Campground closing dates 2026: when campgrounds close for winter in VA, NC, TN, WV, MD and PA
Last nights of the 2026 season for 84 campgrounds and campground areas run by the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina park systems. Every date links to the agency that published it. Checked October 20, 2026.
How to read this: "Last night" is the final night you can camp. Where an agency publishes the first closed day instead, we list the night before it. Where an agency publishes only a season (e.g. "mid-December"), we quote it and don't guess a date. Weather can close a campground early, so check the source before you go.
Oct 30 – Nov 1 November December January Already closed Open all winter FAQ
Last chance: closing October 30 – 31
These campgrounds close this weekend. Big Bend and Seneca Shadows on the Monongahela must stay open at least through the last Saturday night in October (Oct 31).
| Campground | State | Managed by | Last night | What the agency publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkmont Group Campground | TN | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Fri Oct 30 | Seasonally closed Oct 31, 2026 – May 8, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Camp Misty Mount | MD | NPS · Catoctin Mountain Park | Sat Oct 31 | “Open for reservations May - October” | NPS operating hours* |
| Martinak State Park | MD | Maryland DNR | Sat Oct 31 | “Camping: Late March through October” | Maryland DNR |
| Owens Creek Campground | MD | NPS · Catoctin Mountain Park | Sat Oct 31 | “Open for reservations May through October” | NPS operating hours* |
| Tuckahoe State Park | MD | Maryland DNR | Sat Oct 31 | “Camping: Late March through October” | Maryland DNR |
| Cheoah Point Cabin 1 | NC | USFS · Nantahala NF | Sat Oct 31 | “reservable from April 15- October 31” | Recreation.gov |
| Smokemont Campground: Loops C, D and F | NC | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Sat Oct 31 | Loop C open “March through the end of October”; Loops D and F "mid-May through the end of October". Loops A and B stay open year-round | NPS |
| Smokemont Group Campground | NC | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Sat Oct 31 | Closed seasonally Nov 1, 2026 – May 8, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Swan Cabin Group Camp | NC | USFS · Nantahala NF | Sat Oct 31 | Group site “available from April 15 through October 31” (cabin occupancy no longer permitted; tent camping in the field only) | Recreation.gov |
| Goose Point | VA | USACE · Philpott Lake | Sat Oct 31 | “During non-peak season (November-March), the campground and bathhouses are closed” | Recreation.gov |
| Prince William Forest: Camp Goodwill, Camp Mawavi, Camp Pleasant (group cabin camps 1, 2, 4) | VA | NPS · Prince William Forest Park | Sat Oct 31 | Closed for winter Nov 1, 2026 – Apr 30, 2027 | NPS |
| Prince William Forest: Camp Orenda (Cabin Camp 3 group) | VA | NPS · Prince William Forest Park | Sat Oct 31 | Closed for winter Nov 1, 2026 – Apr 30, 2027 | NPS |
| Rudds Creek Rec. Area | VA | USACE · John H. Kerr Reservoir | Sat Oct 31 | “open April 1 - October 31” | Recreation.gov |
| Big Bend (Smoke Hole) | WV | USFS · Monongahela NF | Sat Oct 31 | Must operate at least “through the last Saturday night in October” (Oct 31, 2026); average season ends Oct 31 | Recreation.gov |
| Blackwater Falls State Park | WV | WV State Parks | Sat Oct 31 | April 28 – October 31 | WV State Parks |
| Moncove Lake State Park | WV | WV State Parks | Sat Oct 31 | April 1 through end of October; some November camping by calling 304-722-3450 (a courtesy to hunters) | WV State Parks |
| Seneca Shadows | WV | USFS · Monongahela NF | Sat Oct 31 | Must operate at least “through the last Saturday night in October” (Oct 31, 2026); average season ends Oct 31 | Recreation.gov |
Closing in November 2026
Shenandoah's campgrounds close one by one between November 1 and 29. In the Smokies, Elkmont closes after November 28 and Cades Cove shrinks to its winter loops after November 30. Prince William Forest's Oak Ridge runs through November 30.
| Campground | State | Managed by | Last night | What the agency publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codorus State Park | PA | PA DCNR | Sun Nov 1 | “Season: Mid-April through November 1” | PA DCNR |
| Loft Mountain Campground | VA | NPS · Shenandoah NP (mile 79.5) | Sun Nov 1 | 2026 closing: November 1 | NPS |
| Mathews Arm Campground | VA | NPS · Shenandoah NP (Skyline Dr. mile 22.2) | Sun Nov 1 | 2026 closing: November 1 | NPS |
| Prince William Forest: Cabin Camp 3 individual cabins | VA | NPS · Prince William Forest Park | Sun Nov 8 | Closed for winter Nov 9, 2026 – Apr 17, 2027 | NPS |
| North Mills River | NC | USFS · Pisgah NF | Sun Nov 15 | “closed November 16, 2026 – August 15, 2027 for renovations” (no winter walk-up sites this year) | Recreation.gov |
| Lewis Mountain Campground | VA | NPS · Shenandoah NP (mile 57.5) | Sun Nov 22 | 2026 closing: November 22 (first-come, first-served only) | NPS |
| Cades Cove Group Campground | TN | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Thu Nov 26 | Closed seasonally Nov 27, 2026 – Apr 18, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Cape Point Campground | NC | NPS · Cape Hatteras NS | Fri Nov 27 | Winter closure Nov 28, 2026 – Apr 2, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Frisco Campground | NC | NPS · Cape Hatteras NS | Fri Nov 27 | Winter closure Nov 28, 2026 – Apr 2, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Elkmont Campground | TN | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Sat Nov 28 | Closed Nov 29, 2026 – Apr 3, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Great Island Cabin Camp | NC | NPS · Cape Lookout NS | Sun Nov 29 | Winter season closure Nov 30, 2026 – Mar 12, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Rivers Bend Group Campground | PA | NPS · Delaware Water Gap NRA | Sun Nov 29 | Closed for winter Nov 30, 2026 – Apr 21, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Valley View Group Campground | PA | NPS · Delaware Water Gap NRA | Sun Nov 29 | Closed for winter Nov 30, 2026 – Apr 24, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Big Meadows Campground | VA | NPS · Shenandoah NP (mile 51.2) | Sun Nov 29 | 2026 closing: November 29 (reservation only) | NPS |
| Cades Cove Campground: Loop B and parts of Loop C | TN | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Mon Nov 30 | Loop B and parts of Loop C “open from mid-spring through Nov. 30”. The campground stays open all winter on sites C1-12 and C26-61 (reservations required) | NPS |
| Oak Ridge Campground | VA | NPS · Prince William Forest Park | Mon Nov 30 | “Open: first of March to end of November”; winter closure Dec 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 | NPS |
| Coopers Rock State Forest | WV | WV State Parks | see wording | “April – November, weather permitting” | WV State Parks |
Closing in December 2026
Most Virginia State Park full-service campgrounds close after Monday, December 7 (the first Monday in December). Many Pennsylvania state park campgrounds run to mid-December or the end of deer season. The Pennsylvania Game Commission's 2026 regular firearms deer season runs November 28 – December 13.
| Campground | State | Managed by | Last night | What the agency publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek Lake State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Belle Isle State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Chippokes State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Claytor Lake State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Fairy Stone State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| First Landing State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Grayson Highlands State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Holliday Lake State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| James River State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Kiptopeke State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Lake Anna State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Machicomoco State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Natural Tunnel State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Occoneechee State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Powhatan State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Smith Mountain Lake State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Staunton River State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Twin Lakes State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Westmoreland State Park (full-service campground) | VA | Virginia DCR | Mon Dec 7 | Full-service campgrounds open “through the first Monday in December” (Mon Dec 7, 2026) | Virginia DCR |
| Caledonia State Park | PA | PA DCNR | Sun Dec 13 | “ends with the conclusion of deer season in December”. PA regular firearms deer season: Nov 28 – Dec 13, 2026 | PA DCNR |
| Colonel Denning State Park | PA | PA DCNR | Mon Dec 14 | “closes the day after rifle deer season in December”. Deer season ends Dec 13, 2026 | PA DCNR |
| Bald Eagle (Letterman Campground) State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “closes after the end of deer season in mid-December”. PA regular firearms deer season ends Dec 13, 2026 | PA DCNR |
| Black Moshannon State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “ends after deer season in mid-December”. Deer season ends Dec 13, 2026 | PA DCNR |
| Chapman State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “open from mid-April to mid-December” | PA DCNR |
| Hickory Run State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “Season: Mid-April through mid-December” | PA DCNR |
| Hyner Run State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “open mid-April until mid-December, unless otherwise posted” | PA DCNR |
| Kettle Creek (Lower Campground) State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “open from early April to mid-December” | PA DCNR |
| Kooser State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “open from mid-April through mid-December” | PA DCNR |
| Little Pine State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “closes in mid-December” | PA DCNR |
| Ohiopyle (Kentuck Campground) State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “open from April to mid-December” | PA DCNR |
| Parker Dam State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “open from mid-April through mid-December” | PA DCNR |
| Poe Valley State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “Season: Mid-April through early December” | PA DCNR |
| Sinnemahoning State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “closes in mid-December” | PA DCNR |
| Kanawha State Forest | WV | WV State Parks | see wording | “April to December, weather permitting” | WV State Parks |
Virginia DCR says primitive campgrounds are open year-round (no bathhouse). These include drive-in sites at James River; hike-in or canoe-in sites at Belle Isle, Caledon, New River Trail and Powhatan; and hike-in sites at False Cape and Sky Meadows. See DCR's winter camping page.
Open into January 2027
| Campground | State | Managed by | Last night | What the agency publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Creek State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “Season: March through the first weekend in January” (Jan 2–3, 2027) | PA DCNR |
Already closed for 2026 (October)
All Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds and six Great Smoky Mountains campgrounds closed in late October. NPS lists the reopening dates below.
| Campground | State | Managed by | Last night | What the agency publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Creek Campground | NC | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Sat Oct 24 | Closed Oct 25, 2026 – May 15, 2027 | NPS |
| Cataloochee Campground | NC | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Sat Oct 24 | Closed Oct 25, 2026 – May 1, 2027 | NPS |
| Deep Creek Campground | NC | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Sat Oct 24 | Closed Oct 25, 2026 – May 1, 2027 | NPS |
| Abrams Creek Campground | TN | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Sat Oct 24 | Closed Oct 25, 2026 – May 8, 2027 | NPS |
| Cosby Campground | TN | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Sat Oct 24 | Closed Oct 25, 2026 – May 15, 2027 | NPS |
| Look Rock Campground | TN | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Sat Oct 24 | Closed Oct 25, 2026 – May 8, 2027 | NPS |
| Doughton Park Campground | NC | NPS · Blue Ridge Parkway (MP 239.2) | Sun Oct 25 | Closed for winter Oct 26, 2026 – May 21, 2027 | NPS |
| Julian Price Park Campground | NC | NPS · Blue Ridge Parkway (MP 297.0) | Sun Oct 25 | Closed for winter Oct 26, 2026 – May 21, 2027 | NPS |
| Kerr Lake SRA: Bullocksville Area | NC | NC State Parks | Sun Oct 25 | All campsites Mar 23 – Oct 25, 2026 | NC State Parks |
| Mount Pisgah Campground | NC | NPS · Blue Ridge Parkway (MP 408.8) | Sun Oct 25 | Closed for winter Oct 26, 2026 – May 21, 2027 | NPS |
| Otter Creek Campground | VA | NPS · Blue Ridge Parkway (MP 60.8) | Sun Oct 25 | Closed for winter Oct 26, 2026 – May 21, 2027 | NPS |
| Peaks of Otter Campground | VA | NPS · Blue Ridge Parkway (MP 85.9) | Sun Oct 25 | Closed for winter Oct 26, 2026 – May 21, 2027 | NPS |
| Rocky Knob Campground | VA | NPS · Blue Ridge Parkway (MP 167.1) | Sun Oct 25 | Closed for winter Oct 26, 2026 – May 21, 2027 | NPS |
| Gifford Pinchot State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “opens in mid-April and closes in late October” | PA DCNR |
| Prince Gallitzin State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | “opens in mid-April and closes in late October” | PA DCNR |
Where to camp after these close
- Year-round camping in Virginia: DCR keeps full-service campgrounds open all year at Douthat, Hungry Mother, Pocahontas and Shenandoah River, and NPS does the same at Wilderness Road (Cumberland Gap; reduced loops mid-Nov to mid-Mar).
- Year-round camping in Tennessee, including Cades Cove (winter loops) and Big South Fork's Bandy Creek and Station Camp.
- Year-round camping in North Carolina, including Smokemont (Loops A and B).
- Maryland · West Virginia · all states
- By park: Shenandoah · Great Smoky Mountains · Blue Ridge Parkway · Prince William Forest · Cape Hatteras · Monongahela NF
- Side by side: Big Meadows vs Lewis Mountain · Cades Cove vs Elkmont · Cape Point vs Frisco
- Near a city: Washington, DC · Richmond · Asheville · Knoxville · Pittsburgh
Frequently asked questions
When do Virginia State Park campgrounds close for the winter?
Virginia DCR says full-service campgrounds are open from the first Friday in March through the first Monday in December, which is Monday, December 7, 2026. Douthat, Hungry Mother, Pocahontas and Shenandoah River keep full-service campgrounds open all year, and primitive sites stay open year-round.
Which Shenandoah National Park campground stays open the latest in 2026?
Big Meadows. NPS lists its 2026 closing as November 29 (reservation only). Lewis Mountain closes November 22, and Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain close November 1.
Are any Great Smoky Mountains campgrounds open in winter?
Yes. NPS keeps Cades Cove and Smokemont open year-round. At Cades Cove only sites C1-12 and C26-61 are open in winter, and at Smokemont Loops A and B stay open. Elkmont's last night in 2026 is November 28.
Are Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds open in November?
No. NPS lists all Parkway campgrounds as closed for winter from October 26, 2026 to May 21, 2027.
When do Pennsylvania state park campgrounds close?
It varies by park. Several close in mid-October, a few on November 1, and many run to mid-December or until deer season ends (PA's regular firearms deer season is November 28 to December 13, 2026). French Creek stays open through the first weekend in January.
How we got these dates
Sources: National Park Service park pages and campground operating hours (*rows marked "NPS operating hours" come from the NPS's public campground data, developer.nps.gov, retrieved Oct 20, 2026; on some NPS pages those dates sit in a collapsed "Operating Hours & Seasons" panel). Also Recreation.gov facility pages (Data Source: Recreation.gov) for Forest Service and Army Corps campgrounds, Virginia DCR, Pennsylvania DCNR park "Stay the Night" pages, West Virginia State Parks, Maryland DNR and NC State Parks. Each source page was re-checked on October 20, 2026. We restate dates and short quotes only. Shenandoah dates use the park's 2026 operating-dates table. Seen a change? Tell us.