Photo: NPS Photo / Neal Lewis

Big Meadows Campground

221 sites · $30–$75 · Reservations · RVs OK

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Reservations$30–$75 / night

Reserve a site ↗Booking and payment are handled by Recreation.gov.

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221Sites

220Reservable

$30–$75Per night

YesRVs

51 tent only2 group

Reservations

All sites at Big Meadows Campground are by reservation only. Rangers can make limited reservations on site, but availability is not guaranteed. It is recommended you make your reservation ahead of time. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov as well as the site map on the campground page. Check the map to see when specific sites are scheduled to be released. Reservable sites will be released in sections: 6 months prior to the date of your arrival - 50% of reservable sites will be released; 2 weeks prior to the date of your arrival - 25% of reservable sites will be released; 4 days prior to the date of your arrival - the remaining 25% of reservable sites will be released. Reservations for Big Meadows Campground can be made online at any time.

Fees

Group Campsite (Nonelectric) Big Meadows Campground has two nonelectric group sites. Each group site can accommodate 7-15 people.	$75.00
Standard Campsite (Nonelectric) A standard, nonelectric campsite for tent or RV (motorhome, pop-up, or 5th-wheel). Standard campsites are limited to six people (or 1 immediate family) per site and one RV.	$30.00

Season & hours

Big Meadows Campground is open during the spring, summer, and fall. Opening and closing dates vary from year to year and are subject to change at any time. Camping is NOT permitted in the campgrounds when they are closed. All sites at Big Meadows Campground are by reservation only.

⛔ Closed in Winter: Dec 1, 2026 – Mar 25, 2027

Amenities

Toilets · Flush Toilets - seasonal
Showers · Coin-Operated - Seasonal
Drinking water · seasonal
Trash / recycling · seasonal
Laundry · seasonal
Camp store · seasonal
Firewood for sale · seasonal
Ice for sale · seasonal
Food storage lockers · seasonal
Dump station · seasonal
Amphitheater · seasonal
Camp host · seasonal
Cell reception · none
Internet · none

RVs, trailers & access

RVs	Allowed
Trailers	Allowed
RV notes	Big Meadows Campground features pull-through and deep back-in sites which can handle most RVs and a tow vehicle. Although electric and water hookups are not available, potable water and dump stations are available, and limited generator use is permitted (see regulations).
Roads	Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Type	Developed Campground
Campfires	To help slow the spread of the emerald ash borer, visitors must only use USDA-certified firewood (signified by the USDA stamp on packaging), which can be purchased in the Park. Dead wood may also be used if it is gathered from the ground in the Park; do not cut, saw, or break any standing trees, dead or alive, for firewood. Fires are only allowed in Park-provided fire grates. You must fully extinguish your fire before leaving the area, even for a short amount of time. To do this, simply douse the fire with water and stir with a stick. Repeat this until you no longer feel warmth coming from the fire grate. Camping and backpacking stoves are permitted, but the use of charcoal grills is prohibited.
Wheelchair	Seven ADA accessible sites are available for wheelchair access. Showers and laundry facilities are also wheelchair accessible.
ADA	Seven accessible sites are available at Big Meadows Campground. Accessible shower and laundry facilities are also available.

Getting there

304 Big Meadows Access Road, Robertson, VA 22851

Via Thornton Gap Entrance Station (Luray, Route 211): upon entering Skyline Drive, make your way south to mile 51.2 (mile markers can be seen on the side of the Skyline Drive). Follow the signs to Big Meadows Campground, on your right. Via Swift Run Entrance Station (Elkton, Route 33): head north on the Drive to mile 51.2 (mile markers can be seen on the side of the Skyline Drive). Follow the signs to Big Meadows Campground, on your left.

Contact

(540) 999-3500 · shen_info@nps.gov

Other campgrounds in Shenandoah

Lewis Mountain30 sites · $30 · First come, first served · RVs OK Loft Mountain207 sites · $30 · Reservable + first come · RVs OK Mathews Arm165 sites · $30–$75 · Reservable + first come · RVs OK

About Big Meadows

2026 Closing Date: November 29 Big Meadows Campground (mile 51.2) is centrally-located in Shenandoah National Park, providing easy access to many of the most popular destinations in the Park, including Big Meadows, Dark Hollow Falls, and Byrd Visitor Center. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring, and a picnic table. All sites at Big Meadows Campground are by reservation only.

Photos

A small pop-up camper is parked in a campground with green trees overhead. — Come relax under the shade of verdant trees in the campground at Big Meadows. · NPS Photo

Campsites

Site-by-site details (sizes, hookups, shade) for this campground are coming soon.

Conditions at camp

🌤️ Forecast

Thu, Nov 12

Overnight

47°F

Partly Cloudy

Thu, Nov 12

Day

56°F

Chance Light Rain

Thu, Nov 12

Night

35°F

Slight Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Rain And Snow

Fri, Nov 13

Day

43°F

Slight Chance Light Snow then Partly Sunny

Fri, Nov 13

Night

32°F

Partly Cloudy

Sat, Nov 14

Day

43°F

Mostly Sunny

Sat, Nov 14

Night

32°F

Mostly Clear

Sun, Nov 15

Day

45°F

Sunny

Source: National Weather Service (weather.gov)

🔥 Wildfires nearby

No active fire perimeters nearby. ✅

Source: National Interagency Fire Center (WFIGS)

🗓️ Typical weather

Shenandoah National Park has four very distinct seasons. Spring typically brings mild temperatures, rain, and wildflowers. Summer brings lush green forests, but can be hot and very humid. Fall follows with cooler temperatures and spectacular fall foliage. Winter can bring snow and ice. The mountain is usually 10°F cooler than the valley below. Always check the forecast, dress in layers, and be prepared.

Rules

Starting April 9, there will be intermittent power outages in the Big Meadows area for three weeks due to repairs. Campground showers and bathrooms will be closed Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. while work is being done. Stays are limited to 30 days. Checkout time is noon. Be sure to clip your camping pass to your site post to show occupancy. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators may be used from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. From opening until April 14, and October 15 through the end of the season, generator hours are extended to 9 p.m. for the purpose of generating heat. Generator use is prohibited in sites designated as “generator-free” and in group sites. Bear, deer, raccoons, and skunks are year-round residents of Shenandoah. Food, garbage, equipment used to prepare or store food, and all scented items must be kept in a locked vehicle or storage locker when not being actively used. It is illegal to feed or disturb wildlife.

Trails near camp

🥾 Big Meadows Campground - paved surfaces 0.6 mi
🥾 Big Meadows Campground Trail - tent walkin sites 1 mi
🥾 Story of Forest Trail Access-CG 0.1 mi
🥾 Story of Forest Trail 0.9 mi
🥾 Big Meadows Campground Trail - BMPG999SF010 0.1 mi
🥾 Big Meadows Campground Trail 0.3 mi
🥾 Big Meadows Campground Trail - BGPG999SF005 0.1 mi
🥾 Big Meadows Campground Trail - BGPG999SF001 0.1 mi
🥾 Big Meadows Campground Trail - BMPG999SF009 0.1 mi
🥾 AT Access-Big Meadows CG 0.1 mi
🥾 Big Meadows Historic Cabins Trail 0.3 mi
🥾 Lewis Spring Falls Trail 1.7 mi

Campground information from the National Park Service. Confirm current status with the park before you go.