Cabin accommodations near Huntly, Virginia offer direct access to the Shenandoah River with options ranging from rustic to fully equipped rental units. The region sits in the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west, at elevations ranging from 600-900 feet. Many riverside cabin sites feature private fishing and boating access points, particularly valuable during peak summer months when public river access points become crowded.
What to do
River activities: Float trips on the Shenandoah vary from quick 3-mile trips to full-day 7-8 mile journeys. At Low Water Bridge Campground, visitors can arrange shuttles for their personal equipment. "The owners are great and are happy to shuttle you up river with your tubes. Super convenient since you get off the river at your campsite after a 3-4 hour float," notes one regular visitor.
Riverside camping: Primitive river sites offer direct water access for fishing, swimming and launching boats. "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. Great fishing and swimming right at your camping spot," writes a camper at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground.
Winter camping: Seasonal cabin availability continues through colder months at select locations. "We camped here the last night of the season (Nov30) and shared the campground with a mix of tent campers, car/van campers, and a few larger units. The bathrooms were plentiful, heated, hot running water, and a utility sink available," reports a late-season visitor at Big Meadows Campground.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Regular deer sightings occur throughout the cabin camping areas. "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 a visitor at Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park.
Peaceful river access: Private locations away from crowded public areas. "Beautiful views. Adjacent to a working farm where cows, sheep, llamas, chickens and roosters can graze next to the campsites. The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean," writes a reviewer at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views.
Night sky observation: Minimal light pollution in certain areas allows for excellent stargazing. "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," a camper at Big Meadows Campground observed.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies widely by location and provider. "There is absolutely no Verizon service here (ATT seems to work pretty well). You'll have to drive 10-15 in either direction on Rt. 211 before you can catch a signal," warns a visitor to Low Water Bridge Campground.
Reservation requirements: Advanced booking essential for riverside sites. "The river sites are worth the few extra bucks, but they book up fast. You have to call in your reservations - can't book online," advises a regular at Low Water Bridge Campground.
Seasonal amenities: Winter availability differs significantly from summer. "When I visited it was on a weekday and while there were some people staying on the RV side I had the tent area to myself. It was quiet at night in my little corner of camp and I could walk out a bit from my site and see the entire night sky which was amazing!" relates a camper at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly features: Water activities beyond swimming provide entertainment. "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. We loved that we could see them from our site. The birthday boy also loved the outdoor laser tag!" shares a family who stayed at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray.
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities offer structured learning experiences. "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up. Very small campground store on site but a much larger store at visitor center. Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs," notes a family at Big Meadows Campground.
Multi-generational accommodations: Options for varied abilities within family groups. "Our family stayed at this cabin on a camping/driving trip down Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We were driving a long way that day and wanted to stay in something that was not as rustic as car camping and not as fancy as a cheap motel room. This spot fit the bill perfectly," writes a family about the "Cabbin" accommodation.
Tips from RVers
Campground selection: Site topography varies significantly within each campground. "The sites are not piled on top of each other. Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy," describes an RVer at Big Meadows Campground.
Utilities and hookups: Electric availability varies by section. "The only reason the campground gets two stars is because it was cheap for FHU. I was a little nervous plugging into our electrical post which was completely wobbly and barely attached to anything and literally held together with packing tape," cautions a visitor at Skyline Ranch Resort.
Road conditions: Mountain driving requires preparation. "The drive in requires about 25-miles through the roller coaster of steep grade(7+%) hills. There's no way around that, you're in the mountains. Just be aware and be prepared," advises an RVer at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views.
