Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah
Secluded in the thick trees and rolling hills of Shenandoah National Park, the Big Meadows Campground is the ideal spot for an outdoor family getaway.
More like this: reservable in Virginia · big rigs in Virginia · pets allowed in Virginia · group sites in Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 163 |
| Tent-only | 50 |
| Group sites | 2 |
| Host/management | 9 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 85 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
215 sites in 10 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A071 | A Loop | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Basic | |
| A072 | A Loop | Standard | Back-in | 24 | Paved | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Basic | |
| A073 | A Loop | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Basic | |
| A074 | A Loop | Standard | Back-in | 27 | Paved | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Basic | |
| A075 | A Loop | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Basic | |
| A076 | A Loop | Standard | Back-in | 37 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Basic | |
| A077 | A Loop | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Basic | |
| A078 | A Loop | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | None | 6 / 2 | Yes | Basic | ||
| A079 | A Loop | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Paved | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Basic | |
| A080 | A Loop | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | None | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Basic |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:01 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 70 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | *All campsites at Big Meadows are 100% reservation only and must be reserved in advance by visiting www.recreation.gov. Campsites will be released in waves, The majority of sites can be reserved up to 6 months out. |
| Accessibility | Sites A096, D163, E195, A063 and 2 more are listed accessible |
This expansive campground offers more than 200 campsites, including sites that can accommodate larger groups. Picnic areas are provided, as well as conveniences like flush toilets, showers and a dump station which creates a comfortable camping experience. There is limited WIFI access at the Byrd Visitor Center and Big Meadows Lodge. Cell phone reception is available at the Amphitheather.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Do NOT attempt to use the Tanners Ridge Road to access Big Meadows Campground. The Tanners Ridge Road does not provide entrance to Skyline Drive and does not provide access to Big Meadows Campground.
| Nearest town | Luray, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38.5286° N, 78.4387° 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 ↗ | 0.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Big Meadows Campstore ↗ | 0.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Road Trip Camping ↗ | 27 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Big Meadows Campground Detailed Review | Shenandoah National Park 2025
Public land it sits in
Shenandoah Wilderness begins about 2.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 2.5 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
On the National Register nearby
- Koontz-Cave HouseBuilding · Stanley · 3.6 mi
- Graves Chapel and CemeteryBuilding · Stanley · 4.2 mi
- Mount Calvary Lutheran ChurchBuilding · Kyrat · 7 mi
Natural features
Shenandoah National Park spans 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. The scenery at Big Meadows Campground never disappoints, with a stunning array of colors in the fall and a blanket of bright wildflowers in the spring. This green and shady campground is a wilderness paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
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 forest and wilderness. Big Meadows is near many of the major facilities and popular hiking trails in the park. Three waterfalls are within walking distance, and the Meadow, with its abundant plant growth and wildlife, is an ideal nearby attraction. Wildlife viewing is also a popular pastime, with black bears, wild turkey, deer, birds and countless other animals thriving in the park. The campground is also located right off the famous Skyline Drive, which runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stunning views are visible from any of the 75 scenic overlooks.
Nearby
Two visitor centers with bookstores and exhibits are located in the park (milepost 5 and milepost 51). Byrd Visitor Center is a short one mile walk by either trail or sidewalk if you choose not to drive. There are concession managed restaurants, gift shops and lodging facilities scattered throughout the park. Big Meadows Lodge and Restaurant is a 5 minute walk from the campground and Big Meadows Wayside is located beside Byrd Visitor Center.
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 Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah?
Sites at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah 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 Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah?
*All campsites at Big Meadows are 100% reservation only and must be reserved in advance by visiting www.recreation.gov. Campsites will be released in waves, The majority of sites can be reserved up to 6 months out.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah?
A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah have?
224 sites, including 163 standard sites without power, 50 tent-only sites, and 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah?
The longest site here provides 70 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
Does Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah have hookups?
Yes, water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah?
Picnic areas are provided, as well as conveniences like flush toilets, showers and a dump station which creates a comfortable camping experience.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah?
Sites A096, D163, E195, and A063 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 6 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah?
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