136 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Madison, Virginia area offers diverse camping opportunities from developed facilities to rustic experiences in the surrounding Shenandoah region. Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages provides tent and RV sites with full hookups and cabin rentals within the town limits, while multiple Shenandoah National Park campgrounds including Lewis Mountain, Big Meadows, and Loft Mountain offer more natural settings approximately 15-30 miles east along Skyline Drive. The Watercress Inn at Landon Farm and Graves Mountain Farm Campground represent smaller, locally-operated alternatives with fewer than 50 sites each, often featuring farm settings and varying levels of amenities.
Campground availability follows seasonal patterns, with most Shenandoah National Park facilities operating from April through October or early November. Lower elevation sites like Madison Vines operate year-round, though with reduced services during winter months. Reservations are essential during peak foliage season from late September through October when the region experiences its highest visitation. Cell service can be limited or non-existent within the national park boundaries and more remote farm campgrounds. Road access varies significantly, with Skyline Drive occasionally closing during winter weather events or severe storms. "The campsite is very very small. They say dispersed, but it is a small field as you can not access the others fields. Horse trailers, RVs, tents, and overland trailers all park right next to each other," noted one visitor about Graves Mountain Farm Campground.
Mixed-use campgrounds are common in the region, with many sites accommodating both tent and RV camping alongside cabins. Visitors frequently mention wildlife encounters as a highlight, particularly in the national park campgrounds where black bear sightings are regularly reported. Lewis Mountain Campground receives praise for its quieter atmosphere compared to larger facilities. "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," shared one camper about Lewis Mountain. Proximity to hiking trails, especially access to the Appalachian Trail, represents a significant draw for many visitors. Sites with more amenities like Madison Vines tend to be busier and closer together but offer conveniences like electric hookups, showers, and sewage connections that are absent at more primitive locations.
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
"Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Lewis mountain has all the amenities of home within walking distance if you just can’t live without them; bathrooms,showers, kitchen sink, fire pit, small store and 2 personal vehicle parking spots steps"
"Arrived before the weekend, around late morning. Greeted by the park ranger, they gave the basic information for these sites. Limited spots here. You’re pretty close to your neighbor."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"This campground is perfect for those looking to just get away from things for a couple of days."
"We got a walk in site, so our tent was way far away from cars and other people. The site included a fire pit w/grill grate, picnic table, and metal bear box."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Lodge close by if food, warmth, or better restroom desired."
"Lots of people on horses running around which we loved, and good live music after dinner. Could get muddy if you're there after rain"
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Located near multiple vineyards. Our only complaint was that the sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream."
from $53 - $144 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice and very large campground tucked away in the northern part of Shenandoah. The facilities and grounds were well kept and it’s a short car’s travel (but there’s also a trail!)"
"There are a few trails encompassing and leading out from the campground, and it's nice to have a central location from which you can out on small hikes."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Close to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive."
"They had plenty of appearances of Yogi or Cindy bear at activities and just driving around the park on a golf cart."
"The location was easy to find, which made the journey hassle-free. The cleanliness of the campsite was impressive, and I truly enjoyed my time there."
"Did two nights at Butterfly Camp while hiking Old Rag and other trails in Shenandoah."
from $35 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Convenient to the highway and easy to get to. Sites are well spaced. Hookups were well positioned. Walking trail starts at the campground. WiFi worked pretty well. Overall a great KOA."
"Positive: Friendly staff, close to Shenandoah NP, quiet camping, every site has a fire pit. Negative: Pricing rather high"
from $120 / night
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GuideStopped here on my trip from Cherokee NC to Front Royal VA on the Blue ridge parkway and skyline drive. As in most NPS campgrounds, there are no hookups but the campground was nice and the weather was great. No AC needed.
GuideWe started our trip in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, all the way up the Blue ridge parkway and Shenandoah skyline drive. We stayed in NPS campgrounds all the way. Some were less well maintained than others, no power or hookups but the trip was still incredible. Matthews Arm was one of the nicest campgrounds along the way. If you need a lot of amenities than you may not like it but if you just want a peaceful night in the mountains, this place is for you.
ScoutNice level spots with enough space to park and set up a tent camp site. A few sites big enough for small RV/Trailer/RTT. Host on site- didn’t interact even one time. One site was obnoxiously loud with a speaker and singing. Ironically it was a guy by himself- host did nothing.
No alcohol allowed but nobody cared if discreet.
Bathrooms and showers- free. No super clean but hot water is hot water.
ScoutThe wifi test was done with my starlink not the campground wifi bc it doesn't exist.
To begin with I came physically up here from SC to check availability for long term stay. I was told there was a list and I would be put on that list and if a spot became available I would be notified (8-3-26). I was called (8-23-26) with availability and request for payment I paid then on the phone. My card the next following 3 days was ran for an additional total of 2400.00 every single morning an 800.00 charge I luckily had my card locked bc if not I would have been screwed. I was not given a reason why my card was ran so many times and not even an apology. I checked in on September 1st and was put in a site completely covered with tree limbs which is a problem as the only requirement I had was a clear view of the sky for my starlink to work for my remote work. For 2 whole weeks I went back and forth with the new GM Peggy. For 2 whole weeks I could NOT work the campground wifi is non existent. I was given the run around and a disrespectful attitude saying it wasnt there fault when it was known to begin with this was an absolute NEED not a want. Fast forward to today (9-12-26) I had issues with my power pole showing a short to ground and I was told its bc the poles are grounded to themselves but finally moved. The only catch was if I was to move I HAD TO LEAVE on october 1st per PEGGY the nee GM. So because of a miscommunication between staff of mine and my families needs bc my kids homeschooling I am forced to scramble to find another campground in two weeks when we live in our camper and work OTR. Its been nothing but problems here. The water taps are full of rust the GM judges you based off how you apear and treats you like dirt under the door mat. I was hoping this would be a good fit for me and my family but it has been nothing but the worst camping experience I have had in the past 5 years. The staff themselfs are great they tried to remedy the issue day one but PEGGY wouldnt allow it. I highly recommend going somewhere else and spending your hard earned money bc this place does not respect you as a customer or tenant. I talked with many campers who have been coming here for years since the 90s and they even say and feel the same the campground has declined since a management company purchased it. Also the long term rentals will be al.ost non existent unless you've bene coming here for 4 years or more. Cable is also non existent here. Its been a very VERY bad regretful experience. The lies from management and corporate baseline excuses are disgusting. Will NEVER camp here again. Take this as your honest warning from a normal person and a combat veteran. It dont take much to please me but this place has fell well below the bar. The site is was moved to before I get kicked out because they couldnt properly meet the needs of my stay allowed my starlink to work so I will be able to work 2 weeks before I am essentially nomadic again. If your tent camping bring water boots bc the tent sites seem to hold water. ALSO DONT LEAVE HONEST REVIEWS THAT SHED LIGHT ON THE NEGATIVES AND DOWNFALLS OF THIS PLACE OR THEY WILL TELL YOU YOU HAVE TO LEAVE.
RangerThis KOA has cozy spots among the trees and off any major road. Shower houses are squeaky clean and spots are spaced out just right! Some extra amenities: playground, camper core signage, and many other things!
TravelerNice, clean, parking lot type campground. Great pool with lots of built in splash features for kids and a big slide. No real view from site 665 ~ just the top of some mountains. No river view at all. There is a golf cart trail to the river access with parking, but then there are big steps with no hand rail. Lucky a nice man let me hold onto him walking back up. My husband was carrying the gear and couldn’t help me. It seems everyone brought a golf cart. They had rentals, but too expensive. Again ~ great for young families.
ScoutIt was a great spot for a little fire and outdoors camping. No permit needed and there are some places around where u can easily rent a kayak to go on the river. You can also park your car easily at this spot.
GuideThe RV park is on a mountain side. Roads are fairly steep. Most sites are level, ours was a bit sloped but were able to level our trailer. Plenty to do here. Endless Caverns site is quite large. Huge rec room with large projection TV. Game room, large deck with public bbq equipment. Great pool. A catch n release fishing pond, pickle ball & volleyball courts and a great playground for the younger set sporting a large air filled bouncing pad. Kids in the camp loved it. The cavern tour is worth it once. Tour guides are young so not much geological knowledge. The New Market Civil War Battlefield is about 3 miles away, it and it's museum are well worth it. The Endless Caverns staff is super. Prices reasonable. A great find. I will stay again.
ScoutGreat camp ground, spots are a little un-level
Madison, Virginia sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 400 to 800 feet in town and up to 4,000 feet in the nearby mountains. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows around 25°F. Camping options range from basic tent sites to full-service accommodations, with most national park campgrounds operating seasonally while lower elevation sites offer year-round availability.
Hiking from campsite to waterfall: Lewis Mountain Campground provides direct trail access to popular hiking destinations. "Bearfence is just down the trail, you can walk out of camp and start hiking. Originally was opened in 1939 as 'Lewis Mountain Negro Area', not having all the amenities that whites only campgrounds had, I find it interesting that this is now the best spot in town!" notes Max O.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Fall through spring offers prime wildlife observation opportunities at many campsites near Madison. "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 Danielle V. about her Lewis Mountain experience.
Mountain biking access: Campgrounds in the foothills provide jumping-off points for mountain bikers. A visitor at Mathews Arm Campground shared, "Great campground! A lot of hiking and nature everywhere. We even had a doe and fawn right in our campsite! Just be careful of the black bears."
Relative seclusion: The smaller campgrounds offer more privacy than larger facilities. "This campground has all the amenities you need for a great family getaway; bathroom facilities, easy hikes, wildlife, and is an easy drive from Washington, DC," notes Danielle G. about Mathews Arm.
Camping near farm activities: Graves Mountain Farm Campground combines camping with agricultural experiences. "For kids, there is a duck pond, chicken coop, shallow brook, disable farm tractor, and some other stuff to play with/on/in across the street near the lodge," explains Matt in his review.
Stargazing opportunities: The higher elevation campsites provide excellent night sky viewing conditions. A Big Meadows Campground visitor noted, "We love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night." Another camper, Veronica S., added: "And finally, the fireflies are spectacular. At dusk, the ground shimmers, and then after they disperse, you will still see them flit by the tent throughout the night."
Seasonal temperature variations: Higher elevation campgrounds can experience much colder temperatures than in-town sites. Carol B. shared about Big Meadows: "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Bug activity: Insect populations vary significantly by season and location. "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," notes Veronica S. about Big Meadows.
Facility maintenance issues: Some smaller campgrounds have inconsistent facility upkeep. At Watercress Inn at Landon Farm, a camper had a "wonderful experience at this campsite. It was not only beautiful but also secluded, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The location was easy to find, which made the journey hassle-free."
Bear safety protocols: Different campgrounds have varying requirements for food storage. "You can be fined for leaving food out," warns Anna R. about Big Meadows. "There are no bear boxes at this campground, but there are indeed bears, so keep all food in your car," advises Eric K. about Mathews Arm.
Seek quieter campgrounds: For families with young children, some campgrounds enforce stricter quiet hours. "Lewis mountain has all the amenities of home within walking distance if you just can't live without them; bathrooms, showers, kitchen sink, fire pit, small store and 2 personal vehicle parking spots steps away from the tent," reports Lexa L.
Plan for varying shower facilities: Shower availability differs greatly between campgrounds. A Loft Mountain Campground visitor noted: "The shower was about 0.3 miles away. They charge $5 for 10 min, which you have to pay in quarters."
Visit during weekdays: Weekends can be extremely busy, especially during peak foliage season. "We did a drop in on this campground this month and I was amazed that they had availability in July. This campground has a lot of sites but they've spaced them so that they can be pretty private and quiet," shares Lisa D. about Lewis Mountain.
Site levelness varies: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional leveling equipment. At Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages, a visitor observed: "Campsites are level gravel (no pads). Located near multiple vineyards. Our only complaint was that the sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream."
Cell reception challenges: Digital connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "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.
Advance planning for larger rigs: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs effectively. "Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy," notes Veronica S. about Big Meadows, which works better for smaller rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Madison, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Madison, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 136 campgrounds and RV parks near Madison, VA and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Madison, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Madison, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 128 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Madison, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Madison, VA.
What parks are near Madison, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Madison, VA that allow camping, notably Shenandoah National Park and Prince William Forest Park.
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