Cabins near Sperryville, Virginia range from rustic hiker shelters to full-service family accommodations across multiple elevations. Located in Virginia's Piedmont region where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the foothills, most cabin sites sit between 700-3,000 feet elevation. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at higher elevations, while summer cabin rentals typically require advance booking 3-6 months ahead.
What to do
Hiking at Shenandoah National Park: Access trails directly from Lewis Mountain Campground with options for all skill levels. "Lewis Mountain is my favorite of the campgrounds up there. It has a nice communal feel, doesn't get rowdy, has water and bathrooms, and isn't too crowded," notes Leslie B. about Lewis Mountain Campground.
River activities on the Shenandoah: Both tubing and kayaking available at Low Water Bridge Campground with equipment rental on site. "Great place with spaces right on the shenendoah for fishing and tubing/kayaking. Most spots have no electricity or water hookups," reports Glen W. about Low Water Bridge Campground.
Stargazing at higher elevations: Big Meadows offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," shares Rachel M.
What campers like
Private riverside sites: Secluded spots along the water at Low Water Bridge provide direct river access. "The river sites are worth the few extra bucks, but they book up fast. You have to call in your reservations - can't book online," advises RL.
Well-maintained facilities: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park offers clean, accessible bathrooms and showers. "Clean grounds and importantly clean facilities. Park offers very doable hiking and mountain biking options for beginners. Campground access to the Shenandoah River," explains Laura N. about Shenandoah River State Park.
Large sites with mountain views: Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views provides pergola-covered sites with panoramic vistas. "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," describes Matt S.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Many cabins close during winter months. "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.
Bear safety required: All Shenandoah National Park cabins require proper food storage. "Big Meadow has many amenities which make it popular and oftentimes crowded during weekends and holidays. We saw many deer and bear while camping," reports Rachel M. about Big Meadows Campground.
Cell service limitations: Most cabin locations have minimal connectivity. "There is absolutely no Verizon service here (ATT seems to work pretty well). You'll have to drive 10-15 in either direction on Rt. 211 before you can catch a signal," notes RL about Low Water Bridge Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers numerous structured activities for children. "This isn't my idea of camping, but I brought my 11 year old nephew. He was able to run around and make friends with his aunt always looking over his shoulder. He had lots of fun at pool, movie night, making s'mores, and jumping on bouncy mound," shares Anne K. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cabin locations often feature frequent deer sightings and bird watching. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," writes Veronica S.
Bathroom proximity: Consider cabin location relative to facilities when traveling with young children. "The bathroom was a nice short walk away, but the proximity did have some drawbacks. The vent sounds like a diesel truck idling nonstop. At night people using flashlights and headlamps walking away from the bathroom shine them into your tent," warns Veronica S.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Mountain terrain may require additional equipment. "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV. Still, we would go back...just to a different site location," cautions Jen O. about Harrisonburg Shenandoah Valley KOA.
Hook-up locations: Position varies between campgrounds; check site details before booking. "Sites are level, at least 28 was. 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.
Mountain road access: Prepare for steep grades when towing to cabin destinations. "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.
