older people like."
Disc golf and recreation: Multiple campgrounds offer outdoor recreation beyond hiking. At the Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA, "Pool, playground, frisbee golf & pizza delivered to your site!" provides diverse activity options when not exploring trails.
What campers like
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. A camper at Brandywine Recreation Area reports: "The view of the stars at night is breathtaking. My favorite place on earth." Another visitor notes, "You'll be hard pressed to find a darker sky on the east coast."
Wildlife encounters: Loft Mountain Campground offers regular wildlife sightings right in the camping area. "We were certainly surprised to have a deer family join us during dinner," writes one reviewer, while another camper states, "The fireflies are spectacular. At dusk, the ground shimmers, and then after they disperse, you will still see them flit by the tent throughout the night."
Private camping spots: Many sites offer natural separation despite proximity. A visitor to Wolf Gap notes: "The campsites are high quality and well-maintained. There's overflow camping across the road, which is good since this campground usually fills up on good weekends." Another camper at Loft Mountain describes: "The sites were fairly close, but separated by trees, so you felt private."
Clean facilities: Brandywine Lake Campground maintains exceptionally clean bathhouses. "The bathrooms are the cleanest I've ever seen while camping," states one reviewer. Another adds, "The campground is very clean, with plenty of trash bins and protected drinking water spigots—almost every site has one nearby."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Reception varies significantly by location and carrier. A visitor to Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA reports, "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." For Brandywine Lake, a reviewer warns: "There's no cell service at the sites."
Road conditions for dispersed sites: Access to Switzer Lake requires careful driving. "Once you turn onto Switzer Lake Rd from U.S. 33 and find the parking area to the lake on your left, be prepared to drive another 2ish miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road. Go slow as several sharp corners with huge drops and inexperienced drives coming towards you," explains a camper.
Campground elevation impacts: Higher elevation campgrounds experience significant temperature variations. A visitor to Big Meadows notes: "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14°F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Weekend vs. weekday experience: Usage patterns affect the camping experience dramatically. "This was a great midweek site. The reservation board is straightforward... The weekend folks ceased to use the reservation board system and were very noisy," warns a Wolf Gap camper.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. A visitor reports, "Rivers Edge Campground is awesome! It takes us back to a time when camping was camping without all the crazy commercialization that has overtaken so many campgrounds today... They have an honest to goodness swimming hole!"
Select level campsites for bike riding: Brandywine Lake Campground offers terrain suitable for children's activities. "This campground is mostly level, so bike riding for kids is great, walking to the lake or shower houses is very easy for those who have trouble with hills," notes one reviewer.
Plan for evening ranger programs: Educational opportunities enhance family camping experiences. At Big Meadows, a visitor mentions they have a "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs" that engage children while teaching them about the surrounding natural environment.
Consider weekday visits during peak season: Less crowded conditions provide better family experiences. "We were early in the camping season so we had no one around us. The size of the lots were amazing, plenty of room. We had so much fun, we didn't even leave our camping sites the entire time!!!" reports a family at Endless Caverns.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Endless Caverns RV Resort, specific areas offer better experiences. "Many FHU sites in our area (C) are large enough for a trailer, TV and a clam. Pull-through sites are available. Sites in C usually back up into a wooded or naturally landscaped area that allow a nice sense of woodsy privacy. Sites are mostly level. Sites in section E appear tighter with less shelter. The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD. Be very particular with your site selection!"
Elevation and gradient considerations: Several campgrounds require careful navigation due to terrain. "Roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful," notes a camper at Endless Caverns RV Resort.
Water and utilities access: Full hookup availability varies across campgrounds. A visitor to Endless Caverns reports, "Wooded, stone borders, stone walls, and stone fire pits at every site, plus full hookup at each site. They cater nicely to big rigs, offering numerous pull-through sites as well as back-in sites, as your need exists."
