Shenandoah National Park sits at elevations ranging from 600 to 4,000 feet, creating diverse camping microclimates near Madison, Virginia. The region experiences temperature variations up to 15 degrees between valley and mountain sites, with Madison's 700-foot elevation offering milder conditions than higher elevation campgrounds. Fall temperatures average 45-65°F, making for comfortable camping with proper gear.
What to do
Hiking directly from campsites: At Big Meadows Campground, trails connect to Shenandoah National Park's extensive network. "Lots of beautiful hikes and bike course with awesome views of the valley," notes Tom C. The campground places you minutes from popular trails without requiring additional driving.
River recreation: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground offers riverside camping with water activities. "There are several rustic campsites located on the Southfork of the Shenandoah River, as well as modern electric sites, RV sites, and cabins," explains Ricki F. The park provides direct water access for fishing, swimming, and paddling.
Wildlife observation: The elevation and ecosystem support diverse wildlife viewing. At Big Meadows, a visitor shared, "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience. With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night." Morning and evening offer prime viewing times.
Winter camping options: Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA remains open year-round for those seeking off-season experiences. "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," reports Zach L.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms as a standout feature. At Big Meadows Campground, one camper reported, "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."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer ample room between sites. "Though this campground is HUGE, the sites are not piled on top of each other. Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy," shared Veronica S. about Big Meadows.
River access: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground receives praise for its water features. One camper noted, "The primitive spots are right next to the river. The spots are a short walk from the parking area and the campground provides wagons to transport your stuff. Great fishing and swimming right at your camping spot."
Glamping accommodations: Luxury camping options near Madison have evolved beyond basic tents. At Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River, "The RV sites at this campground are very spaced out, you have a lot of room to each side of your RV. The park and facilities were very clean. They have a playground for the kids, fishing ponds, cabins, pet friendly with a dog park."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many facilities operate on limited schedules. "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. The bathrooms were plentiful, heated, hot running water, and a utility sink available. Showers and laundry were closed for the season," reported Carol B. at Big Meadows.
Food storage regulations: Bear activity requires proper storage. "Bear boxes provided, plenty of room to relax," explains Jaclyn B. Improper food storage can result in fines at some locations.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely across the region. At Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views, a visitor noted, "No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Make sure you reserve your spot on the weekend they go fast," advises John H. about Christopher Run Campground. Reservations often open 6 months in advance for popular sites.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray specializes in family entertainment. "This isn't my idea of camping, but I brought my 11 year old nephew. He was able to run around and make friends with his aunt always looking over his shoulder. He had lots of fun at pool, movie night, making s'mores, and jumping on bouncy mound," shares Anne K.
Educational programs: Rangers offer interactive learning opportunities. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground," reports Kim L. These programs typically run May through October with daily scheduling during summer months.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas. A visitor to Harrisonburg KOA noted, "If you have kids definitely get closer to the play ground, you won't regret it! Bathhouse was clean, very well manicured campground, amazing views of the mountains and riverfront access for tubing."
Weather preparedness: Mountain temperatures fluctuate significantly. "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. Layered clothing and additional blankets are recommended even during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV. Still, we would go back...just to a different site location," advises Jen O. from Jellystone Park.
Utility placement: Review hookup locations before booking. At Harrisonburg KOA, a camper noted, "The sites are large enough and level enough. The power pole is well positioned." This prevents problems with cord and hose length limitations.
Seasonal availability: Winter camping requires planning. "Cell signal and camp wifi are bad. I was just able to get a decent signal with Starlink by carefully pointing at a small gap between trees," reports Dale Y. at Harrisonburg KOA. Year-round RV sites are limited in the region.
