Campgrounds of Shenandoah

There are four campgrounds within Shenandoah National Park. They are spread out fairly evenly along Skyline Drive, with a pair in the popular central area.

Big Meadows Campground

Size & Cost: 217 sites, $30 per site

Open: April through October

Reservations: Online at recreation.gov

Location: MP 51.3 of Skyline Drive, at essentially the halfway point of the road

Amenities: Running water, flush toilets, grills and picnic tables, dump station, showers, camp store

Demand: High. This campground is in the popular Big Meadows area and is the most central location in the park. For this reason it is often full during peak visitation, especially on weekends.

Lewis Mountain Campground

Size & Cost: 32 sites, $30 per site

Open: April through October

Reservations: No, first come, first served

Location: MP 57.5 of Skyline Drive, near the halfway point of the road

Amenities: Running water, flush toilets, grills and picnic tables, dump station, showers, camp store

Demand: High. This campground is basically the smaller, quieter alternative to Big Meadows, when looking for a campground in the Central District. No reservations are accepted, so you are more likely to find an open spot here when the park is busy, but arrive early to be sure.

Loft Mountain Campground

Size & Cost: 219 sites, $30 per site

Open: May through October

Reservations: Online at recreation.gov

Location: MP 79.5 of Skyline Drive, in the South District

Amenities: Running water, flush toilets, grills and picnic tables, dump station, showers, camp store

Demand: High. This campground is the only camping area on the south end of the park, and is often full during peak visitation.

Mathews Arm Campground

Size & Cost: 179 sites, $30 per site

Open: May through October

Reservations: Online at recreation.gov

Location: MP 22.1 of Skyline Drive, in the North District

Amenities: Running water, flush toilets, grills and picnic tables, dump station

Demand: Moderate. This campground is the only camping area on the north end of the park, and is sometimes full during peak visitation.