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Camping near Middletown, VA

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    Camping opportunities around Middletown, Virginia concentrate along the Shenandoah River and nearby mountain landscapes of George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. Several developed campgrounds serve the region, including Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground and Elizabeth Furnace Campground, both offering established sites within 15 miles of Middletown. The area features diverse accommodation options ranging from basic tent sites to cabins and glamping facilities. North Fork Resort and Low Water Bridge Campground provide river access for campers seeking water activities, while national forest locations offer more rustic experiences.

    The camping season generally runs from spring through fall, with some facilities like Elizabeth Furnace Campground remaining open year-round. Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly in national forest areas, while state park and private facilities typically require reservations. Winter closures affect water and dump stations at several locations, and summer weekends can see high occupancy rates. Elevation varies significantly throughout the region, affecting temperatures and conditions. A camper noted, "Elizabeth Furnace is a quiet place to disconnect as wifi and cell service was spotty at best. Nice stream nearby. Dump station and community water spigot closed during winter months."

    Riverfront camping represents a significant draw in this region, with multiple developed campgrounds positioned along the Shenandoah. Sites near water tend to fill quickly during peak season, particularly on weekends. Private campgrounds like North Fork Resort offer amenities such as pools and organized activities, though several reviewers mention these areas can feel crowded with sites positioned close together. The public lands campgrounds provide better solitude but fewer amenities. One review highlighted, "Great spot right outside Shenandoah National Park with quick access to the park or nearby trails, great fishing and hikes for kids, too!" Hiking accessibility remains a consistent advantage across most camping areas, with trailheads often connecting directly to campgrounds, particularly at Elizabeth Furnace where multiple trail systems begin.

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    Best Campgrounds near Middletown (163)

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      1. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground

      4.7(57)12mi from Middletown62 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Our patio was on the side next to the road which was a little close to traffic but we still loved siting there, especially in the evening with a campfire."

      "Virginia has the best state park campgrounds. Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms. Nice hiking in the park. Near SNP. Responsive and friendly rangers."

      from $27 - $427 / night

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      2. Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park

      4.4(45)19mi from Middletown166 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      3. Candy Hill Campground

      2.7(23)12mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Unfortunately, it is located right on a major highway. This means there is easy access, but the traffic noise is less than ideal. But the gem of this place is the management and staff!"

      "No restaurant within walking range so have food on hand. There are a few places that will deliver but the food is a 5 out of 10 at best. Hwy 81 is right next door so you will hear road noise."

      from $38 - $77 / night

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      4. Gooney Creek Campground

      4.1(17)11mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "We are tent campers and we’re looking for a place close to Shenandoah to ride our motorcycles. This was 3 miles from the north entrance to the park, perfect."

      "Hike up a trail or up through the creek itself to a swimming hole only accessible to campers. Saw some decent sized fish swimming around in there."

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      5. Elizabeth Furnace Campground

      5.0(9)8mi from Middletown36 sitesRVs, Tents

      "In the valley outside of Shenandoah, it was a nice spot to return to at night. There are also some hiking trails across the street."

      "Campground Review: What a great find, so close to a town….though feels like you are deep in the forest!"

      from $20 / night

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      6. Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground

      4.3(9)6mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents

      "Great spot right outside Shenandoah NP with quick access to the park or nearby trails. great fishing and hikes for kids, too!"

      "There are a couple of sites that have a path to the creek that flows behind the campground.There is also plenty of hiking trails to be completed around the campgrounds of various levels from beginner to"

      7. Hawk Recreation Area Campground

      4.3(15)13mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "Tent sites are rough, some outside ring sites have tent pads."

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      8. The Cove Campground

      4.5(15)14mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes."

      "The road is gravel and could use some work, I’d recommend 4x4 drive. We really enjoyed it and will go back. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5, water situation and the roads could use some work."

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      9. North Fork Resort

      3.3(7)6mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "First time visiting North Fork, didn’t explore as much as I wanted to, Campers are tightly parked next to one another, was invited by my Uncle to come have a good time and enjoy the atmosphere, go tubing"

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      10. Low Water Bridge Campground

      4.1(9)13mi from MiddletownRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Positive: Friendly staff, near the river, close to Shenandoah NP, quiet camping, every site has a fire pit. Negative: sanitary fascilities are old."

      "Sites 31 and 32 (despite being near the campground’s public river access) look large and private. Both riverside."

      from $30 - $125 / night

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    Recent Camping Photos near Middletown, VA

    457 Photos of 163 Middletown Campgrounds

    Recent Reviews near Middletown, VA

    1128 Reviews of 163 Middletown Campgrounds

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 12, 2026

      Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground

      Great State Park Campground! Would be a 5 if there was sewer.

      We absolutely loved our stay at this state park. The sites are spacious with plenty of room for your RV (no matter what the size) and plenty of room for a screen room on your patio. Unlike in many private campgrounds, campsites are well-spaced out giving you some privacy so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. A scattering of trees provides some shade and privacy. The road in and out of the campground was steep but since it was paved we didn’t have a traction issue. 

      We stayed in site 10 which was a gravel back-in site. It was plenty long enough for our 45’ RV and tow car. Each campsite has an expansive patio with large firepit, picnic table, and raised grill for cooking. Our patio was on the side next to the road which was a little close to traffic but we still loved siting there, especially in the evening with a campfire. A few sites were paved and some were double sites which would be great if you are traveling with friends. 

      The park itself has numerous gravel/dirt trails along the river and throughout the park. The longest one travels all along the Shenandoah River, and you can access it directly from the RV campground. One day we walked the trail to the visitor center which has an amazing overlook near the visitor center. Inside are exhibits which were interesting and informative about the area. If you are looking for more and diverse trails, you are just minutes away from Shenandoah National Park. Don’t miss out on the famous Skyline Drive in Shenandoah. 

      The town of Front Royal is about 15 minutes away and where you will get cell/mobile data service and there are restaurants and supplies. We love the burgers at Spelunkers and wished we had more time to visit the Virginia Beer Museum. Chester Gap Cellars has great wine and incredible views. The only downsides of this park are that there is no sewer and no Verizon service. Even without those amenities, we loved our stay and would definitely come back.

    • Heather S.
      Jun. 8, 2026

      Middle Ridge Campground

      I Love It Here!

      This place is so relaxing! As soon as we stepped out of our motorhome it felt like we could relax. You could hear the birds tweeting and see squirrels playing and even butterflies dancing in the sunlight. It felt so nice to just set down in our chairs and take a break from life here. The owners are so friendly! I loved being able to pet the donkey/mule. This place is beautiful. We stayed in site 9 this time and site 8 last time. I honestly have no complaints about this place!!!

    • Tara S.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 7, 2026

      Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

      Such a quiet, relaxing spot (walk-in tent site)

      We stayed in site #27 for two nights. It was a walk-in tent site, but the car was very close. The site offered plenty of privacy. We could see the other sites, but they weren't close. We had a nice bear box and good hammock trees, plus a picnic table and decent tent sites. Lots of deer walked through our site in the morning, and we had easy access to several trails.

    • Carlos O.
      May. 31, 2026

      Wolf Gap Recreation Area

      Very clean spot

      Very nice spot, good tent setup pads and fire rings at all the sites, my one complaint is that it is right next to the road that while not frequently used, the occasional car can often take away from the remote experience. There are some sites a little further in but the diff is minimal. Overall very great, well maintained spot

    • Robert R.
      May. 30, 2026

      Middle Ridge Campground

      A Very Nice Campground

      This was a great place to camp. Lovely. The price was affordable. We stayed in the cabin. Electricity. Air conditioning. Running water. The property owner manager is very accommodating and pleasant to talk with. 

      Highly recommended.

      ~Robert
      art505.com

    • Jessica M.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 27, 2026

      Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

      Glamping!

      I chose Big Meadows to stay at because my traveling companion is definitely a bit bougie and was anxious about camping in the mountains of a NP. Due to this site having showers, toilets, a laundromat, camp store(s) and even a lodge/taproom, they felt more comfortable. We stayed at site D142, right near the entrance by the registration office and showers. I didn’t expect the site to be so nice and quiet and still feel quite private despite the location! We checked out the loops and besides the tent sites, I actually preferred our site. We stayed the week before Memorial Day weekend and I was pleased with how quiet it was. Quiet hours were strictly adhered without rangers having to ask, other campers were respectful toward each other and we had no issues. The NP staff were awesome and the concession employees for the showers, camp store, and the Wayside grill were genuinely friendly and obviously cared about their jobs, which I sincerely appreciate. Wayside grill with attached camp store was fun and had some great gift items as well as some pretty solid quality hiking and camping items. The grill even had a beyond burger which I greatly appreciated! The lodge was funky but not my cup of tea, the taproom was ok, although the employees were really nice.

      It did rain half the time we were there with extremely heavy fog so we only did a few hikes but they were still a lot of fun. We didn’t see any bear either! The number one animal we had invade our campsite on the regular were birds. Two catbirds regularly tried to involve themselves in everything, including landing on a pot of oatmeal I was actively cooking and standing next to! We followed leave no trace of course but any chance the birds got, from catbirds, robins, brown thrashers, towhee, and even a redstart, they would try to investigate.

      There is clean drinking water listed on the campsite maps, there are utility sinks for grey water (don’t use the bathroom sink!), bathrooms were always clean and bathrooms and showers are open 24/7 and are well lit. I didn’t buy the firewood so I’m unsure how much it is but the little camp store was open from 9-6 (right by the bathroom) for firewood, ice, and other various supplies.

      Only downsides to the site are 1) showers are not cheap ($5 for 10 mins) and don’t stay warm for long so you’re showering in chilly water. Some stalls last a bit longer than others. 2) The biggest issue though was surprisingly the bear boxes. They are quite large and fit a lot of stuff which is great. However, you are expected to keep your cooler in them. I have a bear proof cooler (IGBC) so I’ve never had to experience this situation before. The bear box being made of metal, heated everything up in it which caused rapid melting of ice. Despite pre-chilling it and my ice usually lasting for days and days, we had to refill it daily. The camp store thankfully sold ice (10 lb bags for $5) but it was frustrating that there was no other option for bear proof items. I didn’t fight the rangers regarding it because it’s their rules, it’s for the safety of the bears and people, and the rangers and park staff have enough stuff to deal with.

      All in all, I’ve never really glamped before so it was quite a luxurious trip even with the rain and fog for half the trip. I’ll most definitely be back and would even stay at the same site or a tent only site with no driveway.

    • Phillip H.
      May. 10, 2026

      Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

      Harper’s Ferry KOA

      The sites are close together. The park was not full Mother’s Day weekend. It is a very nice park. The bathhouses were clean. The amenities were good although we didn’t utilize them. The national historic site was very close and we walked over day 1 rode our bikes day 2. The C&O canal is accessible but you must walk your bike across the lower town bridge and carry it down the stairs. This section of the trail was very good and we completed 38 miles.

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 6, 2026

      Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

      Traveling Skyline Dr.

      My wife and I stayed here one night, while driving south to north, Skyline Dr. the drive has been awesome and this campground is the perfect resting spot for us, for the night. Had a couple drinks at the lodge while watching a spectacular sunset. I’d definitely come back.

    Guide to Middletown

    Camping near Middletown, Virginia centers on the Shenandoah Valley with elevations ranging from 500 to 3,000 feet, creating varied temperatures across sites. The region experiences warm summers with average highs of 85°F and cooler spring nights often dropping to the 40s. Most campgrounds near Middletown VA offer seasonal availability from April through October, though several properties maintain limited winter operations.

    What to do

    Fishing access: Elizabeth Furnace Campground provides creek fishing opportunities with stocked trout. "My kids and I had a terrific time in this campground. We camped with a tent. There is a pretty creek running through the campground. Would recommend this to anyone with aspirations to hike in the area," notes Matt P.

    Mountain biking: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground offers trails suitable for beginners within the park boundaries. "The park offers very doable hiking and mountain biking options for beginners. Campground access to the Shenandoah River," reports Laura N., making this Middletown VA campground ideal for new riders.

    Shooting range: The Cove Campground includes an outdoor firing range alongside other recreation options. "This Campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites. We will be back for sure!!" shares Ben M., highlighting the diversity of activities available within a single property.

    What campers like

    Water activities: Low Water Bridge Campground offers tubing, kayaking, and swimming directly from campsites. "Great place with spaces right on the shenendoah for fishing and tubing/kayaking. Most spots have no electricity or water hookups. Quiet during the week," notes Glen W., describing the riverside access.

    Wildlife viewing: Mathews Arm Campground provides frequent animal sightings around camp. "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," advises Stephen K., highlighting the natural encounters possible at this Shenandoah National Park location.

    Farm animals: Gooney Creek Campground features unique on-site hosts. "Small family-run campground. No frills, very country. Location is good if you're putting in on the river. Pam helped us out and was very kind. There's a swingset and basketball hoop for the kids, a small camp store, and a bathhouse with hot showers," reports RL, mentioning the campground's accessible river location.

    What you should know

    Cell service limitations: Hawk Recreation Area Campground has spotty connectivity. "My cellular reception cut out along one of the forest roads well before reaching the campground; I will have a compass and written directions in and out handy when I return," shares Suzy W., highlighting preparation needs for the area.

    Water availability: Several campgrounds near Middletown VA limit water access seasonally. "Camped there in August of 2024 for two nights and their are flush toilets and very nice showers that were very clean. I would call this primitive camping as there is no electric or water hookups at the campsites. There is potable water at multiple locations that you can fill up an RV tank or a water jug if you are tent camping," notes William B. about Elizabeth Furnace.

    Road conditions: Access roads to some sites require careful driving. "Be forewarned that 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," cautions Meredith P. about approaching Hawk Recreation Area.

    Tips for camping with families

    Kid-friendly swimming: Gooney Creek Campground offers calm water access suitable for children. "We stayed for a night back in October and loved it. Located right on the bank of the creek you sleep with the sound of the babbling water," shares Belinda K., describing the peaceful setting.

    Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain play areas for children. "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 opportunities: The area features historical sites children can explore. "This state park is adjacent to Shenandoah National Park and is just as beautiful and rich in history!" notes Ricki F., highlighting learning potential at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground.

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup availability: Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground offers limited electrical connections. "Nice and clean family campground. It has playgrounds from the kids and the bathhouses are clean. Both times we have been there the hosts are always very friendly and knowledgeable," shares Michael H., noting the family-friendly amenities.

    Parking limitations: Several forest campgrounds restrict vehicle length. "This is a very nice little campground offering several types of non-hook up sites. We stayed in site 18 which was large and had a nice long flat space for us to park our class B camper on and dry camp. The sites are quite private and are mostly flat," reports Chris C. about Elizabeth Furnace.

    Dump station access: Seasonal closures affect waste disposal options. "We didn't have need of the bath house but did check it out. A little dated but functional. RV sites are spaced out and have wooden fences on the sides. 30 amp service at the site. You can fill your water tanks as you enter the campground," notes Jeff H. about Low Water Bridge Campground.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Middletown, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Middletown, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 163 campgrounds and RV parks near Middletown, VA and 17 free dispersed camping spots.

    Which is the most popular campground near Middletown, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Middletown, VA is Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 57 reviews.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Middletown, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Middletown, VA.

    What parks are near Middletown, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Middletown, VA that allow camping, notably Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

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