fees, RV limits, trails & mountain biking

Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah

National Park Service campground in Shenandoah National Park, near Luray, Virginia.

$15–$75nightly fee
215overnight sites
Reservablebooking
Not statedseason (agency text)
85 ftmax RV/trailer length
38named USFS/NPS trails within 5 mi (52.7 mi)
0.0 mibike trails within 5 mi

How it compares

  • With 215 sites it is the #2 largest of 43 Virginia campgrounds that publish a site count (busy, more amenities).
  • Its lowest fee ($15) is $1 below the Virginia median of $16/night.
  • There are 14 other campgrounds in our data within 25 miles; 0 of them list a lower starting fee.
  • 10% of Virginia campgrounds that publish a length limit accept a rig this long (85 ft), so this is one of the better big-rig options.
  • 82% of sites with a shade rating are listed as shaded or partly shaded.
  • Pets allowed on 215 of 215 sites; campfires allowed on 214 (subject to seasonal fire bans).
  • Straight-line distance: Harrisonburg ~24 mi, Charlottesville ~35 mi, Winchester ~48 mi.

Site mix

Tent-only50
Group2
Accessible4

Amenities & rules

Fire pitsFood storage lockersPicnic tablesPets allowedTentsRVs/trailers4 accessible sites

Fee notes from the agency: *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. Other sites will be released 2 weeks prior to your arrival date and the remaining sites released 4 days prior to your arrival date. *$30.00 per night/per site *$15.00 per night/per …

Trails within 5 miles

TrailClosest pointMapped miles within 5 miSource
Big Meadows Campground Trail - tent walkin sites0.0 mi1.0NPS
Big Meadows Campground Trail0.0 mi0.3NPS
Big Meadows Main Walkway0.0 mi0.8NPS
Big Meadows Campground - paved surfaces0.1 mi0.6NPS
Story of Forest Trail0.1 mi0.9NPS
Big Meadows Historic Cabins Trail0.2 mi0.3NPS
Lewis Spring Falls Trail0.2 mi1.6NPS
Blackrock Trail0.2 mi0.2NPS
Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail0.4 mi7.4NPS
Tanners Ridge Horse Connector Trail0.4 mi0.9NPS
Dark Hollow Falls Trail0.8 mi0.8NPS
Rose River Loop Trail1.1 mi2.0NPS

+ 26 more named trails.

Mountain biking nearby

No bike-legal trails are mapped within 5 miles in OpenStreetMap or Forest Service data.

Ratings come only from OpenStreetMap mtb:scale / IMBA tags. Untagged trails show as "Unrated", and we never guess. Check conditions and maps on Trailforks or MTB Project.

Activities listed

Auto TouringBackpackingBerry PickingBikingBirdingCampingClimbingDay Use AreaEvening ProgramsFishingGuided Interpretive WalksHikingHistoric & Cultural SiteHorseback RidingInformation SiteInterpretive ProgramsPicnickingScenic DriveStar GazingVisitor CenterWildlife Viewing

Nearest campgrounds

CampgroundMilesStateFee/nightSitesHookupsMax RVPetsBookingTrails ≤5 mi
Graves Mountain Farm Campground
Private campground
6.6VA—— — —— ?17 (32.7 mi)
Lewis Mountain Campground
Shenandoah National Park
6.8VA$15–$3030 — —— First-come27 (31.4 mi)
Jellystone Park Luray
OpenStreetMap listing
10.1VA—— — —— ?19 (24.3 mi)
Spacious Skies Campgrounds - Shenandoah Valley
OpenStreetMap listing
12.0VA—— — —— ?7 (20.2 mi)
Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cavern Tours
Private campground
13.4VA—— — —— ?7 (18.4 mi)
Swift Run Campground
Private campground
13.5VA—— — —— ?8 (9.0 mi)

Hookups: E = electric (max amps), W = water, S = sewer. "—" means the agency doesn't publish it. Trail counts are named USFS/NPS trails within 5 miles. 🟢 = kid-friendly (green-rated) bike trail nearby.

From the managing agency

Overview 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. 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… read the full description on Recreation.gov