RV camping near Norwood, Virginia offers river access and mountain views near Shenandoah National Park. Sites vary from full-service RV resorts to more remote options, with elevations ranging from 500 to over 3,500 feet across the region. Fall temperatures typically range from 45-70°F, while summer can reach into the 90s with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
Cave explorations: Endless Caverns RV Resort offers on-site cave tours at a discounted rate for campers. "The 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," notes one visitor who stayed at Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages.
Hiking to viewpoints: The trails in Shenandoah National Park connect directly to Big Meadows Campground. "Many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," shares a camper at Big Meadows Campground. Accessibility from campgrounds varies, with some offering on-site trails.
River activities: Riverside camping provides easy access to water recreation. At Luray RV Resort, "You can go tubing on the river but need to provide your own tubes. The ride down the river from one end of the park to the other is around 30 minutes," according to a recent camper who appreciated the direct river access.
What campers like
Natural wildlife viewing: Big Meadows Campground offers regular wildlife sightings. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience," reports one visitor. Another notes, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached."
Level, spacious sites: Site quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages, campers appreciate the attention to spacing and layout: "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."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise. At Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park, a visitor notes, "Bathrooms were very clean! The bath houses were pristine." Similarly, at Big Meadows Campground, a camper mentions, "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up."
What you should know
Site elevation considerations: Mountain campgrounds require navigation awareness. At Endless Caverns, "The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD. Be very particular with your site selection!" Some loops specifically recommend 4-wheel drive for access.
Reservation timing: Shenandoah area campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "Fall weekends fill rapidly at most parks," with many requiring advance booking. At Big Meadows, holiday and weekend slots can book months in advance.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies by location. At Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages, a camper reports, "AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty." At Endless Caverns, "Wi-Fi routers are set up at the bathhouses, we had some connection at the trailer. We picked up a dozen channels on our antenna and the 2-3 bar Verizon LTE enabled us to stream some channels on Fire TV."
Black tank connection challenges: Site design may present hookup difficulties. As one camper at Madison Vines noted, "Our only complaint was that the sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Several campgrounds offer swimming options. At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, a visitor notes, "Very laid back atmosphere, plenty for the kids to do! Kept them occupied the whole trip!" Another camper shares, "There are lots of activities to do as a family and everything is kept up nicely. The jump pad and the pool tables were our favorites."
Ranger programs: Educational opportunities enhance family camping. At Big Meadows Campground, a visitor appreciates the "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs."
Playground facilities: Kid-friendly amenities vary between campgrounds. "Fort Valley Ranch Campground is an excellent choice for families. The kids were able to fish for hours at the two fishing ponds, which both were stocked with bass and bluegill," reports one camper about their experience.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: RV site proximity affects the camping experience. At Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River, "The RV sites at this campground are very spaced out, you have a lot of room to each side of your RV," while at Madison Vines, "The majority of camp sites are very close together."
Leveling needs: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. At Walnut Hills, "Our site was not exactly level but I think it was because we were in the first spot on a row and it had a slant. The others looked pretty level." Meanwhile, at Endless Caverns, "Sites are mostly level."
Access roads: Mountain terrain creates navigation challenges. At Endless Caverns, "Roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful," while Madison Vines notes, "The road between the office and campsites is a bit narrow and one lane so can be tricky when people are arriving or leaving with rigs."
