The Shenandoah Valley camping region near Luray sits at elevations ranging from 600 to over 3,500 feet, creating distinct temperature zones throughout the year. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at higher elevations, while summer evenings typically cool to the 60s even after hot days. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, though several remain open year-round with reduced services during winter months.
What to do
Hiking directly from camp: At Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground, campers can access multiple trail systems without driving. As Laura N. notes, "Park offers very doable hiking and mountain biking options for beginners. Campground access to the Shenandoah River."
Cavern exploration year-round: Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages provides on-site cavern tours with a geological experience different from nearby Luray Caverns. A camper shares, "The Endless Caverns actually adjoin the office welcome center and tours are offered multiple times daily. It would be tough for arthritic knees… but we really enjoyed the raw nature of the caverns."
Winter stargazing: The higher elevation campgrounds offer exceptional night sky viewing during winter months when humidity is low. One reviewer at Big Meadows Campground mentioned, "With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night."
Wildlife observation: Dawn and dusk provide prime wildlife viewing opportunities, especially for deer. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience," reports Rachel M. from Big Meadows Campground.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: #1 Rock Tavern River Kamp offers waterfront tent sites with immediate water access. Matthew G. appreciated that "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!)."
Mountain view campsites: Premium sites at the eastern edge of Mathews Arm Campground provide panoramic valley views. Frances G. described her experience: "Great site. Cement parking area and tent site is designated with log surround. Clean and airy."
Generator-free zones: Certain sections at Mathews Arm Campground prohibit generator use, creating quieter camping areas. Mary S. notes, "Generator-free area: No generators are allowed in parts of the A and B sections."
Primitive sites: For those seeking more isolation, walk-in sites are available at several parks. A Shenandoah River Outfitters Camp Outback camper mentioned, "The Primitive Camping spots were all taken however, so arrive early if you want one of those."
What you should know
Bear precautions: Food storage regulations are strictly enforced in Shenandoah National Park. According to Mary S. at Mathews Arm Campground, "Google reviews indicated park rangers insist you keep all food in a locker, camper or vehicle and you can be fined if you don't. Apparently, bears recognize coolers so you should cover them up in vehicles."
Seasonal bathhouse closures: Many campgrounds reduce services during off-season months. A winter camper at Big Meadows noted, "Showers and laundry were closed for the season but are centrally located near entrance area of campground. Elevation above 3000 feet and plenty of deer! It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F."
Steep campground roads: Some campgrounds feature challenging access roads. A visitor to Endless Caverns warned, "Roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful."
Noise considerations: Campground noise levels vary widely. One Shenandoah River Outfitters camper reported, "Our biggest concerns was there was 0 over site to those staying. There were 2 large family gathering going on which is fine, however blasting music, screaming all day and into the evening to include a megaphone is just not our type of fun."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray offers multiple structured activities for children. Anne K. shared, "He had lots of fun at pool, movie night, making s'mores, and jumping on bouncy mound."
Ranger programs: Educational opportunities at Big Meadows engage children of various ages. Kim L. mentioned the "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground."
Family-sized sites: Several campgrounds offer larger sites specifically designed for families. A Jellystone visitor wrote, "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."
Insect preparation: During summer months, insects can be particularly problematic at dusk. A Big Meadows camper advised, "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."
Tips from RVers
Winter RV camping: Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA remains open year-round with full hookups even during winter months. John B. confirmed, "Water and electrical available at all the spots even though it was winter."
Dog friendly campgrounds near Luray: Most campgrounds in the region welcome pets with specific amenities. Mary S. mentions Mathews Arm has "clean and airy" sites that work well for pets, while other dog-friendly campgrounds provide dedicated exercise areas.
Site selection strategy: Level sites can be hard to find at mountain campgrounds. One RVer at Jellystone Park advised, "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV."
Cell service limitations: Internet connectivity is unreliable throughout the region. According to a recent visitor to Harrisonburg 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."
