Cabin camping near Keezletown, Virginia offers year-round options with varied elevations from 850 feet in the valley to over 3,500 feet along Skyline Drive. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F during day and dropping to 60°F at night, while winter temperatures can fall below freezing, especially at higher elevations.
What to do
Hiking trails directly from campsites: At Lewis Mountain Campground, visitors can access the Appalachian Trail right from camp. "This campground is right next to the AT and convenient to closer hikes like Bearfence Mountain (probably my favorite hike in the park - beautiful 360 degree views from the rocky summit) and the short trail up to Lewis Mountain itself," notes one visitor.
Stream tubing and waterfall swimming: Shenandoah Valley Campground features a creek for summer water activities. "Nice wooded campground, pretty cool water fall, lots of colorful bunnies, decent fishing in the pond," reports one camper. Another mentions the "really nice creek for tubing with waterfall to cool down on the hotter days."
Ranger programs and astronomy: Several parks offer educational activities. At Big Meadows Campground, "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs" provides evening entertainment. The clear mountain air makes stargazing exceptional: "We love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night."
What campers like
Privacy between cabin sites: Loft Mountain Campground offers well-separated sites. "Our site was definitely spacious. The sites were fairly close, but separated by trees, so you felt private," explains a camper. Another notes, "The campsite has the common amenities - a firepit, a bench, and a picnic table."
Heated facilities in cold weather: Winter cabin camping requires specific amenities. One visitor to Big Meadows Campground reports, "The bathrooms were plentiful, heated, hot running water, and a utility sink available. It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region offers extensive wildlife viewing. "During our long-weekend stay, we saw a total of 6 black bears, a barred owl, tons of awesome bugs (moths, beetles, etc), brook trout, a salamander, and some other wildlife," reports a Lewis Mountain camper. Another notes, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory."
What you should know
Limited cell service and WiFi: Connectivity varies dramatically between cabin locations. 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." At Big Meadows, "No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online."
Shower costs and quarters: Most cabin locations charge for showers if not included with your unit. "The shower was about 0.3 miles away. They charge $5 for 10 min, which you have to pay in quarters," notes a Loft Mountain visitor. Another advises, "Make sure you test that it works BEFORE you get set up and get naked. My first quarter got jammed."
Winter closures and availability: Most cabin facilities operate seasonally. Loft Mountain operates "mid May to late October" while Lewis Mountain runs "April 15 to October." For year-round options, Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA and Walnut Hills Campground remain open with reduced services.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities and schedules: Walnut Hills Campground caters to families with various amenities. "There is a very nice playground and a pet exercise area. You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything," reports one visitor. Consider arrival timing, as "Reservations are first-come, first-served, which makes it a bit tricky. Out of the 31 sites, only 3 remained when we arrived at about 1:45 PM on a Friday afternoon."
Kid-friendly hiking trails: Many parks offer trails suitable for younger hikers. A Lewis Mountain visitor notes, "We did approx 7 trails, most of which were appropriate for younger kids (7 & 9), and generally had an amazing weekend." Shenandoah River State Park features "very doable hiking and mountain biking options for beginners."
Camp amenities for children: Designated areas for play help keep children entertained. "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," reports a Jellystone Park visitor. Most campgrounds maintain quiet hours starting around 10 PM, strictly enforced for families.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for cabins and RVs: At Shenandoah Valley Campground, "The tent sites aren't super desirable. Not private and gravel. The cabins though - perfect for one or two people, has a fire ring." Site numbers matter: "Site 71 best for privacy" at Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA.
Elevation considerations: Many cabin facilities sit at significant elevations, affecting both temperature and vehicle performance. "Remember this site is on the peak of a mountain, so it can get pretty chilly at night," advises a Lewis Mountain visitor. For RVs, approach roads can be challenging: "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."
Supply planning for rustic cabins: Most cabins require specific preparation. "Bathhouses and dump sites nearby make basic cabins workable," notes one camper. "The kitchen was fully stocked with just about anything you'd need. Only thing you need to bring are linens and food" is common feedback about deluxe cabins at state parks.
