RV campgrounds near Harrisonburg, Virginia sit along the Shenandoah Valley between 1,100 and 1,500 feet elevation, providing a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F during the day, while spring and fall offer cooler conditions ideal for outdoor recreation. Winter camping is available at select locations with overnight temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 35 minutes from KOA Luray RV Resort provides access to multiple waterfall trails. "Easy access to Luray caverns. All level padded sites. Most with Blue ridge views," notes Sally S.
Cavern exploration: Endless Caverns offers on-site cave tours at Endless Caverns RV Resort. "The Endless Caverns actually adjoin the office welcome center and tours are offered multiple times daily. It would be tough for arthritic knees… but we really enjoyed the raw nature of the caverns," shares Sara M.
River tubing: 30-minute float trips available at Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River. "The ride down the river from one end of the park to the other is around 30 minutes. Also for all of the people attached to the internet like us we were able to have plenty of cell signal to hotspot and get internet," says Joe.
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: The lack of light pollution creates optimal night viewing conditions. "Smoke Hole Canyon resort area, not far from the caverns, this small campground offers 10 RV sites along the river. Picnic tables and fire rings available. Dark sky and an open field for stargazing," reports Jean C. at Smoke Hole Caverns.
Peaceful forest settings: Many campgrounds feature wooded sites that provide natural separation. "The sites were a little tight. We were there for the local hiking so we didn't spend too much time in the park," shares Ralph P. about Walnut Hills Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Deer frequently visit campgrounds throughout the area. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," explains Veronica S. about Big Meadows Campground.
What you should know
Campsite size variations: RV sites range from spacious to snug depending on location. "The RV sites at this campground are very spaced out, you have a lot of room to each side of your RV. The park and facilities were very clean," notes Joe about Luray RV Resort.
Elevation changes: Some campgrounds require navigating steep terrain. "Elevation above 3000 feet and plenty of deer! 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 Campground.
Seasonal insect activity: Bug populations peak during summer months. "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," shares Veronica S.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "They have a playground for the kids, fishing ponds, cabins, pet friendly with a dog park and they are located right along the Shenandoah river," Joe notes about Luray RV Resort.
Educational ranger programs: Scheduled events teach about local ecology and history. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground. Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground," shares Kim L. about Big Meadows.
Kid-friendly trail systems: Short hiking options suitable for younger children. "Kids loved the playground and the swings (a few different swing sets on the property). The camp store and entrance to the caverns is a gorgeous, old stone building!" Jess explains about Endless Caverns RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection importance: Choosing the right location affects your camping experience. "Site 3 was an easy level pull-through site, making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless. All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed," reports Jason G. from Fort Valley Ranch.
Varying hookup availability: Not all sites offer full service connections. "Located within minutes of I81. We stopped for 2 nights to see the Shenandoah National Park on our way to NC. Called last minute and got a site. Our site 112 had water, 50amp and cable. Dump station on premises," shares Mimi B. about Walnut Hills Campground.
Cell service variability: Internet connectivity fluctuates throughout the region. "The wifi was terrible and unusable, even with our antenna. AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty," notes Tina about KOA Luray RV Resort.
