Cabins near Staunton, Virginia offer access to both the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 3,500 feet. The area experiences all four seasons distinctly, with summer temperatures averaging 78-85°F while nights cool to 55-65°F even in July. Rental cabins typically require 2-night minimum stays during peak season from April through October, with most properties enforcing strict cancellation policies of 14-30 days notice for refunds.
What to do
Tubing on Middle River: Shenandoah Valley Campground visitors enjoy water activities right on property. "We spent 2 weeks at SVC while our trunk was in the shop. Very nice campground amenities- stocked fishing pond, big swimming pool, and really nice creek for tubing with waterfall to cool down on the hotter days," reports Gabe.
Fishing without a license: At Montebello Resort, you can fish their stocked trout pond without purchasing a state fishing license. "The trout pond is a nice touch you can fish without a license, and you pay for what you catch, we enjoyed fresh trout for dinner during our stay," explains Anthony I. They restock the pond regularly, especially before holiday weekends.
Mountain biking trails: Stokesville Campground offers direct access to extensive mountain bike terrain. "Four miles of flow mountain bike trails inside the campground with endless miles of trails just outside. Stokesville is a mountain bike destination that cyclists travel from all around," notes James. The property connects directly to George Washington National Forest trail systems.
Waterfall hiking: Cabin lodging at Crabtree Falls puts you minutes from one of Virginia's most spectacular cascades. "The falls are a great hike and there are lots of services nearby. A great Parkway stop," says Anna R. The 1.7-mile trail climbs alongside the falls with observation platforms at multiple elevations.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Loft Mountain Campground offers excellent opportunities to observe deer and other animals. "When we woke up on the morning we were checking out, we didn't want to leave! Definitely coming back soon!" shares Annie B. The campground's elevation provides habitat for various wildlife species that frequently pass through campsites.
Night sky visibility: Big Meadows Campground sites offer exceptional stargazing opportunities. "We love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," explains Rachel M. The campground's 3,500-foot elevation and distance from major light pollution sources creates ideal conditions for viewing constellations, planets, and occasional meteor showers.
Hot tubs and swimming: Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park maintains excellent water recreation facilities. "Really Nice Campground. There is some construction going on, on the lake but I'm sure it'll be ready for summer. Bathrooms were very clean!" notes MsTrailBlazer. The property features both indoor and outdoor water amenities open during different seasons.
Free water recreation equipment: Some properties provide complimentary boats and water gear. "The lake in the back has some primitive tent sites that looked nice. The campground provides kayaks and paddle boats as well, at no charge," says Adrian K. about Montebello Resort. This represents significant savings compared to rental fees at commercial outfitters.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many mountain cabins have no connectivity. "Due to the COVID rules their pool may not be open 2020. Friendly staff and very quiet for overnighters. Easy access from I-85," explains Mary W. about Walnut Hills. At Montebello Resort, "The location of the campground is remote with zero cell coverage or wifi, and other than the store on-site, there isn't much outside of a few hiking trails, within 30 minutes."
Spacing considerations: Site proximity varies significantly between properties. "The sites along the upper loop are close together, but folks keep to themselves so it felt private," notes Sarah G. about Crabtree Falls Campground. At Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley, "The sites are okay- level, some shade- but felt like we were on top of people."
Shower facilities: Availability and cost of showers differs between properties. "The shower was about 0.3 miles away. They charge $5 for 10 min, which you have to pay in quarters," explains Katrin M. about Loft Mountain. Meanwhile, at Stokesville, primitive sites up in the woods require longer walks to bathroom facilities compared to the full hookup pull-through sites.
Seasonal noise levels: Some properties experience significant demographic shifts. "We stayed here for the first time this weekend at F-173. 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!" notes Annie B. about Loft Mountain Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: Big Meadows offers regular ranger programs. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground," shares Kim L. These programs typically run May through October with topics ranging from bear safety to night sky interpretation.
Kid-friendly water activities: Misty Mountain Camp Resort provides multiple water-based recreation options. "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," explains Christopher T. The property organizes supervised activities during summer weekends.
Indoor recreation for rainy days: Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley maintains indoor facilities for inclement weather. "Spent 3months here and absolutely loved it! There's always tons of activities to do for everyone of age. Gold cart parades, crafts hours, poker run, corn hole tournaments," reports Evelyn T. The property includes an arcade room and covered pavilion for organized activities.
Playground access: Multiple properties maintain play equipment. "There is an on-site restaurant that serves excellent food Thurs, Fri, Sat. You will not regret stopping here," notes Linda B. about Sun Retreats. Stokesville Campground also features "A playground for kids and fishing pond" according to James, providing supervised entertainment options.
Tips for RVers
Hookup variations: Electric capabilities differ between properties. "Access was easy. The campground was busy and everything was clean and neat. The sites were a little tight," explains Ralph P. about Walnut Hills. Some sites offer 30-amp service while others provide 50-amp connections, so checking specifications before booking is essential.
Site leveling requirements: Terrain challenges affect setup times. "Short-term sites are in the very front but you do have to take a circuitous route through the campground to get back to that area after checking in," notes Mary W. about Walnut Hills Campground. At Misty Mountain, "RV section is typical style in a large field. Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field."
Dump station access: Facilities vary significantly between properties. "Short-term sites are electric and water only but there is a free dump station down in the back," mentions Mary W. Several campgrounds charge fees for dump station use or restrict hours of operation, so planning ahead prevents inconvenience when departing.
