Camping Near Shenandoah National Park
Virginia | Established 1935
About Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park protects 199,045 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain wilderness in Virginia, with nearly 40 percent designated as federal wilderness. Skyline Drive runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge from Front Royal in the north to Rockfish Gap in the south, connecting 75 scenic overlooks with panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Virginia Piedmont to the east.
Four campgrounds provide more than 600 sites spread along Skyline Drive. Big Meadows (214 sites) is the largest and most developed with showers and a dump station, while Lewis Mountain (31 sites) offers the most intimate experience. None of the campgrounds have electric, water, or sewer hookups at individual sites, though potable water spigots are available throughout.
Shenandoah is one of the few national parks where dogs are allowed on most trails. Pets on a leash of six feet or shorter can hike on 480 of the park's 500 miles of trails, a rarity in the national park system. The park also hosts 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail, which runs the full length of the park along the ridgeline. Fall foliage peaks from mid-to-late October, drawing visitors from the Washington, D.C. metro area just 75 miles east.
Camping Tips for Shenandoah
- Big Meadows is the most popular campground with 214 sites, showers, and a camp store. Reserve through Recreation.gov up to six months in advance for peak season dates. About 50 sites remain first-come, first-served.
- No campground has hookups at individual sites. Potable water spigots and flush toilets are available at all four campgrounds. Dump stations are at Big Meadows and Loft Mountain.
- Leashed dogs are welcome on 480 of 500 miles of trails, far more than most national parks. Notable exceptions include some sections where the AT crosses steep or dangerous terrain.
- Peak fall foliage runs from mid-to-late October, with colors starting above 3,500 feet in early October and progressing downward. Book campgrounds months ahead for October weekends.
- The park is just 75 miles from Washington, D.C. Summer and fall weekends are busy. Weekday visits offer thinner crowds and easier campsite availability, especially at first-come Lewis Mountain.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Shenandoah National Park
131.Carlton Mobile Home Park
Carlton Mobile Home Park is a campground located in Charlottesville, Virginia, offering a convenient base for exploring the historic region. The park provides mobile home...
Show more132.Sweetwater RV
Sweetwater RV is a campground located in Luray, Virginia, offering a convenient base for exploring the beautiful Shenandoah Valley region. The campground provides RV...
Show more133.American Heritage RV Park
American Heritage RV Park is a full-service RV park located in Earlysville, Virginia, offering convenient access to the scenic Piedmont region of central Virginia. The park...
Show more134.Shenandoah Crossing
Shenandoah Crossing is a campground located in Gordonsville, Virginia, offering a convenient base for exploring the scenic Shenandoah Valley region. The campground provides a...
Show moreShowing 131–134 of 134 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are inside Shenandoah National Park?
Shenandoah has four campgrounds along Skyline Drive: Mathews Arm (165 sites), Big Meadows (214 sites, showers available), Lewis Mountain (31 sites, first-come only), and Loft Mountain (197 sites). All charge $30 per night with no hookups at individual sites. Campgrounds operate from spring through late fall.
Big Meadows is the most developed with showers, a dump station, camp store, and lodge nearby. It accommodates RVs up to 40 feet. Mathews Arm handles RVs up to 35 feet. Lewis Mountain is the smallest and most intimate, first-come first-served only, and ideal for a quieter experience. Loft Mountain at the south end offers more seclusion with scenic overlooks nearby. Senior and Access pass holders receive 50 percent off.
Can I bring my dog to Shenandoah?
Shenandoah allows dogs on more trails than nearly any other national park. Dogs on a leash of six feet or shorter are welcome on approximately 480 of the park's 500 miles of trails. Dogs are also welcome in all campgrounds and at pet-friendly rooms in Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge.
Only about 20 miles of trails prohibit dogs, primarily sections with dangerous footing or heavy bear activity. Popular dog-friendly hikes include Dark Hollow Falls, Hawksbill Summit, and many sections of the Appalachian Trail. Owners must bag and carry out all waste. The park's generous pet policy makes it a top destination for dog owners who want to hike with their pets on real trails, unlike most national parks.
What is Skyline Drive?
Skyline Drive is a 105-mile scenic highway running along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Front Royal (mile 0) to Rockfish Gap (mile 105). It connects 75 scenic overlooks with views of the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia Piedmont, passing through all four campgrounds and connecting to numerous trailheads.
The speed limit is 35 mph throughout, making the full drive a three-hour experience without stops. Most visitors spend a full day stopping at overlooks and taking short hikes along the way. The drive connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Rockfish Gap. Sections may close temporarily during ice, snow, or fog. Fall foliage drives are spectacular but create heavy traffic on October weekends.
What are the best hikes in Shenandoah?
Top hikes include Old Rag Mountain (9.1 miles, strenuous rock scramble with 360-degree views, day-use permit required), Dark Hollow Falls (1.4 miles round trip, easy waterfall hike), Hawksbill Summit (2.9 miles, highest point in the park at 4,050 feet), Whiteoak Canyon (4.6 miles to first falls, six waterfalls total), and Stony Man (1.6 miles, panoramic views).
Old Rag is the most popular and demanding hike in the park, featuring a challenging rock scramble section that requires hands-on climbing. A day-use permit through Recreation.gov is required on weekends and holidays from March through November. Whiteoak Canyon offers six waterfalls ranging from 35 to 86 feet, with the option to continue to Cedar Run for a challenging loop. For easy walks, the Limberlost Trail is a 1.3-mile accessible boardwalk through old-growth hemlock forest.
When is peak fall foliage at Shenandoah?
Fall foliage typically peaks from mid-to-late October in Shenandoah. Colors begin developing above 3,500 feet in early October and progress to lower elevations through the month. The third week of October usually offers the best overall color across the park.
Skyline Drive's 75 overlooks provide continuous views of the changing hardwood forests. Big Meadows and its surrounding area often show the earliest and most dramatic color. Reservations for campgrounds and lodges during October should be made months in advance. Fall weekdays offer the best experience with fewer cars on Skyline Drive and easier parking at popular overlooks.
Are there bears in Shenandoah?
Shenandoah is home to a healthy population of black bears, with an estimated density of about one bear per square mile. Bear-proof food storage lockers are provided at all campgrounds, and all food, coolers, and scented items must be stored properly when not in active use.
Bear encounters on trails are not uncommon but rarely dangerous. Make noise while hiking, especially around blind corners. If you see a bear, do not approach it. Back away slowly and give it space. Bears that become habituated to human food are often relocated or, in extreme cases, euthanized, so proper food storage protects both visitors and bears. Never feed wildlife.
Is Shenandoah close to Washington, D.C.?
Shenandoah's northern entrance at Front Royal is approximately 75 miles (about 90 minutes) from Washington, D.C., making it the closest national park to the nation's capital. The central entrance at Thornton Gap via US-211 is about 95 miles from D.C.
The proximity to the D.C. metro area (population over 6 million) drives heavy weekend visitation, especially during fall foliage season and summer holidays. For the quietest experience, visit on weekdays or choose the southern sections of the park around Loft Mountain, which see fewer visitors. Luray Caverns, one of the largest caverns in the eastern United States, is just 13 miles from the Thornton Gap entrance and makes a popular side trip.
Does the Appalachian Trail run through Shenandoah?
The Appalachian Trail runs 101 miles through Shenandoah National Park along the ridgeline, roughly paralleling Skyline Drive. Thru-hikers pass through the park heading northbound from late April through June. Day hikers can access many sections of the AT from trailheads along Skyline Drive.
The AT crosses Skyline Drive more than 30 times within the park, making it unusually accessible by car. Backcountry shelters and huts along the AT are available on a first-come basis for long-distance hikers. Day hikers looking to experience the AT can walk sections near Big Meadows, Skyland, or Loft Mountain with moderate elevation gain. The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club maintains many of the trails and backcountry cabins in the park.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- $30/vehicle (7 days)
- Best Time to Visit
- May – October
- Nearest Town
- Luray, VA, Front Royal, VA, Sperryville, VA
- Elevation
- 600 – 4,050 ft
- Park Size
- 199,045 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~1.8 million