Little Fort Campground offers free dispersed camping in a forested setting just 5 miles west of Toms Brook. Located at 1,200 feet elevation in the foothills of the Massanutten Mountain range, this area experiences moderate summer temperatures averaging 82°F with cooler evenings. Most sites feature tent platforms and parking spots, with campers using a distinctive washer-flip system on a board to claim sites on a first-come, first-served basis.
What to do
Creek exploration: At Gooney Creek Campground, campers enjoy splashing and fishing in the small creek that flows through the property. "Swim and fish in the creek," notes one visitor, while another mentions "The creek flowing along the campsite was gorgeous and it was great listening to the running water at night."
Waterfall hikes: The trails around Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground offer various difficulty levels for day hikes with pets. As one reviewer describes, "Great spot right outside Shenandoah NP with quick access to the park or nearby trails. great fishing and hikes for kids, too!" Many trails lead to scenic waterfalls throughout the region.
River tubing: The Shenandoah River provides excellent floating opportunities near Low Water Bridge Campground where "You can fill your water tanks as you enter the campground. Inter tubes and kayaks are available to rent. There are also several river rafting companies close by." Another camper highlights the convenience: "Love the fact that they have an outfitter to shuttle you up the river."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Toms Brook provide frequent wildlife encounters. At Mathews Arm Campground, campers regularly report animal sightings: "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."
Riverside camping: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites that provide both scenery and recreation. According to a visitor at Low Water Bridge Campground, "We got a site right on the river bank so we just hopped out and were at our site!" Another adds, "Great place with spaces right on the shenendoah for fishing and tubing/kayaking."
Clean facilities: While rustic, most campgrounds maintain clean facilities. One camper at Shenandoah River State Park reported, "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up. Very small campground store on site but a much larger store at visitor center."
What you should know
Cell service gaps: Most campgrounds have limited or no connectivity. For Little Fort Campground, "there is no cell service at all starting from about 20 minutes away from the site, so I wouldn't count on having any reception." At Low Water Bridge, "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."
Site selection strategy: At Big Meadows Campground, "Though this campground is HUGE, the sites are not piled on top of each other. Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy." However, site quality varies drastically across all area campgrounds.
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate seasonally. Big Meadows is open "May 6 to November 13" while Mathews Arm runs from "May 6 to October 30." Elizabeth Furnace remains open year-round but with limited services in winter months.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Jellystone Park offers structured entertainment for children: "This isn't my idea of camping, but I brought my 11 year old nephew. He was able to run around and make friends with his aunt always looking over his shoulder. He had lots of fun at pool, movie night, making s'mores, and jumping on bouncy mound."
Nature programs: Several parks offer educational activities. At Shenandoah River State Park, "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground. Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground."
Stream access: Look for campgrounds with safe water features. Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground provides "spaces for rv and tents which is nice. There are a couple of sites that have a path to the creek that flows behind the campground," making it perfect for kids to explore under supervision.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Toms Brook offer only partial hookups. At Creekside Campground, "Electricity is on the RV site, there is a dumping place for black/grey water." Another camper noted, "Clean and level gravel site with well-maintained utility hook-ups."
Tight maneuvering: Several campgrounds have challenging access. One RVer at Gooney Creek warns, "Rigs longer than 25 feet, most likely will not fit," while another at Creekside mentioned, "Once I was able to negotiate a few big trees, the site was plenty roomy and right on the water."
Seasonal water systems: RVers should note that many campgrounds shut off water in colder months. At Elizabeth Furnace, "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."
