Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah
Open for the 2026 season as of March 25. All sites are reservation-only through Recreation.gov. Repaving project scheduled for summer 2026; some sites may be temporarily closed or reservations relocated during construction. Intermittent power outages affecting showers and restrooms occurred in April but work has concluded.
From Recreation.gov
Big Meadow Campground will be **repaved this summer**. Some sites may be **closed or reservations relocated** during the project.
Special Weather Statement issued June 12 at 2:51PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail are possible through this evening across portions of eastern West Virginia, northern and central Virginia, central and southern Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Residents in these areas should monitor this situation very closely and ensure your NOAA weather radios are set to alert mode. Severe weather warnings for imminent damaging storms may become necessary. Here are some safety rules to keep in mind when severe weather is expected or is occurring. If a warning is issued, seek shelter indoors immediately. Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio, commercial radio, information sources from your phone, or television for the latest on this potential severe weather event. Additional weather information can be found at weather.gov/washington or weather.gov/baltimore.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 12 at 2:49PM EDT until June 12 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 321 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN MARYLAND THIS WATCH INCLUDES 10 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MARYLAND ANNE ARUNDEL HOWARD MONTGOMERY PRINCE GEORGES IN NORTHERN MARYLAND BALTIMORE BALTIMORE CITY HARFORD IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND CALVERT CHARLES ST. MARYS IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 32 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA ALBEMARLE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG GREENE KING GEORGE NELSON ORANGE SPOTSYLVANIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA ARLINGTON CITY OF ALEXANDRIA CITY OF FAIRFAX CITY OF FALLS CHURCH CITY OF MANASSAS CITY OF MANASSAS PARK CULPEPER FAIRFAX FAUQUIER LOUDOUN PRINCE WILLIAM STAFFORD IN NORTHWEST VIRGINIA CLARKE MADISON PAGE RAPPAHANNOCK SHENANDOAH WARREN IN WESTERN VIRGINIA AUGUSTA CITY OF HARRISONBURG CITY OF STAUNTON CITY OF WAYNESBORO HIGHLAND ROCKINGHAM IN WEST VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 2 COUNTIES IN EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA HARDY PENDLETON THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ABERDEEN, ABINGDON, ADAMS MORGAN, ADEN, AIRLIE, ALEXANDRIA, ALONZAVILLE, ALSOP, ANNANDALE, ANNAPOLIS, ARCO, ARKENDALE, ARLINGTON, ARNOLD, BALLSTON, BALTIMORE, BARCROFT, BEAN SETTLEMENT, BENTONVILLE, BERRYVILLE, BETHEL, BETHESDA, BOWIE, BOYDS, BRAKE, BRANDYWINE, BROKENBURG, BROOKFIELD, BROOMES ISLAND, BUCKTON, BURKE, BURR HILL, BYNUM, CALIFORNIA, CALLAWAY, CARDOVA, CATALPA, CATONSVILLE, CEDARVILLE, CHANTILLY, CHARLOTTESVILLE, CHERRYDALE, CHESAPEAKE BEACH, CHESTER GAP, CHRISTIAN, CHURCHVILLE, CLARKSVILLE, CLARY, CLINTON, CLOVER CREEK, COLLEGE PARK, COLUMBIA, COMPTON, COUNTRYSIDE, COVE POINT, CULPEPER, DAHLGREN, DALE CITY, DAMERON, DRUM POINT, DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DUNDALK, DUNKIRK, EDGEWOOD, ESSEX, EVERONA, FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX STATION, FAIRVIEW, FALLS CHURCH, FALMOUTH, FELLS POINT, FISHER, FIVE FORKS, FORDSVILLE, FOUR CORNERS, FRANKLIN, FREDERICKSBURG, FRONT ROYAL, GAITHERSBURG, GARRISONVILLE, GATEWOOD, GERMANTOWN, GLEEDSVILLE, GLEN BURNIE, GLEN ECHO, GLENDIE, GLENMONT, GREENBELT, GREENFIELD, HAMBURG, HARFORD FURNACE, HARRISONBURG, HAWKINSTOWN, HICKORY, HIGHTOWN, HISTORIC ELLICOTT CITY, HOWELLSVILLE, INDEPENDENT HILL, KIMBALL, LAHORE, LAKE RIDGE, LANGLEY, LEESBURG, LEXINGTON PARK, LIBERTY, LINVILLE, LONG BEACH, LUCKETTS, LURAY, MADISON MILLS, MADISON RUN, MAGNOLIA, MANASSAS, MANASSAS PARK, MASSAPONAX, MCDOWELL, MCLEAN, MCNEILL, MILL GAP, MONTCLAIR, MONTEBELLO, MONTEREY, MONTPELIER, MOOREFIELD, MOUNT CLIFTON, MOUNT HARMONY, MOUNT JACKSON, MUSTOE, NASONS, OAK FLAT, OAK GROVE, ORANGE, OVERTON, PARK HEIGHTS, PARKVILLE, PARTLOW, PINEY POINT, POST OAK, RANDALLSTOWN, RAPIDAN, REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT, RESTON, REVA, RIDGE, RIDGEWAY, RILEYVILLE, RIVERCREST, RIVERTON, ROLLINS FORK, ROSSLYN, RUDDLE, SEVERN, SEVERNA PARK, SHADY GROVE, SHILOH, SILVER SPRING, SIMPSONVILLE, SKYLAND, SOTTERLEY, SOUTH GATE, SPOTSYLVANIA COURT, SPOTTSWOOD, ST. CHARLES, STAUNTON, STERLING PARK, STEVENSBURG, STRASBURG, STRINGTOWN, STUARTS DRAFT, SUGAR GROVE, SUITLAND-SILVER HILL, TANTALLON, TOWSON, TURNBULL, TWYMANS MILL, UNIONVILLE, WALDORF, WARRENTON, WASHINGTON, WAYNESBORO, WIDEWATER, WINSTON, WOODBRIDGE, WOODLAWN, WOODSTOCK, AND WOODSTOCK.
About
Secluded in the thick forests and rolling hills of Shenandoah National Park, Big Meadows Campground provides an ideal base for exploring the central section of the park. Located at mile 51.2 on Skyline Drive, the campground sits at an elevation that offers cooler temperatures than the surrounding valleys. Each of the 221 sites includes a fire ring and picnic table, with options ranging from standard tent/RV sites to walk-in tent-only sites and group camping areas. The campground's central location provides easy access to some of the park's most popular destinations. Big Meadows itself, a 150-acre grassy clearing, is renowned for wildlife viewing and wildflower displays. Dark Hollow Falls, Lewis Falls, and Rose River Falls are all within hiking distance. Byrd Visitor Center, featuring exhibits on park history and natural resources, is a one-mile walk via trail or sidewalk. The Big Meadows Lodge and Wayside offer dining options nearby. Amenities include flush toilets, coin-operated showers, potable water spigots, a dump station, and a seasonal camp store selling firewood, ice, and camping supplies. Food storage lockers help protect belongings from the park's resident black bears, deer, and raccoons. The campground offers both pull-through and deep back-in sites to accommodate most RVs, though no hookups are available. Generator use is permitted during limited hours.
Directions
Do NOT use Tanners Ridge Road to access the campground; it does not connect to Skyline Drive. From Washington D.C., take I-66 west to exit 43A, then US-29 south to Warrenton and US-211 west to Thornton Gap Entrance. Drive south on Skyline Drive approximately 19 miles and turn right into Big Meadows. From Richmond, take I-64 west to exit 136 (Zion Crossroads), then US-15 north to US-33 west to Swift Run Gap Entrance. Drive north on Skyline Drive approximately 15 miles and turn left into Big Meadows.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | Yes |
| Price | $30 - $75 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 70ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 85ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (540) 999-3500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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