Glamping accommodations near Hood, Virginia feature yurts, safari tents, and cabins positioned to maximize mountain and river views. The sites typically sit at elevations between 1,000-3,500 feet, contributing to dramatic daily temperature shifts even during summer months. Safari tents and yurts often include electrical outlets capable of powering small heating units, allowing for comfortable stays into late fall when overnight temperatures can drop below 40°F.
What to do
Riverside relaxation: At Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground, primitive campsites offer direct river access for fishing, wading, or simply enjoying the water views. "There are several rustic campsites located on the Southfork of the Shenandoah River, as well as modern electric sites, RV sites, and cabins. Tons of trails, wildlife and activities in and near the park," notes Ricki F.
Hiking from camp: The hiking trails at Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA connect directly to the campground, eliminating travel time to trailheads. "One of the features I look for in a campground is hiking trails right out of the campground. Most KOAs don't have that - but this one does! Great hiking trail info the hills and woods at the back of the property," writes Kathy L.
Dark sky viewing: The elevation at Big Meadows Campground provides exceptional stargazing opportunities away from light pollution. Rachel M. observed, "We love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night." Carol B. adds, "Elevation above 3000 feet and plenty of deer! It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F."
What campers like
Wildlife sightings: Big Meadows Campground offers frequent opportunities to observe deer and other wildlife from your site. "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, Terri S., mentioned "Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife."
Clean facilities: Lake Anna State Park maintains exceptionally clean shower facilities with private stalls. One camper mentioned, "The bath house was clean, and I especially liked the privacy of individual shower rooms." At Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River, guests appreciate the well-maintained amenities: "Bathhouse was clean, very well manicured campground, amazing views of the mountains and riverfront access for tubing."
Seasonal activities: When staying at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray, families can access multiple recreational options regardless of season. "We stayed here for 3 nights in August for our little guy's 8th birthday. It was perfect for kids! The kids loved running off in the open field and playing on the zip line," shares Jen O. Another visitor notes, "There is a pool, pillow trampoline, playground, basketball court."
What you should know
Temperature fluctuations: At higher elevation sites, nighttime temperatures can drop dramatically even in summer. At Dundo Group Campground, campers should prepare for chilly evenings. As Kate noted, "At night you could see stars. We took a walk to the overlook in the middle of the night to stargaze."
Bear safety protocols: Food storage requirements are strictly enforced throughout Shenandoah National Park. According to Anna R., "We were there during a heat wave so there were bugs but being from Georgia the heat was bearable. Speaking of bears- there were lots of siting and they take food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out."
Seasonal closures: Some amenities close during off-season months. Carol B. reported about Big Meadows, "Showers and laundry were closed for the season but are centrally located near entrance area of campground. It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F."
Tips for camping with families
Bring child-sized headlamps: The combination of early sunsets and dark forest canopy makes nighttime navigation challenging for children at Corbin Cabin. "Stopped at Corbin cabin on a longer backpacking trip. Great little cabin with some more luxurious camping facilities than we were used to," notes Nora S. who adds that "Bears and wildlife is expected by the river."
Select campsites strategically: At Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views, request sites that maximize comfort and convenience. Erika S. recommends, "Very close by to some excellent hiking, wineries, breweries and distilleries." The campground features "the largest dog park area of any campground I've ever seen."
Check activity schedules: Big Meadows Campground offers ranger-led programs for children throughout the season. Kim L. reports, "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."
Tips from RVers
Level sites matter: At Shenandoah Crossing, RVers should request information about site levelness. Jed notes, "We reserved a 'pull-through' RV site which ended up being a back-in site that was very uneven and nowhere near level." Despite this, many appreciate that "Big beautiful paved sites with furniture to boot. Complete with gas grills and outdoor sinks."
Cell signal considerations: Connectivity varies dramatically throughout the region. According to Dale Y. at Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA, "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."
Generator restrictions: Many glamping sites near Hood restrict generator use to preserve the quiet atmosphere. At Big Meadows, Veronica S. observed, "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."
