Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA Holiday Campground Blog

Benefits of Being in Nature

5/31/2023

Being in Mother Nature is soothing to the soul and an uplifting experience. Take a break from technology and take a hike to promote overall wellness. Slow down your brain and allow the Earth’s natural beauty to calm your inner being. Just sitting outside for 20 minutes a day is beneficial to your...

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The Story of Ugly Duckling Recreation Group

5/1/2023

As a young family, the Arnold Family regularly traveled the country in their RV, exploring the great outdoors and spending quality time together. It was during these trips that they discovered their love for the camping industry and realized that it was more than just a hobby - it was a way of life....

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Camping is Healing

3/31/2023

Join us for our Big Weekend fundraising event for the ah-mazing foundation Care Camps! Care Camp's mission is to give joy, hope, and the healing power of the outdoors to children with cancer and their families at a specialized oncology camps. Check out more of their awesomeness right here. Save the...

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Camper Crunch Cookies

2/28/2023

Prepared and taste tested just for you - we're dishing out beautiful Camper Crunch Cookies for this month's blog! Camco's Life is Better at the Campsite Cookie Cutters are PERFECT for making decorative cookies. Get those festive cookie cutters right here and follow our campground recipe below!Camper...

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Fun at the Campground

1/31/2023

Make your stay memorable with endless ah-mazing things to do right here at the campground. Kids of all ages will enjoy our playground, basketball court, tetherball, corn hole, and lawn checkers. Explore your limits with a Disc golf course throughout the campground's natural woodsy setting. Discover...

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An Indoor Camping Night

1/3/2023

It’s winter time. A time for slowing down, turning inward and becoming more of a homebody. Hibernation doesn’t have to be so bland. Spice up the indoor vibes with a mock night of camping. Create the magic of camping anytime, anyplace with these helpful tips: Designate an open space for your...

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Massanutten Resort

12/1/2022

We are located in the heart of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley! A short drive will bring you to historic landmarks, museums and battlefields. Skyline drive, wineries and orchards all offer unique landscape and views. A 30 minute drive will bring to the holy grail of family entertainment.This month’s...

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RV Travel with Pets

10/31/2022

Let’s face it, our animals are life! Camping wouldn’t be the same without our furry companions. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or this is your first trip with the fur babies - you’ve come to the right place for ways to make their travel (and yours!) more comfortable. Pets thrive on routine so...

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Reusable Water Bottles

9/30/2022

Sip your beverage in style knowing you are making a difference to help protect our planet. Reusable bottles replace having to purchase single use plastic bottles to conserve resources. Leave those heavy cases of bottles behind! By reusing bottles, you also avoid harsh chemical contaminants while...

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Halloween Is Coming

8/31/2022

Calling all goblins, ghosts and creatures of the night!  Creep, float or crawl on over for our Halloween themed weekends. Fun for all ages each Saturday during the entire month of October. Festivities include our famous Spooky Hay Rides, Halloween crafts, Trick or treating, plus tons of other creepy...

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We're Growing our KOA Family of Campgrounds

8/2/2022

We couldn't be more excited to expand our portfolio and bring vision to three KOAs!The Ugly Duckling Recreation Group was founded in 2020, after the acquisition of our second campground, as a parent company to expand our campground portfolio underneath. We promote and pride ourselves on being the...

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Baking Pie on the Fourth of July

7/1/2022

What’s more patriotic than eating pie on the Fourth of July? We've got the perfect summertime treat to celebrate America's Birthday! Prepared and taste tested for your holiday festivities - we're dishing out tiny pies using a muffin pan. Oh yeah, that's right, individual adorable little pies -...

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Your Deluxe Cabin Awaits

5/30/2022

The Deluxe Cabin is Camping With All The Comforts Of Home!Upgrade your camping experience in one of our Deluxe 2 Room Lodges. Enjoy the amenities of home with a dorm-size fridge, microwave, kitchen sink, dining table, coffee pot, as well as dishes and silverware, for your convenience. These deluxe...

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Our Brand New Deer Lodge Awaits

5/28/2022

This brand new lodge sleeps 6 people, has a beautiful deck and is wheelchair friendly. Enjoy a private bedroom with a queen size bed, closet space and a wonderful view of the private patio. The living/dining/kitchen area includes a pull out couch that sleeps two people, dining table, and large...

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Breakfast Tortilla Bake

4/1/2022

Try this sweet tortilla bake for an easy brunch! Take flour tortilla shells, plus your favorite spread and stuffings then bake to gooey perfection. Fresh strawberry bananas N cream with maple drizzle is our winner!First, open a tortilla shell and spread thin layers as follows:  Layer 1 - Cream...

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Feeling Those Road Trip Vibes

2/26/2022

Here’s ways to create the perfect road trip!Choose the PlaceIt's not just the destination but the journey that is the adventure! Find fun stops all along the way. Use google maps or an app like Roadtrippers to pinpoint landmarks, to do’s, campgrounds, rest stops, etc. Plan your route accordingly...

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Unique Amenities

12/28/2021

We offer a plethora of features to make your camping experience extra special. The moment you arrive, a personal escort will take you to your site. Now sit back, relax, order a pizza from our Hungry Bear Kitchen, and we will deliver right to your site! Trash pickup is included as well as high-speed...

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Holiday Treats, Camper Edition

12/1/2021

No oven? No problem! Try a few of these no-bake recipes:Score an electric pizzelle iron for delicious Italian cookies that you can flavor any which way your taste buds desire. Flair with almond, lemon, or anise seed if you're a fan of classics. Split the batter and experiment with mini chocolate...

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Brighten Your RV

10/27/2021

Is your RV dark and outdated? Spruce up your space with some of these colorful methods! Paint is one of the most dramatic changes to enhance the interior of your home on wheels. Choose a tone that suits your space. Add a fresh layer to cabinets, walls, or furniture with white or another vibrant...

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Your Perfect Day in Shenandoah Valley

8/24/2021

We are located in the heart of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley! Shenandoah National Park is a 34 mile scenic drive from the campground. Whether you're seeking a backcountry trip, pet-friendly hike or an epic overlook spot - there's over 500 miles of trails. Skyline Drive runs 105 miles and there are...

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Campfire Cinnamon Buns -N- Cream

8/2/2021

We’re calling this the triple crown of confections. The Triple “C”.Cinnamon rolls roasted over the campfire topped with a dollop of ice cream. Yes please & thank you! So you’ve got options how to roast. Here are our favs: Hobo style:Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray.Wrap the buns and place...

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Good camping etiquette isn't always common sense.

5/24/2021

Here's tips how to be a courteous camper:  Know your equipment. Whether it be tent, RV, or cabin - familiarize yourself with set up requirements. Special attention goes out to new RV campers and emptying waste tanks. Be aware of proper dumping procedures! Youtube is awesome for tutorials if you’re...

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Fido Friendly Activities

4/29/2021

Fur babies are family too. We totally get it! We welcome four legged campers to Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley KOA! Their well behaved humans are welcomed too!Your pooch will love romping around our K9 dog park, sniffing our dog walk, & exploring miles worth of trails in our backyard! We created a...

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So you made reservations to go camping. Now what to bring?

3/29/2021

See below for a general list to get ya packing!First, what you bring may depend on the type of site you reserved. Chances are you booked either a Tent, RV, or lodging such as a cabin, teepee, treehouse, yurt, train, or any other crazy cool accommodations out there nowadays. Some lodging options have...

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Your Home Away from Home Awaits

3/1/2021

WE ARE A FAMILY FRIENDLY CAMPGROUND LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY Welcome to the Harrisonburg/ Shenandoah Valley KOA! We are located four miles directly off I-81, Exit 257. Enjoy the beautiful winding road through the countryside that brings you directly to our campground. Our very...

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PB&J French Toast

1/25/2021

It's peanut butter jelly time! Peanut butter jelly time! Take a peanut butter jelly sandwich then make french toast out of it. This is a game changer right here. Simply make your favorite PB&J sammie then dip both sides in an egg/milk mixture as you would french toast. Pan fry that bad boy with some...

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Coffee and Camping

12/28/2020

There’s nothing like a fresh cup of Joe in the morning. In this blog, we’ll explore different brew methods whilst camping!  PERCOLATOR - It doesn’t get more festive than preparing your brain juice over a campfire. Earthy aroma fills the air as you wait for your coffee to brew. We must note the...

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10 ice cream shops you need to visit

11/30/2020

Calling all Sweet Toodies! Yes, we just deemed sweet tooth foodies as "sweet toodies". There is a plethora of ice cream shops you need to try when visiting our campground.  Here's the best spots to go (in no particular order):If we missed one, let us know! SMILEY'S  ICE CREAM (Mt. Crawford) Boasts...

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Outdoor Cooking Systems: Portable Propane Gas Stove

10/31/2020

Whilst exploring our beautiful country, it is also important to explore various outdoor cooking options and recipes available.  In this blog post, we'll focus on portable propane gas stoves.  Just like your indoor stove top but ready to travel wherever you go!  We’re big fans of stovetop propane...

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Antique Mall featuring food, antiques, and gifts

9/23/2020

The scent of sweet old fashioned kettle corn welcomes you as you stroll towards the Shenandoah Heritage Market.  Beautiful landscaping frames the sidewalk as koi fish bathe in a nearby pond.  The doors open to the area's largest country market featuring locally handcrafted treasures. Although the...

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Outdoor Cooking Systems: The Gravity Grill

8/19/2020

Whilst exploring our beautiful country, it is also important to explore various outdoor cooking options and recipes available.  In this blog post, we'll focus on the gravity grill and skillet combo.  The pair is an exceptional method in cooking over an open campfire capturing that delicious smokey...

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A local hidden gem

7/27/2020

Guests often ask for awesome hikes with pretty views without having to drive super far from the campground. Fridley Gap is one of our top recommendations!    Located 4 miles from the KOA you'll find this hidden gem.  Fridley Gap offers a little bit of everything in a lush forest setting with a...

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Massanutten Storybook Trail

7/22/2020

Massanutten Storybook Trail is an easy going stroll leading to one of our favorite overlook spots. It starts as a boardwalk then the path is smoothly paved ending with an observation deck. You can chill out on a park bench and bask in Blue Ridge Mountain views or continue down either side of the...

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Apple Cider with a View

7/13/2020

Nothing beats the heat like an ice cold sparkling cider.  Thanks to Showalter's Orchard and Greenhouse for holding such an inviting space for our souls and taste buds to blossom in the beauty of the day.  While sipping delicious apple cider you can soak in the most gorgeous  mountain view.  There's...

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Sweet as Pie

6/4/2020

Warning, this is a crustworthy post about food.We have baking news to report!  Ole' Time Fried Pies are available at the campground on weekends and holidays.What is fried pie?  A slab of flakey dough, spread with scrumptious filling, folded over, crimped at the edge and deep fried.  A slice of...

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What it's like to be a Work Kamper

6/1/2020

Morning songbirds slowly wake you from a peaceful night of slumber.  You spring out of bed and open the door to a new day.  You raise a fresh mug of coffee saluting neighbors also enjoying the tranquility of morning.  The scent of a hearty campfire breakfast fills your nose from around the corner....

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Picnic Tea Party!

6/1/2020

Downtown Harrisonburg's Heritage Bakery is spreading some serious sunshine with gorgeous tea time picnic baskets!   All you need is a cozy blanket along with a hearty appetite.  Included is a beautiful vintage tea set, plates, silverware, and an assortment of decadent pastries and savory tea cakes....

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Curbside Produce Boxes

6/1/2020

We are flourishing over this idea!  New Market's Jon Henry General Store is packing up all the fresh fruits and veggies!  They're offering pre-made produce boxes for curb-side pick up.  All it costs is $20! The contents are locally sourced and freshly harvested farm products. Guaranteed juicy,...

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Winterizing your Tent

5/14/2020

Here at the Harrisonburg/Shenandoah KOA, we stay open all year! Just because it gets cold, doesn’t mean you can’t tent camp.You may think it sounds crazy, but with the right supplies and a few ideas on how to keep warm- winter can be a wonderful and peaceful time to do some camping.So how do you...

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Fun and Easy Snack Idea for Camping

5/14/2020

When I camp- I like having “camping snacks”. And when I think of camping, I think of trail mix!Trail mix is a great snack for kids and grownups alike- full of carbs and protein that keep you going in the outdoors. The best part about trail mix is that you can customize it to your families likes! It...

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SPRING

3/13/2020

It looks like Spring has "sprung" early at the Harrisonburg/ Shenandoah Valley KOA! The weather has been so beautiful and our flowers are starting to pop up everywhere. With all that has been going on in our world- there is no better time to get away and enjoy some fresh air and breathtaking scenery...

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One Room Kabins

1/27/2020

A look into our one room Kabins….Did you know our Kabins are open all year? They are! So whether it’s a week’s vacation or a weekend getaway- try our one room Kabin!These include a small fridge, microwave, tv, and heating and air conditioning. They have a double bed and bunk beds. People often ask...

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Why our KOA?

1/27/2020

KOA’s are known for being clean and friendly places for campers to go. Whether you want to relax and read a book around a campfire, or explore the local area- always look for the Yellow Sign and you know you will have a great stay! Especially here in the Shenandoah Valley. Our team works extra hard...

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Holiday Gift Ideas

12/19/2019

Do you know someone who is an avid camper or someone who is just diving into camping?With the holidays quickly approaching, I thought I would do some research into the top best gifts for hikers and campers!Solo Stove Portable Campfire- It's Smokeless, Portable, & Durable. No More Campfire Smell!...

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