Lewis Mountain Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Opens March 26 for the season and operates through late fall. First-come, first-served only with self-registration on site.
Necessary Upgrades Underway at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center in September
For visitor safety, please avoid the construction area and follow all signage and fencing. Visitor center operations will not be impacted.
Shenandoah National Park Moves to Fully Cashless Fee Collection July 1
On July 1, 2025, the park transitioned to a fully cashless system at our fee entrance stations. Only credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments will be accepted.
Parking at Boundary Access Areas
Visitors are reminded to park in designated parking areas when accessing the park via boundary trailheads. Parking in unauthorized locations may result in your vehicle being towed at the owner's expense.
Get Skyline Drive Status Updates
Sign up for Shenandoah Alerts by texting SHENALERTS to 888777. Any time there are closures, re-openings, or other important safety-related alerts, subscribers will receive a notification via text. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Ticket Required to Hike Old Rag
March 1 - November 30 those wishing to hike Old Rag are required to obtain a day-use ticket before arriving.
Potential delays during stone wall rehabilitation project
The stone wall that lines Skyline Drive is being rehabilitated between miles 72.8 and 75.7. There will be a single lane closure for the duration of this work, with an established work zone that will be managed by flaggers. Visitors should expect delays.
Charging Stations are Currently Unavailable
The charging stations at Skyland are currently out of service.
High Wind Warning issued December 29 at 6:52PM EST until December 30 at 4:00PM EST by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
* WHAT...West winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * WHERE...Central Virginia Blue Ridge and Northern Virginia Blue Ridge. * WHEN...Until 4 PM EST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
About
Lewis Mountain Campground sits at mile 57.5 on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, offering a more intimate camping experience as the park's smallest campground with just 30 sites. The green and shady campground appeals to visitors who want privacy while remaining within easy reach of the park's major facilities and popular hiking trails. Big Meadows and the Byrd Visitor Center are located approximately 7 miles north. The campground operates on a self-registration, first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations accepted. Visitors must physically arrive at the campground to claim and pay for a site using a QR code and the Recreation.gov mobile app. The facility includes 3 pull-through sites and 27 back-in sites that can accommodate most RVs and tow vehicles, though no electric or water hookups are available. Seasonal amenities include flush toilets, coin-operated showers, potable water, a camp store, laundry facilities, and food storage lockers to protect against bears and other wildlife. The campground provides convenient access to over 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah National Park, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with black bears, deer, wild turkey, and numerous bird species inhabiting the area. The stunning Blue Ridge Mountain scenery offers vibrant fall colors and spring wildflowers throughout the season.
Directions
Lewis Mountain is the closest campground for those entering Shenandoah National Park through Swift Run Entrance Station at Elkton on US 33. From Richmond, travel west on I-64 to Charlottesville, take US-29 North, turn left onto US-33 West, and follow 14 miles to the park entrance. Once on Skyline Drive, travel north from Swift Run Gap about 8 miles to Lewis Mountain Campground at mile 57.5.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | Yes |
| Price | $30 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| SHEN_hq_info_desk@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (540) 999-3500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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