The Shenandoah region surrounding Free Union, Virginia sits at elevations ranging from 500 to 3,500 feet, creating varied camping conditions throughout the year. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer highs typically reaching 85°F while winter temperatures can drop below 30°F. Campgrounds range from mountainside locations with natural stone features to riverside sites with fishing and water access opportunities.
What to do
Explore caverns year-round: At Endless Caverns RV Resort, guests can tour underground formations directly from the campground. "The Endless Caverns actually adjoin the office welcome center and tours are offered multiple times daily. It would be tough for arthritic knees… but we really enjoyed the raw nature of the caverns," notes one visitor.
Hiking from campsites: Several campgrounds provide direct trail access. "Bearfence is just down the trail, you can walk out of camp and start hiking," explains a visitor to Lewis Mountain Campground. The 15-minute hike to the Endless Caverns sign rewards hikers with "a lovely view of the valley and an acre+ field of wildflowers."
River activities: Many rv sites near Free Union, Virginia offer water access. At Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River, "You can go tubing on the river but need to provide your own tubes. The ride down the river from one end of the park to the other is around 30 minutes," according to one camper.
What campers like
Natural privacy features: Many campers appreciate sites with natural separations. At Lewis Mountain Campground, "The spots are secluded, there's bathrooms that are in good shape, and it's super close to some awesome hikes and great sunset lookouts!" The campground is known as "the quieter campground in the park, since it is primarily tent campers."
Wildlife encounters: The area offers abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. At Big Meadows Campground, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached." Another visitor notes, "During our long-weekend stay, we saw a total of 6 black bears, a barred owl, tons of awesome bugs, brook trout, a salamander, and some other wildlife."
Stone landscaping: The natural stone incorporated at many sites appeals to campers. Endless Caverns RV Resort is described as "beautiful, stone borders, stone walls, and stone fire pits at every site, plus full hookup at each site." Sites are situated "up a mountain side overlooking the picturesque Shenandoah Valley, located in a deep old hardwood forest."
What you should know
Elevation considerations: Some RV sites near Free Union require careful planning for steep terrain. At Endless Caverns, "the campground is on the side of a mountain so it is very steep in some sections. (One entire loop says 4 wheel drive recommend, so read carefully before booking!)"
River conditions: Water activities require monitoring. At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, "T-1 though T-6 sites flood often became they are low and next the the river. We camped at t2 and had to tear down as soon as we set it up."
Food storage regulations: Bears are active in the region. At Big Meadows, "they take food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out." Most campgrounds provide bear boxes for secure storage.
Quiet hours enforcement: Many campgrounds maintain strict quiet periods. Lewis Mountain enforces quiet hours beginning at 10 PM, with one camper noting, "We didn't hear a soul all night."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Walnut Hills Campground offers "a very nice playground" and "a pool" according to visitors. The campground also features "fishing ponds" where kids can try their luck.
Educational programs: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led activities. Big Meadows features a "nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs" and staff at Lewis Mountain "do daily walkabouts to ensure everything is going smoothly and to give updates on the weather and ranger programs."
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature water recreation. Misty Mountain Camp Resort includes "a small but nice swimming pool" while Luray RV Resort "is great for tubing" and has a spot "for you to get in and swim."
Spaciousness for play: Look for campgrounds with room for activities. At Madison Vines RV Resort, "space was maximized but that added to the community feeling most quickly embraced!" The campground offers "great weekend programs" that give "everyone a chance to mingle if they wanted to."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many RV sites near Free Union, Virginia require minimal adjustment. At KOA Luray RV Resort, sites are described as "all level padded sites. Most with Blue ridge views." Similarly, Endless Caverns features "sites that are mostly level."
Road considerations: Access roads vary significantly between campgrounds. Walnut Hills Campground is "located within minutes of I81" making it convenient for those traveling through. In contrast, at Endless Caverns, "Roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful."
WiFi reliability: Internet access varies by location. At KOA Luray RV Resort, "the wifi was terrible and unusable, even with our antenna. AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty." For those requiring connectivity, Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River offers "plenty of cell signal to hotspot and get internet."
Water and sewer placement: Some sites have unusual hookup configurations. At Walnut Hills, one camper "needed a little extra footage for my electrical hookup. They were kind enough to loan us a 25' extension."
