The Marshall, Virginia region sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,000 feet, creating diverse camping conditions across the area. Located within Virginia's Piedmont region, Marshall-area campgrounds experience moderate seasonal temperatures with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows dropping to 25°F. Campers should prepare for humidity during summer months and possible mountain fog affecting visibility in spring and fall.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Several campgrounds provide direct access to popular trails. Prince William Forest RV Campground is "adjacent to Prince William Forest which is a fantastic National Parks forest," according to camper Kristen M., with multiple day-hiking options accessible within a short drive.
Historical sites exploration: Brunswick Family Campground offers excellent access to Civil War history sites. "Civil War National Parks nearby. DC just up the road. National Marine Corp Museum just around corner," writes Kenneth H., highlighting the strategic location for history buffs seeking to explore the region.
River activities: Harpers Ferry Campground features direct river access for water recreation. "Gorgeous spot on the river. Small campground with not a lot of amenities BUT THAT RIVER IS GORGEOUS. Lots of activities - tubing, zip lining, fishing," notes Darcy S., emphasizing the range of water-based recreation available directly from campsites.
Cavern tours: Endless Caverns RV Resort offers on-site cave exploration with guided tours. "The cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed," reports Clark P., describing the accessible underground adventure available steps from your campsite.
What campers like
Riverside campsites: Watermelon Park Campground offers sites with direct river views. "Great campground for families. Views of river and mountain towering above campground on opposite side," reports Matt S., describing the scenic waterfront setting popular with families.
Private settings: At Endless Caverns, campers appreciate the natural spacing between sites. "Most sites are spaced enough to give some feeling of privacy, some are fairly close together. A few sites are nicely secluded for those of us that crave privacy," notes Clark P., highlighting the variety of site configurations available.
On-site pools: Bull Run Regional Park provides swimming facilities for summer visitors. "They have a nice pool and bathrooms. On a major road not far from the freeway. Very close to Washington DC," writes Ken W., noting the combination of recreation amenities and convenient location.
Night sky views: Campers consistently mention minimal light pollution at several campgrounds, especially those at higher elevations. "This is a quiet campground with no street lights, and quiet hours from 11PM to 8AM," reports a reviewer at Endless Caverns, describing ideal conditions for stargazing.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Marshall have railroad tracks nearby. At Harpers Ferry Campground, "the train which was 12 feet up a hill across the road from the site. Only had a couple come through the night our 1 yr old slept perfectly through it so it isn't too bothersome," notes Mikala S., providing context about this common regional feature.
Seasonal closures: Multiple rv campgrounds near Marshall, Virginia operate only during specific months. Brunswick Family Campground runs "Mar 25 - Nov 1," while Harpers Ferry Campground operates "April 1 to October 31," requiring advance planning for off-season visits.
Wi-Fi limitations: Internet connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds. At Fort Valley Ranch, a camper reported "the wifi was terrible and unusable, even with our antenna. AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty," highlighting the need to prepare alternative communication methods.
Bathroom conditions: Facility maintenance varies between rv campgrounds in Marshall, Virginia and surrounding areas. One camper at Bull Run Regional Park noted "Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located. My spot was in the back row and I didn't mind the walk," indicating facility quality can be a determining factor when selecting a campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Bull Run Regional Park offers multiple recreation areas for children. "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," writes Bridget H., describing the structured activities available.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature water recreation ideal for children. "A very nice State Park campground. Have a nice pool and bathrooms," notes Ken W. about Bull Run Regional Park, highlighting kid-friendly water features beyond natural water bodies.
Pet policies: Most campgrounds allow pets with specific restrictions. Prince William Forest RV Campground is "diverse friendly RV campers!" with designated pet areas, according to Rebecca E., though campers should verify pet fees which can range from $2-5 per pet per night.
Cabin alternatives: For families new to camping, several facilities offer cabin rentals. At Brunswick Family Campground, one visitor rented "the one of the cabins, 'Onward,'" noting it had "comfy bunks" though it was "TINY. Essentially four beds (two bunks) and some space between them to move around."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: RV sites at campgrounds near Marshall often require leveling equipment. At Bull Run Regional Park, "sites are nicely staggered/set back from each other so feels like you have more space. Average lot size in general, but the set back feels like you have more space," reports Lauren B., describing the parking configuration.
Hookup variations: Electric service types differ between campgrounds. Fort Valley Ranch offers "45 sites with full hookup options and both 30 and 50-amp electrical service," while others may limit service types to 30-amp only.
Interior road conditions: RV drivers should prepare for varied road quality. One camper at Prince William Forest RV Campground noted "Easy entry after dark. Sites were mostly level," while another mentioned "Almost all sites are pull through and are close together. Most have some tree cover (and some of the trees could use a trim along the roads)."
Weather considerations: Drainage issues can affect RV camping experiences during rain events. A reviewer at Bull Run Regional Park observed "there was a fairly heavy day of rain. Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite."
