Cold Sulphur Spring Campground offers a convenient base for exploring camping sites near Goshen, Virginia. The small campground sits at an elevation of 1,500 feet in the Shenandoah Valley, where summer temperatures average 10-15°F cooler than lowland areas. While most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, several sites maintain year-round accessibility with varying levels of service during winter months.
What to do
Fishing at multiple locations: Lake Moomaw at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area provides excellent fishing opportunities from April through early December. "This place is amazing. I could stay here every weekend and not get tired of it. Warm water, fresh air, no service," notes Blake B. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and has boat rentals available.
Biking on forest roads: Douthat State Park offers both road and mountain biking options with varying difficulty levels. "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!" reports Robyn S.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds in the region provide opportunities to spot deer, birds, and occasionally bears. "We saw a black bear," mentions one Douthat State Park visitor, while others report regular deer sightings throughout the area, particularly at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.
What campers like
Waterfront camping options: Crabtree Falls Campground offers sites directly on the Tye River. "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night," notes Britt S. The campground serves as a convenient base for exploring the nearby waterfall and accessing the Appalachian Trail.
Clean facilities: Sherando Lake Campground maintains exceptionally clean bathrooms and showers. "The shower houses are at the center of each loop and have been rebuilt to ACA standard with in the last five years," Linda C. explains. The campground features three distinct loops with varying amenities and site types.
Privacy between sites: Most campgrounds in the region provide adequate space between sites, though privacy levels vary significantly. At Sherando Lake, "the sites are well spaced, essentially level and have large pads with better than average fire pits and tables that can seat a family reunion," according to Linda C.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the George Washington National Forest have limited or no cell reception. At Oronoco Campground, visitors report "No cell service for AT&T or T-mobile" (Connor S.). Prepare for offline navigation and communication while camping in this region.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. For Sherando Lake, "the window opens six months out and are usually booked for the high season summer months," notes Linda C. Weekday reservations are generally easier to secure than weekends.
Wildlife precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "A young bear was repeatedly visiting site A9 up the road from me and I had to chase him off when he came near my site!" reports Lisa M. about her experience at Sherando Lake. Many established campgrounds provide bear boxes or lockers for secure food storage.
Tips for camping with families
Easy access recreation: Lake Robertson offers family-friendly amenities close to campsites. "We family of 3 thought this was the perfect quite secluded campground. My 7 year old thought it was the coolest adventure ever. Fire pits and water at each site and very clean," shares Elizabeth B.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas, though not all have lifeguards. Douthat State Park includes "lake swimming" among its amenities, and as Wilfredo D. notes, "You have all you want if you love outdoors: lake, hiking trails, horseback riding trails, RV's site, tent site, cabins... the rest is pure fun."
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds in the region offer ranger-led programs during summer months. At Douthat State Park, visitors appreciate the "educational opportunities galore" (Cathy L.) that help children learn about local ecology and wildlife.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Walnut Hills Campground provides various hookup options for RVs. "Our site 33 was full hookup and a very nice, mostly level, spacious, and had a covered picnic table on a deck. Not all sites have full hookup," notes Laure D. Some campsites feature unique amenities like covered picnic areas.
Site selection considerations: At Walnut Hills, "The sites along the lower area near the lake were shaded mostly, some more than others, while the sites up the hill at the top and near the front entrance (pull through sites) were not shaded much" (Laure D.). Site location can significantly impact comfort during summer months.
Overnight stopover options: For travelers passing through the area, several campgrounds accommodate single-night stays. At Lee Hi Campground, one visitor notes, "We stopped here for a rest on a long trip. Arrived late, had reserved a pull through site with FHU, so we didn't have to unhitch. Perfect" (Laure D.).
