Mathews Arm Campground

About

Mathews Arm Campground is the northernmost campground in Shenandoah National Park, making it the closest option for visitors entering from Front Royal. Located at mile 22.1 on Skyline Drive, the campground occupies a forested ridgeline in the Blue Ridge Mountains with 165 sites spread across multiple loops. Sites accommodate tents and RVs, with pull-through and deep back-in options available for larger rigs. No hookups are available, but the campground provides potable water, flush toilets, a dump station, trash collection, and food storage lockers during the operating season. The campground serves as a trailhead for Overall Run Falls, which at 93 feet is the tallest waterfall in Shenandoah. The moderately difficult trail rewards hikers with views of the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain. Black bears, deer, wild turkey, and other wildlife are common throughout the area, requiring proper food storage in vehicles or provided lockers. Mathews Arm offers a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov up to six months in advance, with additional sites released at two-week and four-day windows. Standard sites are $30 per night, group sites (7-25 people) are $75. Stays are limited to 30 days, with checkout at noon. Quiet hours run 10pm to 6am, and generators are permitted only 8-10am and 4-7pm.

Directions

From Washington D.C., travel west on Interstate 66 to Front Royal, Virginia (62 miles). Take the exit onto Route 340 South and follow signs for Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. Upon entering Skyline Drive at the Front Royal entrance, drive south to mile 22.1 where Mathews Arm Campground is located on the left.