Established Camping
Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Shenandoah National Park has joined in the US Forest Service's effort to control spongy moth populations with aerial suppression in our area. Spraying will take place in May of 2024. Please follow link for more information <a href="https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/spongy-moth-in-shenandoah.htm" rel="nofollow">https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/spongy-moth-in-shenandoah.htm</a>
About
National Park Service
Shenandoah National Park
Overview
Secluded in the thick trees and rolling hills of Shenandoah National Park, the Big Meadows Campground is the ideal spot for an outdoor family getaway.
Recreation
Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Some trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint while others wind deep into the forest and wilderness. Big Meadows is near many of the major facilities and popular hiking trails in the park. Three waterfalls are within walking distance, and the Meadow, with its abundant plant growth and wildlife, is an ideal nearby attraction.Wildlife viewing is also a popular pastime, with black bears, wild turkey, deer, birds and countless other animals thriving in the park.The campground is also located right off the famous Skyline Drive, which runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stunning views are visible from any of the 75 scenic overlooks.
Facilities
This expansive campground offers more than 200 campsites, including sites that can accommodate larger groups. Picnic areas are provided, as well as conveniences like flush toilets, showers and a dump station which creates a comfortable camping experience. There is limited WIFI access at the Byrd Visitor Center and Big Meadows Lodge. Cell phone reception is available at the Amphitheather.
Natural Features
Shenandoah National Park spans 300 square miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southern Appalachians. The park rises above the Virginia Piedmont to its east and the Shenandoah Valley to its west. The scenery at Big Meadows Campground never disappoints, with a stunning array of colors in the fall and a blanket of bright wildflowers in the spring. This green and shady campground is a wilderness paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Nearby Attractions
Two visitor centers with bookstores and exhibits are located in the park (milepost 5 and milepost 51). Byrd Visitor Center is a short one mile walk by either trail or sidewalk if you choose not to drive. There are concession managed restaurants, gift shops and lodging facilities scattered throughout the park. Big Meadows Lodge and Restaurant is a 5 minute walk from the campground and Big Meadows Wayside is located beside Byrd Visitor Center.
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (540) 999-3231.
Charges & Cancellations
Changing Reservations:____ There is no change fee if a visitor extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. Additionally, there is no change fee if the visitor wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility.____ If a visitor wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.____ If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date.____ Once a reservation date has begun, visitors cannot change a reservation using the online system or through the Call Center. Onsite staff will assist with changes or cancellations.______ Cancellations:____ Visitors may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.____ A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's approved rate including tax and applicable add-on. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.____ Visitors who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days prior to arrival date will pay a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night___s rate.______ No-Shows:____ A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.____ No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.______ Early Departures:____ Visitors are requested to notify staff at the facility if they depart early to allow others to use the site.____ If the visitor chooses to depart early, they may forfeit the approved rate and applicable tax and applicable add-on for the day of departure. If a visitor departs prior to the scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund. Visitors may notify the Recreation.gov call center to request a refund of remaining unused nights. If a visitor requests a refund for an early departure after the facility check-out time (10 am) has passed, the visitor will not be refunded for that night and is eligible for a refund on any additional nights that will not be used.______ Refunds:__ Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Visitors may also initiate a refund request through the call center at any time after their reservation has ended.____ Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.____ For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive.____ In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.__
Fee Info
Reservation Info
Reservations: We are now accepting campground reservations for the 2022 season. Big Meadows Campground will operate on a first-come-first-served basis until May 7. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance for any dates after May 6.
In early spring, Big Meadows Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis only. Beginning in early May, there are a combination of reservable campsites and first-come, first-served sites available. Group sites are available and can be reserved up to one year in advance.
Location
Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia
Directions
Do NOT attempt to use the Tanners Ridge Road to access Big Meadows Campground. The Tanners Ridge Road does not provide entrance to Skyline Drive and does not provide access to Big Meadows Campground. Program your GPS to one of the four park entrance stations at Front Royal Entrance Station, Thornton Gap Entrance Station, Swift Run Entrance Station, or Rockfish Gap Entrance Station.__ From Washington, D.C., metro area, travel west on Interstate 66 to exit 43A. Take US Highway 29 south to Warrenton, Virginia, then merge onto US Highway 211 west to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive Thornton Gap Entrance. Take Skyline Drive south approximately 19 miles and turn right into the Big Meadows area. Follow the signs to Big Meadows Campground.From Richmond, Virginia area, travel west on Interstate 64 to exit 136 for Zion Crossroads, Virginia. Take exit to US Highway 15 North, then turn onto US Highway 33 west and follow 28 miles to the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive, Swift Run Gap Entrance. Take Skyline Drive North approximately 15 miles and turn left into the Big Meadows area. Follow the signs to Big Meadows Campground.
Address
Shenandoah National Park Headquarters,<br>3655 U.S. Highway 211 East
Luray, VA 22835
Coordinates
38.5286194 N
78.438725 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiFair
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TAvailable
- T-MobileGood
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Love Shenandoah
Shenandoah is such a beautiful park. Hiking trails leave right from the campground. If you're lazy and don't feel like cooking there's a nice restaurant in the lodge. There are bears so make sure you don't leave any food out.
Fantastic National Park Campground
Surprisingly, recreation.gov had excellent campsite descriptions and photos for this campground(very unusual in our experience), which made it possible for us to choose the perfect site for our 30' travel trailer. We would not have been satisfied with the slope of more than a few of the sites here, so be sure to do your due diligence before choosing your site.
This is a large campground with lots of sites, many of which(like C129) are quite large. The entire campground was clean and well-kept, including the bathrooms and showers. Keep in mind that showers are$5 for 10 minutes but we noticed that shower#4 worked on just$4. Shh! Don't tell anyone!;-)
This is boondocking(no water, sewer, or electric hookups), but there are plenty of potable water spigots and there is a dump station nearby that is convenient, in good working order, and also has potable water. One complaint about the dump would be that there is no threaded hose to flush out a black tank.
Generator hours are 08:00- 10:00 and 16:00- 19:00 but are extended to 21:00 from opening until April 14 and again from October 15 through closing. Quiet hours are 22:00- 06:00.
The campground has a good laundry facility and a small store. A short walk takes you to Big Meadows Lodge with a full-service restaurant, pub, coffee bar, and gift shop. Take in the sunset from the great room, the deck, or a short hike along the Black Rock trail. A little longer walk takes you to the Wayside where you will find a well-stocked store with food, beverages (adult and otherwise), camping supplies, a quick service restaurant, and a nice gift shop. Definitely try the blackberry cobbler at either Big Meadows Lodge or the Wayside!
Ticks are a big issue here(at least they were when we visited in mid-October). Be sure to check your pups constantly for ticks, and make sure you take preventive measures such as sprays and chews to make sure your pups stay safe. Check yourselves, your kiddos, and your bedding too!
We had mixed feelings about the staff here, many of whom were quite nice and helpful. We did feel that the person who checked us in seemed a bit haggard and, perhaps as a result, was relatively short with us when we asked reasonable questions. We also felt the campground hosts were more than a bit inconsistent in rules enforcement. For instance, they are adamant about not having even a millimeter of tire off the pavement(even when trying to keep the tow vehicle off the roadway) but didn't care at all about campers who ran their generators all day long outside of generator hours.
Verizon was nonexistent.
T-Mobile was good.
Starlink was great for us, but keep in mind that many sites have a canopy of trees that will obstruct Starlink.
Solar was so-so, partially because of the tree cover and partially because of clouds and fog.
Beautiful
Beautiful place. Lots of deer! No hookups but you can run a generator if needed. Large sites. Great weather!
Closed only in the winter
In the description of the Big Meadows camping on The dyrt it says the campground is currently closed.
Actually, it only closes in the winter. According to the Website it closes NOVEMBER 26–MARCH 23
Check khttps://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/big-meadows-campground.htm
Good place to stay
Well kept campsites and good bathrooms and water. We arrived after the information center closed, and it was easy to check in and find our site. Overall, I would stay here again. Be prepared to see a ton of deer!
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A Few Great Sites
Big Meadows ( Shenandoah NP): (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: in the generator loop: 3.5. Most sites are pretty on top of each other. Non generator sites have more sites that are private ( Our site in the generator loop E is spectacular 4.5). Pics included of the absolute best sites in the generator area.
Price: $15 per night w senior pass
Usage during visit: high
Site Privacy: ours good . Most in the generator area have nonne
Site Spacing: close
Site surface: Black top
Reservations: You better for peak season. First come first serve campgrounds nearby. Lewis Mnt is nice
Campground Noise: Not bad for so many people
Road Noise: None
Through Traffic: Minimal
Electricity: No
Water: Most restrooms have a water source for filling. Fill at the dump station when you enter
Bathrooms: Flush toilets and clean. They are a bit awkward to get to from the sites in our area
Sewer: No
Dump: Yes
Generators: Allowed. Quiet hours are 10pm to 6:00 AM
Showers: $5 for about 10 mins. Clean and nice
Laundry: Available and reasonably priced.
Pull Throughs: Some
Cell Service (Verizon): Available from our area most of the time.
Setting: Open forest. Looks to be more underbrush in tent and non generator areas.
Weather: Clear and 10 degrees cooler than the valley below.
Bugs: Not bad. No mosquitoes, at least yet!
Solar: Fixed panels will not work.
Host and Rangers: FRIENDLY
Rig size: Site specific. 45’ RVs work in some sites.
Sites: E175, 177, 178, 180,183,185, and 187 are along forest edge with a valley below, though through the trees. These are the sites to have in the generator area. (During our stay, generators were used sparingly.)
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Tent Camp D Loop in May
Parking space is nice and even if car camping. Tent pad had several tree roots so a sleeping pad is recommended. Site is very shaded. Sites are quite close together so the privacy isn't great. Short 2 minute walk to showers and toilets. Shower location has laundry, ice and wood for sale. Showers are coin operated and it costs $5 for 10 minutes but the water was very hot. There are no sinks for washing dishes, rinsing, etc. Cell reception with ATT & Verizon was non existent at the campground. You could get reception at the lodge, amphitheater or on the overlooks. Out stay was the weekend of 5/26 & it was cold and windy; 43 in morning warming to 70 by 3pm. The Wayside was great. It had supplies, food, drinks, ice cream, gift shop and restaurant. We didn't cook at all. There are recycling receptacles everywhere, including for propane. Pretty sure a bear visited one night but can't say for sure. Deer would walk right through our site un-bothered by us drinking our coffee. Relatively quiet. Would definitely stay again.
Quiet Campground
Loved camping here for a week with my husband and our small child. We were only 2 hours from DC. The night views are amazing. There is no electricity or water at most sites!
Centralized spot in Shenandoah - hot showers!
I stayed in the tent only / non generator sites which is definitely the way to go. My site was actually a walk in. So I had to park and lug my gear up some steps about 200 feet. The site was shaded with a nice spot for a hammock. Including a fire ring and grill grate, picnic table and a bear box. You are close to the road, so you get noise and headlights in your tent sometimes. Deer and skunk walk through camp all the time. Heard some owls at night. Whooooooo
- (13) View All
Beautiful facility !
We have stayed at this campground many times! It is our favorite! The scenery is fantastic and at the foot of Shenandoah National Park. The sites are large and there is both sun and shade. Upper bathroom is so-so but there is a new one on the lower level that’s great. There are yurts to rent also!
Amazing Campground
This campground is not only beautiful but we’ll maintained. There are showers, ice, wood, and a small store on site. Wayside cafe is at the entrance to Big Meadows off Skyline Drive. The food is good and they are dog friendly. The ranger programs at Big Meadows are very good. I went to a session on bears, another on the flora and fauna of the park, and my favorite - the Star Party! My dog and I laid under the stars on a blanket and listened to the Ranger tell us the stories of the constellations! Awesome.
- (5) View All
Best in the park!
Our favorite campground in the park! The location of this one is top notch, close to a great deal of trails, a well stocked camp store, Big Meadows Lodge and dining just a short walk away, even a gas station on Skyline Drive at this mile marker. There are several loops, loaded with a great deal of site, plenty of clean restrooms located throughout and then central shower facility is well kept and clean. We stayed in the A loop, near lots of walk ins tent sites, if you can try to book a site in the E loop, although older and with some crumbling parking pads, the views from this part of the campground cannot be beat! Wood, ice and other basic supplies are available in the campground and the camp store/wayside a few miles away are fully stocked!
Good central location
We got there about noon and it sold out an hour later. A+ for walk in sites... would have been crowded otherwise. Look for deer. :) They're everywhere.
Late fall is cold, but the colors are worth it
Camped the last weekend the grounds were open in the fall. It was cold, but still very beautiful.
The logs sold by the camp store were wet. And all sites were first come first serve, so that was a stressful situation en route.
It was a pain to have to go way out of the way to exit the park to do the Old Rag hike.
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Awesome
I wish I had more time. The Ranger (a man) was so helpful. I loved every minute of being there.
Great place to explore the park
Camped for one night in a tent. Bear boxes for each site. Lodge and restaurant are nice if you aren't looking to "rough it". Dog friendly. Easy access along skyline drive and near to hiking spots.
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Perfect place to camp in Shenandoah National Park
We camped several nights in our 23ft. travel trailer. Our site A85 was just long enough to fit our trailer and truck. We were able to use our generator at this site. The bathroom was just a short walk away. There are no hookups in this campground. We did drive to the shower house and paid a fee to take a shower. They were clean and even though the campground was nearly full we never had to wait in line. We also did our laundry one evening. The machines were all working and it was quite reasonably priced. Big Meadows campground is so conveniently located to the Visitor's center and many local trails. The horse stables were just down the road. The lodge/restaurant was near the campground and we enjoyed a special dinner out one evening on the deck overlooking the beautiful Luray Valley.
Beautiful and well managed.
Fairly spacious sites situated in a partially forested area. That said, the actual parking are of each site is relatively small. We booked a big site but barely had room for our travel trailer and van.
Plenty of amenities (laundry, showers, nearby lodge, etc.) to make camping easy but possible to “really camp” without hookups.
Beware that generators are allowed five hours per day so you will get some noise.
Staff is friendly, but strict. This can be a good thing or course, but can also be annoying if it feels like a nanny is watching over you.
Clean bathrooms, readily available (overpriced) wood, and plentiful wildlife are bonuses.
Of course, the huge draw is the magnificent NP surrounding this campground. Beautiful, stunning views are available with a five minute hike or five minute drive.
Worth every penny.
Rooftop Tent Camping
My partner and I stayed here on a National Park road trip. Other than patchy cell service (which we only needed occasionally because of work), it had everything we needed. The bathrooms and showers are nice, and there are multiple utility sinks. There are also multiple hiking trails nearby.
The big meadows campground
My wife and I love coming to the big meadows campground. They are awesome. They get full quickly so make sure you reserve your campground wayy in advance! I recommend the D loop campgrounds they’re more into the nature I would say. Very quiet at night and very relaxing.
Great
Everything you need for a mountain camping experience.
Great campsites and clean facilities
This was our first time camping and we couldn’t have asked for a better place to start. The campsites were well kept and it looked like each site was a close walking distance to a bathroom, dumpster, and potable water. Bathrooms were clean as well.
First time in SNP
Beautiful campground, with easy access to great hiking. Showers, and toilets were nice, and well maintained. Staff was friendly and helpful. Highly recommend.....I was in a pop up tent in my truck, and it was great.
Consistently an excellent place to camp!
This is the second time we have taken the grandchildren camping at Big Meadows in SNP. They absolutely love to camp, and really enjoy Big Meadows!
Emmy is 6 and Nathan is 3, which are excellent ages to camp. Our site this time was in a better spot and they were able to ride their bikes in front of the campsite.
Beautiful late spring camping
With the ability to access beautiful hikes (some along the AT) through fields of wildflowers and down to waterfalls this is a great hikers campground. Simple walk over to the lodge if you do want some of the nicer things like a nice restaurant meal with a view. Read site description before booking as many are walk in only accessible but plenty are park at and good for RVs.
Awesome but COLD
We came the first weekend in April and it snowed. Being that you are at the top of the mountain, it gets COLD so be prepared. Otherwise, we had a wonderful time. Sites were great (bear boxes at each site), friendly rangers and wonderful views. I recommend getting a site in advance because the reservable ones are on the outside and have a better view.
Lousy site but saved by first-come-first serve flexibility
Huge number of sites situated in an open area with some trees. Our reserved site, E172, was on a sloping, crumbling asphalt pad and we couldn't get our 17' travel trailer level. We almost left but heard by word of mouth that C loop is first come first served so we ended up in C130 on a relatively level asphalt pad close to clean bathroom. No services at the site but clean water spigots are sprinkled around the site. Easy access to lovely hike to falls including stint on Appalachian trail. Clean showers in central location plus inexpensive laundry facility. We ate dinner at the lodge one night and enjoyed our food and the accommodating staff on an extremely crowded evening.
Beautiful Shenandoah
Beautiful Shenandoah National Park.
We were tent camping with two young kids on site 93. Sites are hit and miss depending on what you’re looking for. Some are larger than others. 93 was fine except no trees to hang hammocks (which the kids were looking forward to) and the space for the tent was on the opposite side of the parking pad from the fire ring/picnic table. Not a big deal, just FYI. Good location in relation to the restrooms for little kids- close enough to walk but not so close you see the lights all night. Overall this is a large campground and most sites are very close to one another. One side of the campgrounds meets up with the Appalachian Trail which is a nice walk down & back for little kids. Rangers/camp hosts were all pleasant & helpful. There was a small dish washing station in the restrooms which was a nice surprise. Showers are coin operated at entrance. Would be a truly magical place if campsites weren’t so tight.
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Great campground!
What a nice park and campground.
Wood is $7 a bundle and they don’t want you collecting. Deer everywhere and the occasional bear.
The meadow is just beautiful. A real nice spot an hour after dark for stars.
Try the 150 yard “hike” to Blackrock (next to the lodge) for an unforgettable sunset.
We’ll go back.
Great campground Great place
I love Big Meadows on the Sky Line Drive. Really beautiful. Fresh air. Hikes galore. Wonderful night programs. It’s just special being in a National Park. Sites vary but NO hook ups. Pay showers.