Camping near Maurertown, Virginia offers access to mountain terrain in the Shenandoah Valley region at elevations ranging from 600 to 3,000 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing at higher elevations. Water sources can be limited at some primitive sites, requiring campers to carry supplies from spring-fed sources or public fill stations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Elizabeth Furnace Campground provides easy access to trout fishing with stocked waters. "Great place to go tent camping and hiking. The sites are free and are first come first serve. Highly recommended you bring your own water or container to fill at the spring down the road," notes Amber in her review of Wolf Gap.
Trail access: Big Meadows Campground connects to multiple hiking trails of varying difficulty directly from the campground. "At dusk, the ground shimmers, and then after they disperse, you will still see them flit by the tent throughout the night," writes Veronica S. about the exceptional firefly viewing at Big Meadows Campground.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature access to water for swimming during warmer months. "The creek running through the campground drowns out most noise from the road or other campers. Sites are private and well-shaded, but with plenty of sun for our solar panel too," mentions Shari G. about the water features at Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area.
Wildlife watching: Dawn and dusk offer the best opportunities for deer viewing. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience. With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," reports Rachel M.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park offers coveted waterfront sites. "There are several rustic campsites located on the Southfork of the Shenandoah River, as well as modern electric sites, RV sites, and cabins. Park and campgrounds are clean and well maintained," notes Ricki F. in her review of Shenandoah River State Park.
Primitive options: For those seeking basic accommodations, Wolf Gap Recreation Area provides no-frills camping. "9 sites first-come, first-served, and free. Wolf Gap is great—the campsites are high quality and well-maintained. There's overflow camping across the road, which is good since this campground usually fills up on good weekends," notes Andrew M.
Secluded spots: Hawk Recreation Area offers more isolated camping experiences. "Although it's not immediately convenient to the various hiking trails in the Lee Ranger district of Washington-Jefferson NF, this little site is tucked away atop a mountain far from any crowds. Not too long a drive to get there, but long enough for some seclusion," writes Aaron W. about Hawk Recreation Area.
Budget-friendly options: Several free or low-cost camping areas exist within 30 minutes of Maurertown. "Cheap price for a nice stay. Ended up at Elizabeth Furnace after a friend recommended it. For the price ($10/night and 50% off if you have a National Park Pass), it was pretty good," shares Taylor about Elizabeth Furnace Campground.
What you should know
Water availability: Many primitive sites lack potable water. "We made a decision to camp on the eve of a potential blizzard. The grounds have sites in close proximity to a toilet without running water," explains Vy N. about Wolf Gap.
Cellular connectivity: Reception varies significantly between campgrounds. "No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online. The camp store has a lot of stuff! The showers are $5 for 10 minutes," reports Veronica S. about connectivity at Big Meadows.
Road conditions: Access roads to several campgrounds can be challenging. "The road is quite bumpy. I was fine in a small car with relatively low clearance, but if you have extremely low clearance or things hanging down from your car, you're gonna have a slow, difficult drive in," warns Meredith P. about Hawk Recreation Area.
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis only. "This campground has all the amenities you need for a great family getaway; bathroom faculties, easy hikes, wildlife, and is an easy drove from Washington, DC," mentions Danielle G. about Mathews Arm Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with specific family facilities. "Great for kids. This campground is nice and the primitive spots are right next to the river. The spots are a short walk from the parking area and the campground provides wagons to transport your stuff. Great fishing and swimming right at your camping spot," shares Matt P. about Shenandoah River State Park.
Educational programs: Some parks offer ranger-led activities for children. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground. Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground," writes Kim L. about Big Meadows Campground.
Wildlife precautions: Teach children about proper food storage in bear country. "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," warns Stephen K. about Mathews Arm Campground.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly, particularly at higher elevations. "We were there during a heat wave so there were bugs but being from Georgia the heat was bearable. Speaking of bears- there were lots of siting and they take food clean up seriously," notes Anna R. about seasonal conditions.
Tips from RVers
Site length limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on RV size. "We were pulling a 15' trailer and could only access the sites from driving reverse along the one way road. The trailer barely fit the back-in site and we were able to detach and park our vehicle perpendicular to the trailer. It was perfect for our set up, but I wouldn't recommend anything larger than 15'," advises Vy N. about Wolf Gap.
Hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary by campground. "We stayed here on the night of December 11, 2020. No problem finding a spot, campground was about half full when we got there around 4pm. The Primitive Camping spots were all taken however, so arrive early if you want one of those. Water and electrical available at all the spots even though it was winter," notes John B. about Creekside Campground.
Navigation challenges: Some campground roads present difficulty for larger rigs. "If you're coming into town from I-81 don't follow Google Maps to the left on Main St, but rather follow the signs to turn right– it makes for an easier access to the campground," advises Seth P. about maneuvering into Creekside Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping may limit available facilities. "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," reports Carol B. about winter camping at Big Meadows.
