Camping spots near Strasburg, Virginia concentrate along the eastern and western edges of the Shenandoah Valley with elevations ranging from 600-1000 feet. The region averages 39 inches of rainfall annually with summer temperatures typically in the 80s, creating humid camping conditions during peak season. Winter camping remains available at select year-round campgrounds where temperatures often drop below freezing between December and February.
What to do
Fishing in Passage Creek: Elizabeth Furnace Campground offers easy access to a stocked trout stream that runs through the campground. According to a camper, "My kids and I had a terrific time in this campground. We camped with a tent. There is a pretty creek running through the campground. Would recommend this to anyone with aspirations to hike in the area."
Mountain biking trails: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground provides well-maintained mountain biking paths for various skill levels. A visitor notes, "Park offers very doable hiking and mountain biking options for beginners. Campground access to the Shenandoah River."
Tube or kayak the Shenandoah: Low Water Bridge Campground features river access with equipment rentals. "Great place with spaces right on the shenendoah for fishing and tubing/kayaking. Most spots have no electricity or water hookups. Quiet during the week," reports one camper.
Target shooting: Some local camping areas maintain shooting facilities. At The Cove Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "With great trails, a lake, and outdoor shooting range we can easily spend the whole weekend or longer. Mostly primitive camping, some smelly holes in the ground to do your business."
What campers like
Direct river access: Several campsites permit immediate water entry from your site. At Low Water Bridge Campground, a camper shares, "Love the fact that they have an outfitter to shuttle you up the river. We got a site right on the river bank so we just hopped out and were at our site!"
Variety of site types: Mathews Arm Campground offers both reservation and walk-in options. A visitor explains, "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."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area supports diverse wildlife watching. A Mathews Arm camper reports, "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."
Rustic camping atmosphere: Hawk Recreation Area provides free camping with basic amenities. According to a visitor, "The campground is free, open from late April through December, and campers may stay up to 21 days. However, there are no online reservations or staff in the area."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Most forest and park campgrounds have poor connectivity. A Hawk Recreation Area camper advises, "My cellular reception cut out along one of the forest roads well before reaching the campground; I will have a compass and written directions in and out handy when I return."
Seasonal operations: Many facilities reduce services in colder months. At Elizabeth Furnace Campground, "Showers and running water are available during the main season, but arriving in April meant pulling out the pocket shower and using water from the handpump. Pit toilets were immaculately clean and available during the off-season though."
Bear precautions required: All camping areas enforce food storage rules. At Big Meadows, "You can be fined for leaving food out. The site was a tent site with lots of shade and not too close to others. Lots of deer walking through and room to hang hammocks."
Campground spacing variations: Site privacy differs significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Gooney Creek Campground observed, "Spaces aren't very big but big enough that we didn't feel like we were on top of our neighbors."
Tips for camping with families
Primitive riverside camping: Gooney Creek Campground offers affordable sites near water. A reviewer notes, "Small family-run campground. No frills, very country. There's a swingset and basketball hoop for the kids, a small camp store, and a bathhouse with hot showers. The creekside sites are primitive and have fire rings and picnic tables."
Educational ranger programs: Big Meadows runs scheduled learning activities. As one camper mentioned, "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up. Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground."
Swimming options: The Cove Campground features a beach area for water play. A regular visitor reports, "On top of them having an outdoor gun range... they have a small beach, picnic tabels everywhere, a volleyball ball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake, rent non motorboats."
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. A visitor to Candy Hill Campground shared, "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."
Tips from RVers
Tight site spacing: Consider smaller rigs at most local campgrounds. At The Cove Campground, "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."
Limited hookup availability: Many sites offer only partial connections. At Elizabeth Furnace, "This is a very nice little campground offering several types of non-hook up sites. We stayed in site 18 which was large and had a nice long flat space for us to park our class B camper on and dry camp."
RVIA certification requirements: Some private campgrounds enforce certification rules. A Candy Hill visitor warns, "My bride & I roll in a DIY Class B (2017 For Transit High Top & Extended Length). It is VERY WELLL MAINTAINED inside & out. Made online Reservations without any problem. CANDY HILL ONLY WANTS RV's that are RVIA Certified."
Sanitation station locations: Plan dump stops carefully. For Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park, "You will enjoy 30/50 amp electric and water. No sewer at the sites, so plan on using the dump drain on the way out."
