Berryville, Virginia sits at 679 feet above sea level in the Shenandoah Valley, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winters dipping to around 25°F. The area features a mix of hardwood forests and rolling farmland, with camping season typically running from April through October. Rainfall averages 3-4 inches monthly during peak camping months, creating ideal conditions for cabin stays throughout the region.
What to do
Fishing access points: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground offers direct river access for anglers. "The river view was nice, and we were packed in with our neighbors like sardines and no shade. The road into the campground was badly in need of repair," notes one visitor at Brunswick Family Campground about their riverside site.
Train watching: Harpers Ferry Campground positions campers right beside active rail lines. "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, while another mentions, "The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains."
Target shooting: The Cove Campground provides an on-site outdoor shooting range, unique among area campgrounds. "The Cove is by far one of my favorite places to escape the DC suburbs. With great trails, a lake, and outdoor shooting range we can easily spend the whole weekend or longer," explains a regular visitor.
What campers like
River proximity: Many campsites at Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders feature direct water access. "My family stayed here for two nights during the middle of the week, about half the campground was occupied. Our campsite was right along the water (all spots are along the water). We love walking and having a nice walk right from our campsite is a big bonus."
Historical connections: The region's Civil War history provides educational opportunities. "Location, Location, Location! Close proximity to plenty of historic and tourist places to visit. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center is literally next door," explains a visitor to Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA.
Off-road adventures: The Cove Campground offers extensive trail systems for motorized recreation. "This Campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites," states one enthusiastic visitor, while another notes, "Next time we come back we will be staying on the same site if possible and definitely bringing some 4 wheelers to check out the miles and miles of trails!"
What you should know
Reservation policies: Many camping cabins near Berryville enforce multiple-night minimum stays. "We had a single lady park next to us she told them she was a disabled VETERAN could she have a little help hooking up? NOT any help!" reports a visitor about Candy Hill Campground's service limitations.
RV certification requirements: Some campgrounds restrict non-standard vehicles. "Made online Reservations without any problem. Walked into the campground office to get my spot & the first question was 'Do you have an RVIA Number'. That is when I was told I could not stay at Candy Hill," explains a camper with a DIY conversion van at Candy Hill Campground.
Variable internet connectivity: Cell service varies dramatically across the area. "Cell service in the area for both AT&T and Verizon was poor. I do not know if this was due to the terrain or lack of towers," notes a visitor at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA, while another camper mentions, "WiFi and cell service was great" at the same location.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD caters specifically to children. "We recent went camping for the first time at Jellystone in Maryland. 5 of our 6 kids came with us, so we knew we needed to find a camping ground more geared kids. Jellystone was amazing in every way possible. The kids were never bored and had so much fun."
Animal encounters: Some properties feature domestic animals. "One unique (and awesome) touch: there are goats casually roaming around the campground. It adds a fun, unexpected charm to the place," reports a visitor to The Cove Campground, while another mentions, "Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun."
Seasonal activity planning: Water amenities typically operate on limited schedules. "When we arrived we noticed that the campsites are one on top of the other in a row along the access road and the river. There is no separate between the sites (kids ran through ours a few times ripping out our guy lines)," notes a family at Harpers Ferry Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park offers various site configurations. "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."
Pull-through accessibility: Bull Run Regional Park offers drive-through sites that simplify parking. "The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone," explains one RVer, while another notes, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Seasonal capacity awareness: Summer weekends see full occupancy at most cabin campgrounds near Berryville. "We stayed at Shenandoah River State Park on the night of December 11, 2020. No problem finding a spot, campground was about half full when we got there around 4pm. The Primitive Camping spots were all taken however, so arrive early if you want one of those."
