Tatiana I.
Guide
GuideCandy Hill Campground
All you need campground
Wonderful campground that has all you need: full hookup, bathrooms, shower, laundry, gift shop, parts shop
Camping near Stephens City, VA
166 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Stephens City, Virginia, located in the northern Shenandoah Valley, provides access to multiple camping options within a 30-mile radius. Established campgrounds like Candy Hill Campground in Winchester and The Cove Campground in Gore accommodate tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals. Several facilities in the region, including Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground, offer glamping options and yurts for those seeking alternative accommodations. North Fork Resort and Elizabeth Furnace Campground provide additional public and private camping areas with varying levels of amenities and natural settings.
Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though services may be limited in winter months. Road access is generally good with paved routes leading to major established sites. "Traffic was actually relaxing to us. They have a nice pool, 2 playgrounds, neat bikes you can rent, gold cart rentals," noted one visitor about Candy Hill Campground. Several campgrounds require reservations, particularly during peak summer and fall foliage seasons when Shenandoah National Park draws significant tourism to the area. Cell coverage varies throughout the region, with stronger signals near Interstate 81 corridors and limited service in more remote national forest locations.
Campers consistently mention road noise as a consideration when selecting sites near Winchester, as several campgrounds sit adjacent to busy highways. The proximity to Shenandoah National Park provides convenient access to hiking trails and scenic drives along Skyline Drive for day trips. Some review feedback highlights the range in quality between campgrounds: "This is a glamping/camper cabin option...The treehouse is beautifully crafted, clearly a labor of love to build it. Warm cozy and comfy with everything you need." Water access is available at many sites, with Shenandoah River State Park offering both water recreation and camping. Tent campers will find dedicated sites at most campgrounds, though pricing can vary significantly between basic tent sites and full-hookup RV locations.
Best Campgrounds near Stephens City (166)
1. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground
"Our patio was on the side next to the road which was a little close to traffic but we still loved siting there, especially in the evening with a campfire."
"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."
from $27 - $427 / night
Check Availability2. Candy Hill Campground
"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."
from $38 - $77 / night
Check Availability3. The Cove Campground
"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."
4. Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park
"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."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability5. Gooney Creek Campground
"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."
6. Hawk Recreation Area Campground
"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."
7. Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground
"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"
8. Elizabeth Furnace Campground
"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!"
from $20 / night
Check Availability9. Berryville Berries
"With easy access off major roadways and a short drive from Winchester, VA, you can get whatever you need and then be back in the woods in no time."
"Best thing about it is the proximity to the WMA. It's rustic and somewhat remote, but easily accessible from the WMA. Lots to do as Berryville is a quaint little town but not far from Winchester."
from $50 / night
10. North Fork Resort
"First time visiting North Fork, didn’t explore as much as I wanted to, Campers are tightly parked next to one another, was invited by my Uncle to come have a good time and enjoy the atmosphere, go tubing"
Drive Time
- 5 min from Winchester, VA
- 41 min from Hagerstown, MD
- 50 min from Harrisonburg, VA
- 59 min from Chambersburg, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Stephens City, VA
493 Photos of 166 Stephens City Campgrounds
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Recent Reviews near Stephens City, VA
1239 Reviews of 166 Stephens City Campgrounds
Cari E.
RangerBig Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
A classic for good reason
This is a classic National Park campground, and it’s important to keep in mind that it opened in 1937–the sites are small as travelers weren’t equipped with large vehicles, as such, it may not be the best option for large rigs but my van fit comfortably though the neighbors were rather close. If you’re expecting that, you’ll be more than happy. Walking distance via a connector trail to Dark Hollow Falls trail. Sustainable T-Mobile service for remote work, but Zoom may lag. No shore power or water hookups, but drinking water spread throughout the park and modernized bathroom and showers. There was also a circular, shaded tent area as part of D155, behind the drive. I’d stay again in a heartbeat.
- Cari E.Ranger
Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground
A lovely, quiet state park
I stayed two nights in between bookings at the national park and I was surprised by how lovely the state park was. Quiet with great trails for strolling and peaceful river views. Level, spacious sites with some privacy offered by tree/bushes and a clean, modern bathroom (loved that the showers told you what temp the water is and that each shower was private/in its own room).
- MMorris R.
TravelerJordan Junction
Great park! Hanna Park
This is a very nice and quiet park owned by the city of Jacksonville, Florida. On the beach with tons of stuff to do.
- TTroli R.Guide
Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Beautiful as always (despite re-paving project)
Great summer destination to escape the heat! Weather in late June was amazing - highs in the 70s; lows in the 60s; and crystal clear skies. Not too buggy either. Pulled ONE tick off of me before it bit me, but otherwise not much to speak of in the way of mosquitos or biting gnats/flies.
This particular site was smaller (RV back in) but private and level near the bath house. There IS a bear box present, and you'll want to use it for any unattended food outside an RV. The mini-bears are beggars. We saw several chipmunks in our site and a particularly clever bird successfully stole from our neighbors.
If you are RV-ing, fill your tanks at the dump station before heading to the ranger station for check-in. You don't want to carry all that water up the mountain, and they don't like you to block the campground road trying to fill along the loop. The dump station is located on the right prior to arrival at the ranger station.
Also, there are no dumpsters at the dump station (weird). So upon departure, pull your trash prior to leaving the site.
As always, there is virtually no cell signal in this site and no electric hookups anywhere in the campsite. So bring a generator or a lot of solar if you want to run your electrical. (Though this site being so shady doesn't provide a lot of solar power.) There IS wifi at the visitor's center if you want to call home or do a daily socials check. ;-)
We DID have one day there that was a pretty noisy from paving equipment re-doing the road. But I think they're almost done with their project, and honestly it wasn't that big a deal because we were on trails most of the time anyway.
There are great ranger programs here - it's one of the larger hubs for programming, and they're listed at the visitor's center because they change seasonally. Don't miss out on the chance to explore the meadow. What may LOOK like a vast, boring expanse of grass is actually a fascinating variety of foliage when you're out in it. Many, many wildflowers that can't be seen from the visitor center's overlook.
Also, many of the park's most popular hikes can be easily accessed from here, including Dark Hollow Falls and Bearfence Rock Scramble.
Ethan L.TravelerGraves Mountain Farm Campground
Graves Farm
Beautiful spot. The campsite is across the street from the lodge. G-Maps and Apple will take you to the lodge however. Loved the Freeform and “make your own” spot vibe
- BBernard D.
ScoutNorth Fork Resort
Do not camp here!
I camped here on the 4th of July weekend in 2026. The lot was over $70 and the lot was a gravel lot in full sun, and our air conditioner could not keep up with the heat, because of the conplete lack of shade. These are the only lots available to campers. The water was toxic and brown out of the tap, and our water tank happened to be empty. We complained to the office, and they refused to help us by obtai i g some bottled water that was potable, and the manager basically said screw you. They didn’t care and claimed the water passed a water test. I run a campground myself and am very familiar with these issues, and guarantee this would not pass a potability test. I am reporting them to the local health dept and to the state liscensing department. If they think they can just blow me off, they are picking a battle with the wrong guy. O well, their mistake!!
Shianna R.TravelerCamp Cacapon
Nice Campground
From a family of tent campers, it was perfect. We rented the river sites. The location was great and the kids had a blast playing in the river and fishing. We brought our own kayaks and enjoyed the easy paddling. The bathrooms were very nice and clean.
Erin M.TravelerCamp Cacapon
Secluded but charming campground!
We rented a tent pad site and a glamping site side by side here and absolutely loved the place. This place is perfect for retreats or group camping experiences since there's only 6-8 tent pads and two glamping tents. Theres a his and hers lavatory cabins that are new and have a large industrial sink to wash your dishes in...big plus. Only a 20 minute drive to downtown berkley springs. Will be coming back this fall when the leaves start changing!
Guide to Stephens City
Stephens City camping options range from basic forest sites to modern glamping facilities across George Washington National Forest and Shenandoah Valley terrain. Campsites sit at elevations between 600-1,200 feet, creating distinct microclimates throughout the season. Winter camping remains available at several locations, though water systems are typically winterized from November through March.
What to do
Creek fishing spots: At Elizabeth Furnace Campground, families can fish in Passage Creek running through the campground. "My kids and I had a terrific time in this campground... There is a pretty creek running through the campground," notes camper Matt P.
Shooting range access: The Cove Campground offers an on-site shooting range alongside traditional camping activities. "This Campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites," reports Ben M., highlighting the multi-activity appeal.
Off-road trails: Several campgrounds maintain ATV and off-road vehicle trails for motorized recreation. "The Cove is by far one of my favorite places to escape the DC suburbs. With great trails, a lake, and outdoor shooting range we can easily spend the whole weekend or longer," writes Victoriana P.
Day hikes: Numerous trails connect directly from campsites. "Park offers very doable hiking and mountain biking options for beginners. Campground access to the Shenandoah River," notes Laura N. about Shenandoah River State Park.
What campers like
Primitive camping with amenities: Hawk Recreation Area Campground offers free camping with basic facilities. "The Hawk Recreation Area has sites in a loop, these are numbered and near the water pump and the vault toilet. There are also dispersed sites along some of the gravel roads around the official campground," explains Grace D.
Family-operated atmosphere: Gooney Creek Campground provides a more personalized experience. "Small family-run campground. No frills, very country. Location is good if you're putting in on the river. Pam helped us out and was very kind," reports one camper.
River access: Many sites offer direct access to water. "The primitive spots are right next to the river. The spots are a short walk from the parking area and the campground provides wagons to transport your stuff. Great fishing and swimming right at your camping spot," says Matt P. about Shenandoah River State Park.
Varying levels of development: Campgrounds range from basic to full-service. "There are several rustic campsites located on the Southfork of the Shenandoah River, as well as modern electric sites, RV sites, and cabins. Park and campgrounds are clean and well maintained," notes Ricki F.
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect access: While many campgrounds advertise year-round operation, services vary significantly by season. "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. Water and electrical available at all the spots even though it was winter," reports John B.
Reservation requirements vary: Mathews Arm Campground offers non-reservable sites. "Non-reservable sites! This makes it easier to travel without a plan other than arriving early at a campground. The entire A section (A1-A116) and a small part of C (C143-C145) cannot be reserved," explains Mary S.
Cell service limitations: Coverage is inconsistent throughout the region. "No cell service but the Visitor's Center has WiFi available," notes John B. about Shenandoah River State Park.
RV restrictions at some campgrounds: Some locations have strict policies about RV types. "Made online Reservations without any problem. Walked into the campground office to get my spot & the first question was 'Do you have an RVIA Number'. That is when I was told I could not stay at Candy Hill," reports one traveler.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Berryville Berries offers creek-side camping popular with families. "My family and I (three boys and three dogs) love camping here! The camping spots are spacious, and the Stream is wonderful! A great place for families and a great place to unplug and D-stress!" shares one regular visitor.
Goat viewing opportunities: Some campgrounds feature unusual attractions. "One unique (and awesome) touch: there are goats casually roaming around the campground. It adds a fun, unexpected charm to the place," notes Karl S. about The Cove Campground.
Educational trails: Several locations feature interpretive paths. "The children's programs offered on the weekends were great too," mentions Melissa T. about Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park, which offers organized activities during peak season.
Wagon transport assistance: Some riverside campsites provide equipment to help with gear transport. "The spots are a short walk from the parking area and the campground provides wagons to transport your stuff," reports a camper, helpful information for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Generator-free zones: For those seeking quiet camping, certain sections restrict generator use. "Generator-free area: No generators are allowed in parts of the A and B sections," reports Mary S. about Mathews Arm Campground.
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds feature varied terrain. "Sites are large but many are lined up right next to each other. I recommend staying away from A72 to the end of A. They're lined up too closely for my taste, and there isn't much shade," advises one experienced camper.
Road conditions affect access: Forest service roads require appropriate vehicles. "The road is gravel and could use some work, I'd recommend 4x4 drive," notes Christopher K. about access to some of the best places to camp near Stephens City, Virginia.
RV length limits: Several campgrounds have space restrictions. "Gooney Creek Campground is an excellent place to camp, hike, fish, practice your photographic skills or just sit, relax and take in the view... Rigs longer than 25 feet, most likely will not fit," warns Dan & Karen M.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Stephens City, VA?
What camping is available near Stephens City, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Stephens City, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 166 campgrounds and RV parks near Stephens City, VA and 17 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Stephens City, VA?
Which is the most popular campground near Stephens City, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Stephens City, VA is Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 58 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Stephens City, VA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Stephens City, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Stephens City, VA.
What parks are near Stephens City, VA?
What parks are near Stephens City, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Stephens City, VA that allow camping, notably Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
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