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Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground provides pet-friendly accommodations across various camping styles including tent, RV, cabin, and yurt options. Pets are allowed throughout the campground with standard leash rules in effect. Candy Hill Campground in Winchester also welcomes pets with dedicated sites featuring water and electric hookups suitable for dog owners. Staff can be particular about campsite rules and visitor policies, occasionally coming across as overly strict based on multiple guest experiences. The Cove Campground in Gore maintains pet-friendly policies across its tent sites, RV spots, and cabin accommodations while providing water and electric hookups.
Elizabeth Furnace Campground offers basic facilities for campers with pets, though alcohol is prohibited. For a more unique experience, Neff Treehouse near Mt Hope welcomes dogs in its elevated cabin accommodation set among the trees with nearby walking paths ideal for dog exercise. Most campgrounds in the Stephens City area require pets to remain leashed when outside camping units. Highway noise can be noticeable at Candy Hill, potentially disturbing sensitive pets. Campgrounds typically provide trash receptacles for pet waste disposal, and guests are expected to clean up after their animals. Several local campgrounds feature nearby walking trails appropriate for exercising dogs, with Shenandoah River State Park offering extensive hiking opportunities. Campground stores often stock basic pet supplies, though bringing sufficient food and equipment from home is recommended when camping with dogs in the region.
"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."
"Tons of trails great for families with dogs or those wanting to get out and hike. The campsite featured some of the best bathroom/ shower houses, they were super clean and well maintained."
from $27 - $427 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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."
"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!)"
"The pull in area was paved and behind it was a nice flat tent area."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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"
"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 Availability"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."
"My family and I (three boys and three dogs) love camping here!"
from $50 / night
"Pet friendly; two dog parks."
"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"
"Parking is in a locked lot steps away from trail head which leads to campsites about a mile away. Campsites are in a wooded area of park well away from other park attractions so it's very quiet."
"But you have to drive up to the main building, register, go back to the overnight lot, put in the gate code, hang the lot tag on your mirror, and hike in to the site."
from $21 - $112 / night
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TravelerWe began our membership here this June. it has a great atmosphere on the banks of the Shenandoah River. There are activities every weekend like concerts and group activities. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The facilities are clean and very convenient. Pet friendly; two dog parks.
GuideBeautiful views. Adjacent to a working farm where cows, sheep, llamas, chickens and roosters can graze next to the campsites.
The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean.
It also had the largest dog park area of any campground I’ve ever seen.
Very nice pool, friendly staff and firewood available for purchase. They will even deliver right to your site.
Very close to downtown Luray, which has great shops and restaurants. There is a very nice 2 mile long walking trail, the Luray-Hawksbill Greenway, near the campground that will take you right into town.
Also close by to some excellent hiking, wineries, breweries and distilleries.
ScoutWe recently stayed for a long weekend at the Outlanders campground after we received a referral from a friend and could not have been more happy with our stay. The RV sites at this campground are very spaced out, you have a lot of room to each side of your RV. The park and facilities were very clean. They have a playground for the kids, fishing ponds, cabins, pet friendly with a dog park and they are located right along the Shenandoah river. You can go tubing on the river but need to provide your own tubes. The ride down the river from one end of the park to the other is around 30 minutes. Also for all of the people attached to the internet like us we were able to have plenty of cell signal to hotspot and get internet.
ScoutThis campground is very close to Luray Caverns and all that they have to offer. There is also a Duke's of Hazzard themed museum and store where they do live music on weekends nearby, it's called Cooter's. This campground is very small but quiet. It does border cow pasture land so when the wind shifts you get the smell but it wasn't constant and it wasn't unbearable. They have 2 swimming pools and a very large dog park. The bath houses were clean and well maintained. I would definitely recommend this campground.
LegendThis place is right outside the gate of Harpers Ferry NP. We walked to the shuttle bus stop. It is a very large KOA, and was almost empty when we visited in September. The original site the gave us had a large rut and washed out spot, so we could not get level. I checked in the office and the reassigned another space that was much better. Full hook ups, nice clean shower and bathrooms, playground, pool, large dog park.
ScoutOverall great camp ground only thing I noticed is at some of the RV sites the hook ups are in crazy spots some are In the neighboring sites area so you have to drag extensions around them. Also the pool and dog park isn’t on site you have to leave to go to it.
RangerGreat campground for families. Large water park that goes to 3 ft. Playgrounds, dog park, canteen, mini golf, jumping pillow, laser tag, pedal cars, gem mining are just some of the amenities. Very pricey during peak season. We did the camp & store at about $50/night.
TravelerWe stayed here for 3 nights. Perfect campground with everything you need. Bathrooms are very clean. Ice, propane, and other items are available on site at the store. Halloween was in full effect including a haunted walk. Sites are spacious and have natural stone in ground fire pits instead of rusted metal rims which adds character. Dog park, pool, and plenty of games are available on site. Harrisonburg is down the road if you to need to stop in town.
GuideUsually go camping with a Little Guy teardrop trailer, but with the current state of the country, didn’t feel comfortable with sharing bathroom facilities. We booked Yurt #1. It was fantastic. The place was spotless, well equipped kitchenette, grill, fire pit, comfortable beds. We loved our neighbors the sheep, goats and llamas. Checking in was easy, with the keys and map at the office. Park was clean and well maintained. Dog park is great. Wonderful way to start coming out of quarantine. Great hiking nearby.
Shenandoah Valley camping options near Stephens City offer accessibility to both mountain terrain and river recreation within a 30-mile radius. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 500-1000 feet, with seasonal temperature fluctuations that can create 30-degree differences between day and night temperatures in spring and fall. Winter camping remains available at several locations with limited services.
Hiking trail access: Elizabeth Furnace Campground provides direct connections to multiple hiking paths ranging from beginner routes to challenging ascents. "Great campground with tons of trails for awesome hiking. Different levels, easy to tough. No water for group camping so be aware and bring enough for your trip," notes Kristy B.
Water recreation: The Cove Campground features a swimming beach and fishing lake within walking distance of camping areas. According to Karl S., "There are several different camping areas, and depending on where you end up, you might have a short walk to reach the best fishing spots. One unique (and awesome) touch: there are goats casually roaming around the campground."
Shooting sports: The Cove Campground maintains an outdoor shooting range on property, providing a controlled environment for target practice. "This was our first time camping here and it will NOT be our last. This Campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites," explains Ben M.
Historic exploration: The area contains significant Civil War history and industrial heritage sites. At Elizabeth Furnace Campground, visitors can explore remnants of 19th century iron production. "We met one of the volunteer park rangers who suggested we drive about 15 min into town to Woodstock to a viewpoint," Christine T. reports.
Primitive river camping: Gooney Creek Campground offers streamside sites with minimal facilities for those seeking a more rustic experience. "Located right on the bank of the creek you sleep with the sound of the babbling water. Spaces aren't very big but big enough that we didn't feel like we were on top of our neighbors," shares Belinda K.
Wildlife encounters: Mathews Arm Campground provides opportunities for wildlife observation in a natural setting. "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," warns Stephen K.
Affordable options: State and national forest campgrounds typically offer lower rates than private facilities. According to Mary S., "$15 price: Our Lifetime Senior Pass cuts that in half (and covers the park admission fee)" at Mathews Arm Campground.
Private campsites: Sky Meadows State Park features dispersed backcountry sites with good separation. "The campsites are pretty secluded and spaced out so you have some privacy. It is so peaceful and quiet! Lots of great hiking to do in the area," Katie M. explains.
Seasonal closures: National park and forest service campgrounds typically operate on limited schedules. "I have stayed in and out of season. It is in a beautiful area and is reliably well cared for," notes Hope H. about Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds near major roads experience traffic sounds that may affect light sleepers. At Gooney Creek Campground, Belinda K. observed: "I was a little leary due to the check-in area where the family lives and the fact that the highway overpass goes across one end of the property, but once we pulled into our spot and got settled in it was fantastic."
Staff enforcement: Candy Hill Campground maintains strict adherence to reservation and visitor policies. "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 visitor about DIY vehicle restrictions.
Bear safety requirements: Food storage protocols are enforced at backcountry sites. "There are no bear boxes at this campground, but there are indeed bears, so keep all food in your car," advises Eric K. about Mathews Arm Campground.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Daniel T. says about Candy Hill: "Nice campground for families and couples. Clean restrooms. Camp store has everything you need. New pool and nice playgrounds. Rocking trolley to the Dairy Queen was great."
Stream wading spots: Gooney Creek Campground offers shallow water access suitable for supervised children. "Small family-run campground. No frills, very country. Location is good if you're putting in on the river. There's a swingset and basketball hoop for the kids, a small camp store, and a bathhouse with hot showers," explains one visitor.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds host ranger programs during peak season. "The children's programs offered on the weekends were great too," mentions Melissa T. about Shenandoah River State Park.
First-time camping spots: For families new to outdoor recreation, certain locations provide easier introduction experiences. "One of my favorite campgrounds - particularly when I bring first time campers. Clean grounds and importantly clean facilities. Park offers very doable hiking and mountain biking options for beginners," shares Laura N.
Length restrictions: Berryville Berries and similar small campgrounds cannot accommodate large vehicles. "It's rustic and somewhat remote, but easily accessible from the WMA," notes a regular camper about this compact location.
Seasonal road considerations: Gravel access roads to remote campgrounds can deteriorate in wet conditions. Christopher K. observed: "The road is gravel and could use some work, I'd recommend 4x4 drive" at The Cove Campground.
Water and electric hookup locations: North Fork Resort offers full-service sites but with variable quality. "We stayed in camp one which offered electrical hook ups. There are 4 water spigots in camp 1. However all the travel trailers hooked up, which means you either had to make friends or disconnect their water in order to have access," explains Christopher K.
Vehicle certification requirements: Some campgrounds restrict entry based on RV manufacturing standards. According to one visitor at Candy Hill: "CANDY HILL ONLY WANTS RV's that are RVIA Certified," requiring manufactured units with industry certification rather than DIY conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Stephens City, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Stephens City, VA is Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 58 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Stephens City, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 120 dog-friendly camping locations near Stephens City, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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