Shenandoah offers a wealth of camping opportunities, from backcountry sites and huts along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail to family friendly campgrounds.
A site at Mathews Arm Campground, Shenandoah National Park / NPS file
There are five campgrounds in Shenandoah, all located along the Skyline Drive. The Mathews Arm Campground can be found at Milepost 22.1, Big Meadows at Milepost 51.2, Lewis Mountain at Milepost 57.5, and Loft Mountain at Milepost 79.5. Dundo Group Campground is located at Milepost 83.7, but Dundo check-ins are at Loft Mountain Campground.
Camping reservations can be made at recreation.gov for all four campgrounds. All sites at Big Meadows are by reservation only, while Loft Mountain, and Mathews Arm campgrounds have a mixture of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Lewis Mountain Campground sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, only, and may be paid for through recreation.gov by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app . Download the free Recreation.gov mobile app on Android or iOS prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service..
Although Shenandoah doesn't have a campground that is just for RVs, it does have three campgrounds that will accommodate large RVs. Mathews Arm, Big Meadows and Loft Mountain campgrounds all have pull-through and deep back-in sites which most of the time can even handle an RV with a tow vehicle. Although there are no hookups, the campgrounds do have potable water and dump stations.
Below is a quick rundown of each campground. Click on each campground name for more detailed information.
Open May 3 – October 28 (2024)
Mathews Arm (mile 22.1) is the nearest campground for those entering the park from the north. It is next to a nature trail and the trail to Overall Run Falls, the tallest waterfall in the park. Elkwallow Wayside, with camping supplies and food service, is two miles away.
This campground offers 165 sites, including 4 ADA accessible sites. There are also 3 group sites, each of which accommodates 7 – 25 people. Standard campsites go for $30 per night and group sites are $75 per night.
Open April 14 – October 30 (2024 Peak Season)
Open October 31 – November 30 (2024 Non-Peak Season)
Open March 26 – November 25 (2025 Peak Season)
Big Meadows (mile 51.2), though secluded, is near many of the major facilities and popular hiking trails in the park. Three waterfalls are within walking distance; the Meadow, with its abundant plant growth and wildlife, lies within walking distance.
This campground offers 221 sites (51 tent only), including 7 ADA accessible sites. There are also 2 group sites, each of which accommodates 7 – 15 people. Standard campsites go for $30 per night and group sites are $75 per night.
Open March 27 – November 30 (2024)
Lewis Mountain (mile 57.5), the smallest campground in the park, offering 30 sites, including 2 ADA accessible sites. This campground appeals to those who want a little more privacy without venturing deep into the backcountry, yet it is within 7 miles (11 km) of the popular Big Meadows area. Sites are $30 per night and are limited to six people (or 1 immediate family) per site and one RV. First-come, first-served only.
Loft Mountain campsite, Shenandoah National Park / NPS file
Open May 1 – October 6 (2024)
Open May 5 – October 28 (2025)
Loft Mountain (mile 79.5) sits atop Big Flat Mountain with outstanding views to east and west. Two waterfalls and the trails into the Big Run Wilderness area are nearby.
This campground offers 207 sites (50 tent only), including 2 ADA accessible sites. Each standard site is $30 per night.
Open May 1 – October 26, 2024, Note: this campground is currently closed until further notice.
The Appalachian Trail passes through Dundo Group Campground, located at Milepost 83.7. The southern end of this group campground is a picnic area and the northern end is the campground with 3 reservable group campsites. There are 3 reservable group campsites, each of which can accommodate 7 - 20 people for $75 per night. All Dundo check-ins are at Loft Mountain Campground.
Backcountry camping options abound, whether you're hiking down the A.T., which runs 101 miles (163 km) through the park, or head down one of the side trails where you pitch your tent pretty much where you want. And with more than 500 miles (805 km) of trail, and 196,000 acres of backcountry, 80,000 acres of which are federally designated wilderness, you should be able to find some solitude with little effort.
Permits are required and Shenandoah National Park has implemented a new process to obtain a new backcountry permit.
To help with your trip planning, be sure to check out Shenandoah's webpage on planning a backcountry trek.
