Camping near Hinton, Virginia offers diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 4,000 feet throughout the surrounding George Washington National Forest and nearby mountains. Winter camping is possible at lower elevations where temperatures typically remain 10-15 degrees warmer than higher sites. Cell service varies dramatically by location with most dispersed sites having no connectivity.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Several trails near Hone Quarry provide access to seasonal waterfalls. "We went to the first site after the lake and it was fairly flat and open. And we were right by the trail that goes to the waterfall," notes one camper about the convenient trailhead access.
Mushroom farm tours: At Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm, visitors can learn about fungi cultivation. "We got a nice tour of the mushrooms currently growing at the farm," reports one camper who appreciated this unique educational opportunity during their stay.
Cavern exploration: Underground adventures await at local cave systems. "This are is mostly rolling green hills with farm houses & cows everywhere. We visited the VA Civil War Museum & homestead, Luray Caverns (which was super busy) and Cooter's Dukes of Hazzard store/museum/cafe," shares a visitor who camped in the area.
Stargazing: The minimal light pollution at higher elevations provides excellent night sky viewing opportunities. "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," describes a camper at one of the mountain sites.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Multiple sites offer stream and river proximity. "The tent sites we stayed in were right by the creek," notes a camper at Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping. "I've camped here probably 12 times over the past 2 years and I seem to always find another awesome spot every time I go. There is a huge variety of spots, starting from huge ones right on the lake to more secluded, smaller spots deeper in the woods along the creek."
Mountain views: Higher elevation campsites provide panoramic vistas. A visitor to Flagpole Knob shared, "Unbeatable views from the top. Very spaced out. Everyone you run into is nice and welcoming. Recommend vehicles with some ground clearance depending on which route you take up."
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds feature natural buffers between campsites. "Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy," reports a camper at Big Meadows Campground, highlighting the natural separation that enhances the camping experience.
Wildlife encounters: Campers regularly spot native animals. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience," notes a camper, emphasizing the frequent wildlife sightings throughout the region.
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many dispersed camping areas require appropriate transportation. "This site requires a 4x4 vehicle with clearance. The trail leading to and from camp can be a bit tricky for some," warns a visitor to Flagpole Knob, emphasizing the importance of proper vehicle selection.
Limited amenities: Dispersed sites have minimal facilities. "There's nothing there so plan ahead for water and bathroom use," advises a camper about Switzer Lake. "Great spot to get away. Super peaceful and relaxing. Make sure to secure food trash."
Seasonal availability: Loft Mountain Campground and similar higher elevation sites have limited seasons. "We visited during a weekday and there was more than enough availability. Nice small trail that runs around the campground. The campstore offers more than enough," notes a camper about their mid-season experience.
Bear activity: Wildlife requires proper food storage. "The vent sounds like a diesel truck idling nonstop. At night people using flashlights and headlamps walking away from the bathroom shine them into your tent. The smell sometimes wafted over as well," explains a camper describing bathroom proximity considerations.
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Natural Chimneys Regional Park offers swimming options. "The pool and playground make it an excellent spot to travel with kiddos! Very little cell reception," notes a parent who appreciated the dedicated recreational facilities.
Kid-friendly programming: Some campgrounds offer educational activities. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground. Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground," reports a visitor highlighting the structured activities available.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "They have an awesome location between Harrisonburg and Luray/Shenandoah. It has great amenities like a pool and playground, a camp store and lots of friendly and helpful employees," shares a camper about their family-oriented experience.
Campsite selection for families: Look for level sites near facilities. "We had site 23. Highly recommend! Facilities were clean and well maintained. Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife. Fire ring with grate was available. Large site size," recommends a family who found an ideal camping spot.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA offers well-maintained RV sites. "It's a typical KOA. Well managed, clean, friendly staff. The sites are large enough and level enough. The power pole is well positioned," reports an RVer who found the setup accommodating.
Limited connectivity: Internet access varies significantly. "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," notes a camper who struggled with communications despite the developed facilities.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "We picked up a dozen channels on our antenna and the 2-3 bar Verizon LTE enabled us to stream some channels on Fire TV," shares an RVer detailing their experience with utilities at a local campground.
Seasonal discounts: Off-peak camping offers better value. "There are 3-night and 5-night stay discount codes on the Promos tab. When you make a reservation there is an extra cost to lock in a site (something we see often these days). We reserved our spot for another week in the Fall at a discount before leaving," advises a budget-conscious RVer.
