After reading an article online about a couple planning to visit all of our National Parks this year to celebrate the centennial, I was inspired to plan my first visit to a National Park. I've always wanted to experience one with the HTT and there's no time like the present!Shenandoah is looking to be the destination. It's not too far from me and while I'd love to do one of the big ones like Yellowstone, it's not in the cards right now...just settling in to my first brand new home, so I've had quite a few expenses already this year. I'm really looking for some general tips or advice on how to plan my trip to the park and what to do while I'm there. I'm looking to spend 4-5 days at the park (sometime in August or September) and would like to stay at each of the 4 campgrounds while working my way through the park. My little man and I like hiking, so that would be our primary activity. For those who have visited before-is the Skyline Drive difficult to navigate with a trailer? Mine is only 20', so I would hope I wouldn't have any issues. I know that none of the campgrounds offer any hookups, so I'm planning on installing an extra battery to use for the minimal electricity that I'd need. Are there spots that I can fill my freshwater tank at the campgrounds in the National Park? The websites say potable water is available-I assume that there are spots I can fill the tank, but I don't want to assume. Any help you can give is very much appreciated!

The National Park Service's website is outstanding. For Shenandoah go to:www.nps.gov/shenYou will find dump stations and fresh, potable water at the campgrounds, but no hook ups at the sites. Be sure to go to every visitor center. The waysides will lure you to stop and see the views. You would be very wise to make reservations. The Rangers are there to help visitors so be sure to ask for assistance.

If I might make a suggestion, you might want to split up your trip into just two campgrounds, one north and one south, to lessen the amount of time spent packing and moving. You would be using up at least an hour or two a day just going from one campsite to the other. Big Meadows is a great campground, particularly if you can get a site in the E section (try for the furthest out row). These sites are right on the Appalachian Trail and have great views across the mountains. It is also walking distance to the lodge and store.September is better than August - cooler, the leaves are beginning to change, and, except for weekends, much less crowded. I don't care for Matthew's Arm. It is a nice enough campground but that is about it.Loft Mountain has some nice sites - try for A11, 13, 15 for views.We spent much of our time there hiking the Appalachian Trail. Other hikes of note: Dark Hollow Falls, Bearfence Mountain, and Old Rag.Enjoy your trip! Shenandoah is one of our favorite parks.

All 4 campgrounds are beautiful and you will have no difficulty with a 20' trailer. Would suggest making reservations in advance, as the park campgrounds are very popular. There are a couple of first come, first serve sites at Matthews Arm, Big Meadows and Loft Mountain, but they fill up quickly especially during weekends. Lewis Mountain is all first come, first serve, but it is a very small campground and apt to be full. At each camp office, you can ask for a trail map, and it will tell you about the length, difficulty and location of each hike. You will see lots of deer, beautiful birds and if you are lucky a bear or two, sometimes with cubs. The camp stores are well equipped; the waysides have more supplies and grills; At Big Meadows there is a lodge with a restaurant with delicious food. Potable water is readily available and there are spigots in the campgrounds. As mentioned before, each campground has a dump site. Cell phones don't work well in most locations. Firewood brought from home is not accepted due to the possible spread of disease - you can purchase firewood at the camp stores. Be prepared to gasp with delight over the views from the many pullovers on the drive! Travel safely and have fun.

We will be at Big Meadows the 4th of July weekend ourselves...our first time there as well..

Have a question...are motorhome (by themselves) charged the $20 pass fee even if they are camping?

Shenandoah National Park Visit | Good Sam Community

RGar974417
Explorer
Jun 05, 2016
You will have no problem pulling your trailer on Skyline Drive .It is winding but there are many pull offs if you want to stop.Decent dining room at Big Meadows. They also have gas there. 2 batteries should get you through a few days if you don't use your heater.
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 05, 2016
RGar974417 wrote:
You will have no problem pulling your trailer on Skyline Drive .It is winding but there are many pull offs if you want to stop.Decent dining room at Big Meadows. They also have gas there. 2 batteries should get you through a few days if you don't use your heater.

Or take a genny/solar and charge those batteries up. Or a mr buddy heater to knock the chicll down..

My concern is early July....wonder how hot it's gonna get...
Santa_Fe
Explorer
Jun 06, 2016
RGar974417 wrote:
You will have no problem pulling your trailer on Skyline Drive .It is winding but there are many pull offs if you want to stop.Decent dining room at Big Meadows. They also have gas there. 2 batteries should get you through a few days if you don't use your heater.

Precisely why I was thinking August or September would be the best time to go...not too hot, not too cold. And I'd way rather be hot than cold, lol.
Santa_Fe
Explorer
Jun 06, 2016
dahkota wrote:
If I might make a suggestion, you might want to split up your trip into just two campgrounds, one north and one south, to lessen the amount of time spent packing and moving. You would be using up at least an hour or two a day just going from one campsite to the other.

Big Meadows is a great campground, particularly if you can get a site in the E section (try for the furthest out row). These sites are right on the Appalachian Trail and have great views across the mountains. It is also walking distance to the lodge and store.

September is better than August - cooler, the leaves are beginning to change, and, except for weekends, much less crowded.

I don't care for Matthew's Arm. It is a nice enough campground but that is about it.

Loft Mountain has some nice sites - try for A11, 13, 15 for views.

We spent much of our time there hiking the Appalachian Trail. Other hikes of note: Dark Hollow Falls, Bearfence Mountain, and Old Rag.

Enjoy your trip! Shenandoah is one of our favorite parks.

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I'm going to heed your advice and only stay at a couple of the campgrounds. And I'll definitely see if your suggested sites are available for the time I'd like to go.

Much appreciated!
kohldad
Explorer III
Jun 06, 2016
Good choice on only two campgrounds. If you can go after labor day then I would only make reservations for the first Saturday night. During the week there will be plenty of sites and allow you to play it by and change your plans. Sept will be very nice with warm days and cool nights. Enjoy but be warned, National parks will spoil you with thief beauty.

Forum Discussion

Shenandoah National Park Visit

About Campground 101

Related Content

Visiting camgrounds

Visiting NYC

Lancaster visit?

Visiting Canada 2017-150 year anniversary of national parks

Montana LLC Re-Visited