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Camping areas near Orkney Springs, Virginia include established campgrounds situated throughout the Shenandoah Valley and neighboring George Washington National Forest. Developed campgrounds like Wolf Gap, Big Meadows, and Mathews Arm provide varying levels of amenities for tent and RV camping, while Endless Caverns RV Resort offers full hookups for larger vehicles. Several campground options feature cabin accommodations, including Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA, Shenandoah River State Park, and Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views, offering alternatives for visitors seeking more structured lodging experiences.
Many campgrounds in the Shenandoah region operate seasonally, with several open from spring through fall. "Most will travel by Canaan Valley State Park entrance and the back road to Dolly Sods Wilderness Area to arrive at Blackwater Falls State Park...but very worthwhile," notes one camper, highlighting the sometimes complex access routes. Mountain roads can present challenges, particularly after rainfall or during winter months. Temperatures vary significantly with elevation, with higher sites experiencing cooler weather even during summer. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at many campgrounds, including Wolf Gap and some sites within Shenandoah National Park. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months and fall foliage season, especially for developed campgrounds with electrical hookups.
Campers consistently mention the spectacular mountain views as a primary draw to the region's campgrounds. Several visitors highlight the proximity to hiking trails, particularly those connecting to the Appalachian Trail and Shenandoah National Park's extensive network. The area's campgrounds provide access to various water features, including the Shenandoah River, smaller streams, and waterfalls. According to one visitor, "This campsite is perfect for those looking to just get away from things for a couple of days." Wildlife sightings, particularly deer and occasionally black bears, are frequently mentioned in reviews. Campground amenities vary considerably, with more developed sites offering showers, camp stores, and recreational facilities, while primitive camping areas provide a more secluded experience with basic facilities like pit toilets and fire rings.
"This campsite is by far one of my favorite free campsites that Virginia has to offer. what makes Wolf Gap so speacial is the the 4 mile hike that leads to a rocky overlook of the valley."
"We made a spur of the moment one night trip up here from Virginia, and I do glad we stumbled upon it! There are only 8 or 9 camp spots, each with a leveled area for a tent and a designated fire pit."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
"Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Convenient to the highway and easy to get to. Sites are well spaced. Hookups were well positioned. Walking trail starts at the campground. WiFi worked pretty well. Overall a great KOA."
"Positive: Friendly staff, close to Shenandoah NP, quiet camping, every site has a fire pit. Negative: Pricing rather high"
"July 10-19, 2020 As my wife and I were discussing my review, I asked her what could we point to to take away from a 5-star rating. Neither of us could think of a single thing."
"We stayed close to the catch & release pond and felt as though we had a lot of privacy despite the spots being right next to each other."
from $45 - $249 / night
Check Availability"We spent 2 nights at Creekside Campground in Edinburg, VA on our way to West Virginia—- and found a real gem. We paid$50/night for Back-in Creekview FHU Site#20."
"We had a large grass space with water and power on the edge of a beautiful creek and enjoyed the sounds of it both nights."
from $26 - $47 / night
Check Availability"Our patio was on the side next to the road which was a little close to traffic but we still loved siting there, especially in the evening with a campfire."
"Virginia has the best state park campgrounds. Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms. Nice hiking in the park. Near SNP. Responsive and friendly rangers."
from $27 - $427 / night
Check Availability"There is Rockcliff lake and small beach area, an overlook (Lina Constable Overlook) to hike to right off the camp loop but it’s 1 mile steep incline at times but worth every step. Gorgeous!"
"The area closes completely (entrance gate is locked) from Dec 21 - May 1. The site was super clean and well maintained. Lots of hiking trails and a very easy one that loops around the Rockcliff Lake."
from $25 - $105 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice and very large campground tucked away in the northern part of Shenandoah. The facilities and grounds were well kept and it’s a short car’s travel (but there’s also a trail!)"
"There are a few trails encompassing and leading out from the campground, and it's nice to have a central location from which you can out on small hikes."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"There’s a small bathroom attached to back of camp store nearby. Then the larger bathhouse down the way. The RV sites were flat, clean, in an open area. We will, for sure, be back."
"Adjacent to a working farm where cows, sheep, llamas, chickens and roosters can graze next to the campsites. The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean."
"We stayed at this KOA on our way to Virginia Beach but wanted to a day in Shenandoah National Park. "
from $31 - $230 / night
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TravelerStayed with friends at RV6. Non electric spot but huge with a nice fireplace and benches. No picnic table but great views of the river and the peaceful sounds of flowing water. Only toilet facility is an outside port-o-potty but they have spray, tp, hand sanitizer and seems well kept.
ScoutThis campground is very basic. The area is very remote. Make sure you bring supplies. Going out to eat is at least a 30-minute drive. Floating the loop at Big Bend is one of the best things you can do without traveling away from the camping area. Seneca Rocks, Smoke Hole Caverns, and Seneca Caverns are all within an hour drive.
GuideWonderful campground that has all you need: full hookup, bathrooms, shower, laundry, gift shop, parts shop
TravelerEnjoyed the campground, even during the storm. Disappointed the river was dry, but we enjoyed the pool! I wish there were more activities for children when the river is dry.
RangerThis is a classic National Park campground, and it’s important to keep in mind that it opened in 1937–the sites are small as travelers weren’t equipped with large vehicles, as such, it may not be the best option for large rigs but my van fit comfortably though the neighbors were rather close. If you’re expecting that, you’ll be more than happy. Walking distance via a connector trail to Dark Hollow Falls trail. Sustainable T-Mobile service for remote work, but Zoom may lag. No shore power or water hookups, but drinking water spread throughout the park and modernized bathroom and showers. There was also a circular, shaded tent area as part of D155, behind the drive. I’d stay again in a heartbeat.
RangerI stayed two nights in between bookings at the national park and I was surprised by how lovely the state park was. Quiet with great trails for strolling and peaceful river views. Level, spacious sites with some privacy offered by tree/bushes and a clean, modern bathroom (loved that the showers told you what temp the water is and that each shower was private/in its own room).
GuideGreat summer destination to escape the heat! Weather in late June was amazing - highs in the 70s; lows in the 60s; and crystal clear skies. Not too buggy either. Pulled ONE tick off of me before it bit me, but otherwise not much to speak of in the way of mosquitos or biting gnats/flies.
This particular site was smaller (RV back in) but private and level near the bath house. There IS a bear box present, and you'll want to use it for any unattended food outside an RV. The mini-bears are beggars. We saw several chipmunks in our site and a particularly clever bird successfully stole from our neighbors.
If you are RV-ing, fill your tanks at the dump station before heading to the ranger station for check-in. You don't want to carry all that water up the mountain, and they don't like you to block the campground road trying to fill along the loop. The dump station is located on the right prior to arrival at the ranger station.
Also, there are no dumpsters at the dump station (weird). So upon departure, pull your trash prior to leaving the site.
As always, there is virtually no cell signal in this site and no electric hookups anywhere in the campsite. So bring a generator or a lot of solar if you want to run your electrical. (Though this site being so shady doesn't provide a lot of solar power.) There IS wifi at the visitor's center if you want to call home or do a daily socials check. ;-)
We DID have one day there that was a pretty noisy from paving equipment re-doing the road. But I think they're almost done with their project, and honestly it wasn't that big a deal because we were on trails most of the time anyway.
There are great ranger programs here - it's one of the larger hubs for programming, and they're listed at the visitor's center because they change seasonally. Don't miss out on the chance to explore the meadow. What may LOOK like a vast, boring expanse of grass is actually a fascinating variety of foliage when you're out in it. Many, many wildflowers that can't be seen from the visitor center's overlook.
Also, many of the park's most popular hikes can be easily accessed from here, including Dark Hollow Falls and Bearfence Rock Scramble.
GuideThis was a single party campspot, very private and quiet. Perfect!
TravelerBeautiful spot. The campsite is across the street from the lodge. G-Maps and Apple will take you to the lodge however. Loved the Freeform and “make your own” spot vibe
Camping near Orkney Springs, Virginia offers sites ranging from basic tent plots to more developed campgrounds at elevations between 1,000-3,500 feet in the foothills of Great North Mountain. The region's limestone geology creates distinct water features throughout camping areas, with natural springs feeding clear mountain streams. Temperature swings can be significant even in summer, with 20-30°F differences between daytime highs and overnight lows in the mountain camps.
Hike to mountain overlooks: Wolf Gap Recreation Area provides direct access to Big Schloss trail with one of the most distinctive mountain views in the region. "The hiking around here is first rate—Big Schloss offers one of the most unique views in the region!" shares Andrew M. from Wolf Gap, where the nearby 4-mile trail leads to a rocky mountain overlook.
Explore underground caverns: Located adjacent to Endless Caverns RV Resort, the natural cave system offers guided tours throughout the day. According to one visitor, "The cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed. Our tour guide, Haley, was a sweetheart, taking time for the two little kids, and still giving the information older people like."
Fish in stocked waters: Trout Pond Recreation Area provides fishing in crystal-clear waters. "The lake water was crystal clear and is surrounded by beautiful views of the mountains," notes a camper. Another mentions that "The Lake is stocked with trout (license required) during the regular season for those who want to fish."
Visit historic small towns: The region surrounding camp areas features restored colonial and Civil War era sites. "In New Market we enjoyed Pack's soft serve ice cream stand, Southern Kitchen diner and the old General Store," reports a camper who stayed at Luray KOA, adding that "We visited the VA Civil War Museum & homestead."
Natural water features: Campers consistently mention the refreshing swimming and wading opportunities. At Creekside Campground, visitors appreciate the creek-front sites: "We had a large grass space with water and power on the edge of a beautiful creek and enjoyed the sounds of it both nights," writes Pete K. Another camper adds, "Ducks are there and you hear the water which is very soothing to us."
Stargazing opportunities: The area's limited light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. One Wolf Gap visitor notes, "It was quiet at night in my little corner of camp and I could walk out a bit from my site and see the entire night sky which was amazing!" The higher elevation camping areas provide particularly good star viewing conditions with minimal artificial light interference.
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds in the region offer consistent wildlife viewing. At Rivers Edge Campground, the proximity to water attracts various species. "We were early in the camping season so we had no one around us. The size of the lots were amazing, plenty of room. We had so much fun, we didn't even leave our camping sites the entire time!!!" says Priscilla M., who enjoyed watching the abundant riverside wildlife.
Mountain trails accessible from campsites: Many campgrounds feature hiking paths directly from the camping area. At Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA, one camper highlights: "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."
Limited services and utilities: Wolf Gap Campground provides basic amenities with no showers. "If you are self sustained and just need a lovely place camp - this is it! The roads are paved and the little one toilet hole bathroom is helpful. Bring plenty of water and everything you need/want," advises Shandi B.
Mountain roads present challenges: The terrain around camping areas involves steep grades that can be difficult for some vehicles. For Shenandoah River State Park Campground, a camper mentions, "The drive in requires about 25-miles through the roller coaster of steep grade (7+%) hills. There's no way around that, you're in the mountains. Just be aware and be prepared."
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds in the area close during winter months. Trout Pond Recreation Area has specific closure dates: "The area closes completely (entrance gate is locked) from Dec 21 - May 1," notes John B. Some facilities like showers and recreation areas may close earlier in the fall than the campgrounds themselves.
Varying levels of cellular connectivity: Cell service is inconsistent throughout the camping region. At Luray KOA, one visitor reports, "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." Other campgrounds may have limited or no service in certain sections.
Campgrounds with swimming options: Families with children often appreciate natural swimming areas. "Swimming is excellent with sand beach. Big catfish in clear water. Water was so clean that it was throbbing with anfreshwater jellyfish," notes Fred F. at Trout Pond Recreation Area, making it ideal for families seeking water recreation.
Animal encounters for kids: Several campgrounds feature farm animals or wildlife viewing opportunities. "They have chickens and ducks roaming around and Our dog got to chase a chicken off the site. She loved that!" says Liz U. about Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA, where the mix of camping and farm experience appeals to children.
Educational ranger programs: Big Meadows Campground offers structured learning activities. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs," reports Kim L. These programs typically cover local wildlife, geology, and history topics suitable for school-age children.
Best times for bathroom access: With shared facilities at most campgrounds, timing matters. One camper at Big Meadows notes, "At night people using flashlights and headlamps walking away from the bathroom shine them into your tent," suggesting setting up camp away from direct bathroom paths if traveling with light-sensitive sleepers.
Size restrictions at certain campgrounds: Many local camping areas have limited space for larger rigs. A visitor to Wolf Gap notes, "We were pulling a 15' trailer and could only access the sites from driving reverse along the one way road. The trailer barely fit the back-in site...It was perfect for our set up, but I wouldn't recommend anything larger than 15'."
Hookup limitations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups despite allowing RVs. "No showers, coin-operated showers available 30 miles south at Big Meadows," reports one RVer about Mathews Arm Campground. For those requiring full hookups, Endless Caverns specifically mentions "full hookup at each site. They cater nicely to big rigs, offering numerous pull-through sites as well as back-in sites."
Level site availability: Finding level spots can be challenging in mountain terrain. At Creekside Campground, Michael H. notes, "Clean and level gravel site with well-maintained utility hook-ups," highlighting the importance of confirming site conditions before arriving with larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Orkney Springs, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Orkney Springs, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 166 campgrounds and RV parks near Orkney Springs, VA and 28 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Orkney Springs, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Orkney Springs, VA is Wolf Gap with a 4.7-star rating from 21 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Orkney Springs, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 free dispersed camping spots near Orkney Springs, VA.
What parks are near Orkney Springs, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Orkney Springs, VA that allow camping, notably Shenandoah National Park and Jennings Randolph Lake.
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