Cabin camping near Fulks Run, Virginia offers varied seasonal experiences with temperatures ranging from below freezing in winter to humid 80-90°F days in summer. Located in the Shenandoah Valley at approximately 1,100 feet elevation, the area serves as a gateway to both river activities and mountain adventures. Most cabin rentals remain open year-round despite seasonal park closures affecting some facilities.
What to do
River tubing access: Rivers Edge Campground features a swimming hole on the Shenandoah River with tubing opportunities. "We've been priced out of our area so pleased to find this hidden gem. A small, comfortable, family run campground that has enough amenities to keep the littles entertained and adults relaxing. We stayed in the tent area, which we had all to ourselves. Our site was on the river," notes Sarah C.
Trail hiking from campsites: Loft Mountain Campground offers direct access to the Appalachian Trail. "If you wanna hike somewhere, the AT runs right through the campground," explains Katrin M. For hikers seeking waterfalls, Loft Mountain provides options: "Hikes on the AT and Doyles Falls were stunning," according to Cindy M.
Brewery visits: The area surrounding Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA provides access to local breweries. "Close to Harrisonburg with all the great breweries! Eat at Golden Pony," recommends Ginny L. The campground's location allows for day trips into town while maintaining a secluded camping experience.
What campers like
Fishing opportunities: Shenandoah Valley Campground offers a stocked fishing pond for guests. "Nice wooded campground, pretty cool water fall, lots of colorful bunnies, decent fishing in the pond," says Jerry G. The fishing area provides an alternative activity for days when you're not exploring the national park.
Unique wildlife encounters: Big Meadows Campground provides opportunities to see deer and other wildlife up close. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," notes Veronica S. Another camper adds, "We saw many deer and bear while camping."
Nighttime experiences: The dark skies at Lewis Mountain Campground create perfect conditions for stargazing. "When I visited it was on a weekday and while there were some people staying on the RV side I had the tent area to myself, it was quiet at night in my little corner of camp and I could walk out a bit from my site and see the entire night sky which was amazing!" writes a visitor.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have limited or no cell service. At Shenandoah Valley Campground, "No wifi, no cable and cell service is limited - definitely not good for Verizon. There were no fewer than half a dozen people walking around with their phones held high trying to get a signal," reports Karen. Some campgrounds offer wifi at specific locations like visitor centers.
Shower availability and costs: Shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "The showers are $5 for 10 minutes, which you have to pay in quarters. Make sure you test that it works BEFORE you get set up and get naked. My first quarter got jammed and I had to redress and pack up to move to a different one," advises a camper about Loft Mountain facilities.
Quiet hours enforcement: Campground noise policies vary widely. Lewis Mountain Campground strictly enforces quiet hours: "This campground is known as the quieter campground in the park, since it is primarily tent campers, and the quiet hours are enforced as a result." However, at some locations, enforcement is inconsistent: "The group across from us yelled, laughed, partied the entire night til 5am. We didn't sleep at all."
Tips for camping with families
Kids activities: Luray KOA (now Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views) offers family-friendly amenities. "They have a clean pool and playground for little kids. The nearby dairy cow farm is fun too," notes Matt S. Many campgrounds feature planned activities during summer months and holiday weekends.
Campground layout considerations: Jellystone Park Luray provides structured activities for children but can get crowded. "Though this campground is HUGE, the sites are not piled on top of each other. Our site was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy," says one visitor about a different park. Compare site maps before booking.
Insect preparation: Bugs can be problematic throughout the camping season. "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," advises a Big Meadows visitor. Bug spray and netting are essentials from spring through fall.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: At Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground, RV sites offer varying levels of privacy. "We stayed here on the night of December 11, 2020. No problem finding a spot, campground was about half full when we got there around 4pm," notes John B. Site maps typically indicate which spots offer more seclusion for larger rigs.
Mountain driving preparation: The roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation. "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," warns a KOA visitor. Fuel up before ascending mountain roads, as service stations are limited.
Winter camping availability: Select campgrounds remain open year-round, with water and electrical available even in winter. "We camped here the last night of the season (Nov30) and shared the campground with a mix of tent campers, car/van campers, and a few larger units... 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.
