Shenandoah River State Park stretches over 1,600 acres with diverse camping terrain at elevations between 500-1,300 feet. Temperatures in this region typically range from winter lows in the 20s to summer highs in the 80s. The nearby Shenandoah National Park encompasses over 200,000 acres of protected wilderness with over 500 miles of trails accessible from nearby glamping locations.
What to do
Stargazing on Skyline Drive: Big Meadows Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. "We love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," notes Rachel M., who appreciates the campground's proximity to hiking trails and waterfalls.
Winter hiking options: Even in colder months, several trails remain accessible. "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. about Big Meadows Campground.
Farm animal encounters: Stay near working farms for unique experiences. "Adjacent to a working farm where cows, sheep, llamas, chickens and roosters can graze next to the campsites," explains Erika S. about her stay at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views.
Riverside tubing: Several campgrounds offer direct river access. "This place is great for tubing. Everything you need for a great stay," says Kristen G. about Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River, where guests can bring their own tubes for floating down the river.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots among the trees. "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," writes Veronica S. about Big Meadows Campground.
Nearby trail networks: Hikers appreciate campgrounds with direct trail access. "One of the features I look for in campground is hiking trails right out of the campground. Most KOAs don't have that - but this one does! Great hiking trail info the hills and woods at the back of the property," explains Kathy L. about Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms rate highly with campers. "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," says Kim L. about Big Meadows.
Wildlife viewing: Animal sightings enhance the camping experience. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience," notes Rachel M., emphasizing the natural encounters available at campsites.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Food storage regulations are strictly enforced. "Big Meadows Campground was wonderful. Facilities were clean and well maintained. Bear box for food storage," says Terri S., highlighting the importance of proper food storage.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. "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. from his experience at Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA.
Off-season conditions: Some glamping close to Shenandoah, Virginia remains open year-round with limitations. "Showers and laundry were closed for the season but are centrally located near entrance area of campground," notes Carol B. about winter camping at Dundo Group Campground.
Seasonal insect activity: Bug populations can be significant during certain periods. "The bugs when we got here were kinda crazy. They don't bite but they swarm your head and try to enter every orifice for some reason. A head net was helpful to get the tent and screen room set up," warns Veronica S.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly campground activities: Many locations offer structured recreation. "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 Jen O. about her stay at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray.
Swimming options: Pools provide alternatives to river swimming. "This did not feel like a chain, it didn't feel like a private owner who had some land and used it as an after thought to generate some money," notes Crystal C. about Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views, which features a clean pool and playground.
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs offer learning experiences. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground," explains Kim L. about Big Meadows Campground.
Evening firefly viewing: Summer visitors can witness impressive light displays. "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," describes Veronica S.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: RV sites vary in grade across campgrounds. "The sites are large enough and level enough. The power pole is well positioned," reports Dale Y. about his experience at Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA.
Hookup placement: The location of utilities affects setup convenience. "We had a great back in site, that although a little unlevel, was really private and in the back corner," explains Tina about her stay at KOA Luray RV Resort.
Access road challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow entry points. "The road between the office and campsites is a bit narrow and one lane so can be tricky when people are arriving or leaving with rigs," warns Tina about KOA Luray RV Resort.
Campground layout considerations: Site selection impacts privacy and convenience. "Site 71 best for privacy," advises George H. about Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA, noting its quiet valley location.
