Campsites near Berryville, Virginia sit at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains where elevations range from 500 to 1,000 feet above sea level. The region's climate features four distinct seasons, with spring bringing potentially muddy conditions on hiking trails and summer temperatures typically reaching the mid-80s. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering direct river frontage while others feature smaller creeks or no natural water features.
What to do
Tubing adventures: 2-3 miles: At Watermelon Park Campground, tubing is a popular activity with affordable rentals. "Cheap tube rentals with busses that take you 2-3 miles up the road and drop you at boat landing. Bring your own tubes and have a camp member drop you off as well," notes camper Matt S.
River activities: chairs in water: River-based recreation offers simple pleasures beyond just tubing or fishing. "I enjoy taking my chair and sitting in the water and watching kids play. Nice and quiet at night. Fun to watch other families enjoying themselves too," shares Tabatha D. about her experience at Watermelon Park.
Historic exploration: 1.5 mile hike: Harpers Ferry Campground provides access to nearby historic areas via trails. "If you're facing the river then the trail is to the right of the campground with a sign reading that you have entered Harper's Ferry National Park. The trail is about 1.5 miles one way," explains Maggie A., noting you can "grab a bite, visit the history of Harper's Ferry or continue exploring more hiking trails."
Shooting range activities: The Cove Campground offers unique recreational options beyond traditional camping. "This Campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites," reports Ben M., highlighting the diversity of activities at this single location.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Berryville Berries offers a secluded feel despite being close to amenities. "Very nice and secluded location where you feel like you're the only people out there. Camped right by the creek and couldn't have asked for more!" shares Adam B. about his son's first camping trip.
Private site spacing: At Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground, campers appreciate the generous site sizes. "Campground is nice and the primitive spots are right next to the river. The spots are a short walk from the parking area and the campground provides wagons to transport your stuff," notes Matt P., highlighting the convenience factors.
Unique wildlife encounters: Some campgrounds offer unexpected animal interactions. "One unique (and awesome) touch: there are goats casually roaming around the campground. It adds a fun, unexpected charm to the place," writes Karl S. about The Cove Campground, showing how wildlife can enhance the camping experience.
Hammock-friendly sites: Sky Meadows State Park's hike-in sites include special features. "If it hadn't rained, I also would've been able to use the hammock posts at my site (you could use these to hang a clothesline too if you wanted)," explains Reba H., noting "the ranger told me that only a few campsites didn't have hammock stands."
What you should know
Road access challenges: The approach to several campgrounds requires careful driving. "The road in off of US 7 is pretty narrow," notes Brian J. about Watermelon Park, while another reviewer mentions "narrow roads" at Harpers Ferry. Plan your route in advance and consider vehicle size limitations.
Varying hook-up availability: Full hook-ups aren't available at all sites. "Price is a little high considering there is no sewer hookup (dump station is on site)," notes Brian J. about Watermelon Park. Similarly, other campgrounds in the region offer partial hookups only.
Site inconsistencies: Sky Meadows State Park campers should note facility variations. "Each site has a bear box, fire ring, picnic table, tent pad with pea gravel, and a lantern pole," explains RL, but another reviewer points out "only a few campsites didn't have hammock stands," showing that amenities differ between sites.
Weather impacts: Spring conditions affect accessibility. "The hike in while it was raining, and the mud wasn't as bad as I'd feared. However, the worn down parts of the trail attracted rainwater drainage, and the runoff narrowed the trail significantly," reports Reba H. about Sky Meadows, indicating how weather can change camping experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Family-friendly amenities vary between campgrounds. "Nice playground that they plan on expanding," notes Matt S. about Watermelon Park Campground, showing ongoing improvements to family facilities.
Water play options: Water features provide natural entertainment for children. "The lake was very nice and would be the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day," shares Andy S. about The Cove Campground, highlighting how natural features can keep families entertained.
Family space considerations: Campgrounds with larger sites work better for family groups. "This campground has all the feel of being remote and isolated, but it's actually in very short range of all the amenities you'd ever need," explains Chris E. about Berryville Berries, noting how it balances seclusion with convenience.
Transportation options: Some campgrounds offer unique transit experiences. "Rocking trolley to the Dairy Queen was great," shares Daniel T. about Candy Hill Campground, highlighting an amenity specifically appealing to families with children.
Tips from RVers
RV size limitations: Consider your vehicle dimensions when booking. "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," explains Matt S. about Harpers Ferry KOA, emphasizing the importance of site selection for larger rigs.
Site density awareness: RV sites at some campgrounds place vehicles close together. "Get cozy, the sites are quite small and tightly packed together," notes Matt S. about Harpers Ferry KOA, suggesting privacy may be limited at more developed campgrounds.
Navigation challenges: Large rigs may struggle with campground layouts. "The roads were freshly paved, the grass/trees trimmed, and the grounds clear of trash. We got lucky and got an end site despite arriving without a reservation," mentions Erin S., highlighting how end sites can offer more space and easier access for RVs.
Specific RV requirements: Some campgrounds have certification requirements. "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," reports kcy1998, warning about potential issues for custom or DIY recreational vehicles.
