Nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and George Washington National Forest, Grottoes, Virginia sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation with access to both forested highlands and river valleys. Campsites in this region experience typical mountain weather patterns with temperatures often 10-15°F cooler than nearby urban areas. The camping season runs primarily April through November, with several yurt options available for year-round access.
What to do
Swimming in natural waters: Stokesville Campground offers access to an excellent swimming hole on the North River. As one camper notes, "We took a great hike to Fridley's Gap and went swimming in the water hole. The tent site was big and clean and the staff was super friendly."
Mountain biking trails: The George Washington National Forest trail system connects directly to Stokesville Campground. According to a visitor, "There is an awesome swimming hole on the North River, Four miles of flow mountain bike trails inside the campground with endless miles of trails just outside. Stokesville is a mountain bike destination that cyclists travel from all around."
Wildlife viewing: The high elevation campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for spotting native wildlife. At Big Meadows Campground, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," reports one camper.
Fishing spots: Multiple campgrounds feature fishing opportunities in stocked ponds or natural rivers. One visitor to Shenandoah River State Park mentioned, "Campground access to the Shenandoah River" makes fishing convenient, while another noted the "great fishing and swimming right at your camping spot."
What campers like
Natural rock fire pits: Unlike standard metal fire rings, some campgrounds offer more unique options. One visitor to Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA appreciated that "Sites are spacious and have natural stone in ground fire pits instead of rusted metal rims which adds character."
Stargazing access: The region's dark skies create excellent night viewing opportunities. A Big Meadows camper mentioned they love camping there "for the star watching at night," while another noted, "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."
Clean facilities: Even in remote locations, many campgrounds maintain high standards. At Crabtree Falls Campground, "The bath house was well maintained and super clean," and one visitor described it as having "the cleanest, most comfortable camp facilities I've ever seen."
Riverside camping: Several campgrounds feature sites directly along waterways. A Crabtree Falls Campground visitor noted, "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."
What you should know
Reservation needs: Most campgrounds in the region require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. At Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground, "The Primitive Camping spots were all taken however, so arrive early if you want one of those."
Yurt camping options: For those seeking yurt camping near Grottoes, Virginia, several parks offer these accommodations. Shenandoah River State Park features yurts with proximity to river activities, while other facilities offer heated yurts during colder months.
Seasonal facilities: Some amenities close during off-seasons. One camper at Big Meadows noted, "We camped here the last night of the season (Nov30)... Showers and laundry were closed for the season but are centrally located near entrance area of campground."
Connectivity limits: Cell service varies significantly throughout the region. A visitor to Staunton Walnut Hills KOA reported, "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," while at Shenandoah River State Park, "No cell service but the Visitor's Center has WiFi available."
Tips for camping with families
Rental options: Yurt camping near Grottoes provides an excellent family-friendly alternative. Several campgrounds offer these structures with beds and heating for those with young children.
Playground access: Family-focused campgrounds typically provide play areas. At Natural Chimneys County Park, sites are "large, though fairly open to each other" with "a couple of nice, short trails and the natural chimney formations are fascinating."
Transportation assistance: Some campgrounds have solutions for gear transportation. At Shenandoah River State Park, "The primitive spots are right next to the river. The spots are a short walk from the parking area and the campground provides wagons to transport your stuff."
Educational programs: Weekend activities often focus on younger visitors. As one Shenandoah River State Park camper noted, "The children's programs offered on the weekends were great too," providing structured activities for kids to learn about local ecology.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Several campgrounds offer dedicated pull-through sites for larger rigs. At Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park, "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."
Hookup limitations: Not all campgrounds provide full hookups. At Big Meadows, one RVer appreciated "coin hot showers available too," since the sites don't offer full services.
Winter camping considerations: For RVers seeking year-round options, a Big Meadows camper experienced "an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Space between sites: RV sites vary in privacy levels. A visitor to Stoney Creek Resort observed, "Despite having so many sites, they are rather spacious. All are back in and some can be difficult due to some trees but all are manageable and they base your site based on your rig size so they know their site sizes well."
