Camping options near Remington, Virginia include access to both the Rappahannock River and the Shenandoah Valley within a 30-60 minute drive. The region ranges from river valley terrain at approximately 400 feet elevation to mountain campsites above 3,000 feet in Shenandoah National Park. Seasonal factors significantly impact camping conditions, with river sites prone to higher water levels in spring and mountain campgrounds experiencing temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than valley locations.
What to do
River recreation access: Rappahannock River Campground offers direct river access with numerous camping spots along the riverbank. "Great spot right next to the Rappahannock River, plenty of place to set up camp. Had water on site with a fire pit and picnic table too! It was super easy to get down to the water and there was plenty of spots to explore," notes Nicholas S.
Forest hiking options: Prince William Forest RV Campground provides access to Prince William Forest with numerous hiking trails. A camper mentions, "The surrounding area is really bikeable," making it ideal for both hikers and cyclists looking for day activities.
Wildlife observation: At Wilderness Presidential Resort, visitors enjoy fishing in multiple bodies of water with diverse wildlife viewing. "Fishing during breaks in the rain was great and watching the Mallard ducks, Canada Geese and Great Blue Herons was enjoyable and very rewarding," reports one camper who stayed lakeside.
What campers like
Star gazing experiences: Multiple campgrounds in the area offer night sky viewing opportunities, particularly at Mathews Arm Campground. One reviewer at Rappahannock River mentioned, "We did go back out to the field at night to do some star gazing and that was beautiful," highlighting the rural dark sky advantages.
Hot shower availability: Despite the rustic setting of many campgrounds, several offer clean shower facilities. A camper at Bull Run Regional Park writes, "I'll go again just for the showers... They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Peaceful environment: Shenandoah River State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its quiet atmosphere. "This is a good state park. Not anything fancy. The views are amazing and the hiking make up for the no frills compared to other state park facilities. Peace and quiet. Communing with nature at it's finest," notes Norm F.
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Many mountain campgrounds in the area have limited seasons. Big Meadows Campground operates from May 6 to November 13, with a camper noting the challenges of late-season camping: "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Toilet facilities vary widely: Bathroom quality differs significantly between campgrounds. At Rappahannock River Campground, a visitor reports, "Great off the grid experience. Showers were hot. Toilets are a porta potty type," while Oak Ridge at Prince William Forest features "very clean, spacious, centrally located" restrooms.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, particularly during peak seasons. A Big Meadows visitor advises, "Arrive early in the day if you don't have a reservation, especially later in the week," suggesting mid-week arrivals for better site availability.
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounter opportunities: The HarmStead Campground offers unique wildlife interactions for children. A visitor notes, "The hosts provided our kids with a cup of animal food to feed the goats and the emu. Highlight for the kids were the playground and the fireflies at night."
Playground access: Bull Run Regional Park provides family-friendly amenities including playgrounds and recreational facilities. "This park has too many amenities to list. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground," shares one family camper.
Educational programming: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led activities. Big Meadows features a "nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs" and "busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground," making it suitable for families with children interested in nature education.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites. A Bull Run camper notes, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," suggesting RVers bring leveling equipment.
Electric reliability concerns: Some RV sites experience power issues. At Wilderness Presidential Resort, one RVer cautions, "While camping at this resort we had several issues with the shore power for our RV. We have spoken to many fellow owners only to find out they had several issues."
Hookup availability: Oak Ridge Campground offers limited hookups. "There are no hookups in the campground, but drinking water is available near each bathhouse," notes a reviewer, emphasizing the need for self-contained systems or regular water refills when staying at this location.
