Camping near Hood, Virginia offers access to the Shenandoah region where elevations range from 500 to over 3,000 feet, creating diverse camping conditions across seasons. Winter lows frequently drop below freezing while summer nights remain cool in mountain campgrounds. Most camping options cluster along Skyline Drive with varying levels of accessibility depending on terrain and weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking trails: Multiple trails accessible directly from campgrounds provide varying difficulty levels. At Lewis Mountain Campground, campers appreciate the proximity to popular routes: "Great hikes nearby including waterfalls and rock scrambles," notes one visitor. The campground connects directly to the Appalachian Trail.
Cavern exploration: Underground cave systems offer year-round activities regardless of weather. Endless Caverns RV Resort provides discounted cave tours for campground guests. A camper reports: "Their cavern tour was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed. Our tour guide, Haley, was a sweetheart, taking time for the two little kids, and still giving the information older people like."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk provide optimal wildlife spotting opportunities throughout the region. As one visitor to Big Meadows Campground describes: "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached."
Night sky observation: Areas away from light pollution offer exceptional stargazing. "At dusk, the ground shimmers, and then after they disperse, you will still see them flit by the tent throughout the night," reports one visitor about the fireflies at Big Meadows.
What campers like
Quiet mountain settings: Many campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours to maintain peaceful environments. A camper at Endless Caverns RV Resort notes: "This is a quiet campground, with no street lights, and quiet hours from 11PM to 8AM. Definitely not a party campground, which totally endeared this place to us."
Spacious campsites: Sufficient distance between sites provides privacy at several campgrounds. "Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy," reports a visitor to Big Meadows, while another camper at Endless Caverns appreciates that "most sites are spaced enough to give some feeling of privacy, some are fairly close together. A few sites are nicely secluded for those of us that crave privacy."
Natural features: Seasonal highlights include spring wildflowers, summer fireflies, and fall foliage. A reviewer of Fort Valley Ranch appreciates that "all the bathrooms and showers were remarkably clean and well-maintained. Also, another big one for me was that there was an abundance of shade throughout the site and the entire campground."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds typically maintain high standards for bathhouses. At Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages, one camper found "very helpful staff. The facility is very well kept and has all the amenities you need."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have limited operating windows. Big Meadows Campground operates from May through mid-November, while others like Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park remain open year-round.
Weather patterns: Mountain elevations experience significant temperature drops at night even in summer. A visitor to Big Meadows notes: "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Terrain challenges: Some campgrounds feature steep roads requiring appropriate vehicles. According to a reviewer at Endless Caverns: "Roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful."
Bug activity: Insects vary by season and location. A Big Meadows camper warns: "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."
Wildlife safety: Black bear activity requires proper food storage. Big Meadows provides bear boxes, and as one camper notes: "They take food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation: River access provides swimming and tubing opportunities. A visitor to Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River mentions: "It was nice that the campground runs along the river and they even have a spot for you to get in and swim."
Playground facilities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA, families benefit from "a pool, playground, frisbee golf & pizza delivered to your site!"
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities teach about local ecology and history. Big Meadows offers a "nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs," according to a recent visitor.
Pet accommodations: Policies vary regarding animals at campgrounds. Some like Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages have "two fenced dog parks," while others may prohibit pets in certain areas.
Kid-friendly hikes: Trails suitable for children exist throughout the region. According to one camper, "We stayed here mostly for its proximity to the Old Rag and White Oak Canyon hikes. About 30 minutes away. We wanted to do old rag one day and white oak the next over a weekend."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Mountain terrain requires preparation for uneven grounds. A visitor to Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages notes: "Campsites are level gravel (no pads)," while another mentions that "the sites closer to the highway experience highway noise."
Road conditions: Access roads may require careful navigation. At Fort Valley Ranch, one camper was "initially concerned about the road leading into the campground, as my rig is over 50 feet in total length. However, we were surprised that the winding roads presented no issues for us."
Hookup positions: Utility connections can present challenges at some locations. As one camper at The HarmStead Campground found, "The site is easy to access, and all hookups are available and functioning."
Reservation timing: Secure spots early during peak seasons. "Our only complaint was that the sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream," reports a Madison Vines RV Resort visitor, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate rv sites near Hood, Virginia that match your specific RV configuration.
Propane availability: Some campgrounds offer on-site refilling services. Walnut Hills Campground provides "trash picked up each morning and have propane refill, if needed."
