Camping near Stevensburg, Virginia offers diverse options in the Piedmont region at elevations ranging from 300-400 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching 90°F and mild winters with occasional snowfall. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though amenities like water hookups may be limited during freezing temperatures.
What to do
Paddle on multiple waterways: At Rappahannock River Campground, campers access the river directly from riverside sites. "Great off the grid experience. Showers were hot. Toilets are a porta potty type. Great for a weekend away from all the hustle and bustle," notes Amanda T. The river crossing point has historical significance dating back to the Civil War.
Hiking trails for all abilities: Big Meadows Campground provides access to numerous trails within Shenandoah National Park. "Lots of beautiful hikes and bike course with awesome views of the valley," explains Tom C. The campground sits above 3,000 feet elevation, making it notably cooler than surrounding areas.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region hosts abundant deer, birds, and occasional black bears. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. 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," shares Rachel M.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bull Run Regional Park maintains spotless bathrooms and shower facilities. "I'll go again just for the showers. They're worth staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," writes Yvonne B.
Waterfront sites: Many campgrounds offer sites directly on lakes or rivers. "The river side campground has sites that line the perimeter of a large oval opening in the trees near the water. Some sites are wooded with half of the sites along the river bank," describes Derek E. about Rappahannock River Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: The relative distance from major cities creates excellent night sky viewing. "The stargazing through the hole in the trees was very nice," notes one camper at Rappahannock River Campground. Another adds, "We did go back out to the field at night to do some star gazing and that was beautiful."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," reports Carol B. at Shenandoah National Park.
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have notable terrain variations. "The sites are small flat and have everything you need," notes Olivia W. about Rappahannock River Campground, while at Christopher Run Campground, one camper mentioned, "The sites are good size, but not very level. We did finally get ours squared away."
Wildlife awareness: Proper food storage is essential. "They take food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out," warns Anna R. about Big Meadows Campground. "Bear box for food storage" is provided at many sites according to Terri S.
Seasonal bugs: Insect activity varies by season. "The bugs when we got here were kinda crazy. They don't bite but they swarm your head and try to enter every orifice for some reason. A head net was helpful to get the tent and screen room set up," advises Veronica S.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated activities: Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOA offers numerous family amenities. "Kid focused park. Lots of activities. Great setting. Nice sites. Very wooded. Big pond. Great store," writes James P. The campground includes a playground adjacent to the pool.
Choose sites with room to play: Ample space between sites allows children to explore safely. "The campground was busy but never felt like we were sharing someone else's tent stakes," reports Jacob S. about his stay at Big Meadows.
Consider educational opportunities: Ranger programs provide learning experiences for children. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground. Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground," explains Kim L.
Tips from RVers
Check site levelness before booking: Many campers report challenges with uneven sites. At Wilderness Presidential Resort, one camper noted, "We reserved a 'pull-through' RV site which ended up being a back-in site that was very uneven and nowhere near level."
Confirm power reliability: Electrical issues can occur at some campgrounds. "While camping at this resort we had several issues with the shore power for our RV. We have spoken to many fellow owners only to find out they had several issues that have been reported to management," cautions Eugene M.
Utilize full hookup options: Several glamping sites near Stevensburg, Virginia offer complete services. "The sites were full hookup. A grill and table and chairs were also available. A fire ring was there also. The laundry facility was very nice and clean... and free," notes Brenda L. about her stay at Shenandoah Crossing.
