The Shenandoah Valley region surrounding Mcdowell, Virginia sits at elevations between 1,600-3,000 feet, creating moderate summer temperatures that typically remain below 85°F. Mountain terrain features rolling hills punctuated by limestone formations and river valleys. Many campgrounds in this area maintain smaller sites with gravel pads rather than concrete, affecting setup and stabilization.
What to do
Hiking trails with waterfalls: At Crabtree Falls Campground, campers can access waterfall trails within walking distance. "The campground did have facilities that were about a quarter mile walk away from our sites; this is something to consider if you are camping with older folks or children. Crabtree Falls is a mile up the road and very easy to get to the trail head. The AT is also close by and easily accessed."
Stargazing in dark sky areas: Smoke Hole Caverns and Log Cabin/RV Resort offers excellent night sky viewing conditions. "Dark sky and an open field for stargazing. There are cabins nearby, but no tents. No cell phone coverage."
Underground cave tours: Endless Caverns RV Resort provides on-site cave exploration opportunities. "Their cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed. Our tour guide, Haley, was a sweetheart, taking time for the two little kids, and still giving the information older people like."
Mountain biking: The Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area offers access to unmarked trails suitable for mountain biking. "I have stayed here twice, once in the spring and once in the winter. Both times, the main camping area was empty. There is a large clearing off of Hidden Valley Rd just past Poor Farm Camp A Rd."
What campers like
Riverside sites: Many campgrounds feature water-adjacent camping spots. "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night," notes one Crabtree Falls camper. Sites near moving water remain the most requested option during peak summer months.
Fire tower accommodations: Seneca State Forest offers a unique overnight option. "We splurged and rented the Thorny Mountain fire tower. Reserve well in advance. You can drive up the mountain (any vehicle in summer, might need 4WD in mud or snow) or hike. Bring all your standard backpacking/camping gear, cots are provided."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple rv campgrounds near Mcdowell provide fishing access. At Stoney Creek Resort, "Great swimming lake. Family friendly," and "Clean restrooms and super friendly staff. Camp store prices were reasonably priced compared to most campgrounds."
Wildlife viewing: The forested settings support diverse animal populations. One camper at Seneca State Forest reported, "Encountered 19 deer, 1 bear, and several other small creatures. Short drive or hike to Lake with boat rentals and fishing."
What you should know
Cellular connectivity: Service varies significantly across Mcdowell-area RV campgrounds. "No cell phone coverage" at Smoke Hole Caverns contrasts with Walnut Hills where "the 2-3 bar Verizon LTE enabled us to stream some channels on Fire TV." At Shenandoah Valley Campground, "No wifi, no cable and cell service is limited - definitely not good for Verizon."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies between properties. "Bathrooms and showers were disgusting. Very dirty with what appeared to be mold around the upper section of the shower," reported one camper about Shenandoah Valley Campground. Meanwhile, at Seneca Shadows, campers find "Clean and serene campground... Camp hosts are super friendly and welcoming, campground is huge and sites are roomy and well spaced."
Store supplies: Most campground stores stock limited goods. "The store was sparse but adequate," notes one Walnut Hills visitor, while Poor Farm lacks any store facilities as a primitive camping area.
Reservation requirements: During peak seasons (late April through October), advance bookings become essential. For specialty accommodations like Seneca State Forest's fire tower, "Reserve well in advance" applies year-round as these unique options fill quickly.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Glen Maury Park offers numerous activities. "There is a pavilion with tables. There is a playground that is very nice! They offer entertainment on weekends and some other times of the year. There is electric on some sites."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide water recreation. "The pool is very large, very clean, and has a diving board. And there's a wonderful swimming hole if you can find it," reports a camper at Glen Maury Park.
Wildlife encounters: At Shenandoah Valley Campground, "My kids loved all the bunnies, the river, pool and putt-putt. The one problem is the camper section is very tight, whereas the tent sites look more roomy."
Bathroom proximity: Consider facility locations when camping with children. At Crabtree Falls Campground, "The facilities were about a quarter mile walk away from our sites; this is something to consider if you are camping with older folks or children."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Endless Caverns RV Resort requires careful positioning. "Sites are mostly level, requiring only minor adjustments. Nestled in nature, lined by trees with a steam running behind us." The resort's mountain location means "The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD. Be very particular with your site selection!"
Hook-up reliability: At Stoney Creek Resort, visitors note "Hook ups were good, site was somewhat level. The staff are just lovely people, very friendly, helpful, and they go out of their way to do the next right thing."
Road conditions: Access roads to several campgrounds present challenges. "Sites in section E appear tighter with less shelter. The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD," warns an Endless Caverns visitor. At Smoke Hole Caverns, despite having "sites are large and level," many note the resort has limited spacing, making this "better suited to smaller rigs and tent campers."
Off-season limitations: When visiting in shoulder seasons, expect reduced services. At Shenandoah Valley Campground, "We were there in October and they close on 10/31 for the season so we got the feeling they weren't that into it anymore." In March through early May, many campgrounds operate with partial staff and limited amenities.
