Big Meadows Campground
Shenandoah National Park
Write a Review 304 Big Meadows Access Rd. Stanley, VA 22851 540-999-3500 Official WebsiteGPS: 38.5288, -78.4383
Overview of Big Meadows Campground
In early spring, Big Meadows Campground operates on a first-come-first-serve basis, only. Beginning in early May, there are a combination of sites offered through reservations and on a first-come-first-serve basis. When offered, reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends and holidays.
Big Meadows Campground features pull-through and deep back-in sites which can handle most RVs and a tow vehicle.
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.
Last Price Paid: $15
Reported by Steve on 4/20/2024
Longest RV Reported: 36 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by LivingOurDreamNow on 10/26/2022
Number of Sites 221
Pad Type asphalt
Reservations yes
Open Seasonally March - Nov.
Elevation 3,116 ft / 949 m
Tent Camping Yes
Featured Video by LivingOurDreamNow
Discover a smarter way to RV with Roadtrippers
All your Campendium favorites and more are now in Roadtrippers.
Q&A - Ask the Community about Big Meadows Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 540-999-3500
rickless asked on 9/3/2022
Is it reasonable to drive the entire skyline drive towing a 5th wheel? Too narrow with sharp bends?
Reviews of Big Meadows Campground 35 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 5 Users
Last reported 4/20/2024
Confirmed by 4 Users
Last reported 10/26/2022
Confirmed by 8 Users
Last reported 4/20/2024
“what an incredible state park”
Reviewed 4/20/2024
| Nightly rate: | $15 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | E187 |
| RV Length: | 23' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Hiking, biking, great campsites, etc etc. Obviously this park is all about the views, and there are plenty.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 5G
Steve would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Experience”
Reviewed 4/3/2024
| Nightly rate: | $30 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 71 |
Overall Rating
It was our first time staying at a U.S. National Park and we enjoyed that first experience. We picked Big Meadows because it was one of the only ones opened in early season. We were worried about the sites being small, but it still felt quiet enough, and we just loved the fact that there were a few trails at proximity (and some leading... more
It was our first time staying at a U.S. National Park and we enjoyed that first experience. We picked Big Meadows because it was one of the only ones opened in early season. We were worried about the sites being small, but it still felt quiet enough, and we just loved the fact that there were a few trails at proximity (and some leading to great views over the Shenandoah Valley). Only downside is we were struggling a bit with cell service.
VanessaR would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful views and a great time, impossible to level a camper at this site”
Reviewed 11/12/2023
| Nightly rate: | $30 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | E187 |
| RV Length: | 20' (Truck Camper) |
Overall Rating
We chose site E187 specifically for three reasons: proximity to the Appalachian Trail, beautiful view, and having neighbors only on one side. The recreation.gov website was clear that the site might have challenges: "This site offers a spectacular view of the Shenandoah Valley but sits atop a sloped area. The uneven terrain surroun... more
We chose site E187 specifically for three reasons: proximity to the Appalachian Trail, beautiful view, and having neighbors only on one side.
The recreation.gov website was clear that the site might have challenges: "This site offers a spectacular view of the Shenandoah Valley but sits atop a sloped area. The uneven terrain surrounding this site may create a hazardous environment for anyone challenged by such conditions."
Despite that description, we booked the site anyway, thinking that it looked doable based on the photos we could find online. We mistakenly thought the description referred to the entire campsite and not specifically the pad. We did not expect to find uneven terrain on the concrete parking pad. Most of the pad was pretty beat up, which made leveling our camper next to impossible. There were large portions of the parking pad that were completely gone so it was never possible to get all of our truck tire wheels on a similar plane, which made our leveling blocks almost useless. We spent a frustrating hour trying to position ourselves and never got it right. We settled for a slight slope, which we could feel when walking around and sleeping. The group staying at the site next door even came over to offer help, which was a little bit embarrassing.
The camp hosts were helpful and friendly, the camp staff was great and being able to hike right off our campsite without having to drive was great. We also enjoyed going up to the taproom at the lodge for a few beers and some food. We were too tired Saturday night to go up there for the live music, but it sounded like it would have been fun.
This site had enough open sky above it for our solar to work. Unfortunately, it rained and was overcast often while we were there but we never ran out of power or battery in the four nights of our stay. The site next to ours had a different camper/group in it every single night of our stay. On our last night, the group stayed up talking and laughing until well after midnight which I had trouble tuning out to sleep so I took off one star on the noise category. Overall it was a very peaceful and quiet campground.
The view from our site was great, and we saw deer right off our site more than once as well as throughout the campground. We paid $5 for 10 minutes in the camp shower. We hiked 14 miles on the Appalachian Trail and loved it. There is a great spot to catch the sunset close to Big Meadows Lodge and the museum out near the wayside gas station was interesting.
I tried to take photos and videos to show the pad. Overall we enjoyed our stay, but if you're in a small camper you want to sit level you should choose a different site.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
Verizon 5G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Fantastic National Park Campground”
Reviewed 10/23/2023
| Nightly rate: | $30 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 7 |
| Site Number: | C129 |
| RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Surprisingly, recreation.gov had excellent campsite descriptions and photos for this campground (very unusual in our experience), which made it possible for us to choose the perfect site for our 30' travel trailer. We would not have been satisfied with the slope of more than a few of the sites here, so be sure to do your due diligence ... more
Surprisingly, recreation.gov had excellent campsite descriptions and photos for this campground (very unusual in our experience), which made it possible for us to choose the perfect site for our 30' travel trailer. We would not have been satisfied with the slope of more than a few of the sites here, so be sure to do your due diligence before choosing your site.
This is a large campground with lots of sites, many of which (like C129) are quite large. The entire campground was clean and well-kept, including the bathrooms and showers. Keep in mind that showers are $5 for 10 minutes but we noticed that shower #4 worked on just $4. Shh! Don't tell anyone! ;-)
This is boondocking (no water, sewer, or electric hookups), but there are plenty of potable water spigots and there is a dump station nearby that is convenient, in good working order, and also has potable water. One complaint about the dump would be that there is no threaded hose to flush out a black tank.
Generator hours are 08:00 - 10:00 and 16:00 - 19:00 but are extended to 21:00 from opening until April 14 and again from October 15 through closing. Quiet hours are 22:00 - 06:00.
The campground has a good laundry facility and a small store. A short walk takes you to Big Meadows Lodge with a full-service restaurant, pub, coffee bar, and gift shop. Take in the sunset from the great room, the deck, or a short hike along the Black Rock trail. A little longer walk takes you to the Wayside where you will find a well-stocked store with food, beverages (adult and otherwise), camping supplies, a quick service restaurant, and a nice gift shop. Definitely try the blackberry cobbler at either Big Meadows Lodge or the Wayside!
Ticks are a big issue here (at least they were when we visited in mid-October). Be sure to check your pups constantly for ticks, and make sure you take preventive measures such as sprays and chews to make sure your pups stay safe. Check yourselves, your kiddos, and your bedding too!
We had mixed feelings about the staff here, many of whom were quite nice and helpful. We did feel that the person who checked us in seemed a bit haggard and, perhaps as a result, was relatively short with us when we asked reasonable questions. We also felt the campground hosts were more than a bit inconsistent in rules enforcement. For instance, they are adamant about not having even a millimeter of tire off the pavement (even when trying to keep the tow vehicle off the roadway) but didn't care at all about campers who ran their generators all day long outside of generator hours.
Verizon was nonexistent.
T-Mobile was good.
Starlink was great for us, but keep in mind that many sites have a canopy of trees that will obstruct Starlink.
Solar was so-so, partially because of the tree cover and partially because of clouds and fog.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
Verizon
T-Mobile 5G
AlDenty would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very Crowded And Loud”
Reviewed 8/18/2023
| Nightly rate: | $30 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 53 |
| RV Length: | 20' (Class B) |
Overall Rating
This is a very popular campground with sites close together without shrubs for privacy. Limits of number of vehicles and campers/site are not enforced. This creates too much noise. BPS manages campground but concessionaire runs camp store, lodge, and showers. Showers are $5/10 minutes. Expensive, so people take sponge baths and wash ha... more
This is a very popular campground with sites close together without shrubs for privacy. Limits of number of vehicles and campers/site are not enforced. This creates too much noise. BPS manages campground but concessionaire runs camp store, lodge, and showers. Showers are $5/10 minutes. Expensive, so people take sponge baths and wash hair in bathrooms make a big mess.
On the positive side you are in a beautiful National Park with trails and Ranger-led programs.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
Verizon
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Base Camp For Shenandoah NP Visit”
Reviewed 4/9/2023
| Nightly rate: | $30 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 131 |
Overall Rating
Was able to secure a site while the sites are still First Come FS. I understand that soon they will be reservable. With no phone service in the park I would suggest planning-(not my thing) Good-size space with shrubs in between the sites. E191 has two trees but I was able to back up between them. Clean bathrooms. Quiet (I have a small ... more
Was able to secure a site while the sites are still First Come FS. I understand that soon they will be reservable. With no phone service in the park I would suggest planning-(not my thing) Good-size space with shrubs in between the sites. E191 has two trees but I was able to back up between them. Clean bathrooms. Quiet (I have a small well-insulated) RV Great hiking right from the site including the AT. Shower $2.50 for 5 min. I would return this campground in a heartbeat. Love this park! None to rare cell service
camper-770157 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Basecamp to Explore All of Shenandoah NP”
Reviewed 10/26/2022
| RV Length: | 36' (Fifth Wheel) |
|---|
Overall Rating
Big Meadows Campground is centrally located within Shenandoah National Park. In this video, I provide a walking tour of Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park and show the best campsites. T-Mobile cellular service clocked in at 4.93 Mbps download speed and 0.21 Mbps upload speed. Both Verizon and AT&T cellular service wa... more
Big Meadows Campground is centrally located within Shenandoah National Park. In this video, I provide a walking tour of Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park and show the best campsites. T-Mobile cellular service clocked in at 4.93 Mbps download speed and 0.21 Mbps upload speed. Both Verizon and AT&T cellular service was one bar LTE and a speed test failed due to poor connectivity.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 4G
LivingOurDreamNow would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great National Park CG in the Woods off Skyline Drive”
Reviewed 7/18/2022
| Nightly rate: | $15 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | D168 |
Overall Rating
We only spent one night here as were were traveling to upstate NY but plan on returning for a longer visit. The sites are all non-electric (i.e. expect some generator noise) but most are fairly level and in excellent shape. The bathrooms were clean and well maintained. The location is fairly remote in the Shenandoah National Park so... more
We only spent one night here as were were traveling to upstate NY but plan on returning for a longer visit. The sites are all non-electric (i.e. expect some generator noise) but most are fairly level and in excellent shape. The bathrooms were clean and well maintained. The location is fairly remote in the Shenandoah National Park so don't expect TV or Cell service, a plus in my book. The drive getting to the CG along Skyline Drive is very scenic both to the North and to the South. There's lots to do in the area but plan some well spent time getting to and froe.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
Verizon 4G
DRemein would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Love it!”
Reviewed 6/30/2022
| Nightly rate: | $30 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 5 |
| Site Number: | A104 |
Overall Rating
This campground is very beautiful. We saw lots of wildlife right outside our door. We camped in site A104.
Ammie S. would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Such a pleasure!”
Reviewed 6/22/2022
| Nightly rate: | $30 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 145 |
Overall Rating
I am at Big Meadows right now. I extended my stay by a day and if a site frees up, I may stay longer. The sites are well spaced and there are trees and bushes between creating some privacy. People have been pretty quiet which I appreciate. The ranger programs here are spectacular and children and adults love them. The “Star Party” is ... more
I am at Big Meadows right now. I extended my stay by a day and if a site frees up, I may stay longer. The sites are well spaced and there are trees and bushes between creating some privacy. People have been pretty quiet which I appreciate. The ranger programs here are spectacular and children and adults love them. The “Star Party” is a must do! I love the stories about the constellations! The facilities are clean. They have coin op showers, laundry, and a small store. I will return!
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
T-Mobile 5G
Gail would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 1 of 4
1 review
“Did Not Stay”
noted 6/15/2023
Pulled in and was told “ go to the lodge and use the wifi to make an online reservation, come back and we will help you”
Drove around campground to get idea of what site to TRY to book…. People everywhere, kids running around playing ball in the streets, ZERO space between sites( very on top of your neighbor) basketball hoops in the road…. NOT a wilderness experience at all.
Decided NOT to stay. We were told there were vacancies but they had no idea what was booked and hence the go book it online and come back.
VERY disappointing after the many hours driving to get there and vacancy sign at registration, then the mayhem in the campground and the congestion. Will NEVER go back
373 reviews
30 reviews
Shenandoah National Park
It’s no secret that we love national parks. So when I realized how close we were going to be to Shenandoah National Park, we knew we wanted to visit. After we left Richmond, we had an easy 2-hour d...
Contact us to update this listing.
Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- picnic area
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- dump station
- firewood
- general store
- group sites
- ADA Accessible
- laundry
- recycle
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
Nearby RV Rentals
In partnership with
Nearby RV Rentals
In partnership with
New Listing
2020 TRAVEL TRAILER
Forest River RV Rockwood Ultra Lite 2912BS
$125 /night | Sleeps 5 Guests
9 Reviews
2023 TRAVEL TRAILER
CrossRoads RV Zinger ZR333DB
$109 /night | Sleeps 9 Guests
18 Reviews
2021 FIFTH WHEEL
Keystone RV Fuzion 424
$209 /night | Sleeps 6 Guests
New Listing
2015 TRAVEL TRAILER
Rustic Trail Teardrops Rustic Trail Teardrop
$65 /night | Sleeps 2 Guests
5 Reviews
2021 TRAVEL TRAILER
Keystone RV Springdale 260BH
$120 /night | Sleeps 8 Guests
24 Reviews
2022 TRAVEL TRAILER
Heartland Pioneer DS 320
$109 /night | Sleeps 9 Guests
Please select a reason for flagging this item: