The Shenandoah Valley region surrounding Strasburg, Virginia sits at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,000 feet, with nearby mountain peaks reaching over 3,000 feet. Cabin camping options span from riverside locations along the Shenandoah River to mountain settings near Skyline Drive. Winter temperatures typically range from 20-40°F while summer months average 65-85°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
**River adventures: Access points at Low Water Bridge Campground offer tubing, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. "This state park campground is clean, with spacious sites and beautiful views of the mountain ranges and the Shenandoah River that backs right up to the campsite," notes a visitor to Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground.
**Shooting range activities: The Cove Campground provides unique amenities beyond standard camping. "This campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites," shares one camper at The Cove Campground.
**Winter hiking: Several campgrounds maintain year-round operation, allowing for off-season cabin stays. "We camped 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."
What campers like
**Rustic riverside sites: Waterfront camping creates memorable experiences along the Shenandoah. "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."
**Mountain wildlife viewing: Many sites offer opportunities to observe local fauna. "We love this campground, we like the pull in and the walk in sites, bear boxes provided, plenty of room to relax," reports one camper about Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park. "We saw many deer and bear while camping."
**Evening programs: Ranger-led activities enhance educational opportunities. "Clean, neat, and family oriented. 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."
What you should know
**Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly across the region. "There is absolutely no Verizon service here (ATT seems to work pretty well). You'll have to drive 10-15 in either direction on Rt. 211 before you can catch a signal," shares a camper at Low Water Bridge Campground.
**Site selection matters: Cabin and campsite quality varies considerably between locations. "When we booked our site we didn't realize that most of the property is on a hill. Each camper was rather tight and we felt like we were staying at an RV show, that's how crowded it felt."
**Seasonal operations: Verify opening dates before planning. "We didn't make a reservation, but that was not a problem. We stayed for 4 nights and were the only RV. Rest of the sites is for tents. Electricity is on the RV site, there is a dumping place for black/grey water."
Tips for camping with families
**Water activities: Fishing and swimming opportunities available within steps of some cabins. "This campground is nice and 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."
**Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "Very fun for families. The kids loved running off in the open field and playing on the zip line. We loved that we could see them from our site. The birthday boy also loved the outdoor laser tag!" explains a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray.
**Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing teaches children about local ecosystems. "Beautiful views, tons of hiking & biking trails. Wild life is visible everywhere you go. The children's programs offered on the weekends were great too."
Tips from RVers
**Limited hookup options: Not all cabin areas have full RV amenities. "We stayed in a level back-in site(#39) with picnic table on a concrete patio, Adirondack chairs under a pergola on a second concrete patio, clean gravel surface, and fire pit. The site was big enough for our motor home and Jeep. Full hook-ups with 50-amp service," notes a visitor to Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views.
**Mountain road challenges: Access to some sites requires navigating steep terrain. "The drive in requires about 25-miles through the roller coaster of steep grade(7+%) hills. There's no way around that, you're in the mountains. Just be aware and be prepared."
**Dump station considerations: Plan ahead for waste management. "Since I could not dump on my site - because it was clogged I had to go to the dump station. Your pipe is 2-feet off the ground and was even with the camper so the sewage couldn't go down."
Guide
