Glamping accommodations near Paris, Virginia offer direct access to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. The region sits at approximately 540 feet of elevation and experiences distinct seasons with colorful fall foliage and summer temperatures averaging in the mid-80s. Winter overnight temperatures can drop below freezing, making heating elements essential for off-season glamping.
What to do
River activities: Year-round fishing access at Low Water Bridge Campground provides riverside sites for anglers. "We stayed here for two nights during the middle of the week, about half the campground was occupied. 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," notes a reviewer.
Historical exploration: Visit Harpers Ferry National Park within a short drive from Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders. As one camper explains, "This campground has an abundance of things to do. The campground offers adventures like rafting, biking, tubing and zip lining to name a few. If you would like to do some exploring, then you can walk the trail right next to the campground into the historical town of Harper's Ferry."
Trail system navigation: Park-based hiking through Big Meadows Campground connects to Shenandoah National Park's extensive network. A visitor reports, "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up. Very small campground store on site but a much larger store at visitor center. Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs."
What campers like
Waterfront camping locations: Many campers appreciate direct river access at glamping sites close to Paris, Virginia. "Great place with spaces right on the shenendoah for fishing and tubing/kayaking. Most spots have no electricity or water hookups. Quiet during the week. I have heard that weekends can get a little rowdy," explains a Low Water Bridge Campground visitor.
Multi-activity destinations: The Cove Campground offers unique amenity combinations. "This was our first time camping here and it will NOT be our last. This Campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites," shares an enthusiastic reviewer. Another adds, "On top of them having an outdoor gun range... they have a small beach, picnic tabels everywhere, a volleyball ball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake, rent non motorboats."
Family-friendly programming: Scheduled activities provide structure for family glamping trips. A visitor to Big Meadows notes, "Big Meadow has many amenities which make it popular and oftentimes crowded during weekends and holiday's. But, many of these amenities make camping with families a convenience. We saw many deer and bear while camping."
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Some glamping locations sit near active rail lines. A Harpers Ferry Civil War Battlefields KOA reviewer warns, "Heads up, big rig owners! 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." The same campground has other location benefits: "Location, Location, Location! Close proximity to plenty of historic and tourist places to visit."
Cellular connectivity variations: Reception varies significantly between glamping sites. A visitor notes at Low Water Bridge Campground, "There is absolutely no Verizon service here (ATT seems to work pretty well). You'll have to drive 10-15 in either direction on Rt. 211 before you can catch a signal." At Bull Run Regional Park, connectivity improves: "Cell service in the area for both AT&T and Verizon was poor. I do not know if this was due to the terrain or lack of towers."
Seasonal crowding patterns: Popular glamping locations fill quickly during peak seasons. At Big Meadows, "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." Off-season visits provide different experiences: "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Tips for camping with families
Prioritize water-based entertainment: Brunswick Family Campground offers river access perfect for kids. "Great location right next the river. Easy to walk into the river or tube down it. Lots of different activities for kids and plenty of space at each site to make your home away from home," notes one family camper.
Select activity-rich parks: Facilities with multiple entertainment options reduce family boredom. "Bull Run park is absolutely beautiful. So much to do and centered around many historical sites. It's a gem," shares a visitor. Another adds, "Our family stayed here in a cabin on a long weekend trip to DC. This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it."
Consider bathroom proximity: When glamping with children, facility location matters. "The bathhouses were all very clean when I went. The portapotty by our site got significantly worse throughout the weekend and by Sunday morning we stopped using it," notes a Low Water Bridge visitor, highlighting the importance of checking facility maintenance schedules when booking with families.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many glamping locations near Paris, Virginia present leveling difficulties. A KOA visitor shares, "Get cozy, the sites are quite small and tightly packed together," while another notes, "We loved how close it was to historical Harpers Ferry, and how convenient it was to be able to walk to the visitor center and catch a ferry."
Water access complications: RVers should verify hookup availability. "We stayed in camp one which offered electrical hook ups. There are 4 water spigots in camp 1. However all the travel trailers hooked up, which means you either had to make friends or disconnect their water in order to have access," reports a Cove Campground visitor.
Maneuvering limitations: Site access varies by glamping location size. "The road into the campground was badly in need of repair. Site was not level and infested with black flies," cautions a Brunswick Family Campground visitor about their experience in a 17' Jayco hybrid. Full-size RVs may encounter more significant challenges on smaller campground roads.
