Everything you need to know to plan a Shenandoah National Park Camping trip! Check out the front country campgrounds and find out what you need to know for each campground.
Shenandoah National Park Camping Guide
Contents
Holders of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior or Access Pass, or the Golden Age or Access pass are eligible for a 50% discount on their campsite.
Black bears are common in Shenandoah NP! Make sure to plan on storing your food in something like a Bear Keg or Bear box and keeping a clean camp.
There are over 500 miles of hiking trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
All campgrounds are managed by the National Park Service.
All four front country campgrounds are centrally located off the park's main feature, the Skyline Drive. The Skyline Drive is 105 miles long with numerous pullouts giving visitors epic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The road is mostly posted at 35mph and can easily take all day to explore.
Mathews Arm Campground
Location: northern section of the Park, nearest campground to the Front Royal entrance. The campground is located right off of Milepost 22 on the famous Skyline Drive.
Number of sites: 165
Cost per night: $15
Reservations?: Yes, there is a combination of first come first serve and reservation sites within the campground.
Campground amenities: All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring, and picnic table.
GPS Coordinates: 38.7624° N, 78.2966° W
RVs allowed?: Yes
Generator Hours: Generators may be used from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
From October 15 through the end of the season, generator hours are extended to 9 p.m. for the purpose of generating heat.
Generator use is prohibited in sites designated as “generator-free” and in group sites.
Check out our full article on Mathews Arm Campground
Big Meadows Campground
Location: centrally-located in Shenandoah National Park. Big Meadows Lodge and Restaurant is a 5-minute walk from the campground and Big Meadows Wayside is located beside Byrd Visitor Center.
Number of sites: 221
Cost per night: $20 for standard campsites, $40 for group sites
Reservations?: Yes, starting in early May there is a combination of first come first serve, and reservation sites.
Campground amenities: All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring, and a picnic table.
GPS Coordinates: Latitude 38° 31' 43.0298" N
RVs allowed?: Yes
Generator Hours:
Generators may be used from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
From October 15 through the end of the season, generator hours are extended to 9 p.m. for the purpose of generating heat.
Generator use is prohibited in sites designated as “generator-free” and in group sites.
Check out our full article on Big Meadows Campground
Lewis Mountain Campground
Location: 7 miles South of Big Meadows
Number of sites: 30
Cost per night: $15
Reservations?: Yes, starting in early May there is a combination of first come first serve and reservation sites.
Campground amenities: This front country campground has a paved path, fire rings, picnic tables, and is close to the camp store that has showers, laundry, and firewood.
GPS Coordinates: 38.4367° N, 78.4781° W
RVs allowed?: Lewis Mountain Campground features 3 pull-through and 27 back-in sites which can handle most RVs and a tow vehicle.
Generator Hours:
Generators may be used from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
From October 15 through the end of the season, generator hours are extended to 9 p.m. for the purpose of generating heat.
Check out our full article on Lewis Mountain Campground
Loft Mountain Campground
Location: Southern part of Shenandoah NP. The campground is located right off of Milepost 80 on the famous Skyline Drive
Number of sites: 207
Cost per night: $15
Reservations?: Yes, there are both reservable and first come first served sites.
Campground amenities: This front country campground features a camp store with showers and laundry, fire rings, picnic tables, and paved parking spaces.
GPS Coordinates: 38.2473° N, 78.6684° W
RVs allowed?: Loft Mountain Campground features deep back-in sites which can handle most RVs and a tow vehicle.
Generator Hours: Generators may be used from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
From October 15 through the end of the season, generator hours are extended to 9 p.m. for the purpose of generating heat.
Check out our full article on Loft Mountain Campground.
Make sure to check if you need a reservation while planning a Shenandoah National Park Camping trip!
Dundo Group Campground
Location: Southern portion of Shenandoah NP. Dundo Campground is located at milepost 83.7 along the scenic Skyline Drive.
Number of sites: 3
Cost per night: $45
Reservations?: Yes, Reservations can be made up to 1 year in advance on recreation.gov
Campground amenities: Vault toilet, fire ring, food lockers, picnic tables.
GPS Coordinates: 38° 14' 2.8000" N 78° 43' 17.8000" W
ADA Sites: There are no accessible sites, showers, or laundry facilities available
RVs allowed?: All RVs and trailers are prohibited at Dundo Group Campground.
Generator Hours: Generators are prohibited.
Backcountry Camping
Shenandoah National Park has 196,000+ acres of backcountry and wilderness and over 500 miles of trails to explore. A free backcountry camping permit is required to camp in Shenandoah's backcountry.
You may fill out an online backcountry camping permit or visit a self-registration station at one of the following locations:
- A.T. North entry point
- Front Royal Entrance Station (mile 0 of Skyline Drive)
- Panorama Comfort Station, near Thornton Gap Entrance Station (mile 31.5)
- Swift Run Entrance Station (mile 65.5)
- Loft Mountain Wayside (mile 79.5)
- Rockfish Gap Entrance Station (mile 105)
- A.T. South entry point
- Old Rag Trailhead parking area at Etlan, Va.
Campsites must be at least:
- 10 yards away from a stream or other natural water source.
- 20 yards away from any park trail or unpaved fire road.
- 50 yards away from another camping party or no camping post sign.
- 50 yards away from any standing buildings and ruins including stone foundations, chimneys, and log walls.
- 100 yards away from a hut, cabin, or day-use shelter.
- 1/4-mile away from any paved road, park boundary, or park facility (i.e. campgrounds, picnic grounds, visitor centers, lodges, waysides, or restaurants).
For more information check out the Backcountry regulations.
Site 6
Additional Shenandoah Resources
Shenandoah Lodging Guide
Things to do in Shenandoah NP
Check out all of the National Parks in Virginia along with neighboring National Parks in Washington DC , National Parks in North Carolina, National Parks in Kentucky, National Parks in West Virginia, and National Parks in Maryland
Check out these great tips for renting out your RV.
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