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Shenandoah/Big Meadows
Overview
Big Meadows Campground is a cornerstone of the Shenandoah National Park experience. Situated at mile 51.2 along the historic Skyline Drive, it offers a rustic camping environment that prioritizes the natural landscape over modern luxuries. This is a high-altitude destination where the mountain air is crisp and the pace of life slows down significantly. It serves as a primary hub for those wanting to immerse themselves in the Blue Ridge Mountains without leaving the park boundaries.
Location & Surroundings
Located near Stanley, VA, the park is perched within a vast, open meadow that provides a unique contrast to the surrounding dense forests. The Skyline Drive serves as the only access road, offering breathtaking overlooks and winding paths. Because of its elevation, visitors often experience cooler temperatures and frequent wildlife sightings, including white-tailed deer and black bears, right outside their RV door. The Dark Hollow Falls trailhead is just a short walk away, offering easy access to one of the park’s most popular waterfalls.
Amenities & Park Features
As a traditional national park facility, Big Meadows provides a no-hookup experience, meaning there is no electricity, water, or sewer at individual sites. However, the park is well-equipped with essential facilities for self-contained travelers. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring for authentic outdoor cooking. Key features include:
- A seasonal dump station and potable water fill-up stations.
- Coin-operated showers and laundry facilities located nearby.
- Proximity to the camp store for firewood, ice, and basic supplies.
While the camping is rugged, the nearby Big Meadows Lodge offers dining options for those who want a break from the campfire.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The campground is perfectly positioned for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore over 500 miles of hiking trails, including a significant stretch of the Appalachian Trail. The Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center is located directly across the meadow, providing educational exhibits and ranger-led programs. For those who enjoy stargazing, the lack of light pollution makes the meadow one of the best spots in Virginia to view the night sky.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for travelers who prefer boondocking and value location over modern amenities. It is a perfect fit for smaller RVs and camper vans that can navigate the winding mountain roads and fit within the park's size limits. If you are looking for a digital detox and want to spend your days hiking and wildlife watching, Big Meadows is the place to be. It is less suited for large luxury rigs requiring full power, but it is unmatched for those seeking a true wilderness connection.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Massive Loop
Great campground with excellent ranger staff! This is the largest, most accommodating campground at Shenandoah and as such fills quick. We pulled up for a place to camp for the night and ended up staying for three! The deer frequently roam right through the campground eating crab apples. If you're looking to get on the AT, the outer E loop of spots sit right next to the trail with a good five mile hike loop down into the Lewis falls and out through the switch back to the AT back to the campground, lots of beautiful views nearby.
Renee KH
Great campground with super nice people that work here. The camp is well kept, clean, in a beautiful spot, & for a decent rate. They don't have a lot of camper spots that can accommodate a medium to large trailer & truck, so just be sure to check site specs before committing. The roads in camp are paved with both paved & gravel sites. This camp is close to the visitor's center & convenience/gas station store. They also have firewood for purchase. The water here is also fresh mountain clean, & even though their are no full hook-up sites there is a dump station also not too far away. This camp is in the middle of the park, so its great for touring Skyline Drive one way one day & then the other way the next.
Melinda Hawkins
Big Meadows is a lovely campground. The showers and bathrooms were very well maintained. Showers are 2.50 for 5 minutes. The water was nice and hot. Be sure to keep you camp clean of food etc. It is bear country. We did run into very heavy fog for the 2 days we were there so we missed the Manny overlooks. Definitely a trip I'd love to take again.
Justin “FXSarge” Stepp
Stayed for 2 nights in a roof top tent in early July. The weather was humid and warm. The campsites were very clean with easy to use bear boxes. We were able to purchase ice, drinks, and firewood at the camp store. We had 2 different campsites with one over looking the a meadow and the other down the wooded mountain. We enjoyed both and would recommend trying multiple camp sites if possible. Each site was within easy walking distance of restrooms and garbage dumpsters. I do think some of the sites were too close to these facilities for my taste though so pay attention when booking. We parked by the camp store and did a hike starting at the Appalachian Trail near the amphitheater, connected to Rose River Falls, connected to Dark Hallow Falls, and finished with the Nature Story Trail. It takes about 4-5 hours and was physically tiring. Would highly recommend though if you want to spend a day trip hiking near camp.
Andrew Kassouf
We chose this campground as the first place for us to tent camp as a family and we had a blast! Our kids can't wait to go camping again. Our site was flat, clean, and equipped with a table and firepit with grill grate. The showers were clean. They cost $5 for 10 minutes of water, and you pay with quarters. If you do not have the quarters, there is a change machine close by to get them.