Mathews Arm Campground
Secluded in the thick trees and rolling hills of the Shenandoah National Park, Mathews Arm Campground is the ideal spot for a camping getaway.
More like this: reservable in Virginia · big rigs in Virginia · pets allowed in Virginia · group sites in Virginia · dark sky in Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 161 |
| Group sites | 3 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 52 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
164 sites in 6 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A023 | A - 14 Day Advance Purchase | Standard | Pull-through | 47 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A024 | A - 14 Day Advance Purchase | Standard | Pull-through | 44 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A025 | A - 14 Day Advance Purchase | Standard | Pull-through | 52 | Paved | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A026 | A - 14 Day Advance Purchase | Standard | Back-in | 42 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A027 | A - 14 Day Advance Purchase | Standard | Pull-through | 48 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A028 | A - 14 Day Advance Purchase | Standard | Back-in | 43 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A029 | A - 14 Day Advance Purchase | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A030 | A - 14 Day Advance Purchase | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A031 | A - 14 Day Advance Purchase | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| A032 | A - 14 Day Advance Purchase | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | $30.00 per night/per site. $15.00 per night/per site with an Access (disability/golden age) or Senior Pass. Must present pass/ID upon check-in. *Group sites $75.00 per night. *plus recreation.gov administrative fees with reservation |
| Dark sky | 8.5 miles from Rappahannock County Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
| Accessibility | Sites B126, B127, C143, C144 are listed accessible |
Mathews Arm is a family-oriented campground, offering plenty of open spaces in the nearly 166 available campsites. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring and picnic area. The campground also offers amenities like flush toilets, drinking water and one dump station, which create a comfortable camping experience. There are no showers in this campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Washington, D.C. metro area, travel west on Interstate 66 to exit 43A. Take US Highway 29 South to Warrenton, Virginia, then take US Highway 211 west for 28 miles to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive Thornton Gap Entrance. Follow Skyline Drive north approximately 9 miles and turn left into Mathews Arm Campground.
| Nearest town | Luray, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38.7600° N, 78.2979° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Changing Reservations: There is no change fee if a visitor extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. Additionally, there is no change fee if the visitor wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility. If a visitor wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee. If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date. Onsite staff will assist with changes or cancellations. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's approved rate including tax and applicable add-on.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Appalachian Outdoor Adventures ↗ | 10.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Road Trip Camping ↗ | 37.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Review of Mathew's Arm Campground in Shenandoah National Park
Worth a stop
Elkwallow Wayside is located just two miles away, offering camping supplies, a limited menu restaurant, prepared sandwiches, beverages, souvenirs, and more. Two visitor centers are located along Skyline Drive. Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, 18 miles North, and The Harry F Byrd Sr. Visitor Center, 29 miles South. Bookstores, restaurants and exhibits are scattered throughout the Shenandoah National Park.
- 5.4 miSeekford Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 5.6 miBatzell Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
Public land it sits in
Shenandoah Wilderness begins about 4.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.2 miShenandoah Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 79,579 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Shenandoah National Park includes 300 square miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southern Appalachians. The park rises above the Virginia Piedmont to its east and the Shenandoah Valley to its west.
Recreation
Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Some trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint while others wind deep into the forests and wilderness. Mathews Arm Campground is located near Overall Run Falls, which, at 93 feet, has the highest drop of all the falls in Shenandoah National Park. A moderately difficult hiking trail, which leads to the falls, is accessible from the campground. Once at the falls, visitors can enjoy views of the entire Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain. Wildlife viewing is a also a popular pastime, with black bears, wild turkey, deer, birds and countless other animals abundant across the park. The campground is located right off of Milepost 22 on the famous Skyline Drive, which runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stunning views are available from any of the 75 scenic overlooks.
Guidebooks for Shenandoah National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Appalachian Trail Guide To Shenandoah National Park With Side TrailsJohn Hedrick, 2024Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Mathews Arm Campground?
Sites at Mathews Arm Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Mathews Arm Campground?
$30.00 per night/per site. $15.00 per night/per site with an Access (disability/golden age) or Senior Pass. Must present pass/ID upon check-in.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Mathews Arm Campground?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Mathews Arm Campground?
A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Mathews Arm Campground have?
166 sites, including 161 standard sites without power and 3 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Mathews Arm Campground?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Mathews Arm Campground?
The campground also offers amenities like flush toilets, drinking water and one dump station, which create a comfortable camping experience.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Mathews Arm Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Mathews Arm Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Mathews Arm Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Mathews Arm Campground?
Sites B126, B127, C143, and C144 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Mathews Arm Campground good for stargazing?
Rappahannock County Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 8.5 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Mathews Arm Campground?
Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation