The Orkney Springs area sits at approximately 1,600 feet elevation in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below 25°F. Tent camping remains popular from April through October, while yurt camping near Orkney Springs, Virginia provides extended-season options with more weather protection. Waterways throughout the region average 68-72°F in summer months, ideal for swimming and paddling activities.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Access multiple waterfall trails within a 45-minute drive from most campgrounds. At Shenandoah National Park's Big Meadows Campground, visitors appreciate the proximity to popular cascades. As one camper notes, "The park has tons of hiking trails to choose from and two viewable waterfalls. There is a lake that is open to swimming."
River tubing: Bring personal tubes for floating the Shenandoah River at Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River. "The site was a tent site with lots of shade and not too close to others. Lots of deer walking through and room to hang hammocks and chill," shares one visitor who enjoyed the riverfront access.
Wildlife observation: Many campgrounds offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. At Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park, visitors report frequent encounters with 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," explains one camper.
What campers like
Year-round options: Several campgrounds operate throughout winter months, though with limited amenities. "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 winter visitor to Big Meadows.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives consistent praise across the region. At Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA, guests appreciate the upkeep: "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."
Private camping spots: While some campgrounds feature tightly packed sites, others offer more seclusion. One camper at Rivers Edge Campground shares, "We stayed in the tent area, which we had all to ourselves. Our site was on the river and able to pull our motorcycles right up. I do think if the tent area is full it will feel crowded."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. At Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA, visitors report: "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."
Bug activity: Insect presence fluctuates by season and location. One camper at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground warns: "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."
Campfire restrictions: Most campgrounds limit wood sourcing. At Luray RV Resort, "They state that you're only allowed to burn the firewood that you purchase from them which is tricky because their office closed very early everyday so we would have to find a place that actually got cell reception to call and ask them to leave out wood for us."
Tips for camping with families
Yurt accommodations: Year-round yurt camping near Orkney Springs provides excellent shelter for families with young children. At #1 Rock Tavern River Kamp, visitors find comfortable yurt options: "We are located on the Shenandoah River! Our waterfront unique kamp offers yurts and tent sites along with a well maintained bathhouse! Come visit us for the perfect Glamping experience — open year round!"
Playground access: Family-friendly facilities provide entertainment for children. One visitor to Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views notes: "The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean. It also had the largest dog park area of any campground I've ever seen. Very nice pool, friendly staff and firewood available for purchase."
Activity programming: Some campgrounds offer scheduled children's events. At Blackwater Falls State Park, a camper shares: "There's so much to do at this park! Multiple waterfalls, awesome hikes, a lake, a nature center for the kids, a petting zoo... the nearby towns of Davis and Thomas are very cute too with great coffee and food options."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose level sites for maximum comfort. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray, an RVer cautions: "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV. Still, we would go back...just to a different site location."
Hookup positioning: Check utility placement before reserving. One RVer at Blackwater Falls State Park notes: "Many of the pull thru sites are situated in the wrong direction with the electric hookup on the wrong side. The dump station is in a weird spot and the only water available is the same used for flushing."
Access roads: Consider approach routes when driving larger rigs. A visitor to Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA explains: "While convenient to II 81, the campground is far enough away that there is no outside noise at all," highlighting the balance between accessibility and tranquility.
