Shenandoah Valley camping offers diverse terrain at 800-1500 feet elevation with mixed hardwood forests surrounding Star Tannery. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes, with summer highs reaching 85-90°F and winter lows dropping below freezing. Campers can enjoy both mountain and river landscapes, with the North Fork Shenandoah River providing water recreation opportunities.
What to do
Hiking around Lake Habeeb: Follow the 5-mile trail circling the lake at Rocky Gap State Park Campground for views of surrounding mountains. "There is a 5 mile trail that goes all around the lake. Lots of lake to paddle. Easy to get to from I-70," notes a camper who visited in May 2025.
River activities: Float the Shenandoah River from Low Water Bridge Campground with easy access points. "They took us up river and dropped us so we could kayak back. Their store had everything that we had forgotten with good prices," says a visitor who brought their 8-year-old for a first camping experience.
Mountain biking: Explore numerous trails at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park with routes for beginners to advanced riders. "The park offers very doable hiking and mountain biking options for beginners. Campground access to the Shenandoah River," explains Laura N., highlighting the variety of trail difficulties.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Big Meadows Campground offers generous separation between campsites. "Big Meadow has many amenities which make it popular and oftentimes crowded during weekends and holiday's... Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience. With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to see deer, bears, and birds in their natural habitat. "We saw many deer and bear while camping," reports a Big Meadows camper, while another notes, "The deer are unafraid of humans unless directly approached."
Clean facilities: Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views maintains excellent bathroom facilities. "The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean. It also had the largest dog park area of any campground I've ever seen," shares a camper who visited in June 2021.
What you should know
Cell service gaps: Many campgrounds have limited or no connectivity. At Low Water Bridge Campground, "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."
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer and fall color season. Book early for yurt camping near Star Tannery, Virginia, particularly at state parks.
Weather variability: The mountains can experience sudden weather changes. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," reports a Big Meadows camper who visited in November.
Site selection considerations: Choose sites carefully based on shade, access, and amenities. "The primitive camping spots were all taken however, so arrive early if you want one of those," advises a December camper at Shenandoah River State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: The Cove Campground offers multiple recreation options. "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, rent non motorboats, ATVs welcome," notes a frequent visitor.
Educational programs: Look for ranger-led activities at state parks during summer months. "Big Meadows has a nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs," says a recent visitor who appreciated the family-oriented atmosphere.
Safety considerations: Follow bear safety protocols when camping with children. "They take food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out," warns a camper about wildlife management practices.
Seasonal timing: Mid-week spring and fall camping offers quieter experiences for families learning camping basics. "We began in camp one which offered electrical hook ups. There are 4 water spigots in camp 1... Campsites were spacious and mostly level," notes a Memorial Day weekend camper.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have steep entry roads requiring careful navigation. "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," advises a Middle Ridge Campground visitor.
Hookup availability: Electric and water options vary significantly between campgrounds. "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)," suggests a camper who enjoyed the combination of amenities and views.
Campsite leveling: Prepare for uneven sites at some locations. "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV," notes an RV camper staying with children.
