You'll find several good camping areas around Staunton, Virginia. Mathews Arm Campground in Shenandoah National Park has well-kept sites where most campers can access hiking trails without driving. The campground includes basic restrooms and drinking water - nothing fancy but it works for most people whether they're new to camping or have been doing it for years. Many people come to walk the trails throughout Shenandoah, which gets really colorful when leaves change in autumn. If you want something more remote, George Washington National Forest has spots where you can camp away from designated campgrounds. Just remember you'll need to carry out your trash from these areas. The weather gets pretty hot and sticky during summer, so most locals recommend camping in spring or fall instead. It's always smart to check if any areas are closed before you head out.
$36 - $132 / night
"We spent 2 weeks at SVC while our trunk was in the shop(our travel trailer got towed there- highly recommend Good Sam Roadside policy). Everyone on staff was accomodating, helpful and friendly."
"It was clean, but had a trail of ants get into my belongings. Sites are close to one another and the cabins are not near the water. They are near the bath house though."
$45 - $99 / night
"You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything. Wifi is free and open so no password and therefore, not secure. Trash picked up each day."
"Good location close to I81 but little road noise. I did hear a train."
$30 - $75 / night
"This campground is perfect for those looking to just get away from things for a couple of days."
"We got a walk in site, so our tent was way far away from cars and other people. The site included a fire pit w/grill grate, picnic table, and metal bear box."
$25 - $47 / night
"Sherando Lake is a well-maintained, popular campground located in the George Washington National Forest near Lyndhurst, VA."
"The lakeside is wonderful for sitting, reading and swimming. The "upper lake" is great for fishing. "
$35 - $75 / night
"The winding layout allowed for more distance between other sites. The woods were beautiful with easy walking trails right from the site."
"Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field. Bath house was very clean and very well thought out."
$25 - $140 / night
"First time camping in any part of Virginia, very nice and clean campground, not too much outside noise besides the random car driving on the one road near by."
"We set up camp then walked over to the brewery/ restaurant for some flights and dinner. I recommend grabbing some growlers to go. Showers and restrooms were clean."
$29 - $45 / night
"And of course their lake that has two jumping decks, water slide, snack bar , restaurant and off to the side a little store for floats with putt putt golf and Jenna,etc."
"Lots for them to do, great swimming lake, employees were a pleasure. Trash pick-up was awesome !! Our site was gorgeous. Not a full hook up(more on that later), but absolutely perfect."
"Car could be parked right next to us on site 2. Next to a creek, so good sounds and cool environment 3. Some walking trails 4."
"the pond has a great little trail you can walk around and at night the stars are gorgeous. the water is also stocked with fish!"
"Beautiful surroundings. No phone signal and wifi was a joke but that's not a bad thing!"
"Ate at their on-site restaurant while a local band played outside. Mostly used by local folks as a seasonal CG. Lots of semi-permanent fixtures attached to rigs. Did get a PassPort America discount."
$28 - $55 / night
"A comfortable, pretty spot for car camping and a GREAT home base for exploring the local breweries and wineries and Staunton - dont miss going into town to enjoy this delightful little historic mountain"
"The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night."
ScoutI loved this camp spot, easily accessible with any vehicle (no need for 4 wheel drive). There are a couple trails near the campground that you could take and do an early morning sunrise hike which was beautiful. I tent camped, there was plenty of flat space to set up the tent. Quiet area overall with a nice creek running nearby.
LegendThis is the first site after you leave Douthat State Park. It is on the left and large enough for a small to medium camper or a few tents. Good flat area between Wilson Creek and Douthat State Park Road. There may been an area in the woods for this site but I wasn't able to explore to check it out.
TravelerThis place charges $100 a night after fees and taxes. Decent enough place but definitely not worth the money. Not one working toilet or shower and if you want some firewood it costs $1 per piece. You can do so much better than this place.
TravelerIt was a great public spot to disperse camp as there are plenty of areas to set up camp on the way to the summit, but none beat the view of this one. The view from both sunset and sunrise are immaculate, with an unobstructed stunning sunset view from the camp site, and a gorgeous golden glow coming from just across the trail. There is plenty of room to find the perfect spot to set up camp and truly find your best view. While you would want to bring everything for a good time, pack light for the hike if there are not many hands. The somewhat steep hike seems to be 1.0 mile from the Booten’s Gap Parking Lot to the summit (Booten’s being the base of the hike).
TravelerThe road to drive down to the lake is really rocky and not paved, make sure you have a good car (we did not)! There are multiple campsites that are all beautiful, the forest is really fun to explore. You can see lots of stars if the night sky is clear, which to me is always such a plus! Overall a great low-key campsite with great nature and easy set up! Also if you go camping bring a trash bag from home and collect your trash littering is not okay. There was lots of litter around the campground but we had brought a trash bag and collected the litter that had been left there. Be kind to nature!!
LegendThis is the first of 10 sites on Hercules Road, Route 812. This Forest Service Road #36 runs along Rocky Row Run Creek and is open all year long. This site is on the right and sits along the creek. There is a fire ring behind the barrier rocks and flat areas for tents both inside and outside of the rocks. There is also two more fire rings and tent areas as you walk along the creek.
Check out site 1 and all the others on this road in our video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjBE-ASivns&t=36s
LegendThis is the largest site on the road. Plenty of room for a large group to spread out. There are even three walk in sites around the main site if you want a little more privacy.
Check out site 5 and all the others in our video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjBE-ASivns&t=640s
LegendWe have camped here a couple times when it was empty and had a really peaceful experience. It’s a simple, no-frills national forest campground with a nice open grassy area and a small creek running next to it. Plenty of room to spread out.
We didn’t have any issues during our stay. It was quiet, clean, and easy to access. I can see how it might feel different depending on timing, though, during the hunting season there are usually a lot more people around. Most of the time when we’re in the area, we actually camp about 2 miles up the road where there are 5 dispersed campsites that offer a bit more separation.
LegendWe have camped here a couple of times. Nothing special but access to the river makes it great if you are fishing or kayaking. You will need a fishing license or access pass and must register that you are camping here. Other then the needed pass or license there is no camping fee.
Dispersed camping options surround Staunton, Virginia throughout the George Washington National Forest. Unlike crowded park settings, these sites offer more solitude with varying access from easy drive-in spots to hike-only clearings. While most sites lack facilities, Braley Pond provides vault toilets and stream access in a location that sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation.
Hiking opportunities: Sherando Lake Campground connects to multiple trail systems, from easy lakeside paths to challenging mountain routes. As one camper notes, "The tent pads are large and flat. There are family friendly hiking paths around the lake and upper fishing pond. There are also some kickass trails that climb to the Blue Ridge Parkway and intersect with the AT."
Water activities: At Shenandoah Valley Campground, visitors enjoy a creek for tubing with a waterfall for cooling off. "There is a big swimming pool, hot tubs, store, cafe with limited items. Tent sites by the river," according to one visitor who appreciated the variety of water options.
Outdoor adventures: The area around Devils Backbone Camp features excellent access to local outdoor activities. "Being at the base of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, there are many outdoor activities to take advantage of. We hiked to Humpback Rocks which is a decent climb, so be prepared, but once you summit, the views are amazing."
Secluded tent sites: Braley Pond Dispersed Camping provides primitive sites with surprising privacy. "Car could be parked right next to us on site. Next to a creek, so good sounds and cool environment. Some walking trails. A pit toilet is located at the picnic site."
Riverside camping: Crabtree Falls Campground sites line the Tye River, creating a peaceful setting. "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night," shared one camper who enjoyed the natural soundscape.
On-site breweries: Many campers appreciate Devils Backbone Camp's proximity to craft beverages. One visitor noted, "From start to finish excellent. Family's first RV experience and it was great. 5 minute trail walk to the Devil's Backbone brewery. You can have several great beers with your meal and safely walk back to the camp site."
Weather considerations: Temperatures and conditions vary significantly by season and elevation. Summers can be hot at lower elevations, while spring and fall bring more moderate conditions.
Bear activity: Loft Mountain Campground in Shenandoah National Park requires proper food storage. A visitor warned: "Each site has its own food locker which is really important because bears actually frequent the area. A young bear was repeatedly visiting site A9 up the road from me and I had to chase him off when he came near my site!"
Site availability: The best places to camp near Staunton often fill quickly during peak season. As one camper at Sherando Lake noted, "Half the sites are first come-first serve and half can be reserved. The only drawback is that many people love this park and it is difficult to get reservations. The window opens six months out."
Cell service limitations: Many camping areas have limited connectivity. At Devils Backbone Camp, visitors report: "Cell service and wi-fi are spotty at best, but what do you expect? You are in the middle of the mountains."
Swimming options: Walnut Hills Campground offers a fishing pond and swimming pool. A visitor mentioned, "Looks like a fun place with lots of activities to come back to over the summer. The bathhouse was close and clean with laundry and dump site next to it."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature kid-friendly areas. At Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley, "There is a huge playground with volleyball and basket ball court near the pavilion. Along with a small arcade room and a huge fire pit ring to hang out at."
Wildlife viewing: Children often enjoy observing local animals at Shenandoah Valley Campground, where "Wild but tame bunnies are everywhere," according to multiple reviewers who mentioned their children's fascination with the campground's resident rabbit population.
Hookup locations: At Devils Backbone Camp, RVers should note the unusual utilities arrangement. "The sewer connection for the odd number sites is on the opposite side of the RV than the electricity and water. The good news is that in a pinch, and your sewer hose does not fit, they do have a dump station on site."
Site selection: Walnut Hills Campground offers varying levels of shade. "The sites along the lower area near the lake were shaded mostly, some more than others, while the sites up the hill at the top and near the front entrance (pull through sites) were not shaded much."
Bathroom access: Sherando Lake Campground layout matters for RVers. A visitor advised, "There is a single bathhouse in the camp area that is near the tent area and a good walk from both the RV areas. The bathhouse was clean and functional."
Frequently Asked Questions
What tent camping options are available near Staunton Virginia?
Tent campers near Staunton have several excellent options within a reasonable drive. North River Campground offers basic tent sites in a circular layout with beautiful riverside trails and access to Staunton Dam. The campground is accessible via well-maintained roads (mostly paved with some gravel) and provides a primitive camping experience with no cell service, water, or electric hookups. For those seeking more amenities, Sherando Lake Campground in George Washington National Forest offers tent camping with lake access and is well-maintained with multiple camping loops, including standard non-electric options.
What are the best campgrounds in Staunton VA?
While Staunton itself has limited campground options within city limits, the surrounding area offers excellent choices. Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park provides a convenient base near Staunton with full hookups and amenities for RVers. For a more natural setting, Crabtree Falls Campground is popular among visitors to Staunton, offering proximity to both the Blue Ridge Parkway and the historic downtown. This campground serves as an excellent home base for exploring Staunton's attractions, including the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, while providing access to scenic hiking at the falls.
Are there cabins available for camping near Staunton VA?
Yes, several campgrounds near Staunton offer cabin accommodations. Thunder Bridge provides a variety of cabin options including screen cabins, log cabins, and fully furnished rental cabins. This unique property, once a CCC camp, is tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Natural Bridge State Park. For those wanting more amenities, Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA offers cabin rentals year-round with convenient highway access, plus amenities like a seasonal pool, playground, and game room. The property is situated near attractions like the Safari Park, making it ideal for families.
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