The Paris area of Virginia sits at 715 feet elevation where the Blue Ridge foothills meet the northern Shenandoah Valley. Campers often experience 10-15 degree temperature variations between valley and mountain campsites, with summer highs typically reaching the mid-90s at lower elevations. Winter camping remains available at several year-round campsites near Paris, Virginia, though water systems may be winterized from November through March.
What to do
Creek swimming and tubing: Gooney Creek Campground offers primitive tent sites directly on the creek with natural swimming holes. "The creek flowing along the campsite was gorgeous and it was great listening to the running water at night," notes one camper who enjoyed the natural water features.
Wildlife watching: Mathews Arm Campground in Shenandoah National Park provides abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "The wildlife here is great. Many deers, frogs, snakes, moths, flies, birds, turtles, bears," reports one visitor who appreciated the natural surroundings.
Historic exploration: Camp near Harpers Ferry to explore significant Civil War sites and the Appalachian Trail intersection. A visitor noted, "Harpers Ferry Lower Town and Bolivar Heights are a few minutes by car (or shuttle from the Visitor Center). Frederick and Antietam are each barely 30-minutes by car."
Hiking: Sky Meadows State Park Campground connects directly to the Appalachian Trail system. "The trails are beautiful and I'm sure there was more to do, but didn't have a chance to see. Definitely a reason to return!" mentions a camper who enjoyed the trail system.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Harpers Ferry Campground offers sites directly on the Potomac River. "A great adventurous spot! Our campsite was right along the water (all spots are along the water). We love walking and having a nice walk right from our campsite is a big bonus," reports a frequent visitor.
Private, wooded sites: Camping areas at Sky Meadows provide secluded tent sites despite popularity. "The hills are fantastic for helping each site feel like a little private oasis. Even if the campground is full, I think most of the sites would still feel shaded and private because of how they're dispersed throughout the hills," notes a camper.
Natural soundscapes: Creekside campsites provide natural white noise. According to one Gooney Creek visitor: "Located right on the bank of the creek you sleep with the sound of the babbling water. Spaces aren't very big but big enough that we didn't feel like we were on top of our neighbors."
Bear boxes and safety features: Many campgrounds in the area provide bear-resistant storage. "Each site has a bear box, fire ring, picnic table, tent pad with pea gravel, and a lantern pole," explains a Sky Meadows camper, noting the thoughtful safety features.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds near railroad tracks experience regular train traffic. One Harpers Ferry camper warned: "The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains. The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will."
Hike-in requirements: Berryville Berries and Sky Meadows require walking to campsites. "The campsites are about 1 mile from the overnight lot, which was a great hike-in if you don't overpack! We brought a wagon with extra gear with us, but we definitely took in too many items," advises one Sky Meadows visitor.
Variable shower facilities: Bathroom and shower quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Shenandoah River State Park, "The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms," while other primitive sites only offer vault toilets or portable facilities.
Seasonal closure and winterization: Many campgrounds operate seasonally. Mathews Arm Campground runs from "May 6 to October 30," while others like Harpers Ferry Campground operate from "April 1 to October 31," limiting late fall and winter options.
Tips for camping with families
Check-in timing matters: Arrive early for better site selection at first-come campgrounds. "Arrive early in the day if you don't have a reservation, especially later in the week," advises a Mathews Arm camper, noting that by evening the park was half full even on weekdays.
Kid-friendly recreation: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground offers extensive family activities. "Beautiful views, tons of hiking & biking trails. Wildlife is visible everywhere you go. The children's programs offered on the weekends were great too," shares one family who visited with children.
Bring water shoes: River and creek access often requires appropriate footwear. A Harpers Ferry camper advised: "Unfortunately that area of the river has a very muddy/mucky bottom so you will need to walk (not far) down to the rocky entrance so you don't lose your water shoes."
Pack-in assistance: Some campgrounds provide equipment to help transport gear to hike-in sites. "The campsites are a short walk from the parking area and the campground provides wagons to transport your stuff," mentions a parent who appreciated this feature at primitive sites.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA has uneven terrain that challenges larger rigs. "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," cautions one RVer.
Limited hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups only. "Price is a little high considering there is no sewer hookup (dump station is on site). A few things I'm disappointed in: 1) no fire rings but you can use an above ground pit, 2) not all sites have picnic tables," notes a camper at Watermelon Park.
Generator restrictions: Some campgrounds restrict generator use. Mathews Arm Campground has "generator-free area: No generators are allowed in parts of the A and B sections," which benefits tent campers but requires RVers to plan electrical usage accordingly.
Cell service variability: Connectivity depends on elevation and campground location. One Sky Meadows camper reported "cell service" at their site, while at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park, a visitor noted "No cell service but the Visitor's Center has WiFi available."
