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🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
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Big Meadows Lodge - Shenandoah National Park
Big Meadows Lodge is located right off of Skyline Drive in the heart of Shenandoah National Park. The lodge offers the opportunity to wake up in the park and start your day with gorgeous views after a great night's sleep.
We stayed in a 1 1-bedroom fireplace Suite and did not want to leave. I would happily book a week in this suite and relax with gorgeous views. The suite had everything we needed and more for enjoying our time in Shenandoah National Park.
Lodging accommodations range from main lodge rooms to detached small cabins, preferred and traditional rooms, suites, and pet-friendly rooms. An ATM, the Spottswood Dining Room, New Market Taproom, and Craft Shop are located in the main lodge building.
The main lodge has the front desk for check-in along with a great room with comfy chairs and a great view of the Shenandoah Valley. Spottswood Dining Room offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Make sure to check out the signature blackberry ice cream pie.
Click Here to Book the Big Meadows Lodge
1 Bedroom Fireplace Suite- 2 Doubles
We really enjoyed having a seating area with the couch and rocking chairs. The couch is not the comfiest couch we have ever relaxed on but it did its job. The couch does pull out to a bed so you are sitting on the bed mechanisms which are not soft.
We had a nice outdoor seating area with two chairs by the door to the room. You can also enjoy outdoor terrace seating at the main lodge.
One piece of advice I would like to offer is to check in to the room before it is dark. We checked in late at night after spending the day exploring Skyline Drive and watching the sunset. When we went to find the room we had to use our phone flashlights to find the room.
It was a bit unnerving walking in the dark trying to find the right room. The lodge is tucked back in the woods and it is amazingly quiet but also really dark.
Room Types
Main Lodge Rooms
The historic main lodge rooms are located in the original 1939 building and offer the most direct connection to the lodge's CCC-era character, with American chestnut paneling and the warm atmosphere of the great room just down the hall. These rooms are the most sought-after at Big Meadows Lodge and book up far in advance. Views look out over the surrounding Blue Ridge landscape. Some rooms have televisions and air conditioning; others do not.
- Main Lodge Room with One Double Bed
- Main Lodge Room with Two Double Beds
Preferred Rooms
Preferred rooms are located in buildings adjacent to the main lodge and offer more space and modern comfort than the historic lodge rooms while maintaining the rustic character of the property. Most include fireplaces. Views of the Blue Ridge Valley are available from select rooms.
- Preferred Room with One King Bed and Fireplace
- Preferred Room with Two Double Beds and Fireplace
Traditional Rooms
Traditional rooms offer comfortable motel-style accommodations in a rustic setting within easy walking distance of the main lodge building. These are the most affordable rooms at Big Meadows Lodge and a solid choice for guests who plan to spend most of their time outside on the trails.
- Traditional Room with One Double Bed
- Traditional Room with Two Double Beds
Suites
The suites at Big Meadows Lodge are the most spacious and luxurious accommodations on the property and the ones that are hardest to book. The one-bedroom fireplace suite includes a separate sitting area, a wood-burning fireplace, and gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge. I stayed in one and did not want to leave.
- One-Bedroom Fireplace Suite with Separate Sitting Area and Blue Ridge Views
Petit Cabins
The detached petit cabins offer a private and cozy retreat within easy walking distance of the main lodge. Each is a small standalone unit with its own entrance and outdoor space, giving guests a sense of privacy that the lodge rooms cannot match. Several cabins are pet-friendly.
- Petit Cabin with One Double Bed
- Petit Cabin with Two Double Beds
- Pet-Friendly Petit Cabin
Amenities
- Coffee Maker (all rooms)
- Hair Dryer (all rooms)
- Clock Radio (all rooms)
- Fireplace (Preferred Rooms, Suites, and select Cabins)
- Television (select rooms)
- Air Conditioning (select rooms)
- Heat (all rooms)
- No In-Room Telephone
- No In-Room WiFi (free WiFi available in Great Room)
- Pet Friendly (select rooms and cabins)
- ADA Accessible Rooms Available
- Spottswood Dining Room with Full Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Service
- Pet-Friendly Outdoor Terrace Dining with Canine Cuisine Menu
- Lunch To Go Boxes Available
- New Market Taproom with Craft Beer, Virginia Wine, and Nightly Entertainment
- Craft Shop and Gift Store
- ATM in Main Lodge
- Stargazing Programs
- Ranger Programs
- Access to Appalachian Trail and Multiple Shenandoah Hiking Trails
- Seasonal Operation (early May through late November)
- Non-Smoking Property
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Things to know when planning a trip to Big Meadows Lodge
Big Meadows Lodge is located one mile from the large, grassy meadow at mile 51 on Skyline Drive.
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
All guestrooms are non-smoking.
$5.00 utility add-on fee will be added to the room rate - per room, per night.
You can book your arrival date a maximum of one year and one month in advance of arrival.
Cancellations and Modifications: You may cancel or modify your reservation up to 48 hours prior to the 4:00 PM check-in time on the day of your arrival to avoid forfeiture of your full deposit. Changes or cancellations of your reservation within the 48 Hours period will result in a forfeit of your deposit.
Deposit Policy- A deposit equal to the first night room rate plus tax will be charged at the time of booking. Additional Add-On items do not include tax or gratuity and will not be charged in advance.
Pet Policy- We offer pet-friendly rooms and there is a $30 per pet, per night fee. Pets must be noted on your reservation or declared at check-in. If a pet is found in an Allergen-Free room, the guest will be charged a $250 cleaning fee.
Things to do When Staying at Big Meadows Lodge
🥾 Hike the Dark Hollow Falls Trail, one of the most popular and rewarding short hikes in the park, to a 70-foot cascade through hemlocks
🌿 Walk the Story of the Forest Nature Trail for an easy interpretive loop through the surrounding woodland
🦌 Watch white-tailed deer, black bears, and wild turkeys in and around Big Meadows at dawn and dusk
🚗 Drive Skyline Drive, one of the great scenic drives in the eastern United States, north and south from the lodge
🌸 Explore Big Meadows for wildflowers in spring and blueberries in late summer, a beloved seasonal tradition
📸 Photograph the sweeping views west over the Shenandoah Valley at sunset from the lodge terrace
🍽️ Dine in the lodge's dining room with panoramic valley views and classic Shenandoah comfort food
🍺 Relax at the Tap Room, the lodge's cozy bar with chestnut-paneled walls and a stone fireplace
☕ Sit on the lodge porch with morning coffee overlooking the meadow and surrounding forest
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Fun Tours and experiences at Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah and Luray Caverns Small Group Day Tour from DC
⭐️ Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 9 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
Pack two of Virginia's natural must-sees into one full-day excursion with a guided tour of Luray Caverns and Shenandoah National Park's gorgeous Skyline Drive, where you will stop at scenic overlooks along Skyline Drive and take a walk on a mountain trail.
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Shenandoah National Park
⭐️ Rating: 3.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours to one day | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
Download this self-guided audio tour and you will discover more on your Shenandoah road trip! Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips and directions play automatically along the route, all based on your vacation.
You'll be guided to all of Skyline Drive's famous highlights, as well as lesser-known gems, including the park's top summit and waterfall hikes, President Herbert Hoover's historic retreat, and a high-elevation meadow that's one of the best places to spot wildlife, such as deer, elk, and black bears.
Lodging in Shenandoah National Park
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars -Big Meadows Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability
Located a mile from the expansive green Big Meadow at mile 51 on Skyline Drive, the Big Meadows Lodge is a spectacular wooden lodge overlooking the park and beyond.
At the lodge, you'll find lodge rooms, detached petit cabins, suites, pet-friendly rooms, and more. The lodge is home to the iconic Spottswood Dining Room, the top place to dine in the park, an ATM, the New Market Taproom for a chilled beer to wind down from a hot summer day of exploration, and other basic amenities.
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - Skyland Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability
The Skyland Lodge is located in the Skyland region along the Blue Mountain Ridges, at 3,680 feet in elevation, making it the perfect place to begin a new hike or trail from. The rooms are typical wooden lodge rooms with a stone fireplace elevating the space. The lodge comprises individual buildings with several rooms in each.
At the lodge, you'll find awe-inspiring views of the wetlands and be able to gorge on delicious meals at the Pollock Dining Room Mountain Taproom and purchase souvenirs to take back home from the Skyland Gift Shop.
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - Lewis Mountain Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability
Located next to the Lewis Mountain Campground and several trailheads. You'll be surrounded by the beautiful and jagged peaks of the Blue Ridges and overlook the forest as you sip on your morning coffee on your cabin's balcony.
The cabins themselves don't have any Wi-Fi or cell phone connectivity, making them ideal for a social media detox coupled with a tranquil trip with your partner, family, or friends.
Lodging near Shenandoah National Park
⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - The Mimslyn Inn - Click Here for Rates and Availability
A stunning 1931 Georgian Revival landmark perched on rolling hills in Luray, just 10 miles from the Thornton Gap Entrance to Shenandoah National Park! The lobby sets the tone with a warm fireplace and grand spiral staircase, while Circa '31 serves upscale Southern cuisine and the Prohibition-themed Speakeasy downstairs is perfect for a late-night drink. Amenities include a full-service spa, two outdoor pools, hot tub, fitness center, sun terrace, fire pits, hammock garden, and walking paths across seven acres of lush grounds. Free WiFi, free parking, and just 3 minutes from Luray Caverns. Pet friendly!
⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Hotel Laurance - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A chic, whimsical boutique hotel in the heart of historic downtown Luray, perfectly positioned for hikers, cyclists, and outdoor explorers heading into Shenandoah National Park! Only 12 rooms, each individually designed with premium bedding, designer toiletries, and full kitchens or kitchenettes, plus a complimentary breakfast served each morning. Concierge services, access to hiking and biking trails, free WiFi, free parking, a mini spa, and a terrace round out the amenities. A perfect base for Old Rag Mountain, Skyline Drive, Luray Caverns, and the Shenandoah Valley wine and spirits trail. Pet friendly!
⭐️ 4.5 of 5 Stars - Hopkins Ordinary Bed, Breakfast and Ale Works - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The ultimate hiker's basecamp, a beloved B&B and craft brewery rolled into one, sitting in the tiny village of Sperryville right at the doorstep of Shenandoah National Park! The innkeepers are passionate hikers who know every trail in the park and will loan you maps, suggest routes, and even bring a cold beer up to your porch when you return from a long day on the trail. Rooms feature working fireplaces, private porches with mountain views, rainfall showerheads, Egyptian cotton sheets, and memory foam beds, with a full locally sourced hot breakfast each morning and the on-site cellar brewery open each afternoon. Free WiFi and free parking included!
Click on the map below to see additional vacation rentals and lodging near the park.
https://www.stay22.com/embed/625360e19669ef00151e43caBook the Big Meadows Lodge Before it Fills
Shenandoah National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$15.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$35.00-75.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$75.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$100.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Additional Shenandoah National Park Information
- Complete Guide to Shenandoah National Park
- Shenandoah Camping Guide
- Visit Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park just North of Shenandoah
Check out all of the National Parks in Virginia along with National Parks in Kentucky, National Parks in Maryland, National Parks in North Carolina, Tennessee National Parks, and West Virginia National Parks
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