Best Campgrounds near Port Republic, VA

Port Republic, Virginia serves as a gateway to numerous campgrounds in the Shenandoah Valley region, with developed facilities ranging from national park sites to private resorts. Several campgrounds like Shenandoah Valley Campground and Loft Mountain Campground in Shenandoah National Park provide accommodations for tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals. The campgrounds generally sit along Skyline Drive, offering access to hiking trails including portions of the Appalachian Trail. Most established campgrounds in the area maintain picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets, while amenities like showers and electric hookups vary by location.

Camping availability in the Shenandoah region typically peaks from late spring through mid-fall, with many facilities operating seasonally. Loft Mountain Campground operates from mid-May to late October, while Big Meadows Campground runs from May to November. Several private campgrounds like Misty Mountain Camp Resort and Harrisonburg Shenandoah Valley KOA remain open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and fall foliage season when visitation increases substantially. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the mountains, particularly at higher elevations along Skyline Drive. As one visitor noted, "This campground is perfect for those looking to just get away from things for a couple of days. The drive in from Swift Run Gap or the South Entrance is fairly easy, but off the road enough that you won't hear traffic."

Campgrounds within Shenandoah National Park receive consistently positive reviews for their natural settings and proximity to scenic overlooks. Many campers specifically mention the peaceful atmosphere and wildlife viewing opportunities, including black bears in some areas. Sites vary significantly in size and privacy, with some offering more seclusion than others. The campgrounds provide access to numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty. A camper at Loft Mountain mentioned, "We got a walk-in site, so our tent was way far away from cars and other people. The site included a fire pit with grill grate, picnic table, and metal bear box." Private campgrounds near Port Republic generally offer more amenities like swimming pools, full hookups for RVs, and on-site activities, though they may be less secluded than national park locations.

Best Camping Sites Near Port Republic, Virginia (149)

    1. Loft Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    65 Reviews
    Dyke, VA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 823-4675

    $30 - $75 / night

    "This campground is perfect for those looking to just get away from things for a couple of days."

    "We got a walk in site, so our tent was way far away from cars and other people. The site included a fire pit w/grill grate, picnic table, and metal bear box."

    2. Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    120 Reviews
    Stanley, VA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    $30 - $75 / night

    "While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."

    "Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center."

    3. Shenandoah Valley Campground

    25 Reviews
    Staunton, VA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 248-2267

    $36 - $132 / night

    "We spent 2 weeks at SVC while our trunk was in the shop(our travel trailer got towed there- highly recommend Good Sam Roadside policy). Everyone on staff was accomodating, helpful and friendly."

    "It was clean, but had a trail of ants get into my belongings. Sites are close to one another and the cabins are not near the water. They are near the bath house though."

    4. Misty Mountain Camp Resort

    40 Reviews
    Crozet, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 647-8900

    $35 - $75 / night

    "The winding layout allowed for more distance between other sites. The woods were beautiful with easy walking trails right from the site."

    "Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field. Bath house was very clean and very well thought out."

    5. Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA

    32 Reviews
    Shenandoah, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 896-8929

    "Convenient to the highway and easy to get to. Sites are well spaced. Hookups were well positioned. Walking trail starts at the campground. WiFi worked pretty well. Overall a great KOA."

    "Positive: Friendly staff, close to Shenandoah NP, quiet camping, every site has a fire pit. Negative: Pricing rather high"

    6. Lewis Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    31 Reviews
    Hood, VA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    $30 / night

    "Lewis mountain has all the amenities of home within walking distance if you just can’t live without them; bathrooms,showers, kitchen sink, fire pit, small store and 2 personal vehicle parking spots steps"

    "Arrived before the weekend, around late morning. Greeted by the park ranger, they gave the basic information for these sites. Limited spots here. You’re pretty close to your neighbor."

    7. Dundo Group Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    5 Reviews
    Grottoes, VA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 823-4675

    $75 / night

    "It was nice not having to drive our trash out! We stayed at campsite 3 which is right next to campsite 2. We could hear the conversation from campsite 2 and see them."

    "This campground was really awesome because it’s so close to the skyline drive and Shenandoah. We went on some awesome hikes while we were here. Check out rose river trail and bearfence mountain."

    8. Kiss the Earth

    4 Reviews
    Crimora, VA
    9 miles
    +1 (540) 649-4155

    "It’s super close (only an hour drive) to Shenandoah NP! Host is super responsive to questions/concerns that arise but it’s not necessary to communicate with them if you prefer the privacy."

    9. Waynesboro North 340 Campground

    6 Reviews
    Crimora, VA
    12 miles
    +1 (540) 943-9573

    "Good area close to hiking trails and historical sites. Dog friendly. Only negative was the closeness of the sites."

    10. Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages

    22 Reviews
    New Market, VA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 896-2283

    $45 - $249 / night

    "July 10-19, 2020 As my wife and I were discussing my review, I asked her what could we point to to take away from a 5-star rating. Neither of us could think of a single thing."

    "We stayed close to the catch & release pond and felt as though we had a lot of privacy despite the spots being right next to each other."

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Recent Reviews near Port Republic, VA

1112 Reviews of 149 Port Republic Campgrounds


  • sparkleblaster ✨.
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Kiss the Earth

    Sweet spot along the way

    This was a perfect spot for me and my van. Beautiful wooded area. Felt very safe for a solo camper. Sunny responded right away when I reached out about availability and gave me a warm welcome. I had no trouble finding the hard-to-see spot because I carefully followed the good directions. (Might be trickier to see after dark.) I appreciate this bit of nature and the affordable price; it's priceless having a safe spot to land for the night.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Love this Campground

    I love camping in Matthews Arm, it has a flush toilet restroom. The site A7 has a hug parking, can fit RVs and spacious area for tent, table, fire pit. Only downside is that the tent pad is kind of connected to site A09, so privacy is not the best.

  • Zach L.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA

    Fall Leaf Peeping Trip

    We stayed here for 3 nights. Perfect campground with everything you need. Bathrooms are very clean. Ice, propane, and other items are available on site at the store. Halloween was in full effect including a haunted walk. Sites are spacious and have natural stone in ground fire pits instead of rusted metal rims which adds character. Dog park, pool, and plenty of games are available on site. Harrisonburg is down the road if you to need to stop in town.

  • Jack W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Great dispersed spot

    Only a few spots around, but beautiful spot right on the river with fire pits. No other amenities but it was exactly what we were looking for

  • Bradley M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Glen Maury Park

    Beautiful place with all the amenities

    Overnight stay off I-81. Easy in and out. VERY well kept and super friendly staff. I highly recommend. Larger rigs need to stay in the lower campground and there are no sewer connections, but the dump station is all good.

  • Spencer W.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Cedar Creek Trail dispersed campsite

    Cedar Creek Trail Dispersed Campsite

    Went to Stultz gap and was a little unimpressed. Drove about 10 minutes further north on the same road.

    Location is approximate. After the intersection, the road will turn into a trail (marked by a metal gate) and there is a campsite right there.

    Was very peaceful and clean. Had an established fire ring.

  • Spencer W.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Stultz Gap Dispersed Campsite

    Stultz Gap Dispersed Camping

    The spot itself is right next to the road. The map seems to indicate trails connected but they appear very overgrown.

    Appears some may use this with horses as some small amount of waste was left behind.

    We ended up driving about 10-15 minutes further north along the same road and found a nicer spot with an established fire ring.

  • Brian B.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Misty Mountain Camp Resort

    Great cabins, very close together…

    First, the cabins are super cool. Found out that you can actually order them on Amazon, which is really ingenious.

    The only problem we ran into, is that the campground was packed and all of the sites are very very close together. Neighbors were not at all respectful of other people‘s space and kids were wandering around everywhere.

    Our last evening there, we have new neighbors that came in across the way who blew up an inflatable screen and streamed the football game. Just not what we were looking for for a getaway vacation..

  • Brian B.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    The Retreat at Shenandoah Meadows

    Great place, zero oversight…

    First, let me say that the viewers at this campground are incredible. We stayed there this September and my family had a fantastic time in their cabins. When we got there, we found our cabin and these had codes to be able to enter. All was fine till we started looking at bathrooms.

    None of the bathroom facilities are labeled, male or female, but it was just our family there so it wasn’t a really big deal. Later on in the weekend, another group showed up, and then we felt as though we needed to try and find or figure out another way to ensure that the girls were safe.

    Every building in the campground is open you can walk literally anywhere you would like. Nobody is there to enforce anything. We had such a good time, that I still give it four stars. We had such good views that I would still give it four stars. But I would be aware of what you’re going to.


Guide to Port Republic

North of Harrisonburg and south of Elkton, Port Republic camping spots offer access to the western slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations between 1,000-3,500 feet. The terrain features limestone formations, hardwood forests, and several creek systems including the Middle River. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F during day and 55-65°F at night, while spring and fall camping often requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below 40°F.

What to Do

Hiking to waterfalls: Venture to Lewis Mountain Campground for direct access to Bearfence Mountain trails. "Awesome hikes nearby including waterfalls and rock scrambles," notes Anne K., who recommends this campground for its central location to Shenandoah's natural features.

Tubing on creek systems: Shenandoah Valley Campground offers a creek with a waterfall perfect for summer cooling. As camper Joy A. describes, "You can have a tent right on the river across from a beautiful waterfall. They also have walking trails and a resident population of semitame bunnies."

Astronomy viewing: Dark skies make stargazing excellent at higher elevations. "At night the you could see stars. We took a walk to the overlook in the middle of the night to stargaze," reports Kate about her experience at Dundo Group Campground, noting the minimal light pollution.

Wildlife observation: Morning and evening wildlife viewing opportunities abound. "We saw a lot of wildlife there including bucks and bears," reports Jennifer S. from her stay at Lewis Mountain, highlighting the benefits of quiet observation during dawn and dusk hours.

What Campers Like

Quiet camping spaces: Lewis Mountain Campground receives praise for its peaceful atmosphere. "This campground is known as the quieter campground in the park, since it is primarily tent campers, and the quiet hours are enforced," explains Danielle V., contrasting it with larger, more RV-oriented campgrounds.

Family-friendly amenities: Misty Mountain Camp Resort earns high marks for activities. Christopher T. shares, "Very laid back atmosphere, plenty for the kids to do! Kept them occupied the whole trip! Enjoyed the music and smores offered by the campground."

Location convenience: Many campgrounds serve as ideal basecamps for regional exploration. "Great location to get to Shenandoah NP, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and wineries," notes reviewer C O. about Endless Caverns, emphasizing the strategic positioning for various day trips.

Camp stores and provisions: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-stocked stores. "The camp store has a lot of stuff! The showers are $5 for 10 minutes," reports Katrin M. about Loft Mountain, though cautioning about shower costs.

What You Should Know

Reservation timing: First-come, first-served campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. "Out of the 31 sites (including host site), only 3 remained when we arrived at about 1:45 PM on a Friday afternoon, and those remaining filled up within the hour," warns Danielle V. about Lewis Mountain, suggesting arrival before 11:30 AM to secure a site.

Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have poor connectivity. At Shenandoah Valley Campground, "The biggest negative is lack of cell service/internet. Luckily it's a short drive to get service," reports Gabe, noting this was their main complaint during a two-week stay.

Seasonal facilities: Some campground amenities operate seasonally. "Showers and laundry were closed for the season but are centrally located near entrance area of campground," notes Carol B. about her late-season November camping at Big Meadows when temperatures dropped to 14°F.

Bear awareness: Multiple campgrounds require bear-safe food storage. "The site included a fire pit with grill grate, picnic table, and metal bear box," notes Anna B. about Loft Mountain, highlighting the importance of proper food storage in bear country.

Tips for Camping with Families

Playground options: Harrisonburg Shenandoah Valley KOA offers multiple play areas. "It has great amenities like a pool and playground, a camp store and lots of friendly and helpful employees. I love that they will pick up your trash and deliver firewood," shares Katie M.

Nature discovery: Multiple campgrounds feature natural learning opportunities. Ryan Z. at Shenandoah Valley Campground remarks, "My kids loved all the bunnies, the river, pool and putt-putt," highlighting how wildlife viewing engages children.

Swimming access: Several campgrounds maintain pools for summer relief. "The have a store, a grill, a game room, and a big swimming pool. And large beautiful fields," observes Joy A., noting the variety of activities available to keep children engaged.

Educational programs: Ranger-led activities teach children about local ecology. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs," reports Kim L. about Big Meadows, indicating these programs are suitable for family participation.

Tips from RVers

Site size considerations: Endless Caverns RV Resort offers spacious RV accommodations. "Wooded, stone borders, stone walls, and stone fire pits at every site, plus full hookup at each site. They cater nicely to big rigs, offering numerous pull-through sites as well as back-in sites," explains Clark P.

Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for site leveling. "Sites were large and easy to level out at," notes reviewer C O. about Endless Caverns, suggesting minimal leveling blocks needed at most sites.

Site privacy variations: Privacy between sites varies significantly. "Sites in C usually back up into a wooded or naturally landscaped area that allow a nice sense of woodsy privacy. Sites in section E appear tighter with less shelter," advises Sara M. about Endless Caverns, recommending careful site selection.

Off-season considerations: Winter camping requires preparation for limited facilities. "We camped here the last night of the season (Nov30)... It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," shares Carol B. about her late-season experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Port Republic, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Port Republic, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 149 campgrounds and RV parks near Port Republic, VA and 23 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Port Republic, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Port Republic, VA is Loft Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 65 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Port Republic, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 free dispersed camping spots near Port Republic, VA.

What parks are near Port Republic, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Port Republic, VA that allow camping, notably Shenandoah National Park and George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.