Campgrounds near Madison, Virginia sit within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during day and cooling to 60-65°F at night. Most sites require reservation during peak season (April-October) when weekend bookings often fill two months in advance.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Access several trails from Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park where "So many trails to explore, walk to the Lodge, Wayside, Visitor Center and more." Multiple waterfalls within hiking distance make this a popular base camp.
Horseback riding: Trail rides available at Fort Valley Ranch where "The availability of horseback trail riding was an added bonus." Guided rides range from 1-3 hours and cost $45-95 per person, suitable for beginners.
River recreation: Tubing opportunities at multiple locations including Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River where "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."
Cave exploration: Tour underground formations at several locations. A camper noted, "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."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many travelers appreciate the roominess of campsites in the area. One reviewer at Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages commented, "Wonderful size lots. We were early in the camping season so we had no one around us. The size of the lots were amazing, plenty of room."
Mountain views: The elevation provides scenic vistas. A camper at KOA Luray RV Resort noted, "Easy access to Luray caverns. All level padded sites. Most with Blue ridge views."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple opportunities to observe animals in natural settings. At Big Meadows Campground, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached."
Farm experiences: Some campgrounds feature agricultural elements. At The HarmStead Campground, "The hosts provided our kids with a cup of animal food to feed the goats and the emu. The spot had a fire ring and a picknick table. Highlight for the kids were the playground and the fireflies at night."
What you should know
Cell service variations: Coverage varies significantly by provider and location. At one rv campground near Madison, Virginia a guest reported, "AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty."
Elevation considerations: Many sites require navigating mountain terrain. At Lewis Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park visitors should note that "This site is on the peak of a mountain, so it can get pretty chilly at night."
Campground amenities: Facility quality varies widely between parks. One review stated, "The bathhouse was fully tiled and very clean. The office offers ice, firewood, and a gift store with a few RV components."
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Lewis Mountain Campground operates on a "first-come, first-served" basis, and a visitor noted, "Out of the 31 sites (including host site), only 3 remained when we arrived at about 1:45 PM on a Friday afternoon, and those remaining filled up within the hour."
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Children enjoy wildlife interactions at several locations. At Graves Mountain Farm Campground, "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."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide water recreation. One visitor mentioned, "There is a small but nice swimmingpool" while another noted, "There is also a pool, and playground which is nice for keeping everyone busy."
Recreational programming: Organized activities enhance family experiences. A review of Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages stated, "Great weekend programs gave everyone a chance to mingle if they wanted to."
Weather preparation: Temperature swings require planning. One camper advised, "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Terrain often requires adjustment. A reviewer at The HarmStead Campground noted, "The site is easy to access, and all hookups are available and functioning."
Road conditions: Mountain roads require planning for larger rigs. A camper stated, "I was initially concerned about the road leading into the campground, as my rig is over 50 feet in total length. However, we were surprised that the winding roads presented no issues for us."
Hookup placement: Infrastructure can sometimes present challenges. One rv campground near Madison, Virginia visitor mentioned, "Our only complaint was that the sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream."
Site selection strategy: Choosing the right spot impacts experience. A reviewer recommended, "Be very particular with your site selection" while another noted, "The sites closer to the highway experience highway noise."
