Cabin camping near Singers Glen, Virginia centers around the Shenandoah Valley at elevations between 900-3,000 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with colorful fall foliage typically peaking in mid-October. Winter cabin stays often see nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing, with Lewis Mountain Campground recording overnight lows of 14°F during late autumn.
What to do
Hiking from your cabin: Multiple trails connect directly to Lewis Mountain Campground. "Bearfence is just down the trail, you can walk out of camp and start hiking. Originally was opened in 1939 as 'Lewis Mountain Negro Area,' not having all the amenities that whites only campgrounds had, I find it interesting that this is now the best spot in town!" according to Max O.
Waterfall exploration: Doyles Falls trail near Loft Mountain Campground offers moderate hiking with stunning water features. "The family just returned from 3 days hidden away at Loft Mountain. Hikes on the AT and Doyles Falls were stunning," notes Cindy M.
Wildlife viewing: Big Meadows Campground provides excellent opportunities to observe local fauna. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," shares Veronica S. at Big Meadows Campground.
What campers like
Night sky access: Elevation advantages create exceptional stargazing conditions. "When I visited it was on a weekday and while there were some people staying on the RV side I 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!" reports Crystal C. about Luray KOA.
Swimming options: Multiple locations offer water recreation. "They have an awesome pool that was heated, hot tubs, mini golf and good playgrounds. My kids were in heaven," shares Lo H. about Shenandoah Valley Campground.
Firefly displays: Summer visitors can experience remarkable natural light shows at Big Meadows. "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.
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Mountain elevation means significant temperature fluctuations. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," notes Carol B. about late-season camping at Big Meadows.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically throughout 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," warns Dale Y. about the Harrisonburg Shenandoah Valley KOA.
Shower costs: Not all park facilities include free hot showers. "The showers are $5 for 10 minutes. Kind of a steep price. Make sure you test that it works BEFORE you get set up and get naked. My first quarter got jammed and I had to redress and pack up to move to a different one," advises Veronica S.
Tips for camping with families
Consider campground size: Smaller facilities often provide more personalized experiences. "Lewis Mountain is the quieter campground in the park, since it is primarily tent campers, and the quiet hours are enforced as a result," explains Danielle V. about Lewis Mountain Campground.
Pack for insects: Be prepared for seasonal bug activity. "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," recommends Veronica S.
Utilize camp stores: Many locations offer essentials if you forget supplies. "The nearby camp store had all the necessities. Lots of hiking along skyline drive, and a few trails around the campground. When we woke up on the morning we were checking out, we didn't want to leave!" shares Annie B. about Loft Mountain.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Terrain can affect comfort levels. "Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy. Plus the accessible site across from us was empty during our whole stay, which added to the privacy," recommends Veronica S.
Consider arrival timing: Popular destinations fill quickly. "Out of the 31 sites (including host site), only 3 remained when we arrived at about 1:45 PM on a Friday afternoon, and those remaining filled up within the hour. Especially in the busier months of the summer, I would suggest arriving prior to 11 or 1130 AM," advises Danielle V.
Level site challenges: Some locations require extra preparation. "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," cautions Jen O. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
