Camping near Mineral, Virginia centers around Lake Anna, a 13,000-acre reservoir with 200 miles of shoreline at 250 feet elevation. Summer temperatures regularly reach the mid-90s with high humidity from June through August. Winter campers should prepare for temperatures that can drop below freezing December through February, with occasional snowfall making some forest service roads temporarily impassable.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: Lake Anna offers both public and private fishing areas. "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," notes a visitor to Big Meadows Campground.
**Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds report frequent deer sightings. At Big Meadows, campers report, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached."
**Local exploration: The region offers historical sites within driving distance. "We drove about 25 minutes to the Monticello and enjoyed it a lot!" shares a camper who stayed at Shenandoah Crossing, where visitors can also enjoy "horseback riding, go karts, mini golf" according to another reviewer.
What campers like
**Private sites: Many campgrounds offer wooded sites that create privacy. "Though this campground is HUGE, the sites are not piled on top of each other. Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy," reports a Big Meadows camper.
**Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness ranks high on camper priorities. At Champs RV Military at Fort AP Hill, a reviewer noted the "showers and bathrooms are super clean; laundry facility is clean."
**Evening atmosphere: Campfires and natural lighting create memorable experiences. "The fireflies are spectacular. At dusk, the ground shimmers, and then after they disperse, you will still see them flit by the tent throughout the night," shares a Big Meadows visitor.
What you should know
**Military training impacts: Some campgrounds near military installations experience occasional disruptions. A Champs RV visitor reported, "Sometimes you hear military field training going on (live ranges, helicopters, and ospreys - but I don't mind)."
**Cell service challenges: Coverage varies significantly by carrier and location. At Champs RV, a camper noted "limited cell service (StarLink or similar is your best option)," while many campgrounds have minimal to no coverage.
**Reservation requirements: Advanced booking is essential during peak seasons. At Lake Anna State Park Campground, the campground "gets very crowded during weekends and holiday's," making early reservations critical.
**Weather considerations: Summer heat and humidity can be intense. "During summer months, electrical capacity becomes important as temperatures regularly exceed 90 degrees," making reliable RV hookups essential.
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At The HarmStead Campground, "Highlight for the kids were the playground and the fireflies at night."
**Wildlife feeding opportunities: Some campgrounds offer structured animal interactions. At The HarmStead Campground, "The hosts provided our kids with a cup of animal food to feed the goats and the emu."
**Swimming options: Check for pools or swimming areas. Lake Anna State Park has "a clean and very family oriented" swimming area, and one camper mentioned "great hiking trails, a small 'beach', a lake to fish in, & multiple really nice playgrounds for kids."
**Noise considerations: Bathroom proximity can affect sleep quality. One Big Meadows camper warned, "The vent sounds like a diesel truck idling nonstop. At night people using flashlights and headlamps walking away from the bathroom shine them into your tent."
Tips from RVers
**Site levelness: RV campers report mixed experiences with site grading. At R & D Family Campground near Mineral, Virginia, "Park appeared clean. Had a basketball hoop and wooded area," though some reviewers noted challenges with sites.
**Hookup height: Check connections before setup. At Shenandoah Hills Campground (now Madison Vines RV Resort), "Our only complaint was that the sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream."
**Pad materials: RV sites near Mineral, Virginia feature various surfaces. Cozy Acres Campground offers "Level sites with brick paver pads, full hookups," while Madison Vines RV Resort has "level gravel (no pads)" sites.
**Site spacing: Campgrounds offer varying degrees of separation between sites. At Americamps RV Resort, "While the sites were close together in typical RV park style, they were not scrapping together like we've seen at some places and there were many well established trees to provide lots of shade instead of being in an open field."
