Cabin camping near Luray, Virginia places visitors in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations between 600-1200 feet. The region typically experiences average summer highs around 85°F with nighttime temperatures dropping into the 60s. Fall temperatures drop approximately 15-20 degrees, with overnight lows frequently dipping below 40°F in October and November.
What to do
Trail access from campsites: Several cabins at Big Meadows Campground connect directly to hiking trails. "Lots of hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," notes Rachel M. The campground sits at 3,500 feet elevation with trails ranging from easy meadow walks to challenging mountain climbs.
River activities: Shenandoah River Outfitters Camp Outback provides cabin accommodations with river access. "This place is great. I've been coming here for years. The campground is a short walk through the woods to the river if the need to cool off in the hot summer months arises," shares Jessica. The outfitter offers tubing trips lasting approximately 2-4 hours depending on water levels.
Winter cabin options: Several Luray cabin locations remain open year-round. "We camped here the last night of the season (Nov30)... The bathrooms were plentiful, heated, hot running water, and a utility sink available. It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F," reports Carol B. about Big Meadows Campground.
What campers like
Riverside cabin locations: #1 Rock Tavern River Kamp offers waterfront yurts and cabins. "We could not have asked for a nicer location! Our tent was about 20 feet from the river and the campground had everything we could have asked for (including spotless bathroom and shower facilities!)" says Matthew G. Their cabins have electric service but no running water.
Cabin privacy levels: Lewis Mountain Campground offers smaller, more secluded cabin options. "This is the Best campground in the park! The spots are secluded, there's bathrooms that are in good shape, and it's super close to some awesome hikes and great sunset lookouts," reports Molly G. The campground has 31 total sites with cabins clustered in the northern section.
Family amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray receives high marks from families for cabin accommodations. "We had a great time at Jellystone. The Mountain View is gorgeous. The sites are kept up, well equipped and the bath house is very clean. The staff are friendly and there is a large selection in the store," shares Amy I. The campground features a water park with slides and splash zones operating from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
What you should know
Cabin reservation timing: Fall cabin bookings require significant advance planning. "Big Meadows Campground was wonderful. Facilities were clean and well maintained. Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife," reports Terri S. Cabins at Big Meadows typically book 6-8 months in advance for October weekends.
Wildlife considerations: Cabin campers should prepare for animal encounters. "Big Meadow has many amenities which make it popular and oftentimes crowded during weekends and holiday's. We saw many deer and bear while camping," notes Rachel M. Bear-proof food storage is required at all Shenandoah National Park cabin locations.
Terrain challenges: Many cabin sites feature uneven terrain. "Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy," writes Veronica S. about Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Family-oriented cabin campgrounds offer structured activities. "This isn't my idea of camping, but I brought my 11 year old nephew. He was able to run around and make friends with his aunt always looking over his shoulder. He had lots of fun at pool, movie night, making s'mores, and jumping on bouncy mound," reports Anne K. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Rustic cabin education: Consider state park cabin options for educational opportunities. "Clean, neat, and family oriented. Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up. Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs," shares Kim L. Programs run May through October with most activities occurring between 7-9pm.
Water-focused locations: Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River offers cabins with river access. "We recently stayed for a long weekend at the Outlanders campground...The park and facilities were very clean. They have a playground for the kids, fishing ponds, cabins, pet friendly with a dog park and they are located right along the Shenandoah river. You can go tubing on the river but need to provide your own tubes," notes Joe.
Tips from RVers
Off-season benefits: Cabin camping during shoulder seasons offers advantages. "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," shares Jen O. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Connectivity issues: Internet access varies widely between cabin locations. "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," reports Dale Y. about Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA. For reliable connections, cabins closest to camp offices typically offer better WiFi reception.
