RV sites near Washington, Virginia offer access to Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and historic sites in the region. Camping areas range from 500 to 1,200 feet in elevation, with temperatures typically 5-10 degrees cooler than nearby Washington, DC. Sites situated along the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers provide water recreation options during summer months.
What to do
Cavern exploration: At Endless Caverns RV Resort, visitors can tour the adjacent cave system with guided tours available daily. "The cavern tour was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed. Our tour guide, Haley, was a sweetheart, taking time for the two little kids, and still giving the information older people like," notes one reviewer.
River activities: Harpers Ferry Campground offers direct riverside access. "Gorgeous spot on the river. Small campground with not a lot of amenities BUT THAT RIVER IS GORGEOUS. Lots of activities - tubing, zip lining, fishing," reports one camper. Another adds, "You can go swimming right from your campsite!"
Hiking trails: Both onsite and nearby trails provide varied terrain. "There are multiple dog bag stations throughout the campground," notes a visitor at KOA Luray RV Resort. For day trips, Prince William Forest Park offers extensive trails: "Close to Prince William Forest which is a fantastic National Parks forest."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent bathhouses. "Bathroom and showers located nearby. You're not allowed to park at the tent sites but most of the tent sites allow you to drop all your camping gear off and then park in a designated area," reports a visitor at Harpers Ferry Campground. Another camper at Bull Run noted, "They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Spacious sites: Campgrounds like Outlanders River Camp offer ample space. "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," writes a reviewer. Another adds, "The fact that they have developed hiking/walking/running paths, a 'dog park', and a spot to go swimming were pretty outstanding."
Natural surroundings: Multiple campgrounds preserve their wooded settings. "Nestled in nature, lined by trees with a steam running behind us," writes a visitor at Fort Valley Ranch. Another states, "We had so much fun, we didn't even leave our camping sites the entire time!"
What you should know
Roads and access: Some campgrounds have challenging roads. "The road between the office and campsites is a bit narrow and one lane so can be tricky when people are arriving or leaving with rigs," notes a KOA Luray visitor. Another mentions, "The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD. Be very particular with your site selection!"
Seasonal considerations: Fall is peak season with limited availability. "During fall foliage season, reservations become essential as parks fill quickly," observes a Madison Vines visitor. At Endless Caverns RV Resort, a camper enjoyed the "Beautiful spot to camp in the middle of the mountains. Very nice size camping sites. Great hiking trail to the sign...with an amazing overlook!"
Connectivity: Cell service varies throughout the region. "AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty," reports one camper. Another notes, "The wifi was terrible and unusable, even with our antenna."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with play areas. "They had a huge dog park that my dog loved. They also had multiple dog bag stations throughout the campground," writes a visitor at KOA Luray RV Resort. At Madison Vines RV Resort, "Great weekend programs gave everyone a chance to mingle if they wanted to."
Animal encounters: Several campgrounds offer unique experiences. "The hosts provided our kids with a cup of animal food to feed the goats and the emu. The spot had a fire ring and a picknick table. Highlight for the kids were the playground and the fireflies at night," shares a visitor at The HarmStead Campground.
Educational opportunities: History surrounds the area. At Bull Run Regional Park, "Our family stayed here in a cabin on a long weekend trip to DC. This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it. The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Pay attention to leveling and access. "Wright next to the Luray caves and near the starting point of the Skyline drive. Nice, quietly located camping, surrounded by fields," notes a visitor at KOA Luray RV Resort. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, "caution though, the back row is steep. We were unable to get our Super C level. The rain created red clay mud so the dogs were a mess - actually became sort of comical. All in all it was a beautiful and clean location. Try and reserve row E if you need full hook up."
Utility considerations: Full hookups aren't available at all sites. "Snug 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," notes a visitor. Another adds, "Most sites are well spaced but a lot are right beside each other, too."
Local attractions: Proximity to historic sites adds value. "Register any visitors! Clean, reasonable rates & quiet. Prince William Forest National Park is accessible for awesome day hikes. Civil War National Parks nearby. DC just up the road. National Marine Corp Museum just around corner."
