Madison, Virginia sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 400 to 800 feet in town and up to 4,000 feet in the nearby mountains. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows around 25°F. Camping options range from basic tent sites to full-service accommodations, with most national park campgrounds operating seasonally while lower elevation sites offer year-round availability.
What to do
Hiking from campsite to waterfall: Lewis Mountain Campground provides direct trail access to popular hiking destinations. "Bearfence is just down the trail, you can walk out of camp and start hiking. Originally was opened in 1939 as 'Lewis Mountain Negro Area', not having all the amenities that whites only campgrounds had, I find it interesting that this is now the best spot in town!" notes Max O.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Fall through spring offers prime wildlife observation opportunities at many campsites near Madison. "We saw a total of 6 black bears, a barred owl, tons of awesome bugs (moths, beetles, etc), brook trout, a salamander, and some other wildlife," reports Danielle V. about her Lewis Mountain experience.
Mountain biking access: Campgrounds in the foothills provide jumping-off points for mountain bikers. A visitor at Mathews Arm Campground shared, "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."
What campers like
Relative seclusion: The smaller campgrounds offer more privacy than larger facilities. "This campground has all the amenities you need for a great family getaway; bathroom facilities, easy hikes, wildlife, and is an easy drive from Washington, DC," notes Danielle G. about Mathews Arm.
Camping near farm activities: Graves Mountain Farm Campground combines camping with agricultural experiences. "For kids, there is a duck pond, chicken coop, shallow brook, disable farm tractor, and some other stuff to play with/on/in across the street near the lodge," explains Matt in his review.
Stargazing opportunities: The higher elevation campsites provide excellent night sky viewing conditions. A Big Meadows Campground visitor noted, "We love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night." Another camper, Veronica S., added: "And finally, 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."
What you should know
Seasonal temperature variations: Higher elevation campgrounds can experience much colder temperatures than in-town sites. Carol B. shared about Big Meadows: "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Bug activity: Insect populations vary significantly by season and location. "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," notes Veronica S. about Big Meadows.
Facility maintenance issues: Some smaller campgrounds have inconsistent facility upkeep. At Watercress Inn at Landon Farm, a camper had a "wonderful experience at this campsite. It was not only beautiful but also secluded, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The location was easy to find, which made the journey hassle-free."
Bear safety protocols: Different campgrounds have varying requirements for food storage. "You can be fined for leaving food out," warns Anna R. about Big Meadows. "There are no bear boxes at this campground, but there are indeed bears, so keep all food in your car," advises Eric K. about Mathews Arm.
Tips for camping with families
Seek quieter campgrounds: For families with young children, some campgrounds enforce stricter quiet hours. "Lewis mountain has all the amenities of home within walking distance if you just can't live without them; bathrooms, showers, kitchen sink, fire pit, small store and 2 personal vehicle parking spots steps away from the tent," reports Lexa L.
Plan for varying shower facilities: Shower availability differs greatly between campgrounds. A Loft Mountain Campground visitor noted: "The shower was about 0.3 miles away. They charge $5 for 10 min, which you have to pay in quarters."
Visit during weekdays: Weekends can be extremely busy, especially during peak foliage season. "We did a drop in on this campground this month and I was amazed that they had availability in July. This campground has a lot of sites but they've spaced them so that they can be pretty private and quiet," shares Lisa D. about Lewis Mountain.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness varies: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional leveling equipment. At Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages, a visitor observed: "Campsites are level gravel (no pads). Located near multiple vineyards. Our only complaint was that the sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream."
Cell reception challenges: Digital connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Cell signal and camp wifi are bad. I was just able to get a decent signal with Starlink by carefully pointing at a small gap between trees," reports Dale Y. about Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA.
Advance planning for larger rigs: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs effectively. "Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy," notes Veronica S. about Big Meadows, which works better for smaller rigs.
