Cabins near Port Republic, Virginia dot the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations between 1,000-3,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F with cooler evening temperatures dropping to the 50s, even during peak season. Fall foliage peaks from mid-October through early November when cabin availability becomes limited due to high demand.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: 0.3 miles from Lewis Mountain Campground you'll find access to Bearfence Mountain Trail with rock scrambles and 360-degree views. "Bearfence is just down the trail, you can walk out of camp and start hiking," notes a Lewis Mountain visitor.
Fishing opportunities: 3 stocked ponds at Shenandoah Valley Campground provide catch-and-release fishing for guests. "Decent fishing in the pond," confirms one camper. The adjacent North River offers additional fishing spots during spring and summer seasons.
Night sky viewing: Dark sky zones around Big Meadows Campground provide excellent stargazing from April through October. "For the star watching at night," mentions one reviewer who appreciates the lack of light pollution at higher elevations within Shenandoah National Park.
Mountain biking trails: 4 miles of flow trails within Stokesville Campground with direct access to George Washington National Forest trail systems. "Four miles of flow mountain bike trails inside the campground with endless miles of trails just outside," notes a reviewer about this cycling destination.
What campers like
Private tent sites: Walk-in tent areas at Lewis Mountain Campground feature more seclusion than other park accommodations. "This campground has a lot of sites but they've spaced them so that they can be pretty private and quiet. Even the non choice sites are great," reports a camper who appreciated the layout.
Wildlife viewing: Deer regularly travel through Big Meadows Campground during early morning and evening hours. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," explains one visitor who observed their natural behavior.
Fireflies in summer: Mid-June through July brings spectacular firefly displays at Big Meadows Campground. "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," notes a reviewer who witnessed this natural phenomenon.
Clean facilities: Daily maintenance of bathrooms and common areas at most campgrounds. "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up," reports a Big Meadows visitor, while another camper at Walnut Hills noted "The bathhouse is nice as is the pool. The store was sparse but adequate."
What you should know
Elevation affects temperature: 10-15°F cooler at mountain campgrounds compared to Port Republic. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14°F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," explains a Big Meadows camper who visited during the shoulder season.
Limited cell service: No reliable coverage at most campgrounds in higher elevations. "No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online," advises a visitor to Big Meadows, while another camper at Shenandoah Valley Campground noted "Lack of cell service/internet. Luckily it's a short drive to get service."
Shower availability varies: $5 for 10 minutes at some park facilities. "Make sure you test that it works BEFORE you get set up and get naked. My first quarter got jammed and I had to redress and pack up to move to a different one," warns a camper about showers at Loft Mountain.
Seasonal cabin closures: Most basic cabins close from November through March. "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," notes a visitor to Big Meadows during the final weekend of operation.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Multiple play areas at Misty Mountain Camp Resort for different age groups. "Very laid back atmosphere, plenty for the kids to do! Kept them occupied the whole trip!" shares a family who appreciated the organized activities.
Wildlife education: Ranger programs at the Big Meadows amphitheater run nightly during summer. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs," notes a visitor who took advantage of the educational opportunities available within Shenandoah National Park.
Swimming options: Natural water features at Shenandoah Valley Campground include a waterfall-fed creek. "Big swimming pool, and really nice creek for tubing with waterfall to cool down on the hotter days," mentions a camper who spent two weeks at the facility.
Family activities: Scheduled events throughout the day at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park include crafts and outdoor games. "The kids loved running off in the open field and playing on the zip line. We loved that we could see them from our site. The birthday boy also loved the outdoor laser tag!" shares a family who celebrated a special occasion at the resort.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Bring extra blocks for many campgrounds in the region. "It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV," notes a visitor to Jellystone Park who struggled with their unlevel site.
Electrical options: Multiple amperage choices at most developed campgrounds. "Electric sites have 20a, 30a, and 50a hookups so small trailers can use a normal extension cord," explains a visitor to Misty Mountain who appreciated the flexibility.
Pull-through availability: Limited premium sites for larger rigs at certain campgrounds. "The sites along the lower area near the lake were shaded mostly, some more than others, while the sites up the hill at the top and near the front entrance (pull through sites) were not shaded much," observes a camper at Walnut Hills describing the layout options.
Winter accessibility: Year-round cabins with heating systems available at select locations. "We stayed 2 nights as we were passing through to our final destination. Staff was very friendly and the park was one of the cleanest parks I've been to," mentions a winter visitor to Walnut Hills Campground who appreciated the accessibility during off-season.
