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RV Park Near Shenandoah National Park: Staying in Madison County
A day in Shenandoah National Park runs long. You drive the crest road from overlook to overlook, hike for half a day, and head back as the light fades. Where you sleep shapes how that day ends.
Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages is an RV park near Shenandoah National Park, in Madison, Virginia, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We sit outside the park, with the Thornton Gap entrance about 15 miles away, and we hold a Good Sam PERFECT 10/10+/10 rating. Some guests arrive with a rig and others book one of our Amish-crafted cottages. Either way, the park becomes your day trip and the resort becomes your home base. You can check availability now, or read on for how a Shenandoah trip fits with a stay here.
A Resort at the Foot of the Blue Ridge
We’re at 110 Campground Lane in Madison. The Blue Ridge Mountains rise along our western edge, and Shenandoah National Park lies along the ridge beyond. Charlottesville is 25 miles to the south and Washington, DC is 80 miles to the northeast. That’s why many guests arrive for a weekend and fill it with a park day or two.
| Destination | Distance from the resort | Drive time |
| Shenandoah National Park, Thornton Gap entrance | 15 miles | About 25 minutes |
| Old Rag Mountain | 8 miles | |
| Charlottesville and UVA | 25 miles | About 40 minutes |
| Washington, DC | 80 miles | About 2 hours |
Day Trips Into Shenandoah From Madison County
Because the park is a short drive away, each day can look different. You might take a slow day of overlooks, a long hike or something in between.
Skyline Drive and its overlooks
Skyline Drive follows the mountain crest and stops at dozens of overlooks with long views across the Shenandoah Valley. In autumn those views fill with color, and the clear air often carries them for miles. Our guide to Blue Ridge fall foliage lays out what an autumn trip looks like. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
Old Rag Mountain
Old Rag is the hike most visitors have heard of, a rock scramble often called the East Coast’s iconic one. It’s about 8 miles from the resort and makes a half-day hike. It also tends to need advance reservations, so confirm current requirements with the National Park Service before you pick your day.
Hawksbill and Stony Man
Hawksbill and Stony Man are also half-day hikes from the resort. The park offers everything from easy strolls to challenging climbs, so a group with mixed ages and energy levels can usually find a trail that suits everyone.
RV Sites Sized for Big Rigs
Madison Vines has five RV site tiers, so you can match the site to your rig.
| Site type | Length |
| Standard Back-In | Up to 40 feet |
| Deluxe Back-In | 45 to 55 feet |
| Premium Back-In | 55 feet or longer |
| Deluxe Pull-Thru | 60 to 70 feet |
| Premium Pull-Thru | 70 feet or longer |
Every site is full hookup, with water, sewer and 20, 30 or 50-amp electric, plus cable TV and WiFi. The sites are level and landscaped, the interior roads are paved, and each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. The Premium Pull-Thrus are long enough to hold a 45-foot fifth wheel with the truck still attached. Some Deluxe Back-Ins also come with additional car parking, which helps if you travel with a second vehicle.
RV check-in is at 1:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM. If you’re unsure which tier fits your rig, call the office at (540) 948-4186. Our guides on how to choose the right RV site and full hookup vs standard sites can also help before you book.
Back at the Resort After a Park Day
The best part of a long hike is the stop afterward. Our 16-foot spa is kept at about 102°F and has 12 jets, and it’s open from 10 AM to 10 PM. The pool is seasonal, with a “whale station” for adults to lounge chest-high in the water and a bubbler pad for kids. The fitness center has treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, a full dumbbell rack and a cable machine.
Cleaning up is easy too. We have three bathhouses with 16 private bathroom suites, each with tiled walls and floors, a sink, a toilet and a shower. Each laundry facility has four washers and four dryers.
Evenings are for sitting outside. Large stone fire pits are ready for s’mores, and the Fillmore Ice Cream Parlor serves dip ice cream, pizza and wings. Sunday mornings bring a breakfast of pancakes, waffles or eggs, with coffee and juice. The weekly calendar includes Friday Happy Hour & Bingo, Super Soaker Hay Rides and movie nights, though the schedule varies, so check with the office. For more on what’s here, see our resort amenities.
Cottages for Guests Without Booking RV
You don’t need a rig to use the resort as a base for the park. Our Amish-crafted cottages come in three layouts, all fully furnished and ready when you arrive.
Studio: one room with a queen bed and one or two bunks, sleeping 3 to 4 guests.
One-bedroom: a queen bed plus a full sofa sleeper, sleeping up to 4 adults, with a covered deck looking out over the property.
Two-bedroom: a queen bed in one room and a full bed with a twin bunk in the other, sleeping 4 adults and 1 child.
Each cottage has a bathroom with a shower, a living area with a TV and a dining table, and a kitchen with a stovetop, microwave, toaster, coffee pot, sink and apartment-sized refrigerator. Heating and air conditioning run throughout. Cottage check-in is at 3:00 PM and check-out is at 10:00 AM. Cottage guests use the same pool, spa, fitness center and courts as everyone else. You can browse every layout through our
cottage virtual tours before you book.
Planning Your Stay
We’re open 365 days a year, and our cottages are heated. The pool and spa are open from Mother’s Day weekend until October 1, weather permitting. A few other details help a Shenandoah trip go smoothly.
Arrival: The office is open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM. If a park day runs long, we provide a gate code for late arrivals.
What to pack: The Blue Ridge weather can change quickly, so bring layers and a rain jacket. Pack sturdy hiking boots, a backpack, reusable water bottles, sunscreen and bug spray. Binoculars are handy for wildlife and distant views. Our Blue Ridge packing guide has the full list.
Your rig: Before you leave, check tire pressure and fluid levels and keep your water hose, pressure regulator, sewer hose and electrical adapters within reach.
Booking: Reserve directly through our online booking page, or call us and we’ll help you choose a site or cottage. If you’re also planning time around Charlottesville, our guide to RV parks near Charlottesville covers that side of the trip.
Ready to plan your Shenandoah stay? Check availability for RV sites and cottages or call (540) 948-4186.
Common Questions About Staying Near Shenandoah National Park
How many days should I plan for a Shenandoah trip from Madison Vines?
Three nights covers a hike day, a Skyline Drive day and a rest day at the resort. Old Rag, Hawksbill and Stony Man are each half-day hikes, so a longer stay leaves room for a second hike or a slower pace.
Does Madison Vines offer tent camping?
Madison Vines doesn’t have tent sites. Lodging is full-hookup RV sites and Amish-crafted cottages. Guests who’d rather not bring an RV can book a cottage with a real bed, a bathroom and a kitchen.
Can I book Madison Vines at the last minute?
Walk-ins are sometimes possible on quieter weeks. Reservations are strongly recommended for peak-season weekends and event nights, and holiday weekends fill early. Calling ahead guarantees your site or cottage.
Does Madison Vines offer monthly stays for a longer Shenandoah visit?
Extended stays are available for both RV sites and cottages. They’re billed monthly, with electric metered separately. Call (540) 948-4186 to talk through options for your dates.
What if I arrive before check-in or need to check out later?
Cottage guests who arrive early are welcome to use the resort’s amenities while the cleaning crew finishes by 3 PM. Late RV check-out is available on request, subject to availability, so ask the office.
When is the pool open, and can kids swim on their own?
The seasonal pool is open from 10 AM to 9 PM. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. At the spa, adults must supervise children at all times.
What are the quiet hours at Madison Vines?
Quiet hours run from 10 PM to 8 AM, when music stays down and voices stay low. The speed limit throughout the resort is 5 mph, which is worth knowing if you’re heading out early for a trail.
What is the cancellation policy?
A reservation deposit is due at booking. Cancelling 30 or more days before arrival earns a refund of the deposit, less a minimum cancellation fee. Within 30 days, the deposit is forfeited unless the site can be re-rented.
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Come see why we earned the Good Sam Rating
Every accommodation includes full access to all amenities. Pool, spa, fitness, courts, fishing; it’s all here.