S
SEUNG HYUN L.
Traveler
TravelerLake Anna State Park Campground
Peace & quiet
Very quiet, peaceful . The Staff is very helpful.
Camping near Culpeper, VA
127 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Culpeper serves as a jumping-off point to some great camping in Virginia, particularly in nearby Shenandoah National Park. Big Meadows Campground sits within the park and puts you close to many hiking trails and lookout points. You'll find flush toilets, showers that cost a few dollars, and a small store for basics. Another good option is Loft Mountain Campground, which has roomier sites and nice mountain views. The campground has drinking water and bathrooms that make longer stays more comfortable. If you want something quieter, Lewis Mountain Campground typically has fewer people and a more laid-back feel. It comes with standard campsite setups - picnic tables and fire rings - and trails start nearby. Bears and wildlife are common throughout this area, so you'll need to store food properly using bear containers or by hanging food bags from trees. Spring and fall camping work best here when the weather is mild and the trees look amazing. Summer can get hot, though these mountain campgrounds stay cooler than the surrounding lowlands. It's always smart to check the weather before heading out.
Best Campgrounds near Culpeper (127)
1. Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
"Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability2. Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park
"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!)"
"There are a few trails encompassing and leading out from the campground, and it's nice to have a central location from which you can out on small hikes."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability3. The HarmStead Campground
"Lots of land to walk. Fire pit, chairs and picnic table at site."
from $50 - $95 / night
Check Availability4. Rappahannock River Campground
"Great for a weekend away from all the hustle and bustle. Very relaxing"
"We paid our fee, which was only around $15, and then another $5 for a bunch of firewood. The Firewood was a bit wet and didn't work out, but hey, beggars can't be choosers."
5. Lewis Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park
"Lewis mountain has all the amenities of home within walking distance if you just can’t live without them; bathrooms,showers, kitchen sink, fire pit, small store and 2 personal vehicle parking spots steps"
"Arrived before the weekend, around late morning. Greeted by the park ranger, they gave the basic information for these sites. Limited spots here. You’re pretty close to your neighbor."
from $30 / night
Check Availability6. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground
"Our patio was on the side next to the road which was a little close to traffic but we still loved siting there, especially in the evening with a campfire."
"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."
from $27 - $427 / night
Check Availability7. Casa Vargas
"Casa Vargas offers secluded RV & Tent sites near the famous Skyline Drive that offers great views of the Shenandoah Mountains. "
from $50 - $75 / night
Check Availability8. A World Away Farm LLC
from $20 - $50 / night
9. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray
"Close to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive."
"They had plenty of appearances of Yogi or Cindy bear at activities and just driving around the park on a golf cart."
10. Lake Anna State Park Campground
"Our site was nicely situated between a trail down to the lake and bathhouse. We had a long driveway that was perfect for throwing a ball around."
"Great walking trails surrounding the campground. Well maintained."
from $32 - $459 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 44 min from Charlottesville, VA
- 1 hr 6 min from Harrisonburg, VA
- 1 hr 9 min from Winchester, VA
- 1 hr 15 min from Washington, DC
Recent Camping Photos near Culpeper, VA
388 Photos of 127 Culpeper Campgrounds
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Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed
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Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
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Hazeltop Summit Dispersed Camping
Bradley P.
Hazeltop Summit Bluff Dispersed Camping
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Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park
Recent Reviews near Culpeper, VA
1042 Reviews of 127 Culpeper Campgrounds
- TTroli R.
GuideBig Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Beautiful as always (despite re-paving project)
Great summer destination to escape the heat! Weather in late June was amazing - highs in the 70s; lows in the 60s; and crystal clear skies. Not too buggy either. Pulled ONE tick off of me before it bit me, but otherwise not much to speak of in the way of mosquitos or biting gnats/flies.
This particular site was smaller (RV back in) but private and level near the bath house. There IS a bear box present, and you'll want to use it for any unattended food outside an RV. The mini-bears are beggars. We saw several chipmunks in our site and a particularly clever bird successfully stole from our neighbors.
If you are RV-ing, fill your tanks at the dump station before heading to the ranger station for check-in. You don't want to carry all that water up the mountain, and they don't like you to block the campground road trying to fill along the loop. The dump station is located on the right prior to arrival at the ranger station.
Also, there are no dumpsters at the dump station (weird). So upon departure, pull your trash prior to leaving the site.
As always, there is virtually no cell signal in this site and no electric hookups anywhere in the campsite. So bring a generator or a lot of solar if you want to run your electrical. (Though this site being so shady doesn't provide a lot of solar power.) There IS wifi at the visitor's center if you want to call home or do a daily socials check. ;-)
We DID have one day there that was a pretty noisy from paving equipment re-doing the road. But I think they're almost done with their project, and honestly it wasn't that big a deal because we were on trails most of the time anyway.
There are great ranger programs here - it's one of the larger hubs for programming, and they're listed at the visitor's center because they change seasonally. Don't miss out on the chance to explore the meadow. What may LOOK like a vast, boring expanse of grass is actually a fascinating variety of foliage when you're out in it. Many, many wildflowers that can't be seen from the visitor center's overlook.
Also, many of the park's most popular hikes can be easily accessed from here, including Dark Hollow Falls and Bearfence Rock Scramble.
Ethan L.TravelerGraves Mountain Farm Campground
Graves Farm
Beautiful spot. The campsite is across the street from the lodge. G-Maps and Apple will take you to the lodge however. Loved the Freeform and “make your own” spot vibe
- BBernard D.
ScoutNorth Fork Resort
Do not camp here!
I camped here on the 4th of July weekend in 2026. The lot was over $70 and the lot was a gravel lot in full sun, and our air conditioner could not keep up with the heat, because of the conplete lack of shade. These are the only lots available to campers. The water was toxic and brown out of the tap, and our water tank happened to be empty. We complained to the office, and they refused to help us by obtai i g some bottled water that was potable, and the manager basically said screw you. They didn’t care and claimed the water passed a water test. I run a campground myself and am very familiar with these issues, and guarantee this would not pass a potability test. I am reporting them to the local health dept and to the state liscensing department. If they think they can just blow me off, they are picking a battle with the wrong guy. O well, their mistake!!
MG S.GuideShenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park
Difficult to Find a Spot!
As we got through Shenandoah Nat’l Park, we learned that all the campgrounds were full. So we ended up getting a backcountry camping permit in the southern district between Ivy Creek and Loft Mountain along the Appalachian Trail. It was so difficult to find a good spot in this specific area. If you have a 1-2 person tent, it may be easier. We ended up “hiking” about a quarter mile from the Loft Mountain Camp Store on the Frazier Trail to the A.T. Set up right there at the corner on the flattest spot we could find. Ended up being a great night! It gets super windy up there and some of the trees creak deeply. Thankfully no downed trees!
- MG S.Guide
Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Great Camp!
This is a good campground! The spot we picked thankfully only had one neighbor — and they didn’t even show up! Of course the kids around us were noisy throughout the night, but that’s to be expected. Not sure the quiet times are strictly enforced. The wind gets really heavy in there!
Nancy W.
LegendAndy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground
Great State Park Campground! Would be a 5 if there was sewer.
We absolutely loved our stay at this state park. The sites are spacious with plenty of room for your RV (no matter what the size) and plenty of room for a screen room on your patio. Unlike in many private campgrounds, campsites are well-spaced out giving you some privacy so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. A scattering of trees provides some shade and privacy. The road in and out of the campground was steep but since it was paved we didn’t have a traction issue.
We stayed in site 10 which was a gravel back-in site. It was plenty long enough for our 45’ RV and tow car. Each campsite has an expansive patio with large firepit, picnic table, and raised grill for cooking. Our patio was on the side next to the road which was a little close to traffic but we still loved siting there, especially in the evening with a campfire. A few sites were paved and some were double sites which would be great if you are traveling with friends.
The park itself has numerous gravel/dirt trails along the river and throughout the park. The longest one travels all along the Shenandoah River, and you can access it directly from the RV campground. One day we walked the trail to the visitor center which has an amazing overlook near the visitor center. Inside are exhibits which were interesting and informative about the area. If you are looking for more and diverse trails, you are just minutes away from Shenandoah National Park. Don’t miss out on the famous Skyline Drive in Shenandoah.
The town of Front Royal is about 15 minutes away and where you will get cell/mobile data service and there are restaurants and supplies. We love the burgers at Spelunkers and wished we had more time to visit the Virginia Beer Museum. Chester Gap Cellars has great wine and incredible views. The only downsides of this park are that there is no sewer and no Verizon service. Even without those amenities, we loved our stay and would definitely come back.
Tara S.LegendBig Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Such a quiet, relaxing spot (walk-in tent site)
We stayed in site #27 for two nights. It was a walk-in tent site, but the car was very close. The site offered plenty of privacy. We could see the other sites, but they weren't close. We had a nice bear box and good hammock trees, plus a picnic table and decent tent sites. Lots of deer walked through our site in the morning, and we had easy access to several trails.
- BBruce M.Scout
Misty Mountain Camp Resort
Bathrooms/ showers
Showers are well removed from the center of activity
Also the personalities at the office are extremely short
Guide to Culpeper
Camping in the Shenandoah region near Culpeper, Virginia ranges from primitive sites to full-service campgrounds. The Blue Ridge Mountains area sits at elevations between 1,000-3,500 feet, offering cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Many camping options in this region remain open from April through November, with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: 1-3 miles from campsites Several trails lead to waterfalls throughout the region. At Big Meadows Campground, "There are several campsites available at this National Park. I like this campsite particularly because its close to one of my favorite waterfall hikes in VA," notes Tom C.
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution The higher elevation campgrounds offer excellent stargazing opportunities. "We love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," says Rachel M. The clear mountain air provides visibility of celestial features not visible in urban areas.
Wildlife observation: Dawn and dusk best times Many campers report deer and bear sightings. At Mathews Arm Campground, "We even had a doe and fawn right in our campsite! Just be careful of the black bears," advises Stephen K. Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Better privacy options Tent campers appreciate sites with natural separation. At Lewis Mountain Campground, "This campground has a lot of sites but they've spaced them so that they can be pretty private and quiet. If you get in early there a lot of really choice sites," mentions Lisa D.
Riverside camping: Direct water access Some campgrounds offer proximity to the Shenandoah River. At Rappahannock River Campground, "The area of the campground is deep in the woods with the only audible intrusion coming from the infrequent airplane or helicopter passing by," explains Derek E. "Great spot right next to the Rappahannock River, plenty of place to set up camp. It was super easy to get down to the water."
Well-maintained facilities: Regular cleaning schedules Many campers note the cleanliness of facilities. "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," reports Kim L. about Big Meadows.
What you should know
First-come sites: Early arrival recommended Several campgrounds have non-reservable sections requiring early arrival. For Lewis Mountain, "Out of the 31 sites (including host site), only 3 remained when we arrived at about 1:45 PM on a Friday afternoon, and those remaining filled up within the hour," warns Danielle V. Arriving before noon significantly improves your chances.
Wildlife precautions: Required food storage Bear activity requires proper food storage. "You can be fined for leaving food out," notes Anna R. Most campsites provide bear boxes, but not all do. Rangers regularly patrol to ensure compliance.
Seasonal considerations: Altitude affects temperatures Mountain campgrounds experience significantly different weather than nearby towns. At Shenandoah River State Park Campground, "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," mentions Carol B. Always check weather forecasts specifically for the campground's elevation.
Tips for camping with families
Ranger programs: Educational activities Many campgrounds offer ranger-led activities. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground," notes Kim L. Programs typically run May through October.
Jellystone amenities: Kid-friendly features For families seeking more activities, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers numerous options. "The kids loved running off in the open field and playing on the zip line. We loved that we could see them from our site. The birthday boy also loved the outdoor laser tag!" shares Jen O.
Animal encounters: Educational opportunities Some campgrounds feature farm animals. At The HarmStead Campground, "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," explains Michael.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Limited within park Full hookups are rare in Shenandoah National Park campgrounds. Big Meadows provides water but no electric or sewer hookups. Private campgrounds outside the park offer more options.
Site leveling: Check before booking Some RV sites require significant leveling. "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV," cautions Jen O. about Jellystone Park.
Dump station access: Plan ahead Most park campgrounds have dump stations but limited sewer hookups. Smaller private campgrounds may have full hookups but fewer amenities. "Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms," notes Adam and Suzanne B. about Shenandoah River State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Culpeper, VA?
Where are the best campgrounds near Culpeper, VA?
Several excellent campgrounds are located within a short drive of Culpeper. Cedar Mountain Campground is just 6 miles from town, offering tent sites, RV accommodations, showers, and bathhouses for $25 per night plus tax. For those willing to venture a bit further, Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views provides beautiful mountain vistas, immaculately maintained grounds, and a unique experience adjacent to a working farm with various animals. The campground also features a large dog park and a pool. Other noteworthy options in the region include Shenandoah National Park campgrounds like Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain, which provide excellent access to hiking trails and natural attractions.
How much does it cost to rent a camper in Culpeper?
How much does it cost to rent a camper in Culpeper?
Camper rental prices near Culpeper typically range from $75-$200 per night depending on the RV size, age, amenities, and season. Smaller trailers and pop-ups generally start around $75-100 per night, while larger Class C motorhomes can cost $150-200+ nightly. Many rentals require a minimum 2-3 night stay. Additional costs often include a security deposit ($100-500), mileage fees for motorhomes (often with 100-150 free miles daily), generator usage fees, and cleaning fees ($50-100). For a luxury camping experience, Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages offers premium sites with stone borders, walls, and fire pits, though you'll need to bring your own RV or rent one to stay there.
What amenities are available at Harmstead Campground in Culpeper, VA?
What amenities are available at Harmstead Campground in Culpeper, VA?
The HarmStead Campground offers several practical amenities for campers. The campground features full hookups for RVs, making it particularly big-rig friendly for larger vehicles and trailers. Water hookups are available at the sites, eliminating the need to haul your own water. The campground operates on a reservation system, allowing you to secure your spot in advance rather than relying on first-come, first-served availability. For those seeking alternatives with additional amenities, Loft Mountain Campground in nearby Shenandoah National Park offers a more rustic experience with access to numerous hiking trails while still providing essential facilities.
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