Camping in the Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley has over 190,000 acres of back country wilderness to explore, and 520 miles of trails to hike, making it a treasure trove for nature lovers in Virginia.
A great way to explore the area for an extended time is by camping. The Shenandoah Valley offers a wide variety of
options for camping, for both first timers and experienced backpackers alike.
National Parks
The Shenandoah National Park is part of the world renowned Appalachian trail, a 2,175 mile stretch connecting Maine to Georgia. The park is also home to Skyline Drive
An estimated 1500 hikers seeking a challenge set out on the trail each year. The Shenandoah Valley is in the middle of this trail.
This trail is well stocked with places to camp. Most of this camping is backcountry, requiring a pack, a tent, and food that can be carried in and out- a “leave no trace” policy is stamped on all backpacking excursions.
Campfires are prohibited in almost all of Shenandoah’s backcountry. They are allowed only in the park’s front country campgrounds.
Campers looking for a tamer camping experience can choose to camp in one of the park’s several drive in camp sites, most of which are equipped with generators and nearby bathrooms.
During a stay in the Shenandoah National Park, there are several hikes not to miss, such as Old Rag Mountain and the Limberlost trail.
Waterfalls worth seeing include the Whiteoak Canyon Falls, mile 42.6 on Skyline Drive, and Overall Run Falls, from mile 21.1. At 93 feet, the Overall Run Falls is the tallest waterfall in the park.
More Information:
Shenandoah National Park
Address: 3655 US Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835
Website: http://www.nps.gov
Phone: 540-999-3500
State Parks
In addition to the Shenandoah National Park, several state parks offer camping accommodations. The James River State Park offers primitive campgrounds, bunkhouses, and cabins.
Of the primitive campgrounds, two- Branch Pond and Canoe Landing- are open year round. Canoe Landing sites are located right on the river, giving campers the opportunity to canoe in to their sites.
Campers at James River have access to the park’s 15 miles of trails. Many campers also choose to horseback ride or fish along the river front.
Other state parks to consider camping in include Twin Lakes State Park and Pocohauntas State Park, both of which feature drive in campsites, electric and water hookups, grills, and picnic shelters. Centrally located restrooms have showers.
Commerical Camping
Campers who prefer an RV style of camping can choose from plenty of accessible RV campsites in the Shenandoah Valley. The Walnut Hills Campground in Stuart’s Draft, and the North 340 Campground in Waynesburo both present good camping options.