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Dog-Friendly Camping near Shenandoah, VA

105 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA campground offers spacious sites for pet owners with clean facilities and pet-friendly amenities throughout the property. Dogs are welcome at all accommodation types including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping options. Tent sites feature flat, mulch-covered areas with fire pits and picnic tables that provide ample space for campers with pets. The campground maintains a quiet atmosphere at the base of the Blue Ridge mountains with trails accessible directly from the property where dogs can explore on-leash. Bathrooms and shower facilities are consistently well-maintained and clean, with several reviewers noting the exceptional cleanliness standards.

    Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park allows pets at tent sites, RV areas, cabins, and glamping accommodations with specific pet policies in place. Dogs must remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside vehicles or accommodations. The campground provides water stations and trash receptacles throughout the property for proper pet waste disposal. Many camping areas feature hiking trails connecting directly to pet-friendly paths where dogs can enjoy outdoor exploration while maintaining appropriate distance from wildlife. Staff members at Harrisonburg KOA are particularly attentive to pet owners, providing assistance with site selection and information about local veterinary services. The nearby Shenandoah River offers water access points where dogs can cool off during summer months when temperatures rise significantly in the valley region.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Shenandoah (105)

      1. Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

      4.5(125)10mi from Shenandoah224 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      2. Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA

      4.3(33)6mi from ShenandoahRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Halloween was in full effect including a haunted walk. Sites are spacious and have natural stone in ground fire pits instead of rusted metal rims which adds character."

      "Positive: Friendly staff, close to Shenandoah NP, quiet camping, every site has a fire pit. Negative: Pricing rather high"

      3. Loft Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park

      4.3(68)17mi from Shenandoah213 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "We had to pay to get into Shenandoah, and then pay the camping fee for loft mountain. We arrived around noon and with the hopes of getting a good first-come, first serve site."

      "I enjoyed visiting the park and camping here, especially as it is one or the few National Parks that are dog-friendly and allow dogs most everywhere, --throughout campground, on most trails, and even on"

      from $30 - $75 / night

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      4. Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages

      4.5(22)8mi from ShenandoahRVs, Tents

      "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

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      5. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray

      4.5(24)18mi from Shenandoah5 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Lots of fun stuff to do for adults, children, and pets. Will definitely visit again!"

      "Close to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive."

      6. Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views

      4.6(18)18mi from Shenandoah15 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "We had a great stay at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views in Luray, VA. "

      "Adjacent to a working farm where cows, sheep, llamas, chickens and roosters can graze next to the campsites. The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean."

      from $31 - $230 / night

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      7. Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park

      4.4(46)26mi from Shenandoah166 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      8. Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm

      4.6(7)13mi from Shenandoah2 sitesTents

      "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

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      9. Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River

      4.3(6)12mi from ShenandoahRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "They have a playground for the kids, fishing ponds, cabins, pet friendly with a dog park and they are located right along the Shenandoah river. "

      "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

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      10. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground

      4.7(57)31mi from Shenandoah62 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Our patio was on the side next to the road which was a little close to traffic but we still loved siting there, especially in the evening with a campfire."

      "Shenandoah River is right there on the campsite, would be great for the summer months. Tons of trails great for families with dogs or those wanting to get out and hike."

      from $27 - $427 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Shenandoah, VA

    1084 Reviews of 105 Shenandoah Campgrounds


    • L
      Sep. 1, 2018

      North Fork Resort

      Love this place!

      We began our membership here this June. it has a great atmosphere on the banks of the Shenandoah River. There are activities every weekend like concerts and group activities. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The facilities are clean and very convenient. Pet friendly; two dog parks.

    • Joe
      Sep. 29, 2020

      Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River

      Spacious and clean campground

      We recently stayed for a long weekend at the Outlanders campground after we received a referral from a friend and could not have been more happy with our stay.  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 and they are located right along the Shenandoah river.  You can go tubing on the river but need to provide your own tubes.  The ride down the river from one end of the park to the other is around 30 minutes.  Also for all of the people attached to the internet like us we were able to have plenty of cell signal to hotspot and get internet.

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 12, 2026

      Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground

      Great State Park Campground! Would be a 5 if there was sewer.

      We absolutely loved our stay at this state park. The sites are spacious with plenty of room for your RV (no matter what the size) and plenty of room for a screen room on your patio. Unlike in many private campgrounds, campsites are well-spaced out giving you some privacy so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. A scattering of trees provides some shade and privacy. The road in and out of the campground was steep but since it was paved we didn’t have a traction issue. 

      We stayed in site 10 which was a gravel back-in site. It was plenty long enough for our 45’ RV and tow car. Each campsite has an expansive patio with large firepit, picnic table, and raised grill for cooking. Our patio was on the side next to the road which was a little close to traffic but we still loved siting there, especially in the evening with a campfire. A few sites were paved and some were double sites which would be great if you are traveling with friends. 

      The park itself has numerous gravel/dirt trails along the river and throughout the park. The longest one travels all along the Shenandoah River, and you can access it directly from the RV campground. One day we walked the trail to the visitor center which has an amazing overlook near the visitor center. Inside are exhibits which were interesting and informative about the area. If you are looking for more and diverse trails, you are just minutes away from Shenandoah National Park. Don’t miss out on the famous Skyline Drive in Shenandoah. 

      The town of Front Royal is about 15 minutes away and where you will get cell/mobile data service and there are restaurants and supplies. We love the burgers at Spelunkers and wished we had more time to visit the Virginia Beer Museum. Chester Gap Cellars has great wine and incredible views. The only downsides of this park are that there is no sewer and no Verizon service. Even without those amenities, we loved our stay and would definitely come back.

    • Matt S.
      Aug. 12, 2023

      Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views

      Camping Gem With a Great View

      We had a great stay at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views in Luray, VA. 

      We stayed in a level back-in site(#39) with picnic table on a concrete patio, Adirondack chairs under a pergola on a second concrete patio, clean gravel surface, and fire pit. The site was big enough for our motor home and Jeep. Full hook-ups with 50-amp service. 

      Wow, what a view! Sunset over the mountains from our campsite each evening. Who could ask for more? 

      The campground is close to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive as well as Luray Caverns and a few smaller tourist attractions including the Luray Zoo and Bear Mountain Zip-lines. 

      They have a clean pool and playground for little kids. The nearby dairy cow farm is fun too. 

      You can tell the new owners are making some upgrades including improving the utilities and adding wi-fi. 

      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. 

      THINGS I ESPECIALLY LIKED: 

      1. The best view from a campsite we’ve ever experienced 

      2. Less than 20-minutes from Shenandoah National Park and Luray Caverns 

      3. Clean campground

    • Francelia A.
      Jul. 27, 2025

      Misty Mountain Camp Resort

      Mom and son new adventure

      Misty Mountain Camp Resort is located in Crozet, Virginia, off of 250 below Afton Mountain. I'm familiar with this resort. Many, many years ago, when it was Yogi Bear's park, a lot of updates since then. Great accommodations. I've not enjoyed camping as much as I have these last 2 weeks with my son Matthew, who is 30 years old down syndrome, autism and a leukemia survivor. I am 66 years old. I'm on the best adventure of my life. Just bought a new motorhome after my partner of 15 years passed away. I'm on a new journey. And taking care of my life with good health. I recommend this park to anyone. Friendly staff, accommodating, pet friendly dog parks, bathhouse, laundry, sun, and shade, with 30 and 50 amp hookups with sewage. I couldn't ask for a better place. Have a fun-loving life, I am!

    • E
      Jun. 13, 2021

      Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views

      Beautiful views & large spots

      Beautiful views. Adjacent to a working farm where cows, sheep, llamas, chickens and roosters can graze next to the campsites.

      The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean.

      It also had the largest dog park area of any campground I’ve ever seen.

      Very nice pool, friendly staff and firewood available for purchase. They will even deliver right to your site.

      Very close to downtown Luray, which has great shops and restaurants. There is a very nice 2 mile long walking trail, the Luray-Hawksbill Greenway, near the campground that will take you right into town.

      Also close by to some excellent hiking, wineries, breweries and distilleries.

    • Mimi B.
      Sep. 25, 2020

      Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park

      Very nice clean rv park

      Located within minutes of I81. We stopped for 2 nights to see the Shenandoah National Park on our way to NC. Called last minute and got a site. Very nice customer service. Grounds were very well kept. Our site 112 had water, 50amp and cable. Dump station on premises. Nice dog park for our fur babies and doggie duty stations with bags in several locations throughout the park. Also had a cute playground for kiddos. Didn't use the pool so can't comment. A little highway noise but when windows and door were closed couldn't hear a thing. We'd stay here again. They honor Good Sam discount. Paid $38 with discount.

    • J
      Apr. 26, 2019

      Gooney Creek Campground

      Sweetest owner ever!

      On a whim we decided to try this campground. We are tent campers and we’re looking for a place close to Shenandoah to ride our motorcycles. This was 3 miles from the north entrance to the park, perfect. Making a reservation was easy, we arrived and had the loveliest conversation with Pam, she is such a gem!! We got a spot right next to the creek, bought some firewood from Pam for $10, which gave you a small wheelbarrow full. You can get a better deal elsewhere but we were happy to support Pam. The campground wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, the bathrooms and shower are rustic. Paint peeling and very makeshift but who cares. The water was hot and the bathroom facility has gorgeous paintings all over it. The grounds were relatively empty when we stayed and we had no issues w anything. Rained all night, we didn’t care, rain and the creek sounded awesome. Without hesitation I would stay here again, you don’t meet special souls like Pam very often. Give her your business. Oh and watch out for the pet cat, he likes the road down to the campsite. His name is Puppycat.

    • B
      Jun. 26, 2018

      Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views

      Great Location for visiting Luray Caverns

      This campground is very close to Luray Caverns and all that they have to offer. There is also a Duke's of Hazzard themed museum and store where they do live music on weekends nearby, it's called Cooter's. This campground is very small but quiet. It does border cow pasture land so when the wind shifts you get the smell but it wasn't constant and it wasn't unbearable. They have 2 swimming pools and a very large dog park. The bath houses were clean and well maintained. I would definitely recommend this campground.


    Guide to Shenandoah

    Shenandoah Valley camping sits at elevations ranging from 600 to over 3,500 feet, creating diverse microclimates across the region's campgrounds. Summer temperatures typically range from 60°F at night to 85°F during the day, with higher elevations offering cooler overnight stays. Fall camping season extends through late October when frost becomes common at higher elevations and wildlife activity increases as animals prepare for winter.

    What to do

    Hiking from campgrounds: Big Meadows Campground provides direct access to multiple trail systems within Shenandoah National Park. "Many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," notes Rachel M. The campground connects to both challenging mountain routes and easier family-friendly paths.

    Stargazing opportunities: Loft Mountain Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "The mountain remained fogged in for most of our stay, but hikes on the AT and Doyles Falls were stunning," shares Cindy M. The amphitheater area provides an elevated vantage point for astronomical observation, especially during new moon phases.

    Cave exploration: Endless Caverns RV Resort provides on-site access to natural limestone caverns with guided tours. A visitor reports, "Their cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed. Our tour guide, Haley, was a sweetheart." Tours run throughout the day and typically take 45-60 minutes to complete.

    What campers like

    Wildlife viewing: Big Meadows Campground offers regular wildlife encounters directly from campsites. According to Kim L., "Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground. Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground." Deer frequently visit campsites at dawn and dusk, and bears are sometimes spotted from safe distances.

    Mountain views: Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views provides panoramic mountain vistas from its campsites. "Sunset over the mountains from our campsite each evening. Who could ask for more?" writes Matt S. The campground sits at an elevation with unobstructed views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Massanutten range.

    Riverside access: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground offers waterfront primitive sites alongside the Shenandoah River. "The river. The views. The experience. It's all good probably best time I ever had," reports Susan P. The campground provides wagons to transport gear from parking areas to riverside sites, making the short walk manageable even with equipment.

    What you should know

    Bear safety requirements: Matthews Arm Campground requires strict food storage protocols. Mary S. explains, "Google reviews indicated park rangers insist you keep all food in a locker, camper or vehicle and you can be fined if you don't. Apparently, bears recognize coolers so you should cover them up in vehicles." Not all sites have bear boxes, so secure food storage planning is essential.

    Seasonal considerations: Loft Mountain Campground experiences significant temperature variations by season. "The shower was about 0.3 miles away. They charge $5 for 10 min, which you have to pay in quarters," notes Katrin M. Fall visitors should prepare for morning temperatures near freezing at this higher-elevation campground, especially in October.

    Pet-friendly policies: When seeking pet friendly camping near Shenandoah, Virginia, understand campground-specific rules. At Big Meadows, Carol B. observes: "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." All Shenandoah National Park campgrounds allow pets but require them to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet.

    Tips for camping with families

    Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray offers structured children's programming. "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. The campground maintains a full activity schedule during summer and fall weekends.

    Campground noise levels: Matthews Arm Campground provides quieter family camping environments. According to Mary S., "It's quiet! People don't come to national park campgrounds to party. They come to see the sights and hike. They're tired at night and don't make a lot of noise." For families seeking animal-friendly camping near Shenandoah, Virginia with young children, this campground offers more secluded sites in sections A56-A61.

    Bathroom facilities: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park maintains exceptionally clean restroom facilities. "Virginia has the best state park campgrounds. Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms," notes Adam and Suzanne B. The private shower rooms are particularly useful for families with young children needing assistance.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection guidance: Endless Caverns RV Resort requires careful site selection for larger rigs. Sara M. advises: "Be very particular with your site selection! The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD." Sites in section C offer more privacy and natural screening than those in section E.

    Hookup considerations: Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River provides full hookup sites with good spacing. Joe notes, "The RV sites at this campground are very spaced out, you have a lot of room to each side of your RV." The campground's 30/50 amp electrical service and reliable water pressure accommodate everything from small trailers to large motorhomes.

    Connectivity options: For RVers requiring internet access while dog camping near Shenandoah, Virginia, connectivity varies significantly by location. "We picked up a dozen channels on our antenna and the 2-3 bar Verizon LTE enabled us to stream some channels on Fire TV," reports Sara M. at Endless Caverns. National Park campgrounds like Big Meadows generally have limited to no cellular service.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Shenandoah, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Shenandoah, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 125 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Shenandoah, VA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 105 dog-friendly camping locations near Shenandoah, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.