Best Campgrounds near Norwood, VA
The landscape around Norwood, Virginia features multiple camping destinations within Shenandoah National Park and surrounding areas. Loft Mountain Campground, located at an elevation of over 3,000 feet, serves as the largest developed facility in the park with over 200 sites supporting tent camping, RVs, and cabin options. Several additional campgrounds populate the region, including Misty Mountain Camp Resort near Greenwood, Big Meadows Campground, and Lewis Mountain Campground, each offering varying degrees of privacy and amenity levels. The region includes both reservable sites and first-come, first-served options throughout the park system.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping availability, with many Shenandoah National Park facilities operating only from spring through late October. Weather conditions vary significantly with elevation, creating cooler temperatures even during summer months. A camper noted, "We stayed in October in the middle of the week and had a section of the tent camping all to ourselves." Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the region, with most campgrounds providing bear boxes at individual sites. Cell service remains limited across much of the area, particularly in more remote campgrounds and higher elevation locations. Many campgrounds feature a mix of drive-up and walk-in sites, with varying levels of accessibility.
The area receives consistently positive reviews for its proximity to hiking trails, particularly connections to the Appalachian Trail which runs directly through some camping areas. Campers particularly value sites with western-facing sunset views, which can be found at several campgrounds including Loft Mountain. One review mentioned, "If you can, get site #20. It is the BEST sunset watching spot." Privacy levels vary significantly between sites, with walk-in tent sites generally offering more seclusion than drive-up options. Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water. Several campgrounds feature camp stores selling supplies, firewood, and limited grocery items, though visitors should arrive prepared as services remain limited within the park boundaries.
