Camping opportunities around Strasburg put outdoor enthusiasts in Virginia's northern Shenandoah Valley, where the elevation ranges from 600-2,400 feet and four distinct seasons affect camping conditions. Located at the convergence of Passage Creek and the Shenandoah River, the area offers a mix of national forest, state park, and private campgrounds where water features are often within walking distance of campsites.
What to do
Hiking signal knob: At Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground, campers can access several trail difficulties directly from their sites. "Easy access to several trails with a variety of difficulties, including the challenging Maneka Peak Trail and Signal Point loop, or more tame options in and around the site," notes Ryan O.
Fishing in stocked waters: The streams running through several dog friendly campgrounds near Strasburg are regularly stocked with trout. At Elizabeth Furnace Campground, you'll find "a pretty creek running through the campground" with fishing opportunities nearby, according to Matt P.
Tubing and kayaking: Low Water Bridge Campground offers river access with equipment rentals. "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!" says RL. The campground also sells tubing trips with shuttle service.
What campers like
Creek sounds for sleeping: Many campsites back to moving water that provides natural white noise. At Gooney Creek Campground, "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," according to Belinda K.
Wildlife viewing: The Shenandoah region offers frequent animal sightings. At Mathews Arm Campground, one camper reported, "We even had a doe and fawn right in our campsite! Just be careful of the black bears," says Stephen K.
Off-season value: Winter and spring camping offers lower rates and fewer crowds. "We paid $10 per night during the off-season, normally $20 during the main season," notes Shari G. about Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area. Several campgrounds in the region operate year-round with reduced services.
What you should know
Variable cellular service: Many campgrounds have limited or no cell coverage. At Shenandoah River State Park Campground, "No cell service but the Visitor's Center has WiFi available," according to John B.
Bear safety protocols: Most campgrounds require proper food storage. Mathews Arm Campground doesn't provide bear boxes, "but there are indeed bears, so keep all food in your car," advises Eric K.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences significant temperature changes, even in summer. Carol B. notes about Big Meadows, "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Strasburg offer water access for cooling off. At Gooney Creek Campground, you can "swim and fish in the creek. Pet-friendly," according to RL.
Transportation assistance: Some campgrounds provide help moving gear. At Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area, Mark N. appreciated group site access: "It was only a short walk from the parking lot on a gravel path which made carrying our gear a breeze!"
Educational programs: Look for ranger-led activities at several area campgrounds. Kim L. mentions Big Meadows has a "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs" that can engage children and teach them about local ecology.
Tips from RVers
Water access planning: Most RV sites require filling tanks rather than direct hookups. "There is potable water at multiple locations that you can fill up an RV tank or a water jug if you are tent camping," notes William B. about Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area.
Tight maneuvering: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads and site approaches. At Creekside Campground, Matt S. reports, "Once I was able to negotiate a few big trees, the site was plenty roomy and right on the water."
Affordable dump stations: Many national forest campgrounds offer dump stations at reasonable costs. Chris C. found Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area to be an "Outstanding tent and dry camp area" with "nice and clean" shower facilities despite the lack of hookups.
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