Shenandoah National Park

Question

We're heading to Big Meadows campground on Skyline Drive, coming in from the east, and I've never driven in the Swift Run Gap entrance (Rt 33 from Stanardsville). How is it? Lots of hills obviously but is it a windey road like Rt 211 (Thornton Gap entrance)? We'll have the TC on so I'd like to avoid Mary's Rock tunnel (I think we would be ok, we're about 10'6"). And it looks like the closest entrance to Big Meadows.
We've driven Skyline Drive a lot over the years but this is the first time camping at Big Meadows so any observations would be appreciated.
Thanks
Rick

dmck413 · Answer

Not a bad drive. Took my motorhome up that way. A little steep and winding but the road has a passing lane most of the way up.

royb · Answer

Sure hope BIG MEADOWS is going to have spaces for you... This is the FALL LEAVES time of the year. We usually always get LOFT MOUNTAIN camp anytime we are up that way... There is so many folks up on SKYLINE DRIVE this time of the year sometimes the RESERVATIONs doesn't work all that good... I have had to hold my grounds a couple of times which makes you feel real bad making the ranger station run off claim jumpers...

LOFT MTN almost has the whole complete spit down the middle - half you can reserve and the other half first come first serve...

Not sure how BIG MEADOW handles it... Never camped there as it is always TOO MANY FOLKS for us to enjoy it... Found LOFT MTN the better of the two as for as crowds go...

None of the SKYLINE DRIVE sites have hookups - only three or four rest room bldgs which has water you can tote back to your camper...

If you find it all filled up SHERANDO LAKES is a good spot...

We actually find the FALL LEAVES better behind Harrisonburg along the Virginia/WEST Virginia wooded state line...

Roy Ken

slick_rick · Answer

RoyB wrote:Sure hope BIG MEADOWS is going to have spaces for you...  This is the FALL LEAVES time of the year.   We usually always get LOFT MOUNTAIN camp anytime we are up that way...   There is so many folks up on SKYLINE DRIVE this time of the year sometimes the RESERVATIONs doesn't work all that good...  I have had to hold my grounds a couple of times which makes you feel real bad making the ranger station run off claim jumpers... LOFT MTN almost has the whole complete spit down the middle - half you can reserve and the other half first come first serve...Not sure how BIG MEADOW handles it... Never camped there as it is always TOO MANY FOLKS for us to enjoy it...  Found LOFT MTN the better of the two as for as crowds go...None of the SKYLINE DRIVE sites have hookups - only three or four rest room bldgs which has water you can tote back to your camper...If you find it all filled up SHERANDO LAKES is a good spot...   We actually find the FALL LEAVES better behind Harrisonburg along the Virginia/WEST Virginia wooded state line...Roy KenYeah, I hear ya about the crowds. We made our reservation 2 months ago so we're good. And we get there on a Sunday and leave on a Thursday so we'll avoid the weekend crowd.Thanks, I've heard good things about Loft Mt, we'll have to give it a try.

phillyg · Answer

I just did 33 from the east to the Skyline Drive.  It's a short but steep and windy road but there's no alternative route.  My aux. fan came on for the first time and I was in second gear for most of the climb.

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