RV camping options near Luray, Virginia include full-service resorts and rustic sites situated within the Shenandoah Valley and nearby mountain terrain. The region's elevation ranges from 600-1,200 feet in the valley to over 3,500 feet along mountain campgrounds with significant temperature variations throughout the year. Summer temperatures often reach the high 80s with periodic afternoon thunderstorms while winter camping typically requires preparation for overnight lows near freezing.
What to do
Cavern exploration: Take an underground tour at Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages, where visitors can view unique formations. "The cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed," notes one guest who appreciated that the tour guide "was a sweetheart, taking time for the two little kids, and still giving the information older people like."
Horseback riding: Fort Valley Ranch offers trail riding experiences through mountain terrain. "The availability of horseback trail riding was an added bonus," according to a visitor who found multiple family activities at this campground within 10 minutes of hiking and river access.
Hiking: Trails range from easy meadow walks to challenging mountain ascents within a 30-minute drive from most campgrounds. At Big Meadows Campground, "There are many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby," making it convenient to "walk to the Lodge, Wayside, Visitor Center and more."
What campers like
Dark sky stargazing: The Shenandoah Valley provides exceptional night viewing conditions away from city lights. "Dark sky and an open field for stargazing," reports a visitor to Smoke Hole Caverns and Log Cabin/RV Resort, where minimal light pollution enhances astronomical observation.
Wildlife viewing: Deer and other wildlife frequently appear in camping areas. At Big Meadows Campground, visitors consistently report animal sightings: "We love this campground... loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife." Another camper noted, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached."
River activities: Multiple campgrounds offer direct water access. "Great spot for fly fishing. Lots of hiking trails, fishing spots and caverns!" reports a visitor to Smoke Hole Caverns and Log Cabin/RV Resort. Another camping option includes tubing - "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."
What you should know
Site terrain and accessibility: Mountain campgrounds often feature significant elevation changes. At Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages, "Campsites are level gravel (no pads)," while some reviewers note that "the sites closer to the highway experience highway noise."
Seasonal operations: Several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. According to reviewers, Big Meadows operates from May through November with facilities closing progressively through autumn: "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... Showers and laundry were closed for the season."
Insect activity: Bugs can be prevalent during warmer months. "The bugs here were crazy, even for it being fairly cool out. The flies were almost overwhelming," cautions one camper. At Big Meadows, another camper suggests: "A head net was helpful to get the tent and screen room set up."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water recreation. Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA provides a pool for swimming, while others feature natural swimming areas. "We really enjoyed camping here. Took a great hike to Fridley's Gap and went swimming in the water hole," notes one family.
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "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," reports a visitor to Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River, highlighting multiple family-friendly amenities in one location.
Wildlife education: Rangers often conduct educational programs at national park campgrounds. At Big Meadows, visitors appreciate the "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs" that provide learning opportunities for children about local ecology and wildlife.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When making reservations, consider both the terrain and proximity to amenities. "Our site (site 3) was an easy level pull-through site, making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless. All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed," advises an RV camper at Fort Valley Ranch.
Utility connections: Sewer connection configurations vary between campgrounds. Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages has some challenges: "Our only complaint was that the sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream," notes one RVer, highlighting the importance of checking hookup compatibility.
Digital connectivity: Internet and cell service fluctuate throughout the region. A camper at Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA reports: "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."
