Fishing, swimming, ATV riding, and shooting range access make The Cove Campground one of the more activity-dense private campgrounds in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. The lake sits at the center of camp life: campers can rent non-motorized boats for $10, bring their own bait or buy it on-site, and swim from a large, clean beach. Reviewers note the lake holds turtles and fish, though a few mention the water could stand to be better stocked for shore anglers without a boat.
The drive in sets the tone. Gravel roads wind deep into the woods, and at least one reviewer recommends four-wheel drive, particularly if conditions are rough. Cell service is minimal to nonexistent throughout the property, so plan accordingly. The campground runs across several distinct areas, and site quality varies: reviewers who stayed in sites 8 and 9 noted better shade than site 7, and campers in hookup sites near the entrance found the shower facilities required a 15 to 20 minute walk with limited signage. The showers themselves are functional but dated, with rust staining and no curtain separating the bench from the spray.
Staff consistently draws positive mentions across multiple visits and years. Karl S. describes the campground as "clean, the staff is friendly, and the fishing is solid." Free-range goats wander the grounds, which catches first-time visitors off guard in an entertaining way. Campsites in Camp 1 include electric hookups and water spigots, though during busy weekends, hookup access can get competitive. The property also operates as a tree farm, which means no outside firewood and no smoking; bundled wood is available for purchase on-site.
Shoulder season visits in May or October tend to mean fewer crowds and more elbow room across the loop. Campers exploring the area can also browse campgrounds near High View or consider Riverdale Farms Glamping Resort to the west for a different style of stay. Reservations are available, pets are welcome, and the campground accommodates RVs up to 45 feet with full hookups. If a weekend with trails, a lake, and goats wandering past your site sounds like your kind of trip, The Cove delivers that experience reliably.
Description
The Cove is a privately owned, certified tree farm. The Cove covers about three thousand acres ranging from one to three thousand feet in altitude in the Appalachian Mountains and a part of The Cove has been developed to provide outdoor recreation for the general public. It is the desire of the present owners to share the charm, solitude, and beauty of The Cove with those who love the outdoors.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsThe Cove Campground is located in Virginia near High View
Directions
The Cove is centrally located within easy driving distance of Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, and Pittsburgh. Go to Gore, 12 miles west of Winchester on U.S. Route 50 West and turn left on Route 751. Take a left onto Route 704 and drive 4.5 miles to Route 683. Take a left on Route 683 and drive 1.5 miles to the Cove headquarters.
Address
980 Cove Rd
Gore, VA 22637
Coordinates
39.21667993 N
78.37286836 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 2/16/26
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 2/16/26
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 40 min from Winchester, VA
- 1 hr 9 min from Hagerstown, MD
- 1 hr 27 min from Chambersburg, PA
- 1 hr 31 min from Harrisonburg, VA
























