Shenandoah Valley campgrounds near Stanardsville, Virginia range from 1,000 to 3,500 feet in elevation, with temperatures typically 5-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. The mountainous terrain creates distinct microclimates where weather can change rapidly, particularly during spring and fall camping seasons. Numerous campgrounds in this area offer varying levels of seclusion, from densely forested sites to more open valley views.
What to do
Hike to mountain overlooks: Lewis Mountain Campground provides direct access to the Appalachian Trail and Bearfence Mountain Trail. According to a camper, "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!" Bearfence offers a challenging rock scramble with panoramic views.
Explore underground caverns: Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages offers on-site cavern tours at discounted rates for campers. One visitor noted, "Their cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed. Our tour guide, Haley, was a sweetheart, taking time for the two little kids, and still giving the information older people like."
Stargaze after dark: Big Meadows Campground sits at over 3,000 feet elevation with minimal light pollution. A camper shared, "We love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night." The higher elevation and open meadow areas create ideal conditions for night sky viewing with visibility of the Milky Way during new moon phases.
Visit nearby farms: Graves Mountain Farm Campground connects campers with agricultural experiences. "Free range horses (they're penned-in) come back at dusk and head out at dawn -- fun to watch from the campground, especially for kiddos," wrote one visitor. The farm also features a duck pond, chicken coop, and shallow brook for children to explore.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Loft Mountain Campground offers sites with natural barriers between campers. One review states, "The sites were fairly close, but separated by trees, so you felt private. You could hear people on the other side of the trees, but no one was loud and it was very quiet and peaceful at night!" This creates a sense of seclusion despite being in an established campground.
Mountain views: Campers consistently mention scenic vistas as a highlight at Endless Caverns. "This is a lovely RV park built up a mountain side overlooking the picturesque Shenandoah Valley, located in a deep old hardwood forest. Care has been given to support the original trees and native plants." The campground also offers a 15-minute hike to a scenic overlook with "a lovely view of the valley and an acre+ field of wildflowers they have sewn."
Clean facilities: Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA receives praise for maintenance standards. "Laundry room, bathrooms, and shower are well maintained and clean. The camp store isn't well stocked for food but local shopping is minutes away," wrote one camper. Another noted, "Bathrooms were clean and blissfully warm."
Wildlife encounters: Big Meadows Campground offers regular wildlife sightings. A visitor explained, "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 camper mentioned, "We saw many deer and bear while camping."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most national park campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Lewis Mountain Campground runs from April 15 to October, while Loft Mountain Campground operates from "mid May to late October." Winter campers should focus on year-round private campgrounds outside park boundaries.
First-come sites fill quickly: Lewis Mountain uses a first-come, first-served reservation system. One camper advised, "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."
Variable temperatures: Big Meadows Campground sits at higher elevation with more extreme temperatures. One winter camper reported, "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water." Pack for temperatures 10-15°F cooler than valley forecasts, especially at night.
Insect activity: Depending on season, insects can impact camping comfort. At Loft Mountain, one camper noted, "Unfortunately our campsite was bumblebee invested. It was cool to watch them, but they got into everything." Another camper at Big Meadows mentioned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Misty Mountain Camp Resort offers activities specifically for children. One family shared, "Very laid back atmosphere, plenty for the kids to do! Kept them occupied the whole trip! Enjoyed the music and smores offered by the campground." The resort includes a jump pad and pool tables that were noted as favorites by another family.
Choose campgrounds with ranger programs: Big Meadows Campground offers educational activities. A visitor mentioned, "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs." These structured activities provide learning opportunities while giving parents a break from entertaining children.
Consider noise levels: Lewis Mountain Campground is known for being quieter. A camper noted, "This campground is known as the quieter campground in the park, since it is primarily tent campers, and the quiet hours are enforced as a result." Families with early-to-bed children should prioritize campgrounds with strictly enforced quiet hours.
Plan for weather changes: Mountain elevations mean rapid weather shifts. Pack extra layers, rain gear, and activities for tent-bound days, especially during spring and fall when weather is most variable. One camper at Loft Mountain advised bringing quarters for hot showers on cold days: "They charge $5 for 10 min, which you have to pay in quarters."
Tips from RVers
Check site leveling before booking: At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, a visitor noted, "Site 50 is a bit strange. Camping area is big enough for a small rig but the power pedestal is far away, so you might have to be creative in setting up." Call ahead to request specific information about hookup placement and site grading.
Bring leveling blocks: Mountain campgrounds often have uneven terrain. An RVer at Endless Caverns mentioned, "The sites are mostly level" but recommended bringing leveling equipment for minor adjustments. Higher elevation sites may require 4WD vehicles for access.
Consider connectivity needs: Signal strength varies significantly across the region. At Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA, one RVer reported, "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." Download maps, entertainment, and essential information before arrival.
Watch for narrow access roads: Skyline Drive, which provides access to national park campgrounds, has vehicle size restrictions and tight turns. Check vehicle length limitations and road conditions before attempting mountain routes with larger RVs, especially during winter and early spring when ice may be present.
