Shenandoah River State Park

We love camping with our kids. It’s one of our favorite family activities. But there is also something really special about mom-and-dad-only camping trips. We don’t do it often, but every once in a while we will do some romamping. I totally made that up. But it’s basically when we celebrate our anniversary with a romantic camping getaway. 

This particular trip was back in 2019 when we celebrated our one-year anniversary at Shenandoah River State Park. 

This park is gorgeous. With mountain and river views, as well as picturesque dining options in a quaint nearby town, Shenandoah River makes for an excellent romantic getaway. 

However, the adventure-seeking family will have much to explore here as well, and we look forward to returning with our kids someday! 

*I did not take many notes or photos during this visit, and this park is at the top of the list of parks to revisit! Much to explore here.

UPDATE:

We revisited! For Mother's Day weekend 2025, we returned to this park with the kids and stayed in a camping cabin. It was the perfect weekend. The weather was fantastic. We hiked and enjoyed the river. We ate breakfast from L'Dees Pancake House at a park in Front Royal, hiked at Seven Bends State Park and ate lunch at Woodstock Brewhouse on our way home. Such a great way to spend Mother's Day! You can find my notes from this return visit highlighted in green below.

Fast Facts (and Opinions)

Location: Shenandoah River State Park - Bentonville, VA

Equipment: Pop-Up in 2019, Camping Cabin in 2025

Date: September 2019, May 2025

Weather: Warm and sunny, one rainy day, sunny and cool, cold at night

Kid-Friendly: Yes (but we did not bring ours), yes (and they loved it)

Dog-Friendly: Yes (but we did not bring ours), yes (and they loved it)

Site: Site 2 (Non-Site-Specific Reservation - at this time a portion of state parks sites were non-site-specific and were on a first come first serve basis - this was back when I did not take as detailed notes or as many photos as I do now, so our best guess is that we stayed at Site 2.) 

• Water/Electric

• Pull-through

• Level

• Gravel

• Sun

• No hammock trees

• Pretty spacious and private

• Not too far from bathhouse

Camping Cabin 42

• ADA accessible

• 2 sets of bunkbeds (sleeps 4)

• Small table and 4 chairs

• Water (outside)

• Electric outlets, lighted/dimming ceiling fan (inside)

• Screened windows and a screen door

• Porch with 2 rocking chairs

• Passcode lock on door

• Pet friendly

• No cooking inside

• Picnic table and fire ring

• Partial shade with trees surrounding (but none suitable for hammocks)

• Fairly private

• Not too far from the bathhouse but it's not in sight

Bathhouse:

• Nice, newer bathhouse

Cell Service: No (Verizon)

Park Highlights:

• Shenandoah River

  • Park has 5.2 miles of shoreline along this beautiful river

  • No designated swimming areas, but wading and floating are permitted

  • Fishing opportunities

  • Kayaking and canoeing, but no rentals available

  • Beautiful views

• Visitor Center

  • Awesome visitor center with great exhibits

Area Highlights:

• Front Royal, VA

  • The Main Street Mill -  We ate here for our anniversary dinner - was nice dining on the front porch facing Main Street and listening to music coming from the nearby gazebo -  about 15 minutes from the park

  • L'Dees Pancake House - (Cash only) We picked up breakfast from this hotspot (very crowded on Mother's Day) and ate it at a picnic table in the nearby park, Front Royal Town Square

• Luray Caverns - Did not visit, but only about 20 minutes from the park

• Shenandoah National Park - This incredible national park is nearby with much to explore

• Seven Bends State Park, Woodstock, VA - Explored both entrances, one suspension bridge, and hiked this beautiful park

• Woodstock Brewhouse, Woodstock, VA - Dog friendly with great outdoor seating - best burgers and sweet potato fries EVER

Park Hikes:

• Campground Trail to Cullers Overlook - 1.2 miles out-and-back

• Moderately easy 

• Great views of Massanutton and the river through the Shenandoah Valley

• Cottonwood Trail to Wildcat Ledge Trail - approximately 1 mile out-and-back

• Short but strenuous

• Nice views

• Campground to Cullers Trail to River Trail to Bluebell Trail to Hemlock Hollow Trail to Overlook Trail to Campground Trail back - 4.5-mile loop

  • Sunny without shade first half (had to watch for bikers in a mountain bike race)

  • Stopped at river access (4th access point) and hung out for a while - inflated a couple innertube floats and walked back to tube exit point and floated from there to our access point (approx. 10 min float)  - cold but not freezing - clear water with rocky bottom - so much fun

  • Stopped at Cullers Overlook to enjoy the views of the river and Shenandoah Valley below

  • Flat and easy most of the way - incline at Hemlock Hollow Trail

  • 358 ft elevation gain

  • 3 hrs 20 mins total with stops 

Area Hikes:

• None that we explored (but many in the area)

• Seven Bends State Park - Bass Bight Trail to Pawpaw Hollow Trail to River Bend Rise Trail to Overlook and back - 4.4-miles out-and-back

  • Bass Bight Trail is flat and easy but not very shaded - views of river

  • Pawpaw Hollow Trail and River Bend Rise Trail are forested but steeper

  • Bench at overlook with view of the river below

  • 728 ft of elevation gain

  • Moderate to difficult

Other Campsites:

• 11 nice cabins

• 3 yurts

• 4 camping cabins

• Primitive campground on the river with walk-in/canoe-in sites

• Campground with electric/water has nice sites and is one of the few Virginia State Parks that remains open year-round

• Site 31 looks great

Things to Do Next Visit (Because There's Just Never Enough Time!):

• Hike more trails!

• Play/float in the river!

• Bring the kids!

• Kayak!

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