Mathews Arm Campground in Shenandoah National Park offers pet-friendly accommodations throughout its 165 campsites, making it one of the most popular dog-friendly campgrounds near Washington, VA. Pets must be kept on leashes no longer than 6 feet at all times, including on trails and in campsites. This northernmost campground in the park provides both tent and RV camping options with bear boxes available at select sites. Bathrooms are centrally located to the camping loops but do not include shower facilities. Wildlife, including deer, frequently pass through the camping area. Sites vary in privacy and size, with those along the forest's edge in Loop A providing the best mix of shade and seclusion. The outer loop sites typically offer more "backyard" space for pets.
Several hiking trails accessible directly from the campground welcome leashed dogs, including the trail to Overall Run Falls, the tallest waterfall in the park. Campers should properly secure all food items in vehicles or bear boxes, as park rangers strictly enforce food storage regulations to prevent wildlife encounters. The centrally located Elkwallow Wayside provides ice, firewood, and basic supplies, accessible via a short drive or hiking trail from the campground. During summer months, insects can be particularly active, so appropriate protection for both humans and pets is recommended. While cell service is limited or nonexistent throughout the campground, the relatively quiet setting allows for peaceful camping with pets, particularly during weekdays when the campground is less crowded.
$30 - $75 / night
"This campground has all the amenities you need for a great family getaway; bathroom faculties, easy hikes, wildlife, and is an easy drove from Washington, DC."
"This is a nice and very large campground tucked away in the northern part of Shenandoah. The facilities and grounds were well kept and it’s a short car’s travel (but there’s also a trail!)"
$30 - $75 / night
"Stayed here with three other girls and my dog- it was a great spot! Nice and close to some great trails for our evening walk, and nothing beats staying Inside the NP!"
"This was a great campground location to many, many National Park Trails. Our stay was during the last week of September. We met up with family who live in the area and got 3 sites hugging the AT."
$27 - $427 / night
"Tons of trails great for families with dogs or those wanting to get out and hike. The campsite featured some of the best bathroom/ shower houses, they were super clean and well maintained."
"Virginia has the best state park campgrounds. Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms. Nice hiking in the park. Near SNP. Responsive and friendly rangers."
"Lots of fun stuff to do for adults, children, and pets. Will definitely visit again!"
"Close to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive."
"We are tent campers and we’re looking for a place close to Shenandoah to ride our motorcycles. This was 3 miles from the north entrance to the park, perfect."
"Hike up a trail or up through the creek itself to a swimming hole only accessible to campers. Saw some decent sized fish swimming around in there."
$40 - $230 / night
"Adjacent to a working farm where cows, sheep, llamas, chickens and roosters can graze next to the campsites. The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean."
"This campground is very close to Luray Caverns and all that they have to offer."
$30 - $125 / night
"Positive: Friendly staff, near the river, close to Shenandoah NP, quiet camping, every site has a fire pit. Negative: sanitary fascilities are old."
"Sites 31 and 32 (despite being near the campground’s public river access) look large and private. Both riverside."
"There were plenty of walk in sites beyond ours. Unfortunately there was a decent bit of trash we cleaned up. The road was a little rough, but our 92 ford camper made it, just go slow"
"We stayed right at the end of the road, since we have a 30 foot RV, but there are sites you can walk to all the way down the river. I saw one other site before ours."
$20 / night
"In the valley outside of Shenandoah, it was a nice spot to return to at night. There are also some hiking trails across the street."
"Campground Review: What a great find, so close to a town….though feels like you are deep in the forest!"
$32 / night
"One of my favorite parts of Virginia. This place is great because they have a bus to bring you back up river after a day of kayaking. Clean facilities and a nice little store."
"It's also in the heart the valley between prime east coast hiking areas (Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest)."
ScoutSnug campground with nice, clean bathroom and pool. Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city. The downside is that there are no trails accessible onsite and the campground is pretty close to main road. It is a slight drive to the main park entrance.
TravelerWe began our membership here this June. it has a great atmosphere on the banks of the Shenandoah River. There are activities every weekend like concerts and group activities. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The facilities are clean and very convenient. Pet friendly; two dog parks.
ScoutThis campground has all the amenities you need for a great family getaway; bathroom faculties, easy hikes, wildlife, and is an easy drove from Washington, DC.
GuideBeautiful views. Adjacent to a working farm where cows, sheep, llamas, chickens and roosters can graze next to the campsites.
The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean.
It also had the largest dog park area of any campground I’ve ever seen.
Very nice pool, friendly staff and firewood available for purchase. They will even deliver right to your site.
Very close to downtown Luray, which has great shops and restaurants. There is a very nice 2 mile long walking trail, the Luray-Hawksbill Greenway, near the campground that will take you right into town.
Also close by to some excellent hiking, wineries, breweries and distilleries.
ScoutWe recently stayed for a long weekend at the Outlanders campground after we received a referral from a friend and could not have been more happy with our stay. The RV sites at this campground are very spaced out, you have a lot of room to each side of your RV. The park and facilities were very clean. They have a playground for the kids, fishing ponds, cabins, pet friendly with a dog park and they are located right along the Shenandoah river. You can go tubing on the river but need to provide your own tubes. The ride down the river from one end of the park to the other is around 30 minutes. Also for all of the people attached to the internet like us we were able to have plenty of cell signal to hotspot and get internet.
ScoutThis campground is very close to Luray Caverns and all that they have to offer. There is also a Duke's of Hazzard themed museum and store where they do live music on weekends nearby, it's called Cooter's. This campground is very small but quiet. It does border cow pasture land so when the wind shifts you get the smell but it wasn't constant and it wasn't unbearable. They have 2 swimming pools and a very large dog park. The bath houses were clean and well maintained. I would definitely recommend this campground.
LegendThis place is right outside the gate of Harpers Ferry NP. We walked to the shuttle bus stop. It is a very large KOA, and was almost empty when we visited in September. The original site the gave us had a large rut and washed out spot, so we could not get level. I checked in the office and the reassigned another space that was much better. Full hook ups, nice clean shower and bathrooms, playground, pool, large dog park.
TravelerStayed here for two weeks in early March. Newly renovated campground with a lot of amenities. Very helpful staff. The campground is a lot of money upgrading services, capabilities, and extra activities (St Patrick's Day parade and dinner). While we were there they added street signage (very helpful) and installed a Bocce Ball field. Two fenced dog parks. Campsites are level gravel (no pads). Located near multiple vineyards. Our only complaint was that the sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream. The majority of camp sites are very close together, and the sites closer to the highway experience highway noise.
TravelerWe stayed here for 3 nights. Perfect campground with everything you need. Bathrooms are very clean. Ice, propane, and other items are available on site at the store. Halloween was in full effect including a haunted walk. Sites are spacious and have natural stone in ground fire pits instead of rusted metal rims which adds character. Dog park, pool, and plenty of games are available on site. Harrisonburg is down the road if you to need to stop in town.
Mathews Arm Campground in Shenandoah National Park sits at an elevation of approximately 2,400 feet in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, offering cooler summer temperatures than the surrounding valleys. The northernmost campground in the park features rolling terrain with mostly wooded sites spread across several camping loops. Dog-friendly camping options near Washington, Virginia typically fill quickly during fall foliage season when temperatures range from 40-70°F.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The campgrounds near Washington, Virginia provide excellent wildlife observation. At Shenandoah River State Park Campground, you might spot "Wild life visible everywhere you go. The children's programs offered on the weekends were great too," according to Melissa T. These organized programs often focus on native animal species and their habitats.
River recreation access: Several campgrounds offer direct river access for water activities. At Low Water Bridge Campground, campers appreciate that "One of my favorite parts of Virginia. This place is great because they have a bus to bring you back up river after a day of kayaking," as Christie B. notes. The shuttle service eliminates the need for arranging multiple vehicles.
Historical exploration: The area contains significant historical sites. At Elizabeth Furnace Campground, visitors can explore the remnants of a 19th-century iron furnace. As one camper mentions, "This campground is situated just 15 minutes from Strasburg (adorable town) and is about equal distance to Front Royal, which sits at the northern end of Shenandoah National Park. Both towns have everything you need."
Affordability of primitive sites: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value of basic sites. At Elizabeth Furnace, William B. notes the campground offers "primitive camping as there is no electric or water hookups at the campsites. There is potable water at multiple locations that you can fill up an RV tank or a water jug if you are tent camping." These sites typically cost $10-20 per night.
Easy trail access: Many campers value having trails directly accessible from campsites. At Big Meadows Campground, Jaclyn B. shares, "We love this campground, we like the pull in and the walk in sites, bear boxes provided, plenty of room to relax. Good bathrooms, coin hot showers available too. So many trails to explore, walk to the Lodge, Wayside, Visitor Center and more."
Pet-friendly accommodations: Multiple campgrounds welcome dogs with specific amenities. At Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views, one reviewer noted, "It also had the largest dog park area of any campground I've ever seen." This feature allows dogs to exercise off-leash in a controlled environment while still complying with leash requirements elsewhere in the campground.
Generator rules vary: Different campgrounds have distinct policies regarding generator use. At Big Meadows, Mary S. explains, "Generator-free area: No generators are allowed in parts of the A and B sections." This creates quieter zones for tent campers and those seeking more natural soundscapes.
Bear safety requirements: All campgrounds in the region have strict food storage rules. A reviewer at Gooney Creek Campground reports that food must be secured properly, and "You can be fined if you don't. Apparently, bears recognize coolers so you should cover them up in vehicles."
Weather considerations: Mountain weather can change rapidly, particularly at higher elevations. One camper at Big Meadows shared their experience: "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water." Winter camping requires additional preparation and gear.
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have limited or no connectivity. At Low Water Bridge Campground, a reviewer notes: "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."
Activity planning: Families benefit from campgrounds with structured activities. At Shenandoah River State Park, Laura N. recommends: "One of my favorite campgrounds - particularly when I bring first time campers. Clean grounds and importantly clean facilities. Park offers very doable hiking and mountain biking options for beginners."
Site selection for privacy: When camping with children, strategic site selection matters. At Big Meadows, one camper advises: "Sites are large but many are lined up right next to each other. I recommend staying away from A72 to the end of A. They're lined up too closely for my taste, and there isn't much shade." Corner sites typically offer more space for families.
Water feature proximity: During summer months, access to water provides natural entertainment. At Gooney Creek Campground, a visitor shared: "Located right on the bank of the creek 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."
RV size considerations: Many campgrounds near Washington, Virginia have size limitations. At Gooney Creek, Dan & Karen M. recommend: "Gooney Creek Campground is an excellent place to tent camp or camp in smaller RVs. Rigs longer than 25 feet, most likely will not fit."
Winter RV camping preparations: Those camping in colder months should prepare accordingly. One RVer at Low Water Bridge Campground noted: "Electricity is on the RV site, there is a dumping place for black/grey water" but added that "sanitary facilities are old." Having functioning internal systems becomes more important in winter.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds present leveling difficulties. One RVer at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views cautioned: "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV. Still, we would go back...just to a different site location."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Washington, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Washington, VA is Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.4-star rating from 45 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Washington, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 99 dog-friendly camping locations near Washington, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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