Shenandoah is a not-so-hidden Virginian gem. You can find Shenandoah National Park along the 2,100+ miles that is the Appalachian Trail, right next to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Entering the park, you’ll have your pick of both short and long hiking trails, some of which lead to Shenandoah Valley’s famous waterfalls, wetlands, and breathtaking sightseeing perches.
Ready to check out all that Shenandoah has to offer? The best way to take in all the area has to offer is to schedule an RV trip to campgrounds near Shenandoah National Park. You’ll get to fully immerse yourself in the woodlands of the area, all while soaking in the area’s flora and fauna.
#1: Mathews Arm Campground
Address: 801 Mathews Arm Entrance Road, Luray, VA 22835
Distance from Shenandoah National Park: 9.9 miles
The Mathews Arm Campground is home to 165 campsites in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It includes a 1.7-mile hiking trail that creates a loop around the campground. RV camping is permitted as long as your camper does not exceed 55 feet. Whether you’re camping in an RV or a tent, you can stay for up to 30 nights at a time.
When on-site, you’ll have access to restrooms, dumpsters/recycling bins, and emergency phones, but please note that showers are not present at the campground.
If you book a stay at Mathews Arm Campground but then decide you want to change either the dates or the campsite, be prepared to spend an extra $10 to alter your reservations. Similarly, if you need to cancel your stay after booking, you’ll receive a full refund with the exception of a $10 cancellation fee.
Contact Information
- Phone: (540) 999-3132
Cost Per Night
- Individual campsite: $15 per night
- Group campsite: $50 per night
Rating: TripAdvisor has awarded this campground a total review of four out of five stars. Its review grants the campground a total of 4.3 for location, 3.7 for cleanliness, 4.0 for service, and 4.2 for total value.
Reviews: A visitor named T.K. stayed on the campgrounds in October 2022, and they said, “Good spot to camp while exploring a beautiful nation[al] park.”
Open Dates: May 2 through October 29
#2: Big Meadows Campground
Address: 304 Big Meadows Access Road Robertson, VA 22851
Distance from Shenandoah National Park: 21.1 miles
Ready to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and connect with nature instead? Big Meadows Campground near Skyline Drive doesn’t have cell towers, neaning internet connectivity isn’t an option, either, so it’s the perfect place for those who want to get away.
If you’re looking for RV camping near Shenandoah National Park in particular, you’ll be happy to hear that every campsite at Big Meadows Campground can accommodate RVs. Each site has space for a tent, too. You’ll have access to your own picnic tables and fire rings.
There are 221 campsites in total, so there are plenty of sites to go around. However, you’ll still want to book your stay in advance. Campsites are filled by reservation only.
Contact Information
- (540) 999-3500
Cost Per Night:
- Individual campsite: $30 per night
- Group campsites: $75 per night
Rating: With a total rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, TripAdvisor awards the location a 4.6 for location, 4.2 for cleanliness, 4.2 for service, and 4.4 for overall value.
Reviews: A visitor staying in Big Meadows said, “[The campground is] very close to so many trails and hikes and outlook areas. Would definitely return. Staff is very friendly and hard-working. Extremely clean and well maintained.”
Open Dates: March 23 through November 26
#3: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Luray
Address: 2250 US Highway 211 East Luray, VA 22835
Distance from Shenandoah National Park: 5.7 miles
At Yogi Bear’s Luray Jellystone Park, you can stay in cabins, tents, or at the on-site RV park. For those RV campers, the campground offers back-in and pull-thru RV options–in addition to sewer options, full hookups, concrete parking places, electric amps, and charcoal grills. Just make sure you check with the park ahead of time and ask if cables, trailer hitches, or additional camping supplies are required for your specific site.
Thanks to the location’s jam-packed list of amenities, you can swim on-site, slide around in the water parks, play mini golf, and even attend outdoor movie night. It’s an experience to remember for all ages, but families with young children will especially appreciate everything this campground has to offer.
Contact Information
- Phone: (540) 300-1697
Cost Per Night
- RV sites: $50+ per night
- Cabins: $144+ per night
- Tents: $45+ per night
Rating: According to TripAdvisor, this campground has an overall rating of four stars out of five. It receives a rating of 4.6 for location, 4.3 for cleanliness, 4.3 for service, and 3.9 for overall value.
Reviews: In August 2023, Clasie K. said, “Everything is well-kept. The staff are the best we’ve had this summer. Everyone was so friendly.”
Open Dates: March 31 to November 27
#4: Riverside Camping
Address: 4298 US Highway 340, Shenandoah, VA 22849
Distance from Shenandoah National Park: 20.7 miles
About an hour away from the Appalachian Trail, Riverside Camping is an environment filled to the brim with natural beauty. This great campground is spacious, and RV campers are permitted on the premises. However, campers cannot exceed a length of 32 feet.
Just north of Lewis Mountain Campground and Loft Mountain Campground, you are more than welcome to stay at Riverside Camping’s sites for one week at a time. Note that there is a six-person limit per campsite. The first four people can stay with no additional charge, but the fifth and sixth person are an extra $4 each per night.
Be aware that Riverside Camping cannot accept credit cards. Prepare to pay with cash to ensure your check-in process goes as smoothly as possible. However, if preferred, you can pay via check as long as you have a valid ID to confirm the check is attached to an account with your name on it.
Once booked, the campground asks that you call ahead if you need to cancel.
Contact Information
- Phone: (540) 652-1075
Cost Per Night
- Tent sites:
- $38 per night
- $225 per week
- Campers:
- $48 per night
- $280 per week
Rating: According to RV Parks and Campgrounds, Riverside Camping has received three out of five stars.
Reviews: In 2019, a guest named Dan said, “Our site was paved with a wood patio and 50 feet from the river. There is a trash can at each site… There is free firewood available. The campgrounds are well kept.”
Open Dates: Seasonal when available
#5: Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views
Address: 3402 Kimball Road, Luray, VA 22835
Distance from Shenandoah National Park: 10 miles
Another option for camping near Shenandoah National Park is Spacious Skies. It sits atop a tall hill, offering views in all directions to both short-term visitors and long-term guests.
If you plan to stay in RV campers at Spacious Skies, you’re in luck because you have two options! You can either book an open-air RV site or an RV site protected by an overhead structure.
The campgrounds are accessible to trailers of all sizes, regardless of length. Plus, every RV camping location comes equipped with fire rings, sewer options, a picnic table, and full electric hookups ranging from 30 amps to 50 amps.
Contact Information
- Phone: (540) 743-7222
Cost Per Night
- Deluxe Tent Sites: $44 per night
- Primitive Tent Site: $41.29 per night
- Pull-Thru RV Site: $50.71 per night
- Full Hookup RV Site: $50.71 per night
- Pergola RV Site: $50.71 per night
Rating: According to TripAdvisor, Spacious Skies in Luray, VA, has received a rating of 4 stars out of 5. It has a rating of 4.7 for location, 4.3 for cleanliness, 4.2 for service, and 3.6 for overall value.
Reviews: According to Matt S. via The Dyrt, “We had a great stay at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views in Luray, VA… The site was big enough for our motor home and Jeep. Full hook-ups with 50-amp service. Wow, what a view! Sunset over the mountains from our campsite each evening. Who could ask for more?”
Open Dates: January 1 through December 31
In Summary
When you return from your trip to Shenandoah National Park campgrounds, you’ll need a place to store your RV. We highly recommend renting a storage unit to store your RV until your next adventure.
While it might sound reasonable to store your RV in your driveway or outside on an RV pad, a number of difficulties could arise. For starters, you might violate the rules of your HOA. Alternatively, adverse weather conditions can cause external damage to your RV, costing you a lot of money in repairs.
Instead of running these risks, why not store your RV in a safe and secure unit instead? With the guidance of peer-to-peer RV storage marketplaces like Neighbor, you can find suitable RV storage options no matter where you are. Whether you’re in your hometown or on the road in another state, Neighbor is where you’ll find RV storage that is upwards of 50% cheaper than traditional storage options. Find listings from pre-screened and trustworthy hosts here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Camp Anywhere in Shenandoah National Park?
If you do not have an RV in tow, then, yes, you can camp anywhere in Shenandoah National Park as long as you have a permit. However, if you have an RV, you can only camp in RV-friendly campsites.
How Many Campgrounds Are in Shenandoah National Park?
There are only five campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park, but there are hundreds of campsites along the outskirts of the park.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Camp in Shenandoah?
Since Shenandoah National Park experiences all four seasons, summer and spring are your best bet if you enjoy warm weather and long days by the pool.
