150 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Shenandoah, Virginia spans tent sites and full-hookup RV campgrounds across the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains, with options ranging from rustic national park sites to private campgrounds with developed amenities. The region includes campgrounds within Shenandoah National Park such as Big Meadows, Lewis Mountain, and Mathews Arm, all offering tent and RV sites with different amenity levels. Commercial options include several KOAs and private campgrounds like Endless Caverns RV Resort, which provide more developed facilities including water and electric hookups, showers, and in some cases cabin accommodations. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park features tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and yurts in a scenic riverside setting, accessible by both road and boat.
Most campgrounds in the Shenandoah region operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. National Park campgrounds typically open in May and close between October and November, requiring advance reservations during the busier summer months. "The most interesting part about it is that there are bunnies running around everywhere. There is also a river to play in, tube down, or fish in," noted one visitor about their camping experience. Weather conditions vary significantly with elevation, and travelers should prepare for cooler temperatures even during summer months, especially at higher-elevation sites within the national park. Campfires are permitted at most locations, though firewood regulations may restrict bringing outside wood to prevent pest introduction.
Campers consistently mention the scenic mountain backdrop as a highlight of staying in the Shenandoah area. Several visitors commented positively about the proximity to hiking trails, particularly those accessing Shenandoah National Park's extensive trail system. Campgrounds near water features receive particular attention, with riverside locations at Shenandoah River State Park allowing direct water access. A camper wrote, "There are some campsites right on the river, which are beautiful." While national park campgrounds offer more rustic experiences with vault toilets and no showers, private facilities typically provide full bathhouses and amenities like camp stores. Sites range from densely arranged layouts at KOAs to more secluded spots in the national park, giving campers options based on their preference for socialization or solitude.
"This campground is located in the Shenandoah National Park in Stanley , Va on Skyline drive and offers some amazing views!"
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Positive: Friendly staff, close to Shenandoah NP, quiet camping, every site has a fire pit. Negative: Pricing rather high"
"We stopped here for one night so we could visit Shenandoah National Park. The campground was extremely pleasant, as were the staff on duty. The sites were more spaced out than is typical for a KOA."
"It's quieter than the other Shenandoah sites, it has clean facilities, showers, water, and a store, and is right on the Appalachian Trail with tons of access to other trails."
"As usual any campground in the Shenandoah national Park is well-kept, well cared for, and just beautifulWe have stayed in all the campgrounds on the 101 mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway and with"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Loft Mountain Campground is a large national park service campground on the southern end of Shenandoah National Park."
"Loft Mountain was the third stop on our tour of Shenandoah National Park. First stop traveling south on Skyline Drive was Mathews Arm and second was Big Meadows at about the halfway point. "
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"This is a lovely RV park built up a mountain side overlooking the picturesque Shenandoah Valley, located in a deep old hardwood forest."
"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."
from $45 - $249 / night
Check Availability"Close to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive."
"They had plenty of appearances of Yogi or Cindy bear at activities and just driving around the park on a golf cart."
"We had a great stay at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views in Luray, VA. "
"We stayed at this KOA on our way to Virginia Beach but wanted to a day in Shenandoah National Park. "
from $31 - $230 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice and very large campground tucked away in the northern part of Shenandoah. The facilities and grounds were well kept and it’s a short car’s travel (but there’s also a trail!)"
"The views on the drive through Shenandoah and skyline drive are not to be missed. Easy access to hiking trails
The bathrooms were not super clean, but doable."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Great proximity to Shenandoah National Park while still being close enough to a Walmart and fuel. Easy to access sites, great for larger rigs!"
"Location is fairly convenient to Shenandoah but it still takes a while to get to some of the more popular hikes once inside the park."
from $45 - $470 / night
Check Availability"Convenient location, nice setup with tables and chairs around 2 firepits, space to spread out, and plenty of firewood provided. Friendly host. Thanks!"
"Accessibly located and cute as all get out!"
from $25 - $30 / night
Check Availability
ScoutNice level spots with enough space to park and set up a tent camp site. A few sites big enough for small RV/Trailer/RTT. Host on site- didn’t interact even one time. One site was obnoxiously loud with a speaker and singing. Ironically it was a guy by himself- host did nothing.
No alcohol allowed but nobody cared if discreet.
Bathrooms and showers- free. No super clean but hot water is hot water.
ScoutThe wifi test was done with my starlink not the campground wifi bc it doesn't exist.
To begin with I came physically up here from SC to check availability for long term stay. I was told there was a list and I would be put on that list and if a spot became available I would be notified (8-3-26). I was called (8-23-26) with availability and request for payment I paid then on the phone. My card the next following 3 days was ran for an additional total of 2400.00 every single morning an 800.00 charge I luckily had my card locked bc if not I would have been screwed. I was not given a reason why my card was ran so many times and not even an apology. I checked in on September 1st and was put in a site completely covered with tree limbs which is a problem as the only requirement I had was a clear view of the sky for my starlink to work for my remote work. For 2 whole weeks I went back and forth with the new GM Peggy. For 2 whole weeks I could NOT work the campground wifi is non existent. I was given the run around and a disrespectful attitude saying it wasnt there fault when it was known to begin with this was an absolute NEED not a want. Fast forward to today (9-12-26) I had issues with my power pole showing a short to ground and I was told its bc the poles are grounded to themselves but finally moved. The only catch was if I was to move I HAD TO LEAVE on october 1st per PEGGY the nee GM. So because of a miscommunication between staff of mine and my families needs bc my kids homeschooling I am forced to scramble to find another campground in two weeks when we live in our camper and work OTR. Its been nothing but problems here. The water taps are full of rust the GM judges you based off how you apear and treats you like dirt under the door mat. I was hoping this would be a good fit for me and my family but it has been nothing but the worst camping experience I have had in the past 5 years. The staff themselfs are great they tried to remedy the issue day one but PEGGY wouldnt allow it. I highly recommend going somewhere else and spending your hard earned money bc this place does not respect you as a customer or tenant. I talked with many campers who have been coming here for years since the 90s and they even say and feel the same the campground has declined since a management company purchased it. Also the long term rentals will be al.ost non existent unless you've bene coming here for 4 years or more. Cable is also non existent here. Its been a very VERY bad regretful experience. The lies from management and corporate baseline excuses are disgusting. Will NEVER camp here again. Take this as your honest warning from a normal person and a combat veteran. It dont take much to please me but this place has fell well below the bar. The site is was moved to before I get kicked out because they couldnt properly meet the needs of my stay allowed my starlink to work so I will be able to work 2 weeks before I am essentially nomadic again. If your tent camping bring water boots bc the tent sites seem to hold water. ALSO DONT LEAVE HONEST REVIEWS THAT SHED LIGHT ON THE NEGATIVES AND DOWNFALLS OF THIS PLACE OR THEY WILL TELL YOU YOU HAVE TO LEAVE.
GuideGreat experience; would absolutely go back. Lucked out with weather being warm enough for swimming at the beginning of fall. Campsites set back from the road and separated by decent stands of trees from each other.
Four of five stars because designated tent pad and portions of the rest of the site (River Loop 4) were gravel over poured concrete and therefore impossible to properly stake a tent. In general, sites were spacious and well separated from neighbors. I would probably avoid River Loop sites 9 & 10, as they back on to the restrooms and have all-night light shining in.
RangerThis KOA has cozy spots among the trees and off any major road. Shower houses are squeaky clean and spots are spaced out just right! Some extra amenities: playground, camper core signage, and many other things!
TravelerNice, clean, parking lot type campground. Great pool with lots of built in splash features for kids and a big slide. No real view from site 665 ~ just the top of some mountains. No river view at all. There is a golf cart trail to the river access with parking, but then there are big steps with no hand rail. Lucky a nice man let me hold onto him walking back up. My husband was carrying the gear and couldn’t help me. It seems everyone brought a golf cart. They had rentals, but too expensive. Again ~ great for young families.
ScoutIt was a great spot for a little fire and outdoors camping. No permit needed and there are some places around where u can easily rent a kayak to go on the river. You can also park your car easily at this spot.
GuideThe RV park is on a mountain side. Roads are fairly steep. Most sites are level, ours was a bit sloped but were able to level our trailer. Plenty to do here. Endless Caverns site is quite large. Huge rec room with large projection TV. Game room, large deck with public bbq equipment. Great pool. A catch n release fishing pond, pickle ball & volleyball courts and a great playground for the younger set sporting a large air filled bouncing pad. Kids in the camp loved it. The cavern tour is worth it once. Tour guides are young so not much geological knowledge. The New Market Civil War Battlefield is about 3 miles away, it and it's museum are well worth it. The Endless Caverns staff is super. Prices reasonable. A great find. I will stay again.
ScoutGreat camp ground, spots are a little un-level
ScoutBeautiful area and lots of amenities but $95 a night for RV camper even if you’re in a van. The tent spots fill up fast if there are any
Shenandoah camping experiences vary dramatically by elevation, with temperatures often 10-15 degrees cooler on mountain campgrounds compared to valley locations. The region spans elevations from approximately 600 feet in the valley to over 3,500 feet along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Winter camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing, while summer campers should anticipate afternoon thunderstorms that typically roll through between 2-5 PM.
Hiking accessible from campsites: At Lewis Mountain Campground, trails start directly from the camping area. "Lewis Mountain is right next to the AT and convenient to closer hikes like Bearfence Mountain (probably my favorite hike in the park - beautiful 360 degree views from the rocky summit) and the short trail up to Lewis Mountain itself," notes one camper who saw "6 black bears, a barred owl, tons of awesome bugs, brook trout, a salamander" during their stay.
Mushroom farm tours: Visit Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm for a unique camping experience where you can learn about mushroom cultivation. "We got a nice tour of the mushrooms currently growing at the farm. The camp area sits under a canopy of cedar trees," explains a camper who appreciated this distinctive experience just 20 miles from Shenandoah National Park.
Waterfalls and scrambles: Multiple waterfall hikes start near camping areas. "It is in middle of everything. Great hikes nearby including waterfalls and rock scrambles," mentions a Lewis Mountain visitor. Mathews Arm campers can access Overall Run Falls via a trailhead in the parking area, creating a loop hike using different return routes.
Dark night skies: The lack of light pollution at several Shenandoah area campgrounds allows for exceptional stargazing. At Loft Mountain Campground, campers experience true darkness that reveals the Milky Way. One visitor shared, "We had the tent area to myself, it was quiet at night in my little corner of camp and I could walk out a bit from my site and see the entire night sky which was amazing!"
Wildlife encounters: Deer sightings are extremely common throughout the region's campgrounds. At Big Meadows Campground, a camper observed: "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached." Another noted, "And finally, 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."
Seasonal spectacles: Fall foliage peaks from mid-October through early November, while wildflowers bloom most profusely in April and May. "The mountains are among the most beautiful in the fall. The leaves turn golden, and it is absolutely beautiful and worth your time," shares a Mathews Arm camper. Summer brings firefly displays at higher elevation campgrounds.
Variable weather conditions: Mountain campgrounds experience weather changes rapidly. At Endless Caverns RV Resort, campers note that weather systems move quickly across the valley. "Roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful," advises one visitor, while another reports camping comfortably in April when temperatures ranged from 40-70°F in a single day.
Limited connectivity: Cell service and WiFi are unreliable throughout the region. "No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online," shares a Big Meadows camper. Another visitor to Endless Caverns notes, "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."
Campground elevation differences: Valley campgrounds can be 10-15°F warmer than mountain sites. "Remember this site is on the peak of a mountain, so it can get pretty chilly at night," warns a Lewis Mountain visitor. During summer months, valley locations regularly reach the 90s while mountain sites remain in the 70s.
Ranger programs: Participate in educational activities scheduled throughout summer and fall. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground," explains a Big Meadows visitor. Programs often include night sky viewing, wildlife talks, and junior ranger activities.
Swimming options: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park offers river access directly from primitive campsites. "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," reports a camper who found it ideal for children.
Food storage requirements: All food must be stored securely to prevent wildlife encounters. "Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife," notes a Big Meadows camper. Another visitor cautions: "You can be fined for leaving food out." National Park Service regulations require food storage in vehicles, hard-sided containers, or provided bear boxes.
Site selection matters: At Harrisonburg-Shenandoah Valley KOA, RVers recommend specific areas for privacy and views. "Site 71 best for privacy. Pool, playground, frisbee golf & pizza delivered to your site!" shares one visitor. Another experienced camper advises: "It's about 3 miles off highest 81, and no highway noise at all. So peaceful."
Limited hookup availability: National Park campgrounds typically offer no or very limited hookups. "Biggest campground in Shenandoah so can usually find a spot," notes a Loft Mountain visitor, though they caution that amenities are basic. RVers needing full hookups should look to private campgrounds like Endless Caverns RV Resort, which offers "stone borders, stone walls, and stone fire pits at every site, plus full hookup at each site."
Generator restrictions: Many campgrounds enforce generator-free periods or zones. "Generator-free area: No generators are allowed in parts of the A and B sections," explains a Mathews Arm visitor. Quiet hours generally run from 10PM to 6AM at most campgrounds, with some enforcing complete generator bans during these times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Shenandoah, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Shenandoah, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 150 campgrounds and RV parks near Shenandoah, VA and 21 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Shenandoah, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shenandoah, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 128 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Shenandoah, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Shenandoah, VA.
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