Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — Shenandoah National Park
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds, and black bear, there's so much to explore...and your journey begins right here!
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the official provider or park-specific camping instructions published by the NPS. Select the named campground and verify its dates, access and site rules.
Big Meadows Campground ↗
2026 Closing Date: November 29 Big Meadows Campground (mile 51.2) is centrally-located in Shenandoah National Park, providing easy access to many of the most popular destinations in the Park, including Big Meadows, Dark Hollow Falls, and Byrd Visitor Center. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring, and a picnic table. All sites at Big Meadows Campground are by reservation only.
Reservations: All sites at Big Meadows Campground are by reservation only. Rangers can make limited reservations on site, but availability is not guaranteed. It is recommended you make your reservation ahead of time. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov as well as the site map on the campground page. Check the map to see when specific sites are scheduled to be released. Reservable sites will be released in sections: 6 months prior to the date of your arrival - 50% of reservable sites will be released; 2 weeks prior to the date of your arrival - 25% of reservable sites will be released; 4 days prior to the date of your arrival - the remaining 25% of reservable sites will be released.…
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: Big Meadows Campground features pull-through and deep back-in sites which can handle most RVs and a tow vehicle. Although electric and water hookups are not available, potable water and dump stations are available, and limited generator use is permitted (see regulations). Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: To help slow the spread of the emerald ash borer, visitors must only use USDA-certified firewood (signified by the USDA stamp on packaging), which can be purchased in the Park. Dead wood may also be used if it is gathered from the ground in the Park; do not cut, saw, or break any standing trees, dead or alive, for firewood. Fires are only allowed in Park-provided fire grates. You must fully…
Site rules: Starting April 9, there will be intermittent power outages in the Big Meadows area for three weeks due to repairs. Campground showers and bathrooms will be closed Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. while work is being done. Stays are limited to 30 days. Checkout time is noon. Be sure to clip your camping pass to your site post to show occupancy. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators may be used from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. From opening until April 14, and October 15 through the end of the season, generator hours are extended to 9 p.m. for the…
Lewis Mountain Campground ↗
2026 Closing Date: November 22 Lewis Mountain (mile 57.5), the smallest campground in Shenandoah National Park, appeals to those who want a little more privacy while still staying within a close distance to many of the most popular destinations in the Park, including Big Meadows (7 miles away). Lewis Mountain Campground operates on a self-registration, first-come, first-serve basis. There are no reservable sites. Please follow the posted directions to register once arriving at the campground.
Reservations: Lewis Mountain Campground operates on a self-registration, first-come, first-serve basis. There are no reservable sites. Please follow the posted directions to register once arriving at the campground.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: Lewis Mountain Campground features 3 pull-through and 27 back-in sites which can handle most RVs and a tow vehicle. Although electric and water hookups are not available, potable water is available and limited generator use is permitted (see regulations). There is no dump station at Lewis Mountain; sewage and wastewater from trailers and RVs must be emptied at the dump station at Big Meadows Campground (mile 51.2), approximately 7 miles north. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: To help slow the spread of the emerald ash borer, visitors must only use USDA-certified firewood (signified by the USDA stamp on packaging), which can be purchased in the Park. Dead wood may also be used if it is gathered from the ground in the Park; do not cut, saw, or break any standing trees, dead or alive, for firewood. Fires are only allowed in Park-provided fire grates. You must fully…
Site rules: Stays are limited to 30 days. Checkout time is noon. Camping fees must be paid within one (1) hour of occupying a site. Be sure to clip your camping pass to your site post to show occupancy. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators may be used from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. From opening until April 14, and 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. Bear, deer, raccoons, and skunks are year-round residents…
Loft Mountain Campground ↗
2026 Closing Date: November 1 Loft Mountain (mile 79.5) sits atop Big Flat Mountain in the southern part of Shenandoah National Park, with outstanding views to east and west. Two waterfalls and the trails into the Big Run Wilderness area are nearby. Loft Mountain has a combination of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Reservable sites are released in sections.
Reservations: There is a combination of sites offered through reservations and on a first-come, first-served basis at Loft Mountain Campground. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends and holidays. Reservations for many standard sites may be made up to 6 months in advance, with additional sites becoming available 2 weeks prior, and 4 days prior your stay.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: Loft Mountain Campground features deep back-in sites which can handle most RVs and a tow vehicle. Although electric and water hookups are not available, potable water and dump stations are available, and limited generator use is permitted (see regulations). Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: To help slow the spread of the emerald ash borer, visitors must only use USDA-certified firewood (signified by the USDA stamp on packaging), which can be purchased in the Park. Dead wood may also be used if it is gathered from the ground in the Park; do not cut, saw, or break any standing trees, dead or alive, for firewood. Fires are only allowed in Park-provided fire grates. You must fully…
Site rules: Stays are limited to 30 days. Checkout time is noon. Camping fees must be paid within one (1) hour of occupying a site. Be sure to clip your camping pass to your site post to show occupancy. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators may be used from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. From opening until April 14, and 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. Bear, deer, raccoons, and skunks are year-round residents…
Mathews Arm Campground ↗
2026 Closing Date: November 1 Mathews Arm Campground (mile 22.1) is the nearest campground for those entering Shenandoah National Park from Front Royal, in the northern section of the Park. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring, and picnic table. Elkwallow Wayside, with camping supplies and food service, is two miles away. Mathews Arm has a combination of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Reservable sites are released in sections.
Reservations: There is a combination of sites offered through reservations and on a first-come, first-served basis at Mathews Arm Campground. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends and holidays. Reservations for many standard sites may be made up to 6 months in advance, with additional sites becoming available 2 weeks prior, and 4 days prior your stay. Group sites can be reserved up to one year in advance.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: Mathews Arm Campground features pull-through and deep back-in sites which can handle most RVs and a tow vehicle. Although electric and water hookups are not available, potable water and dump stations are available, and limited generator use is permitted (see regulations). Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: To help slow the spread of the emerald ash borer, visitors must only use USDA-certified firewood (signified by the USDA stamp on packaging), which can be purchased in the Park. Dead wood may also be used if it is gathered from the ground in the Park; do not cut, saw, or break any standing trees, dead or alive, for firewood. Fires are only allowed in Park-provided fire grates. You must fully…
Site rules: Stays are limited to 30 days. Checkout time is noon. Camping fees must be paid within one (1) hour of occupying a site. Be sure to clip your camping pass to your site post to show occupancy. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. 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. Bear, deer, raccoons, and skunks are year-round residents of Shenandoah. Food, garbage,…
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
NPS lists RV access at Big Meadows Campground. Big Meadows Campground features pull-through and deep back-in sites which can handle most RVs and a tow vehicle. Although electric and water hookups are not available, potable water and dump stations are available, and limited generator use is permitted (see regulations).
Backcountry camping and vehicle camping require park-specific authorization; National Park Service land is not generally open to unrestricted roadside camping. Confirm designated sites, permits and food-storage rules with this unit.
Activities, hiking & trails
Hiking. Official activities and trail-planning information ↗
NPS-listed recreation: Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, Stargazing, Biking, Road Biking, Camping, Backcountry Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Group Camping, RV Camping, Climbing, Rock Climbing, Compass and GPS, Geocaching, Fishing, Food, Dining, Picnicking, Hands-On, Citizen Science, Hiking, Horse Trekking, Horseback Riding, Hunting and Gathering, Gathering and Foraging, Junior Ranger Program, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Park Film, Museum Exhibits, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store, Gift Shop and Souvenirs.
Maps & road access
Use the official NPS directions and current alerts. Check vehicle restrictions and campground approach roads before traveling.
Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, west of Washington, D.C. It stretches 105 miles and has four entrances: Front Royal (northern entrance), Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap, and Rockfish Gap (southern entrance to Shenandoah and the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway). The physical address listed is to the administrative offices, not the Park itself. GPS can be unreliable for navigating to the Park, so we encourage you to check out our website for more info. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
Shenandoah National Park has four very distinct seasons. Spring typically brings mild temperatures, rain, and wildflowers. Summer brings lush green forests, but can be hot and very humid. Fall follows with cooler temperatures and spectacular fall foliage. Winter can bring snow and ice. The park spans roughly 100 miles, which means that weather can vary greatly depending on your location. The mountain is usually 10°F cooler than the valley below. Always check the forecast, dress in layers, and be prepared.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. National Park Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Adventure Awaits
There are over 60 peaks with an elevation over 3,000 feet in Shenandoah.
Credit: NPS Photo / Neal Lewis. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Recreate Responsibly
Black bears are opportunistic, meaning they'll do anything for a snack! Properly store and dispose all food items, and share the road!
Credit: NPS Photo | B. Raeburn. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.