The best camping near Shenandoah National Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Shenandoah National Park adventure.

96% (173 reviews)
96% (173 reviews)

Plan a mountain getaway where Virginia’s Blue Ridge meets the blue sky.  

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Community favorites near Shenandoah National Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Shenandoah National Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Shenandoah National Park

99%
(431)

Watercress Inn at Landon Farm

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Etlan, VA
Welcome to our small Farm, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Madison County, Virginia. Located just minutes from Shenandoah National Park, we offer intimate nature-inspired cottages and camping on our 120-acre working farm. Enjoy an evening under the stars with fireflies and a campfire after a long day hike, fly fishing on one of our beautiful trout steams or touring the local vineyards and breweries. We currently offer one cottage, glamping and a few campsites for our guests. Our campsites are all private, located acres apart with tables, chairs, firepits, some elevated sleeping areas, some hammock spots and a few with a roof. Three of our spots require walking away from your vehicle, short distances. We have four drive-in sites that will accommodate two or three vehicles. We do not allow RVs or trailers on our main farm due to our narrow mountain driveway. Wisteria Camp has a private driveway, it can accommodate small RV/Trailers. Camper vans are welcome at the main farm! Our farm store includes our Animal Welfare Approved products such as Eggs, Chicken, Beef, Pork, Lamb and Dairy, as well as produce, jams, coffee and other items from our local community. We offer camping essentials, local art, bike rentals, farm experiences and tours. The property has miles of trails along mountain spring-fed streams, a small pond and access to three private acres on the Robinson River, a stocked Trout stream, just 2 miles down the road. Our property is centrally located to White Oak Canyon (20 minutes) and Old Rag Mountain (10 minutes) trailheads in the Shenandoah National Park as well as many vineyards and breweries. A few offerings on the farm. Tasting in the 1850s Chestnut log cabin, tubing trips, breakfast and picnic lunches, Animal experiences and Yoga. Please inquire about renting the property for private small events.
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$35
 / night
99%
(201)

Hawthorn Hollar

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents214 acres · Palmyra, VA
Discover Hawthorn Hollow-"COME LET YOUR DOGS RUN FREE!" A Family-Owned Retreat Since 1949. Where we Welcome you to our little slice of paradise, where the beauty of nature and the joy of adventure come together to create an unforgettable experience! Nestled on family-owned land rich with history and charm, our property offers a unique blend of rustic appeal and abundant space. Imagine waking up to the serene sounds of nature, with endless opportunities for excitement and relaxation right at your doorstep. For our horse lovers, we provide an exceptional riding experience. Bring your own horse and explore our well-maintained trails that wind through picturesque landscapes, offering breathtaking views at every turn. Our land is perfect for both experienced riders and beginners, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey. For those with a love for motorized fun, our property welcomes ATV, four-wheeler, and dirt bike enthusiasts. Bring your own vehicles and enjoy the thrill of riding through open fields, along wooded trails, and across varied terrain that promises excitement and adventure. In addition to riding, our property is perfect for those who simply love being outdoors. Enjoy a leisurely hike, a peaceful picnic by the water, or a night under the stars. With plenty of space to spread out, you can truly relax and unwind without feeling crowded. Our land is a haven for wildlife, and you might catch glimpses of deer, birds, and other animals that call this place home. We take pride in sharing our cherished family land with guests. Whether you're here for the riding, the scenery, or simply to relax and unwind, we promise a warm welcome and a delightful stay. Come and experience the magic of our property, where every moment is a celebration of nature and the simple joys of life. Welcome to our home – we're excited to share it with you!
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$36
 / night
89%
(115)

Graves Mountain Farm Campground

40 sites · RVs, Tents1800 acres · Syria, VA
Campground by Shenandoah National Park - it touches us. Maximum Length of Stay 7 Days 1800 Acre Farm to Play On 22 activities from yoga to fishing to riding to music listening, mountain biking, road biking, Lots of activities - from live music, to nature walks, horseback trail rides, fly fishing, 18 miles of trails, mountain biking, road biking, eating good food. Campground is 7 to 55 acres on the Farm; on large attendance weeks it goes up to 55 acres. Campground is free-form. You make your own area, no reserved "spaces". Yes, you can drive across the fields to where you want to set up and park right there. Same for RVS, groups of RVS. Porta-toilets, pit toilets, excellent mountain well water. Wet toilets and showers - 150 yards in Dorms Area - "Jam Camp" No picnic tables or fire rings as we use the spaces for different events. No hook-ups. We do have a dump station with a fee of $40.00. 2 Mountain Streams - Rose River& Robinson River 2 Fishing Ponds - no license needed 28 Miles of Hiking Trails on property - one of our mountains is higher than Old Rag Old Rag and White Oak Canyon - just up our back hollow road - 7 miles. See map of our trails and the key Shenandoah National Park ones > https://www.gravesmountain.com/wp-content/uploads/Trail_map_graves_mountain_legal_size_04272024.pdf Seasonal Pool - fee payable $10 pp per day in 2024 Well Behaved pets are welcome - on leads please & please clean up after your pet. Please stay within signed areas as the size of the campground changes according to festival events  Wood - May be purchased at the Graves Mountain Market, Campground Entrance or at the Main Lodge. Water spigots up front near the red barn. Excellent, potable. Fiber Optic WiFi- that allows for Cell service calling and receiving - even without cell service - up front. Get password at bulletin board, Market or Main Lodge Cell phones - connect to your network via our WiFi both to call out and receive calls. We are remote so no cell towers available Open 24 hours - at night please be respect your neighbors while setting up. Old Rag Mountain Hike- 6.5 miles to the back entrance (Weakley Hollow/Berry Hollow Fire Rd and Old Rag Shelter |10.5 miles to Nethers/Front Entrance. White Oak Canyon Falls Hike - 6.5 miles up our back hollow road 12 Outdoor Adventures and a Whole Farm to Get to Know: goats, horses, rabbits, chickens, sheep, black angus calf, and more. Hiking and fishing on our 1800 acres and National Park, horse-back riding, nature hikes, guided hikes, yoga, live music, own hard cider, Farm to Table Restaurant, Market Deli and tackle for needs, prepared foods - or giving in to a massage - even Reiki. Gift Shop located in the lower level of the Main Lodge for t-shirts, hats, gifts, Graves Mountain specialty products and more. Live sing-along, open mike on Friday evenings and live Bluegrass on Saturday evenings. Our own hard cider "Mountain Squeeze", fire-pit, marshmallow roasting---all at the Main Lodge. What will be happening on the farm - see our calendar of activities: https://www.gravesmountain.com/calendar-events-shenandoah-blue-ridge/ Huge seasonal pool, volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, corn-hole, ping pong, board games, and books - a whole library for you.
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$12
 / night
96%
(53)

Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views Campground

87 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Luray, VA
Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views is a serene slice of heaven, conveniently located just 20 minutes off I-81, yet still peacefully rural nestled within farmland atop a hill in Luray, Virginia. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains with views all around and from our cabin rentals, our campground is close to the Luray Caverns, the famed Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, the Shenandoah River, and several Civil War sites. We offer both shady RV sites and open RV sites that can accommodate all sized RVs and trailers—we are big rig friendly! Each RV site includes a picnic table, fire ring, 30 or 50-amp electrical service, and sewer. We have deluxe patio sites and deluxe tent sites too! Our campground is in the heart of all that Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley has to offer. Hiking opportunities abound as Luray is the closest town to the Thornton Gap entrance of Shenandoah National Park, and is to the Skyline Drive, taking drivers along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains! The Luray Caverns, a national historic site, with it’s famous Great Stalacpipe Organ, are just a few minutes away, and tubing, canoeing, and white-water rafting adventure can be found at the nearby Shenandoah River. Museums and Civil War sites will feed your history-loving soul! Onsite we have a brand-new camp store! We also have a large pool and small pool, a gathering yurt for groups and an event pavilion, a playground, and a jumping pillow is in the works! We have two deluxe cabins and four deluxe yurts for more ways to appreciate the great outdoors with those additional creature comforts.
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$60
 / night

The best camping near Shenandoah National Park guide

Overview

About

Not far from the urban sprawl of the East Coast lies a vast, rugged landscape of rolling hills, tumbling waterfalls, and epic hiking trails, just 75 miles from Washington D.C. Whether you take a scenic tour of the 100-mile Skyline Drive or lace up your hiking shoes to hit the Appalachian Trail, which passes through the park, you will be treated to panoramic vistas offering views of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The National Park Service maintains over 600 campsites spread across five campgrounds, offering both RV sites and tent sites. Backcountry camping is also allowed for tent camping by permit only.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for park accessibility: Big Meadows Campground is centrally located, accessible to many park attractions.
  • Best park views from the campground: While the campsites are tree-covered, Loft Mountain Campground has scenic overlooks from its mountain-top location.
  • Best for group camping: As the name implies, Dundo Group Campground is set aside for groups only. Reservations may be made one year in advance. Group sites are also offered at other campgrounds in the park.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • No hookups are available at individual campsites.
  • The three large campgrounds offer potable water seasonally and have onsite dump stations.
  • Reservation availability varies by campground. Mathews Arm Campground, Loft Mountain Campground, and Big Meadows Campground have reservable sites.
  • Reservations released in batches. Some are released as early as 6 months in advance, with others as late as 4 days in advance.
  • Reservations are recommended, especially for weekends and holidays during peak season. Reservations may be made through the Recreation.gov website.
  • Lewis Mountain Campground and some sections of Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain campgrounds are first-come, first-served. 
  • Campgrounds are not open year-round. Winter closing dates are determined seasonally.

When to go

As cold winter weather slowly gives way to late spring, the day time temperatures become pleasant for outdoor recreation before reaching peaks in the 80s in late summer (July and August). Fall is one of the busiest seasons. Visitors flock to the park to take in views of the rainbow-hued tree-covered hillsides, with colors peaking in early October. Plan for cooler temperatures at higher elevations; wearing layers of clothing is recommended. Campers may find freezing temperatures and snow in the winter months.

Know before you go

  • Cell signals and wifi are limited in much of the park. 
  • Outside of Shenandoah National Park, many RV parks with full hookups and other amenities are found near popular areas like Luray and Front Royal, which have easy access to entrance stations.
  • Free dispersed camping may be found in the surrounding George Washington & Jefferson national forests.
  • Glamping accommodations may also be found in the park’s lodges and cabin rentals.

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