Cabins near Stuarts Draft, Virginia sit at elevations between 1,300 and 3,500 feet in the Shenandoah Valley region. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows regularly dropping below freezing. Mountain lodging options feature varying degrees of privacy, with some secluded sites providing quiet surroundings while others offer more social camping environments.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: Crabtree Falls Campground provides easy access to one of Virginia's most impressive cascades. "Crabtree Falls is a mile up the road and very easy to get to the trail head. The AT is also close by and easily accessed," notes camper Britt S. Many visitors use this location as a basecamp for exploring multiple trails.
Lake activities: Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley offers various water-based recreation opportunities. A camper shares, "There is an on-site restaurant that serves excellent food Thurs, Fri, Sat. You will not regret stopping here." The property features a swimming lake with two jumping decks and a water slide.
Mountain wildlife viewing: Seeing deer and other animals is common at Big Meadows Campground. According to one visitor, "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."
What campers like
Private riverside sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded water-adjacent options. A visitor to Crabtree Falls Campground reported, "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night." Another camper mentioned, "Sites are right on the river, we had a walk to which gave us some extra privacy."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks highly among visitor priorities. At Walnut Hills Campground, a reviewer noted, "The bathhouse is nice as is the pool. The store was sparse but adequate. The lawns were kept up and looking good." Another camper highlighted, "The bath houses were pristine."
Year-round options: Stoney Creek Resort operates through all seasons. "Plenty of room at each site, great lake for fishing even has a beach in the mountains, clean bathrooms both wooded and open lots," writes one visitor. The campground offers both shaded wooded sites and more open areas.
What you should know
Crowding during peak seasons: Many campgrounds reach capacity during summer weekends and holidays. "The campground was busy but never felt like we were sharing someone else's tent stakes," explains one Big Meadows visitor. Plan ahead with reservations, especially for holiday weekends.
Wildlife precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "They take food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out," warns a Big Meadows camper. Most established campgrounds provide bear boxes or have specific storage regulations.
Weather variability: Mountain elevations mean temperature fluctuations. At Loft Mountain Campground, a camper noted, "The mountain remained fogged in for most of our stay, but hikes on the AT and Doyles Falls were stunning." Pack layers for comfort regardless of season.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Multiple playgrounds and activities keep children engaged at many locations. At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, a visitor shares, "Very laid back atmosphere, plenty for the kids to do! Kept them occupied the whole trip!" Another notes, "There are lots of activities to do as a family and everything is kept up nicely."
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs enhance learning experiences. Big Meadows features "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs," according to a recent visitor. These programs typically cover local wildlife, history, and ecology.
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming areas that appeal to families. A Shenandoah Valley Campground visitor mentioned, "They had an awesome pool that was heated, hot tubs, mini golf and good playgrounds. My kids were in heaven."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Montebello Resort, "We had a site on the permitter, which was nice, as the interior sites are really on top of one another, we were just a few sites off the lake, but backing up to the woods certainly gave us a little more privacy." Consider requesting specific site numbers when making reservations.
Hookup details: RV sites vary considerably between properties. "Our site 33 was full hookup and a very nice, mostly level, spacious, and had a covered picnic table on a deck. Not all sites have full hookup," explains a Walnut Hills camper. Call ahead to verify which utilities are available at specific sites.
Seasonal considerations: Winter campers should prepare for limited services. A Montebello Resort visitor advises, "Follow the directions on the campground website. VA56 is a very windy road not recommended for pulling a camper through. Use the blue ridge parkway." Mountain roads can be challenging in adverse weather conditions.
