Campsites at Big Meadows Campground (2026 Guide)

For more, see Lewis Mountain Campground at Shenandoah National Park (2026 Guide) and Loft Mountain Campground at Loft Mountain Campground Shenandoah National Park (2026 Guide).

Location, Layout, and Site Types

Big Meadows Campground sits on a high-elevation plateau just off Skyline Drive. The elevation - roughly 3,500 feet - means summer nights are noticeably cooler than the valleys below. You'll find 221 sites spread across several loops, with 51 designated tent-only sites. The rest accommodate RVs up to a certain length (check reservation details for your specific loop). There are no electric hookups, no water or sewer connections at individual sites. Each site comes with a fire ring, a picnic table, and a gravel or dirt pad.

Two group sites are available, each holding 7-15 people, at $75 per night. Standard nonelectric sites run $30 per night. The campground opens March 26 for the 2026 season and closes for winter on December 1, reopening again in late March 2027. Exact dates shift slightly year to year, so confirm before you plan.

Which Loop to Request

The campground is split into loops A through F. Loops A, B, and part of C are tent-only. If you want maximum quiet and minimal generator noise, aim for loop A - it's farthest from the main road and closest to the meadow. Loop D and E are mixed-use and tend to fill with larger RVs. Loop F is near the entrance station and can get road noise in the morning. Rangers will tell you that loop A sites 12-18 offer the best balance of privacy and proximity to the restrooms.

Amenities and Facilities

The campground has flush toilets and cold running water at comfort stations spread through the loops. No showers. No dump station at Big Meadows (the closest is at Loft Mountain Campground, mile 79.5). There are three dumpsters near the entrance - pack your trash out if they're full.

Big Meadows Gas Station is located right next to the campground, but as of 2026, the pumps are closed for upgrades until further notice. Fill up before you enter the park if you're driving an RV. The nearest gas outside the park is in Luray (via Thornton Gap) or Stanley.

Big Meadows Wayside opens seasonally (typically late March to early November). It offers carry-out food, a grab-and-go kiosk, and basic camping supplies. The sit-down restaurant starts serving in late April. It's a short walk or a two-minute drive from the campground.

Big Meadows Lodge is about half a mile south - you can walk over for a drink at the bar or to use the lodge restrooms if the campground comfort stations are crowded. The lodge also has a small store with ice and firewood.

Cell service drops out at the campground itself. You might get a weak signal near the Wayside or at the Big Meadows overlook, but expect to be offline. Download maps and reservation confirmations before you arrive.

Hiking From the Campground

You can step directly onto trails from your campsite. The Appalachian Trail runs along the western edge of the campground, and several shorter hikes start within a quarter-mile walk.

Dark Hollow Falls (1.4 miles round trip, moderate)

The most popular waterfall hike in the park begins at the Dark Hollow Falls parking area (mile 50.7), a five-minute drive or a 15-minute walk from the campground. It drops 440 feet down a steep slope to a 70-foot cascade. The trail is rocky and narrow - expect to share it with 50+ people in summer. Go before 8 AM if you want solitude. Pets are not allowed on this trail.

Stony Man (1.6 miles round trip, easy)

Starting from the Stony Man parking area (mile 41.7, about 10 minutes north), this paved path leads to a 360-degree view of the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain. No pets allowed, but it's one of the most accessible summit views in the park. Best at sunset when the valley shadows stretch long.

Big Meadows Loop (various lengths)

The meadow itself has several mowed trails ranging from 0.3 to 2 miles. They're flat, open, and good for families. In June and July the meadow is thick with wildflowers - butterfly weed, black-eyed Susans, and milkweed. Early morning is your best bet for seeing deer grazing at the meadow's edge, right before the day-hikers arrive.

For longer options from the same part of the park: Hawksbill Summit (2.1 miles round trip, moderate) at mile 45.5 takes you to the park's highest point, 4,051 feet. Millers Head (1.2 miles round trip, easy) at mile 42.5 gives a spectacular view of the massif. Both are within 15 minutes of the campground.

The Old Rag Situation

Old Rag Mountain is the park's most famous hike but requires a day-use ticket from March 1 to November 30. As of 2026, the main trailhead parking lot at Old Rag is closed for construction (expected completion November 2026). Access is via the Berry Hollow parking area - a longer approach. If you plan to hike Old Rag during your stay, get tickets in advance at recreation.gov and prepare for a 7-8 hour day with significant rock scrambles.

What the Park Website Doesn't Mention

Plenty of experienced visitors overlook these details:

• The campground has no lighting between loops. Bring a headlamp - the night sky is dark enough for decent stargazing, but the walk to the restroom at 2 AM is pitch black.
• The Big Meadows Gas Station closure is not temporary - as of 2026, no firm reopening date has been announced. Fill up before entering from either Thornton Gap (Route 211) or Swift Run Gap (Route 33).
• The comfort stations have hand sanitizer dispensers but often run out by afternoon. Bring your own.
• The park transitioned to fully cashless fee collection on July 1, 2025. You'll need a credit or debit card to pay entrance fees (or an America the Beautiful Pass). No cash accepted at entrance stations.
• Mornings are cold here even in July - pack a fleece or light jacket. The temperature at 6 AM can be 15 degrees cooler than at noon.

Reservations and Booking Tips

Reservations open 6 months in advance on recreation.gov. For a July 4 weekend stay, that means booking in early January. The system releases new dates at 10 AM Eastern. Have your account set up, payment method saved, and your preferred loop in mind before you log in.

Cancellations happen, especially in early spring when weather is unpredictable. If you strike out on the initial booking date, set up notifications on recreation.gov or check daily one to two weeks before your trip. The most cancellations occur 48 hours before a stay (the free-cancellation cutoff).

Practical Takeaways

• Reserve exactly 6 months ahead - midsummer weekends vanish first.
• Fill your gas tank before entering the park. The Big Meadows gas station is closed indefinitely.
• Bring a headlamp, cash (for firewood from the lodge - they do take cards but the card reader sometimes fails), and layers for cold mornings.
• No showers. Plan for sponge baths or use the pool at Skyland (if open - check status).
• All sites are nonelectric. If you need power, bring a solar panel or a generator (quiet hours 10 PM-6 AM).
• The nearest full-service grocery is in Luray, 30 minutes east. Restock before you drive up.
• Download offline maps of the area - cell signal disappears entirely at the campground.

Final Thoughts

Big Meadows Campground earns its popularity. The central location means you can hit Dark Hollow Falls at dawn, Hawksbill at lunch, and the Big Meadows sunset overlook at dinner without burning a half-tank of gas. The trade-off: you're never far from other campers, and the reservation system requires forward planning. But for first-time visitors and returning veterans alike, this is the most convenient base camp in Shenandoah. Treat the booking like a concert ticket - set a calendar alert and be ready at 10 AM.

For a deeper look at all of Shenandoah's camping options, see our guide to all campgrounds in the park.