Virginia Outdoor Guide: Campgrounds, Trails, Beaches & RV Spots
Key Takeaways
- Shenandoah National Park and Virginia Beach are genuinely different trips — mountain waterfalls versus Atlantic boardwalk — and Virginia is big enough to support both without overlap
- Big Meadows Campground books 6-8 weeks ahead for summer weekends — plan early if Shenandoah’s the goal
- Old Rag Mountain is the park’s most famous hike specifically because it’s a real rock scramble, not a casual walk — go in with the right expectations
- First Landing State Park gives you calm Chesapeake Bay swimming right at Virginia Beach, a genuinely good alternative to fighting ocean crowds
Mountains and Coast, Both Genuinely Excellent
Virginia spans from Shenandoah’s ridgelines to Virginia Beach’s boardwalk, and unlike some states on this list, both ends are legitimately strong. Worth treating as two separate trips rather than trying to cram both into one visit.
Campgrounds
Big Meadows Campground, Shenandoah National Park (Skyline Drive)
The central-district favorite — flush toilets, ranger programs, and close to waterfalls and the park lodge. Fills 6-8 weeks ahead for summer weekends, so this is the one to book first if Shenandoah’s the plan.
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Loft Mountain Campground, Shenandoah National Park
The largest campground in the park, on a mountaintop with genuinely big views. A good alternative if Big Meadows is booked out.
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Shenandoah River State Park — Bentonville
Spacious sites, easy check-in, and kayak/canoe rentals right there. An excellent RV base near Front Royal and Luray, and a good pick if the in-park campgrounds are full.
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Douthat State Park — Millboro
A CCC-classic park built around a 50-acre trout lake with a sandy swim beach and 40+ miles of trails. One of the best all-around family parks in the state.
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First Landing State Park — Virginia Beach
Virginia’s most-visited park, with 200+ campsites near a calm Bay beach and 19 miles of trails. The coastal counterpart to the mountain campgrounds above.
Learn moreHiking Trails (Shenandoah, Blue Ridge & Beyond)
Rose River Loop, Shenandoah National Park
About 4 miles with roughly 900 feet of gain, past waterfalls and cascades. A genuinely top kid-friendly pick — real payoff without being too much.
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Dark Hollow Falls, Shenandoah National Park
A short, popular round trip (under 2 miles) to a 70-foot falls. The return climb is steeper than the walk down, so pace accordingly.
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Whiteoak Canyon, Shenandoah National Park
Follows the Robinson River past multiple waterfalls with real swimming holes. The lot fills early — plan for a morning start.
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Blackrock Summit, Shenandoah National Park
An easy roughly 1-mile loop to a 360-degree boulder-field viewpoint. Huge payoff for very little effort — a good pick for younger kids or a shorter day.
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Old Rag Mountain, Shenandoah National Park
The park’s most iconic hike, and a genuine rock scramble at roughly 9 miles. Requires a day-use ticket. Go in knowing this is a real challenge, not a casual walk — save it for a family that’s ready for it.
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Cascade Falls — Pembroke
A 4-mile round trip to a 69-foot falls, extremely popular with families. A good pick outside the national park if you want something less crowded than Shenandoah’s trails.
Learn moreBeaches & Swimming
Virginia Beach Oceanfront & Boardwalk
A 3-mile boardwalk with a fully accessible beach playground and a new surf lagoon. The lively, full-amenity resort experience.
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Sandbridge Beach
A quieter 5-mile dune-backed stretch about 15 minutes south of the main strip. The calmer alternative if the oceanfront boardwalk feels too busy.
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First Landing State Park Beach
Calm, shallow Chesapeake Bay water with small waves — genuinely ideal for small children. No lifeguards, so keep a closer eye than you would at a guarded beach.
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Chincoteague/Assateague (VA side)
A lifeguarded family section within the National Seashore, famous for the wild ponies and the late-July Pony Swim. The gate opens at 5am and fills fast in summer — plan for an early start.
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Kiptopeke State Park — Eastern Shore
A half-mile Bay swim beach with a lighted fishing pier and a sunken-ship breakwater where pelicans roost. Quieter than the main Virginia Beach strip.
Learn moreRV Spots
Shenandoah River State Park
Spacious, level sites — among the best RV bases near Shenandoah National Park itself.
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First Landing State Park
Coastal RV and cabin sites near Virginia Beach — the go-to if you’re headed to the coast rather than the mountains.
Learn moreFront Royal KOA / Luray KOA / Shenandoah Valley Campground
Private full-hookup valley parks with playgrounds and pools — solid alternatives if the state park sites near Shenandoah are booked.
Planning Your Trip
Decide mountains or coast first — Virginia’s big enough that trying to combine both means too much driving and not enough time in either. For Shenandoah, book Big Meadows the moment your window opens, and build your hiking days around Rose River Loop or Dark Hollow Falls before working up to Old Rag if your family’s ready for a real scramble. For the coast, First Landing gives you calm Bay swimming as a genuine alternative to the busier Virginia Beach oceanfront.