Around Mount Jackson, Virginia, elevations range from 1,000 to 3,500 feet across the Shenandoah Valley, creating distinct camping environments. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during day, cooling to 55-65°F at night. Fall camping attracts visitors with temperatures dropping to 45-65°F during peak foliage season in mid-October. Winter camping remains available at select year-round facilities.
What to do
Hiking near Shenandoah: Big Meadows Campground provides easy access to numerous trails. "Like all huge, busy campgrounds, it gets very Smoky in the evenings. No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online," notes a camper who appreciated the wildlife viewing opportunities at Big Meadows Campground.
Horseback riding: Fort Valley Ranch combines camping with equestrian activities. "We recently stayed at Fort Valley Ranch Campground, near Luray, VA and I can only say good things about our experience. The kids were able to fish for hours at the two fishing ponds, which both were stocked with bass and bluegill. Also, the availability of horseback trail riding was an added bonus," shares a visitor at Fort Valley Ranch.
Mushroom farm tour: For an unusual camping experience, Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm offers a unique stay. "The camp host Orv has a very unique campsite setup not too far from the house/mushroom farm area. We got a nice tour of the mushrooms currently growing at the farm. The camp area sits under a canopy of cedar trees," reports a camper who enjoyed this distinctive outdoor experience.
River activities: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation. "You can go tubing on the river but need to provide your own tubes. The ride down the river from one end of the park to the other is around 30 minutes," explains a camper describing the Shenandoah River access at Luray RV Resort.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Campers appreciate the natural setting at Endless Caverns RV Resort. "Totally amazing staff. Sites are mostly level, requiring only minor adjustments. Nestled in nature, lined by trees with a steam running behind us," notes a visitor at Endless Caverns RV Resort.
Dark skies for stargazing: Some campgrounds offer excellent night viewing. "Dark sky and an open field for stargazing. There are cabins nearby, but no tents. No cell phone coverage," shares a reviewer at Smoke Hole Caverns.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds provide opportunities to see local fauna. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached. And finally, the fireflies are spectacular. At dusk, the ground shimmers," mentions a Big Meadows visitor.
On-site hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer their own walking paths. "One of the features I look for in campground is hiking trails right out of the campground. Most KOAs don't have that - but this one does! Great hiking trail info the hills and woods at the back of the property," explains a camper at Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA.
What you should know
Seasonal conditions: Weather varies significantly throughout the year. "We camped here the last night of the season (Nov30) and shared the campground with a mix of tent campers, car/van campers, and a few larger units. It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F," reports a Big Meadows camper.
Bug activity: Insects can be problematic in warmer months. "The bugs when we got here were kinda crazy. They don't bite but they swarm your head and try to enter every orifice for some reason. A head net was helpful to get the tent and screen room set up," advises another Big Meadows visitor.
Shower facilities: Amenities vary widely between campgrounds. "Laundry room, bathrooms, and shower are well maintained and clean. The camp store isn't well stocked for food but local shopping is minutes away," notes a KOA visitor.
Firewood policies: Some campgrounds restrict outside firewood. "The camp area is quiet and there is plenty of firewood for use," shares a Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm camper about their complimentary firewood, while others require purchase from camp stores.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. "The RV sites at this campground are very spaced out, you have a lot of room to each side of your RV. They have a playground for the kids, fishing ponds, cabins, pet friendly with a dog park," describes a visitor at Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River.
Swimming options: Water features provide welcome recreation for children. "This campground has an awesome location between Harrisonburg and Luray/Shenandoah. It has great amenities like a pool and playground, a camp store and lots of friendly and helpful employees," explains a KOA reviewer.
Wildlife education: Children can learn about local animals. "The camp store and entrance to the caverns is a gorgeous, old stone building! A staff member told me the campground was built in the 1800s. We loved the cavern tour. We went on a Fri at 2:00 with about 14 other people. The tour guide was pretty knowledgeable and great with the kids," shares an Endless Caverns visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds maintain stocked ponds. "There are so many attractions nearby. Perfect if you are a trout fisherman or hiker. Trail head to Chimney Rock is 2 minutes from camp site and Seneca Rock is about 20 minutes away," notes a camper at Smoke Hole Caverns and Log Cabin/RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have variable terrain. "Sites in C usually back up into a wooded or naturally landscaped area that allow a nice sense of woodsy privacy. Sites are mostly level. Sites in section E appear tighter with less shelter. The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD. Be very particular with your site selection!" advises an Endless Caverns visitor.
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies dramatically. "The wifi was terrible and unusable, even with our antenna. AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty," notes a KOA Luray RV Resort camper.
RV size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate large rigs. "The camp host Orv has a very unique campsite setup not too far from the house/mushroom farm area. If you are tent camping or have a camper van the area is fine. Large RV will have a difficult time setting up in the camp area," warns a Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm visitor.
Road access awareness: RV access varies significantly. "I was initially concerned about the road leading into the campground, as my rig is over 50 feet in total length. However, we were surprised that the winding roads presented no issues for us. The access was smooth and hassle-free," shares a Fort Valley Ranch camper.
