Camping sites near Rileyville, Virginia sit between 500-1,200 feet elevation in the Shenandoah Valley, with many locations offering direct river access. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers milder conditions and fewer insects. The area's mixed hardwood forests provide natural shade at most campgrounds.
What to do
River activities: 3-8 mile floats: The Shenandoah River offers excellent kayaking and tubing options near Low Water Bridge Campground. "Great place with spaces right on the shenendoah for fishing and tubing/kayaking... Quiet during the week," reports Glen W. Some campgrounds provide boat rentals and shuttle services to drop-off points upriver.
Hiking trails: beginner to advanced: The Elizabeth Furnace area provides hiking options for all skill levels within a 15-minute drive from Strasburg. "We camped with a tent. Facilities were clean and well cared for... There is a pretty creek running through the campground. Would recommend this to anyone with aspirations to hike in the area," notes Matt P.
Wildlife observation: dawn/dusk optimal: Early morning and evening provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities. "Beautiful views, tons of hiking & biking trails. Wild life is visible everywhere you go," says Melissa T. about Matthews Arm Campground. Many campers report deer sightings within campground boundaries.
What campers like
Riverfront camping: privacy varies by site: Shenandoah River State Park Campground offers both modern and primitive riverside options. "There are several rustic campsites located on the Southfork of the Shenandoah River, as well as modern electric sites, RV sites, and cabins. Park and campgrounds are clean and well maintained," says Ricki F.
Clean facilities: regularly maintained: Most established campgrounds maintain clean bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms. Nice hiking in the park. Near SNP. Responsive and friendly rangers," reports Adam and Suzanne B. about Shenandoah River State Park.
River sounds: natural white noise: Many campers appreciate sleeping near moving water. "The river. The views. The experience. It's alll good probably best time I ever had," says Susan P. about her stay at Shenandoah River State Park. Sites closest to water features typically book first during peak seasons.
What you should know
Site spacing and privacy: varies widely: Campsite proximity differs significantly between locations. At Creekside Campground, "The pics looked so peaceful and serene... But it seemed like we were going through a private development and it just jumped out at us. I panicked because it was so small and the sites were so close together," reports Janice N., who ultimately enjoyed her stay despite initial concerns.
Weather impacts: prepare for rain: Heavy rains can affect campsite conditions and river activities. "We stayed here on the night of December 11, 2020. No problem finding a spot, campground was about half full when we got there around 4pm. The Primitive Camping spots were all taken however, so arrive early if you want one of those," advises John B.
Cell service: limited coverage: Many campgrounds have limited or no cell coverage. At Matthews Arm, there's no store at the campground itself, though there's one a couple miles south on Skyline Drive. Plan accordingly for communication needs, especially in emergency situations.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: natural water access: South Fork Shenandoah River provides natural swimming opportunities. "Our site was amazing! The very last car camping site on the road. We were right on the river, we swam and fished. There were plenty of walk in sites beyond ours," shares Justine I.
Wildlife education: ranger programs: Several parks offer educational programs. "The children's programs offered on the weekends were great too," mentions Melissa T. about Matthews Arm Campground. These programs often include wildlife identification and conservation topics.
Wagons for gear transport: Some riverside sites require short walks from parking areas. At Gooney Creek Campground, "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," explains Matt P.
Tips from RVers
Dump station locations: plan ahead: Not all campgrounds offer full RV hookups. "You can't go wrong With the pergola and mountains view. Note that the most pull-thru in the inside of the camp are closers to each other than sites around the camp (the edge of the camp)," advises John L. about Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views.
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites in the region sit on uneven terrain. "We stayed here for 3 nights in August for our little guy's 8th birthday... Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV," notes Jen O. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Seasonal road conditions: Mountain roads can become difficult to navigate in poor weather. Pet friendly camping near Rileyville requires planning for access routes that may include steep grades. "The drive in requires about 25-miles through the roller coaster of steep grade(7+%) hills. There's no way around that, you're in the mountains. Just be aware and be prepared," warns Matt S.
