Photo: NPS Photo / Neal Lewis

Mathews Arm Campground

165 sites · $30–$75 · Reservable + first come · RVs OK

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Reservable + first come$30–$75 / night

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

🧭 Directions Apple Maps

165Sites

112Reservable

47First come

$30–$75Per night

YesRVs

3 group

Reservations

There is a combination of sites offered through reservations and on a first-come, first-served basis at Mathews Arm Campground. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends and holidays. Reservations for many standard sites may be made up to 6 months in advance, with additional sites becoming available 2 weeks prior, and 4 days prior your stay. Group sites can be reserved up to one year in advance.

Fees

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
Group Campsite (Nonelectric) Mathews Arm Campground has three nonelectric group sites. Each group site can accommodate 7-25 people.	$75.00

Season & hours

Mathews Arm 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.

mon Closed · tue Closed · wed Closed · thu Closed · fri Closed · sat Closed · sun Closed

Amenities

Toilets · Flush Toilets - seasonal
Showers · none
Drinking water · seasonal
Trash / recycling · seasonal
Laundry · none
Camp store · none
Firewood for sale · none
Ice for sale · none
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	Mathews Arm 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	Four ADA accessible sites are available for wheelchair access.
ADA	Four ADA accessible sites are available, however, accessible shower and laundry facilities are not available at Mathews Arm Campground.
Also	Mathews Arm Campground also features Traces Trail, which is an easy 1.7-mile loop hike that circles the campground.

Getting there

801 Mathews Arm Entrance Road, Luray, VA 22835

Mathews Arm is the closest campground for those entering Shenandoah National Park from the north (Front Royal). From Washington D.C., travel west on Interstate 66 to Front Royal, Virginia (62 miles). Take the exit onto Route 340 South, and follow signs for Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. Upon entering Skyline Drive, make your way south to mile 22.1 (mile markers can be seen on the side of the Skyline Drive), where you will find Mathews Arm Campground.

Contact

(540) 999-3500 · shen_info@nps.gov

Other campgrounds in Shenandoah

Big Meadows221 sites · $30–$75 · Reservations · RVs OK Lewis Mountain30 sites · $30 · First come, first served · RVs OK Loft Mountain207 sites · $30 · Reservable + first come · RVs OK

About Mathews Arm

2026 Closing Date: November 1 Mathews Arm Campground (mile 22.1) is the nearest campground for those entering Shenandoah National Park from Front Royal, in the northern section of the Park. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring, and picnic table. Elkwallow Wayside, with camping supplies and food service, is two miles away. Mathews Arm has a combination of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Reservable sites are released in sections.

Photos

A white and red camper sits in a campsite under fall foliage. — Mathews Arm Campground is a great place to unwind after a busy day exploring the Park. · NPS Photo / Neal Lewis

Campsites

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

Conditions at camp

🌤️ Forecast

Thu, Nov 12

Overnight

48°F

Mostly Cloudy

Thu, Nov 12

Day

57°F

Chance Light Rain

Thu, Nov 12

Night

36°F

Slight Chance Light Rain

Fri, Nov 13

Day

45°F

Slight Chance Rain And Snow then Partly Sunny

Fri, Nov 13

Night

31°F

Mostly Cloudy

Sat, Nov 14

Day

45°F

Mostly Sunny

Sat, Nov 14

Night

30°F

Mostly Clear

Sun, Nov 15

Day

47°F

Mostly 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

Stays are limited to 30 days. Checkout time is noon. Camping fees must be paid within one (1) hour of occupying a site. 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 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

🥾 Mathews Arm Campground Trail 0.3 mi
🥾 Tuscarora-Overall Run Access Trail 0.1 mi
🥾 Traces Trail 1.6 mi
🥾 Elkwallow Trail 1.8 mi
🥾 Tuscarora-Overall Run Trail 4.5 mi
🥾 Sugarloaf Trail 1.4 mi
🥾 Range View Cabin - Access Trail 0.1 mi
🥾 Hogback Spur Trail 0.2 mi
🥾 Pole Bridge Link Trail 0.8 mi
🥾 Jeremys Run Upper Trail 5.3 mi
🥾 Knob Mtn Cutoff Trail 0.6 mi
🥾 Elkwallow Picnic Ground Trail 0.5 mi

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