The Great Stokesville Campout
October 9 - 11
Join us at the edge of the George Washington National Forest.
Join us for an annual tradition of trails burritos bonfires bikes camping great food and wonderful people.
October 9th – 11th 2026
The Great Stokesville Campout originated in 1997 as the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Festival and has always been and remains volunteer-powered. It serves as a fundraiser for the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) Proceeds from the Campout help the Coalition fulfill its mission to Build Better Communities in the Valley through biking, walking, and trails. The Campout is held at the beautiful Stokesville Campground on the edge of the George Washington National Forest.
Registration Info
- All Campout attendees must register, even if they do not plan to ride bicycles. The Stokesville Campground is open ONLY for our registered Campout guests.
- There will be NO REFUNDS. All proceeds benefit the Coalition’s programs to maintain, build, and enhance trails in the Shenandoah Valley.
General Information
- A weekend of riding, bubbles, bounce house, trail work (maybe), great food, better people, trails, bike rides, runs, burritos, and bonfires.
- Registration includes camping and all meals for the weekend.
- We provide all the meals and beverages! Friday Dinner, Saturday Breakfast/Lunch, and Saturday Burrito Dinner.
- Registration includes access to the famous Stokesville Swimming Hole and hot showers at the campground.
- Group rides Friday afternoon through Sunday.
- Bounce House for the kids!
- Giant Bubbles!
- All proceeds benefit the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and initiatives to increase access to trails in the National Forest.
- The Campout is volunteer-powered! Please help us spread the Shenandoah Pixie Dust and signup to volunteer today!
Questions? Please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I camp?
Is there a schedule? What is there to do all day?
We have an events schedule where you can find organized activities. We email out the full schedule before the event, and it is printed to see at the event. Bordering the National Forest, there are an abundance of trails from the campground for activities!
What can kids do?
We will have a family ride (Sat. at 2 p.m.), a campground hike (Sat. at 11:30 a.m.), and a nature scavenger hunt (Sun. at 11 a.m.). There is a playground, beginner-friendly campground trails, and we will have Bubbles by the Burg doing big bubbles! The whole campground is a playground 😀
Are E-Bikes allowed on the trails?
E-MTBs are allowed in the Stokesville campground. The rest of the trails are on National Forest lands. You can read where e-bikes are allowed in the National Forest.
Are dogs allowed?
We welcome your furry friends, but they must be leashed once entering the pavilion area field. Dogs are not permitted under the pavilion, where there will be many people.
What are the campground rules?
Please be a good neighbor at the campground and in the local community. There is a participation agreement when checking into the campground for you to sign.
Where can we get firewood?
You can purchase firewood from the camp host when you enter the campground!
Any info RV’s should know?
We try to get large rigs – over 25-28 feet in the P sites vs the uphill road – 14-24 sites above the wood pile check in area. P sites have more reliable electric capacity. – NO electric heaters please!
What if I want to do a ride/activity that isn’t on the list?
All rides/activities are led by volunteers! If you see an opportunity for an acitivity, email to lead it and communicate about it. Otherwise, you are welcome to enjoy the area in other ways!
Why do you host the Campout?
The Campout has been going on for 25+ years! Formerly called the MTB Festival, this anticipated community grassroots event celebrates our trails + community. Over the years it has evolved beyond mtn bikes to include all trail-goers. As a nonprofit, it is made possible by volunteers + funds our work
Do you have vegetarian meals?
We sure do! Every meal will have a vegetarian option and we will even have local vegetables from Radical Roots Farm!
Event Sponsors
About Stokesville Campground
Stokesville Campground (see the official website) will be open to you as part of your Campout registration from 10 am Friday – 5 pm Sunday. You can stay additional nights by contacting the campground directly.
There are plenty of fun activities for everyone around the campground, including a playground for kids, bonfires, and miles of trails and gravel roads for folks who want to ride bikes, hike, or run.
The trail and road riding around the Stokesville Campground and in the George Washington National Forest are beautiful and sometimes challenging.
Campground amenities include:
- Tent sites (first come, first serve)
- RV sites (30 amp electric plus water/sewer hookups. These can be reserved when you register.)
- 2 very tiny cabins that can be independently reserved
- Bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers
- Pavilion for meals and hangouts
Community Gear Library (CGL)
For any Great Stokesville Campout attendees, the CGL has reserved camping equipment to rent including two 3-person and two 2-person tents as well as 10 sleeping bags and 10 sleeping pads. Email for more information and to reserve.
The Community Gear Library is a resource in the Shenandoah Valley to increase access to the outdoors for all members of our diverse community by providing information and gear. Free of charge, you can rent out camping equipment just like you would a book at the library.
