Camping near New Market, Virginia offers varied terrain from mountain slopes to riverside settings across the Shenandoah Valley. The region sits at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,500 feet with distinct seasonal camping patterns. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with limited campground operations, while summer highs typically reach 85-90°F with higher humidity.
What to do
Cavern exploration nearby: Endless Caverns RV Resort provides direct access to its namesake cave system right at the property. "The cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed," writes one Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages visitor.
Mountain hiking trails: Multiple trails start directly from campground properties, allowing campers to explore without driving. "We didn't even leave our camping sites the entire time! Wonderful place," notes a reviewer at Endless Caverns. At Big Meadows Campground, hikers appreciate that "so many trails [are available] to explore, walk to the Lodge, Wayside, Visitor Center and more."
River activities: The Shenandoah River provides tubing, fishing and swimming opportunities throughout the warmer months. "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," mentions a guest at Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Many campsites offer natural screening that creates individual outdoor spaces. "Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy," notes a camper at Big Meadows Campground, adding that "the fireflies are spectacular. At dusk, the ground shimmers."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds but receives particular praise at several locations. "The bathhouse was fully tiled and very clean," reports a visitor to Fort Valley Ranch, while another camper at Big Meadows notes "the bathrooms were plentiful, heated, hot running water, and a utility sink available."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Deer sightings are common at campgrounds throughout the region, especially at dawn and dusk. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience," mentions a Big Meadows visitor. Another notes, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory."
What you should know
Mountain terrain challenges: Many rv parks near New Market, Virginia require careful navigation on steep access roads. At Endless Caverns, a reviewer points out that "most sites are spaced enough to give some feeling of privacy, some are fairly close together. A few sites are nicely secluded for those of us that crave privacy."
Variable seasonal operations: Campground facilities and services change significantly throughout the year. "We camped here the last night of the season (Nov30)... Showers and laundry were closed for the season," notes a visitor at Big Meadows, adding that "it was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F."
Limited cell coverage: Connectivity can be inconsistent, especially at more remote campgrounds. At KOA Luray RV Resort, one camper reported that "the wifi was terrible and unusable, even with our antenna. AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with recreational amenities: Several campgrounds offer multiple activities to keep children engaged. "Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA has an awesome location between Harrisonburg and Luray/Shenandoah. It has great amenities like a pool and playground," notes one visitor.
Look for kid-friendly hiking options: Some trails are more suitable for families with young children. At Fort Valley Ranch, a reviewer mentioned that "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."
Consider proximity to attractions: Multiple reviewers recommend campgrounds that provide easy access to various activities. "Easy access to Luray caverns. All level padded sites. Most with Blue ridge views," writes a visitor about KOA Luray RV Resort, highlighting the convenience for families who want to explore the region's attractions.
Tips from RVers
Level site availability: RVers consistently mention site leveling challenges in mountain campgrounds. At Fort Valley Ranch, one camper noted, "Our site (site 3) was an easy level pull-through site, making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless. All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed."
Dump station accessibility: Not all campgrounds provide on-site dump stations, requiring planning for longer stays. "We had a great back in site, that although a little unlevel, was really private and in the back corner," reports a reviewer at KOA Luray RV Resort, providing context about site conditions beyond hookups.
Power considerations: Some rv parks in the New Market area offer both 30-amp and 50-amp service, while others have limitations. "The sites are quite close together with virtually no privacy so if they were busy and full, I'm not sure I'd be leaving the same review," cautions a camper at Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA who stayed during a quieter period.
