7 Best Camping Spots Near White Oak Canyon Trail, Virginia

white oak canyon camping
Grace
Grace 
Published
| 3 min read

Whiteoak Canyon is one of the most popular destinations at Shenandoah National Park, Virginia’s first national park. It is nicknamed “the scenic gem” of Shenandoah, and it is a steep gorge that features six waterfalls. When you visit this gorge, you can take a refreshing dip in one of the swimming holes below each waterfall. The place is also popular for hiking, running, camping, and backpacking. Whiteoak Canyon Trail is a 9.5-mi (15.3-km) heavily-trafficked, out-and-back trail that is surrounded by cabins, lodges, and camping grounds. A camping trip is worth considering if you wish to get off the grid, be in the midst of nature, create memories with your family, and not to mention, avoid expensive lodging costs. To make the most of your camping adventure, check out our list below for the best camping spots near White Oak Canyon Trail, Virginia.

Tent-only campgrounds

1. Big Meadows Campground

2016-10-25 10 31 03 View south along Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive at Big Meadows in Madison County, Virginia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Famartin used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Big Meadows, the largest campground at Shenandoah Park, lies at the central district of the park, and it is ideal for a family getaway. It is open from late March to early November, featuring 221 campsites. It offers 51 tent-only sites and 2 group sites for 15 people, suitable for families or groups of friends.

However, all sites do not have electric hook-ups. There are restrooms and shower facilities you can access.

Lewis Falls and Rose River Falls are near the property, which is 21 minutes to White Oak Canyon Trail.

Big Meadows Campground

Website: Big Meadows Campground

Address: Mile 51 Skyline Dr, Luray, Virginia 22835 [map]

RV campgrounds & RV sites

2. Lewis Mountain Campground

Lewis Mountain Campground boasts 31-single family campsites for RV, trailers, and tents, which come with a first-come, first-served basis. Being the smallest campground at Shenandoah National Park, it offers more privacy and sites that are non-electric, and it is open during spring, summer, and fall and suitable for groups of travelers seeking serenity. Some of the amenities provided are drinking water, flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities, and a picnic area.

Popular destinations near the site are Dark Hollow Falls Trail, Story of the Forest Trail, and Big Meadows. White Oak Canyon Trail is about 29 minutes away.

Lewis Mountain Campground

Website: Lewis Mountain Campground

Address: Skyline Dr, Stanardsville, VA 22973 map]

3. Graves Mountain Farm Campground

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Graves Mountain Farm Campground in Blue Ridge offers a primitive camping style, and it is open all year round. It provides toilets and features 7 ac (3 ha) of free-form camping fields and sites on a pick-your-own-place basis. There are no electric hook-ups here, but water is available to fill tanks.

You and your friends can go for hikes, horseback riding, or mountain biking while here. Vineyard tours, craft brewers tours, massages, barn quilt art tours in Greene County sound lovely too.

The property is about one and a half hours to White Oak Canyon Trail.

Graves Mountain Farm Campground

Website: Graves Mountain Farm Campground

Address: 3822 Old Blue Ridge Turnpike, Syria, VA 22743 map]

4. Luray KOA Holiday

Perched on a hill, above Shenandoah Valley, Luray KOA Holiday is between Blue Ridge Mountains and Massanutten Mountains. It is open from March to November, and it includes shady sites, a pool, and a ball field that families will enjoy accessing. You can explore countless mountain trails here and go canoeing, tube floating, and fishing at the Shenandoah River.

The property is close to Luray Caverns, museums, and historical sites, like New Market Battlefield State Historical Park and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. It is around 50 minutes to White Oak Canyon Trail.

Luray KOA Holiday

Website: Luray KOA Holiday

Address: 3402 Kimball Rd, Luray, VA 22835 [map]

5. Outlanders River Camp

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Situated along the Shenandoah River, Outlanders River Camp gives you access to activities on the water, like canoeing, swimming, or fishing, and it offers full-hookup RV sites, cabins, or tent sites. It is ideal for families and friends, and it boasts a playground for kids, a volleyball court, horseshoe pits. It also provides hot showers and treats you to beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Massanutten Mountain.

Attractions, like Luray Caverns, Skyline Drive, and George Washington National Forest, are close by. The property is about 29.7 mi (47.8 km) from White Oak Canyon Trail.

Outlanders River Camp

Website: Outlanders River Camp

Address: 4253 US Highway 211 West Luray VA 22835 [map]

6. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park is the ultimate definition of fun for the whole family. It is a 73-ac (30-ha) of scenic beauty on the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering many water-based and playground activities. It also features RV sites and provides comfort rooms and laundry facilities.

The property is near attractions, like Luray Caverns, Shenandoah National Park, and other historic sites. White Oak Canyon Trail is 21.1 mi (34 km) away.

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park

Website: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

Address: 2250 US Highway 211 E, Luray, VA 22835 [map]

7. Mathews Arm Campground

If you will be arriving from Front Royal, it’ll be convenient to stay at Mathews Arm Campground, a family-oriented place. The property runs during spring, summer, and fall and features 166 campsites. Although the sites have no electric or water hook-ups, potable water and dump stations are available. Bathrooms and laundry facilities are provided too.

Skyline Drive, which boasts stunning views, Stony Man Mountain Hike, and Rock Summit Trail are nearby attractions. White Oak Canyon Trail is 25 mi (40 km) away.

Mathews Arm Campground

Website: Mathews Arm Campground

Address: Rileyville, VA 22650, United States [map]

Spend quality time outdoors

Do you want to spend quality time outdoors with family and friends? Camping is a great way to relax, commune with nature, and go back to basics with people you love, and it can bring out the best in you.

If your destination is White Oak Canyon Trail in Shenandoah, choose one of the best camping spots near the trail on our list; these places also allow you to explore beyond the trail.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Grace, a wifepreneur, has a passion for both travel and writing.

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