Camping sites near Orange, Virginia range from small primitive locations to expansive campgrounds with extensive amenities. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations of 400-500 feet, this region experiences mild springs and falls with summer temperatures typically reaching 85-90°F. Winter camping is available at several locations with temperatures often dropping below freezing at night.
What to do
Hike nearby trails: Big Meadows Campground offers access to numerous hiking opportunities. "Lots of beautiful hikes and bike course with awesome views of the valley," notes Tom C. The campground's location makes it ideal for exploring waterfalls and mountain vistas.
Fish in local ponds: At Small Country Campground, fishing is available in their on-site pond. The campground features "a pond, pool, playgrounds, 'bouncy pillow', mini golf, and lots more," according to a visitor, making it a versatile option for outdoor recreation.
Go horseback riding: Several campgrounds offer equestrian activities. At Shenandoah Crossing, visitors appreciate the variety of options. One camper mentioned, "Plenty to do at the resort... Kayak, putt putt, tennis, swim in one of the pools, hot tub, work out in the gym, walk on trails, ride horses, take a carriage ride."
Explore accessible trails: For those with mobility considerations, Lake Anna State Park provides handicapped-accessible options. "The paved handicapped-accessible trail and fishing platforms are a really nice addition," shares one reviewer, making outdoor recreation more inclusive.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Lewis Mountain Campground offers excellent wildlife spotting. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience," shares Rachel M. The campground's proximity to nature makes wildlife encounters common.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms at many locations. At Loft Mountain Campground, visitors appreciate the amenities: "The bathhouse was not far away and mostly clean. It was awesome to have a dishwasher station with running water," notes Katrin M.
Spacious campsites: Campsite size varies significantly across the region. At Big Meadows, visitors appreciate the room to spread out, with one camper noting: "Our site was definitely spacious. The campsite has the common amenities - a firepit, a bench, and a picnic table."
Evening atmosphere: The region offers excellent night sky viewing at many campgrounds. "The fireflies are spectacular. At dusk, the ground shimmers, and then after they disperse, you will still see them flit by the tent throughout the night," shares Veronica S. from Big Meadows.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. At Lewis Mountain Campground, one visitor advised: "Reservations are first-come, first-served, which makes it a bit tricky. Out of the 31 sites, only 3 remained when we arrived at about 1:45 PM on a Friday afternoon, and those remaining filled up within the hour."
Site leveling issues: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Christopher Run Campground, a camper noted: "Sites are good size, but not very level. We did finally get ours squared away." Bringing leveling blocks is advisable for RVs and trailers.
Shower facilities: Shower availability and cost vary between campgrounds. At Loft Mountain, "The shower was about 0.3 miles away. They charge $5 for 10 min, which you have to pay in quarters," reports one camper. Bringing quarters is essential at many locations.
Seasonal considerations: Winter campers should prepare for cold temperatures. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," shared a December visitor at Big Meadows Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Lake Anna State Park offers features that appeal to children. "Great hiking trails and if your looking for a relaxing fishing afternoon, they have some of the nicest fishing piers with ample sitting area. Our grandchildren love that they are able to bike ride and enjoy the beautiful scenery," shares Jennifer G.
Consider noise levels: Campgrounds vary in their atmosphere and enforcement of quiet hours. At Lewis Mountain, "This campground is known as the quieter campground in the park, since it is primarily tent campers, and the quiet hours are enforced as a result," notes one visitor.
Choose campgrounds with organized activities: Several locations offer structured recreation. At Small Country Campground, families appreciate the variety: "It has everything even a small grocery store. Don't let the name fool you, this place is the largest camp resort in the area," according to Rocky F.
Check beach and swimming options: Water activities are popular with families. Christopher Run Campground offers lake access with one visitor noting: "The campground is pretty big and has a wonderful beach with swim access to the lake. The beach is well maintained and campsites are spacious."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Shenandoah Hills Campground offers full hookup sites but with some challenges. "The sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream," notes one RVer, suggesting checking connection heights before setup.
Site spacing concerns: Many RV-friendly campgrounds have closely spaced sites. At Shenandoah Hills, an RVer observed: "The majority of camp sites are very close together, and the sites closer to the highway experience highway noise." Requesting sites away from roads is advisable.
Seasonal RV options: Year-round camping is available at select locations. Shenandoah Crossing offers "Big beautiful paved sites with furniture to boot. Complete with gas grills and outdoor sinks," according to Nicole P., making it suitable for RVs in all seasons.
Site selection tips: Choose RV sites based on specific needs. At Christopher Run Campground, "Pull through options available" according to one reviewer, while another noted many "long time seasonal campers" occupy prime spots.
