The George Washington National Forest surrounds Star Tannery, Virginia, creating a hub for diverse camping experiences ranging from free primitive sites to developed campgrounds with modern amenities. Notable options include Hawk Recreation Area Campground, a free forest service campground with basic facilities, and The Cove Campground, which offers lake access, tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Campgrounds in this region typically accommodate a mix of tent and RV camping, with some locations like Elizabeth Furnace and Shenandoah River State Park also featuring cabins or glamping opportunities.
Road conditions can significantly impact access to many camping areas, particularly at Hawk Recreation Area. The dirt roads leading to primitive sites often become challenging after rain or in wet conditions. A visitor noted, "The road in is a single lane dirt road with parts of it partially washed away. I would not want to drive on this in the rain." Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. Cell service varies considerably, with some remote forest locations having minimal to no coverage. Many primitive sites permit extended stays up to 21 days, while developed campgrounds typically enforce shorter limits and may require reservations during peak seasons.
Campers consistently mention the peaceful, secluded nature of sites throughout the region as a major draw. Several visitors highlight the forested settings and proximity to hiking trails as key benefits. The Cove Campground receives positive reviews for its lake access, fishing opportunities, and unique amenities. According to one camper, "On top of them having an outdoor gun range... they have a small beach, picnic tables everywhere, a volleyball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake." Wildlife sightings, including bears, are reported in more remote locations. Public facilities vary widely across sites, with developed campgrounds providing showers and flush toilets, while primitive areas typically offer only vault toilets and possibly hand-pump water sources that may be seasonal or unreliable.
$27 - $427 / night
"Virginia has the best state park campgrounds. Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms. Nice hiking in the park. Near SNP. Responsive and friendly rangers."
"In my opinion it has the best location of the 3 Turks they have. It’s it the woods close to a boat landing you can see a bit of the river. In the fall or spring I’m sure the view is amazing."
"Although it's not immediately convenient to the various hiking trails in the Lee Ranger district of Washington-Jefferson NF, this little site is tucked away atop a mountain far from any crowds."
"Tent sites are rough, some outside ring sites have tent pads."
"Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes."
"The road is gravel and could use some work, I’d recommend 4x4 drive. We really enjoyed it and will go back. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5, water situation and the roads could use some work."
$38 - $77 / night
"Unfortunately, it is located right on a major highway. This means there is easy access, but the traffic noise is less than ideal. But the gem of this place is the management and staff!"
"No restaurant within walking range so have food on hand. There are a few places that will deliver but the food is a 5 out of 10 at best. Hwy 81 is right next door so you will hear road noise."
$20 / night
"This campsite is by far one of my favorite free campsites that Virginia has to offer. what makes Wolf Gap so speacial is the the 4 mile hike that leads to a rocky overlook of the valley."
"We made a spur of the moment one night trip up here from Virginia, and I do glad we stumbled upon it! There are only 8 or 9 camp spots, each with a leveled area for a tent and a designated fire pit."
$30 - $75 / night
"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!)"
"There are a few trails encompassing and leading out from the campground, and it's nice to have a central location from which you can out on small hikes."
"Great spot right outside Shenandoah NP with quick access to the park or nearby trails. great fishing and hikes for kids, too!"
"There are a couple of sites that have a path to the creek that flows behind the campground.There is also plenty of hiking trails to be completed around the campgrounds of various levels from beginner to"
$20 / night
"In the valley outside of Shenandoah, it was a nice spot to return to at night. There are also some hiking trails across the street."
"Campground Review: What a great find, so close to a town….though feels like you are deep in the forest!"
"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."
"Hike up a trail or up through the creek itself to a swimming hole only accessible to campers. Saw some decent sized fish swimming around in there."
$26 - $47 / night
"We spent 2 nights at Creekside Campground in Edinburg, VA on our way to West Virginia—- and found a real gem. We paid$50/night for Back-in Creekview FHU Site#20."
"We had a large grass space with water and power on the edge of a beautiful creek and enjoyed the sounds of it both nights."
TravelerVery nice spot, good tent setup pads and fire rings at all the sites, my one complaint is that it is right next to the road that while not frequently used, the occasional car can often take away from the remote experience. There are some sites a little further in but the diff is minimal. Overall very great, well maintained spot
ScoutThis was a great place to camp. Lovely. The price was affordable. We stayed in the cabin. Electricity. Air conditioning. Running water. The property owner manager is very accommodating and pleasant to talk with.
Highly recommended.
~Robert
art505.com
ScoutThis KOA was quiet and perfect for a short stay. We enjoyed our time here. The staff was friendly.
GuideI chose Big Meadows to stay at because my traveling companion is definitely a bit bougie and was anxious about camping in the mountains of a NP. Due to this site having showers, toilets, a laundromat, camp store(s) and even a lodge/taproom, they felt more comfortable. We stayed at site D142, right near the entrance by the registration office and showers. I didn’t expect the site to be so nice and quiet and still feel quite private despite the location! We checked out the loops and besides the tent sites, I actually preferred our site. We stayed the week before Memorial Day weekend and I was pleased with how quiet it was. Quiet hours were strictly adhered without rangers having to ask, other campers were respectful toward each other and we had no issues. The NP staff were awesome and the concession employees for the showers, camp store, and the Wayside grill were genuinely friendly and obviously cared about their jobs, which I sincerely appreciate. Wayside grill with attached camp store was fun and had some great gift items as well as some pretty solid quality hiking and camping items. The grill even had a beyond burger which I greatly appreciated! The lodge was funky but not my cup of tea, the taproom was ok, although the employees were really nice.
It did rain half the time we were there with extremely heavy fog so we only did a few hikes but they were still a lot of fun. We didn’t see any bear either! The number one animal we had invade our campsite on the regular were birds. Two catbirds regularly tried to involve themselves in everything, including landing on a pot of oatmeal I was actively cooking and standing next to! We followed leave no trace of course but any chance the birds got, from catbirds, robins, brown thrashers, towhee, and even a redstart, they would try to investigate.
There is clean drinking water listed on the campsite maps, there are utility sinks for grey water (don’t use the bathroom sink!), bathrooms were always clean and bathrooms and showers are open 24/7 and are well lit. I didn’t buy the firewood so I’m unsure how much it is but the little camp store was open from 9-6 (right by the bathroom) for firewood, ice, and other various supplies.
Only downsides to the site are 1) showers are not cheap ($5 for 10 mins) and don’t stay warm for long so you’re showering in chilly water. Some stalls last a bit longer than others. 2) The biggest issue though was surprisingly the bear boxes. They are quite large and fit a lot of stuff which is great. However, you are expected to keep your cooler in them. I have a bear proof cooler (IGBC) so I’ve never had to experience this situation before. The bear box being made of metal, heated everything up in it which caused rapid melting of ice. Despite pre-chilling it and my ice usually lasting for days and days, we had to refill it daily. The camp store thankfully sold ice (10 lb bags for $5) but it was frustrating that there was no other option for bear proof items. I didn’t fight the rangers regarding it because it’s their rules, it’s for the safety of the bears and people, and the rangers and park staff have enough stuff to deal with.
All in all, I’ve never really glamped before so it was quite a luxurious trip even with the rain and fog for half the trip. I’ll most definitely be back and would even stay at the same site or a tent only site with no driveway.
GuideThe sites are close together. The park was not full Mother’s Day weekend. It is a very nice park. The bathhouses were clean. The amenities were good although we didn’t utilize them. The national historic site was very close and we walked over day 1 rode our bikes day 2. The C&O canal is accessible but you must walk your bike across the lower town bridge and carry it down the stairs. This section of the trail was very good and we completed 38 miles.
GuideMy wife and I stayed here one night, while driving south to north, Skyline Dr. the drive has been awesome and this campground is the perfect resting spot for us, for the night. Had a couple drinks at the lodge while watching a spectacular sunset. I’d definitely come back.
ScoutClean facilities, each site has plenty of space. Never had an issue with noisy neighbors. Excellent access to the river. 10/10
ScoutI will start with the negatives. They do not enforce quiet hours. At all. We had multiple nights with a large group neighboring campers partying well past midnight. Yelling, slamming car doors, absolutely no regard for fellow campers. I would not recommend staying along the road sites unless you are equipped to deal with noisy neighbors in close proximity.
And the good... The sites in the more wooded areas on the edge of the campground are beautiful. You are less likely to deal with groups of campers there to party. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained, with pay showers available. Firewood, though expensive, was plentiful. Being close to hiking, the lodge, camp store, and visitor center are excellent perks for the price of each site.
I really wish the staff was there to better enforce the quiet hours, as there were multiple campers that struggled to sleep/relax with the raucous crowd so close.
TravelerWe stayed one night here (didn't even unhook from the truck). Arrived in the rain and were leaving early the next morning, so I didn't want to disconnect. Our gravel pad was over 6" out of level, requiring me to use leveling pads and a leveling jack to get trailer level. All the short-term gravel sites looked like they needed some love!
Campground is about 80% seasonal, and apparently has no housekeeping restrictions on residents - some sites were pretty full of old dead golf carts and various debris. Not sure I would want to stay for a destination camping experience, but it was cheap and fine for a one night stay.
Star Tannery sits at an elevation of around 900 feet in the northern Shenandoah Valley, where the George Washington National Forest transitions from foothills to mountainous terrain. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with cold, occasionally snowy winters and warm summers that rarely exceed 90°F. Camping options near Star Tannery range from free primitive sites with vault toilets to full-service campgrounds with amenities like hot showers and electrical hookups.
Hiking to mountain overlooks: Wolf Gap Recreation Area provides direct access to the Big Schloss trail, offering panoramic valley views. "The hiking around here is first rate—Big Schloss offers one of the most unique views in the region!" notes one Wolf Gap visitor. The moderate 4-mile round trip climbs to a rocky overlook perfect for sunrise photography.
Fishing in stocked streams: Elizabeth Furnace Campground provides access to Passage Creek, which is regularly stocked with trout. According to a camper, "There is a stocked trout stream, will keep the kids and kids at heart busy." The creek runs directly behind several campsites at Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground, making it convenient for morning or evening fishing.
Target shooting: The Cove Campground offers an unusual amenity for outdoor enthusiasts. "On top of them having an outdoor gun range... they have a small beach, picnic tables everywhere, a volleyball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake," shares one visitor. The range is properly maintained with designated shooting areas and safety protocols.
Quiet weekday camping: Wolf Gap visitors note the difference between weekday and weekend experiences. "This was a great midweek site. The reservation board is straightforward, the history of the campground is interesting, and the trail access is excellent," reports a Wolf Gap camper. Weekdays typically see less than 50% occupancy, even during summer months.
Creek-side tent sites: Several campgrounds feature tent sites directly adjacent to flowing water. At Gooney Creek Campground, "We landed the prime spot all the way at the back of the campsite, nearest to the swimming hole. The site is located near a highway, so getting a spot in the back is ideal," advises a visitor. The sound of running water creates natural white noise that masks any highway sounds.
Wildlife viewing: Mathews Arm Campground in Shenandoah National Park provides regular wildlife encounters. "Great campground! A lot of hiking and nature everywhere. We even had a doe and fawn right in our campsite! Just be careful of the black bears," states one camper. The park's wildlife management protocols help maintain safe distances while allowing observation opportunities.
Road conditions: Access to many camping areas requires driving on unpaved forest roads. At Hawk Recreation Area Campground, campers warn about approach roads: "Be forewarned that the road is quite bumpy. I was fine in a small car with relatively low clearance, but if you have extremely low clearance or things hanging down from your car, you're gonna have a slow, difficult drive in."
Water availability: Many primitive campgrounds have limited water access. "The water pump was out of order during my visit. I saw a ranger come and check on it," reports a visitor at Hawk Recreation Area. Always bring container capacity for at least one gallon per person per day when visiting remote sites.
Registration protocols: Most forest service campgrounds use self-registration systems that require camper participation. "Check-in and check-out are accomplished by filling out a 3 x 5 card at the entrance and placing it in the slot for your campsite," explains a camper. This system helps rangers track site usage and allows campers to claim specific sites.
Creek exploration opportunities: The Cove Campground offers water features particularly suited for families. "We went here just before the busy season and only had to share the camp loop with one other group. Lake was very nice and would be the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day," reports a visitor. The shallow edges provide safe wading areas for supervised children.
Multiple playgrounds: Candy Hill Campground provides structured play areas. "They have a nice pool, 2 playgrounds, neat bikes you can rent, gold cart rentals. Best of all, they sell bags of special stones and fossils for you to mine. My boys had a blast with that!" shares a parent. The mining activity costs $5-8 per bag and keeps children engaged for hours.
Junior Ranger programs: Shenandoah River State Park offers educational activities for children. "The children's programs offered on the weekends were great too," notes one visitor. Programs typically run Memorial Day through Labor Day and include nature scavenger hunts and wildlife identification activities lasting 1-2 hours.
Site access challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have restrictions that affect larger RVs. At Creekside Campground, "Once I was able to negotiate a few big trees, the site was plenty roomy and right on the water." RVs over 30 feet should call ahead to confirm appropriate site availability.
Utility considerations: Water connections can be problematic at some sites. "The water leaked and made for a pretty soggy swamp on the utility side of our coach," reports an RV camper. Bringing extra water hoses (25-50 feet) and electrical extension cords helps address hookup placement issues.
Spacing concerns: RV campers should expect close quarters at many area campgrounds. "Lengthways doesn't seem to be an issue. I am seeing some good size rigs. However they aren't very wide. You are basically on top of your neighbor. Think being parked in a parking lot. With maybe a parking space between you," cautions a visitor. This proximity affects awning deployment and outdoor seating arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Star Tannery, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Star Tannery, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 172 campgrounds and RV parks near Star Tannery, VA and 19 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Star Tannery, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Star Tannery, VA is Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 56 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Star Tannery, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Star Tannery, VA.
What parks are near Star Tannery, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Star Tannery, VA that allow camping, notably Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
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