Thanksgiving camping 2026: which campgrounds are open November 26–29 in VA, NC, TN, WV, MD and PA
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. By then most national park, Forest Service and Corps of Engineers campgrounds in the region have closed for the season. Below are the 48 campgrounds the managing agencies list as open all four nights, the 4 that close partway through the weekend, and the ones already closed, with each date linked to its source. Checked October 20, 2026.
At a glance by state
| State | Open all weekend (this page) | Closes mid-weekend |
|---|---|---|
| VA | 26 | No mid-weekend closures |
| NC | 2 | Cape Point Campground, Frisco Campground |
| TN | 2 | Cades Cove Group Campground, Elkmont Campground |
| WV | 1 | No mid-weekend closures |
| MD | 0 | No mid-weekend closures |
| PA | 17 | No mid-weekend closures |
More options the agencies list as year-round: VA · NC · TN · WV · MD.
Open all four nights (Thu Nov 26 – Sun Nov 29)
| Campground | State | Managed by | Open through | What the agency publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cades Cove Campground (winter sites C1-12, C26-61) | TN | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Year-round | Open year-round; in winter "only sites C1-12 and C26-61 are open (reservations required)". $30/night, no showers | NPS |
| Smokemont Campground (Loops A and B) | NC | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Year-round | "Loops A and B … open year-round". Reservations required, $30/night, no showers | NPS |
| Wilderness Road Campground | VA | NPS · Cumberland Gap NHP | Year-round | Open year-round; mid-Nov to mid-Mar only loops B, C, D and comfort station #2. Visitor center closed Thanksgiving Day | Recreation.gov |
| Douthat State Park | VA | Virginia DCR | Year-round | Full-service campground open year-round. No water at individual sites Nov–Mar | Virginia DCR |
| Hungry Mother State Park | VA | Virginia DCR | Year-round | Full-service campground open year-round. Camp Burson sites 21–36 have no hookups | Virginia DCR |
| Pocahontas State Park | VA | Virginia DCR | Year-round | Full-service campground open year-round | Virginia DCR |
| Shenandoah River State Park | VA | Virginia DCR | Year-round | Full-service campground open year-round. Bring an insulated faucet cover; you may be asked to unhook your hose below freezing | Virginia DCR |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| French Creek State Park | PA | PA DCNR | see wording | "Season: March through the first weekend in January" (Jan 2–3, 2027) | 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 |
Open for part of the weekend
| Campground | State | Managed by | Nights you can camp | What the agency publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cades Cove Group Campground | TN | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Thu Nov 26 only | Closed seasonally Nov 27, 2026 – Apr 18, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Cape Point Campground | NC | NPS · Cape Hatteras NS | Thu Nov 26 – Fri Nov 27 (last night) | Winter closure Nov 28, 2026 – Apr 2, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Frisco Campground | NC | NPS · Cape Hatteras NS | Thu Nov 26 – Fri Nov 27 (last night) | Winter closure Nov 28, 2026 – Apr 2, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
| Elkmont Campground | TN | NPS · Great Smoky Mountains NP | Thu Nov 26 – Sat Nov 28 (last night) | Closed Nov 29, 2026 – Apr 3, 2027 | NPS operating hours* |
Season ends "November", so check before you go
| Campground | State | Managed by | Status | What the agency publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coopers Rock State Forest | WV | WV State Parks | Check | "April – November, weather permitting" | WV State Parks |
Closed for Thanksgiving weekend
| Campground | State | Managed by | Last night of 2026 | 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 | late Oct | "opens in mid-April and closes in late October" | PA DCNR |
| Prince Gallitzin State Park | PA | PA DCNR | late Oct | "opens in mid-April and closes in late October" | PA DCNR |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Shenandoah National Park
Big Meadows (reservation only) is the only Shenandoah campground open Thanksgiving weekend. NPS lists its 2026 closing as November 29, and Big Meadows Wayside is listed open until the same date. Lewis Mountain closes November 22; Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain close November 1 (NPS operating dates). Skyline Drive can close in bad weather, so check current conditions and have a backup. Big Meadows vs Lewis Mountain · all Shenandoah campgrounds.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cades Cove and Smokemont are open year-round. Elkmont is open Thanksgiving through Saturday night, November 28 (closed November 29, 2026 – April 3, 2027). NPS requires advance reservations at all frontcountry campgrounds (Recreation.gov or 877-444-6777). There are no showers in the park, and the 5-amp outlets at Cades Cove and Smokemont are for medical equipment only (NPS frontcountry camping). The 2026 fee is $30/night (NPS fees). Cades Cove vs Elkmont · Cades Cove vs Smokemont · all Smokies campgrounds.
Virginia State Parks
Virginia DCR keeps full-service campgrounds open "from the first Friday in March through the first Monday in December" (Dec 7, 2026), so all of them are open Thanksgiving weekend. Douthat, Hungry Mother, Pocahontas and Shenandoah River are open all year, and primitive campgrounds are open year-round (DCR camping, DCR winter camping). Grayson Highlands' Chestnut Hollow primitive sites are listed from November through the first Monday in December. Also see Virginia cabins.
Pennsylvania: deer season weekend
The Pennsylvania Game Commission's regular firearms deer season opens Saturday, November 28, 2026 (PGC 2026-27 seasons). Several state park campgrounds, including Bald Eagle, Black Moshannon, Caledonia and Colonel Denning, stay open until deer season ends, so expect hunters in and around those parks. Also see Pennsylvania cabins and camping near Pittsburgh.
Near a city
Washington, DC · Richmond · Charlottesville · Roanoke · Harrisonburg · Asheville · Knoxville · Pittsburgh · all 2026 closing dates
Frequently asked questions
Which national park campgrounds are open Thanksgiving weekend 2026?
In Great Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove (winter sites) and Smokemont (Loops A and B) are open all weekend, and Elkmont's last night is Saturday, November 28. In Shenandoah, Big Meadows is open through November 29. Cape Hatteras' Cape Point and Frisco are open through Friday, November 27. Prince William Forest's Oak Ridge is open through November 30.
Are Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds open at Thanksgiving?
No. NPS lists Parkway campgrounds as closed for winter from October 26, 2026 to May 21, 2027.
Are Virginia State Park campgrounds open over Thanksgiving?
Yes. DCR keeps full-service campgrounds open through the first Monday in December (December 7, 2026), and Douthat, Hungry Mother, Pocahontas and Shenandoah River are open all year.
Do I need a reservation for Smokies campgrounds in November?
Yes. NPS requires advance reservations at all Great Smoky Mountains frontcountry campgrounds, through Recreation.gov or 877-444-6777.
Is it deer season in Pennsylvania over Thanksgiving weekend?
Yes. The Pennsylvania Game Commission's regular firearms deer season opens Saturday, November 28, 2026 and runs through December 13. Several PA state park campgrounds stay open until deer season ends.
Sources: National Park Service park pages and campground operating hours (*"NPS operating hours" rows come from the NPS's public campground data, developer.nps.gov, retrieved Oct 20, 2026). Also Recreation.gov facility pages (Data Source: Recreation.gov), Virginia DCR, PA DCNR, PA Game Commission, WV State Parks, Maryland DNR and NC State Parks. Dates are the agencies' published 2026 dates and can change, so confirm with the agency before you travel. Seen a change? Tell us.