George Washington & Jefferson National Forests

Little Crease Shelter 

Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site

Low Water Bridge Campground

The park, including all of the overnight facilities, is open year-round. Lodging options include standard tent-only sites, electric-water camping, three yurts, four camping cabins (bunkhouses), regular cabins and a lodge.

Shenandoah River State Park

Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area is a highly esteemed destination known for its family friendly atmosphere. Spend the day fishing from a stocked trout stream, grilling at one of the many picnic spots, or taking a stroll across the swinging bridge to view the historic cabin. The campground was named for the Elizabeth Furnace, a blast furnace used to make pig iron in the 1800s. With water power from Passage Creek, the furnace purified iron ore to make high-carbon fuel used for forging. Natural Features: The charming group campground sits in the Shenandoah Valley along Passage Creek, a tributary of the North Fork Shenandoah River. The area is part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests which spans across Virginia and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. These forests protect 40 species of trees that are mostly Appalachian hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, 60 species of mammals and 200 species of birds. Recreation: Enjoy hiking the Pig Iron and Charcoal Trail to learn how iron was made in the area. Another great hike heads up to Buzzard Rock. Passage Creek is seasonally stocked with trout to keep anglers entertained. Facilities: The campground is open year-round and allows tent and RV camping. Site pads, campfire circles, picnic tables, vault toilets and grills are provided. Water is not available onsite, but campers have access to seasonal flush toilets and drinking water from a hand pump at the Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground. Trash collection is not available so please pack-in and pack-out all trash.

Elizabeth Furnace Campground

Skyline Ranch Resort

Little Fort is a minimally developed recreation area located near the meadow that was once a rest stop for a stagecoach line. Enjoy the thrill of riding the largest OHV complex in the state of Virginia with easy access right from the campground. Singe hot dogs on the grill while singing songs or sharing stories around an open camp fire.

Little Fort Campground

Amenities like flush toilets and showers are seasonal. Sites are first to come first serve and fees range seasonally from $10 - $16 a night

Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground

Gooney Creek Campground

Front Royal RV Campground - Permanently Closed

## Overview

Secluded in the thick trees and rolling hills of the Shenandoah National Park, Mathews Arm Campground is the ideal spot for a camping getaway.

## Recreation

Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Some trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint while others wind deep into the forests and wilderness.   
  
Mathews Arm Campground is located near Overall Run Falls, which, at 93 feet, has the highest drop of all the falls in Shenandoah National Park. A moderately difficult hiking trail, which leads to the falls, is accessible from the campground. Once at the falls, visitors can enjoy views of the entire Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain.   
  
Wildlife viewing is a also a popular pastime, with black bears, wild turkey, deer, birds and countless other animals abundant across the park.   
  
The campground is located right off of Milepost 22 on the famous Skyline Drive, which runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stunning views are available from any of the 75 scenic overlooks.

## Facilities

Mathews Arm is a family-oriented campground, offering plenty of open spaces in the nearly 166 available campsites. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring and picnic area. The campground also offers amenities like flush toilets, drinking water and one dump station, which create a comfortable camping experience. There are no showers in this campground.

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).

## Natural Features

Shenandoah National Park includes 300 square miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southern Appalachians. The park rises above the Virginia Piedmont to its east and the Shenandoah Valley to its west. 

## Nearby Attractions

Elkwallow Wayside is located just two miles away, offering camping supplies, a limited menu restaurant, prepared sandwiches, beverages, souvenirs, and more.  
  
Two visitor centers are located along Skyline Drive. Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, 18 miles North, and The Harry F Byrd Sr. Visitor Center, 29 miles South.

Bookstores, restaurants and exhibits are scattered throughout the Shenandoah National Park.[Click here for more information.](https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm)

## Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance of arrival date only incur a $10 transaction fee. Within 48 hours, $10 and the first night's fee are charged.

Mathews Arm Campground

National Forest

You can reach this shelter a number of ways, but I usually com in from the Veach Gap Trailhead parking area. Before I get to the shelter, a couple of notes. First, don't be confused by the drive down to the parking area. You'll go from asphalt to gravel road alongside private property. You're in the right place. Second, this is an active hunting area during the season so be aware of local laws related to the display of blaze orange. Finally, this shelter might be considered a bit tricky to find but I'll provide some rough directions below. More can be found online. 

This shelter is a personal favorite of mine. It's far enough in that it's secluded, but the hike's short enough and easy enough to make it a little more luxurious than a regular backpacking trip. The fire ring is in great condition, there are 4 bunks within the shelter that could accommodate 2 people each, there's a vault toilet approx. 50 yds away, and a pole to hang anything that wildlife might find interesting. Water can be collected from the stream nearby.

Hiking in: Once you've parked, the trail begins off of the left side of the parking lot. As you begin walking, you'll quickly find your first yellow-dotted i. This indicator marks the trail. The trail is relatively flat and easy to follow as it's rumored to have been a road prepared for a potential Continental Army retreat (just in case). There's only one tricky spot where the trail crosses a stream. If you remain vigilant, you'll be able to find the crossing a that most hikers take. Once you've crossed continue along the trail, where you'll come to an intersection. Take a right onto Massanutten Trail for about .25 miles and you'll find Little Crease Shelter.

Little Crease Shelter

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2022 Explorer Giveaway

Secluded shelter site about a mile and a half from Veach Gap Trailhead

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