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Established Camping

Sky Meadows State Park Campground

Sky Meadows State Park Campground, near Delaplane, Virginia, offers a unique backcountry camping experience that’s perfect for those looking to escape into nature. The campground is accessible via a one-mile hike, which adds a sense of adventure right from the start, and it features well-spaced sites that provide a good amount of privacy among the trees.

Campers appreciate the amenities, including picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes at each site, making it easy to enjoy a cozy evening around the fire. Visitors have noted the cleanliness of the facilities, including the vault toilets, and the availability of firewood on an honor system. As one camper mentioned, “For a backcountry campground, I was SO impressed with how stocked and clean everything was.”

The surrounding area is a haven for hiking enthusiasts, with trails leading to stunning views and opportunities to spot wildlife like deer and various bird species. The park’s rolling hills and scenic landscapes make it a great spot for a day hike or a leisurely picnic. Just keep in mind that the hike-in can be a bit challenging, especially if you overpack, so pack smart!

While the campground is remote, it’s not without its charm. Many campers have enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, with quiet hours respected even during busier times. If you’re looking for a place to unwind and connect with nature, Sky Meadows State Park Campground is a solid choice.

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Location

Sky Meadows State Park Campground is located in Virginia

Detail location of campground

Directions

The park is less than two miles south of Paris, Va., via U.S. Route 50 to Route 17 South; or seven miles north of I-66, Exit 23 on Route 17 North. The park entrance is on State Route 710.

Address

11012 Edmonds Lane
Delaplane, VA 20144

Coordinates

38.99272061 N
77.95923628 W

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Access

  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

Reviews

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4.5

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11 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 30, 2024

Great

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Reviewed May. 2, 2023

Please don't treat this like car camping

I understand why people are lugging wheeled carts a mile into this campground, but it is technically not allowed. This is a backcountry/backpacking experience. Most of the hike-in is on Hadow Trail, which is dirt, not gravel. It is technically an equestrian trail too, but there's no way a horse could make it without breaking an ankle right now; the trail is so worn down by wheeled cart usage that the park has created a service project on the American Hiking Society's website calling for volunteers to do restoration work on Hadow Trail on this year's upcoming National Trails Day.

I hiked in while it was raining, and the mud wasn't as bad as I'd feared. However, the worn down parts of the trail attracted rainwater drainage, and the runoff narrowed the trail significantly. When I got to Boston Mill Rd Trail, which is gravel, the hike was easy, until the spur turning into the campground, when the trek goes uphill. If your site is further back, you will be hiking up and down many hills throughout the campground. The hills are fantastic for helping each site feel like a little private oasis. Even if the campground is full, I think most of the sites would still feel shaded and private because of how they're dispersed throughout the hills. 

My site bordered the buddy site and scout group sites at the beginning of the campground, so there was noise from loud kids but not as bad as I thought it might be. I was still able to enjoy peace and quiet, as the group respected quiet hours and was busy hiking the rest of the state park during the daytime, so don't shy away from this site if it's the only one available. The group sites also have their own latrine at the beginning of the campground, which pleasantly surprised me because this meant there were two latrines fairly close to each other, just to accommodate projected usage. There are many thoughtful details like this throughout the design of the campground facilities. 

For a backcountry campground, I was SO impressed with how stocked and clean everything was. Firewood is $8 (honor system), but there was some leftover at my site already. My firepit had a quality grill gate too. There are LOTS of bear trash cans available, and having a bear box at my campsite to store my food/trash/toiletries was so much easier than hanging a bear bag. If it hadn't rained, I also would've been able to use the hammock posts at my site (you could use these to hang a clothesline too if you wanted). When I talked over the phone with a ranger, she told me that only a few campsites didn't have hammock stands. If you think a lantern is worth its weight to carry in, there's a lantern post on the tent pad. I loved how level the tent pad was even on a hill. I couldn't figure out how to use the potable water pump, but there are plentiful creeks you can filter water from.

Overall, this is a fantastic campground for a beginner backpacking experience in the real backcountry. Use the Avenza Maps app that the park has its map uploaded into, and you won't get lost finding the overnight parking/self check-in station like I did. Know the gate code of this area before you go. The gate takes a hard push and pull. If you're prepared for all this, you'll arrive at camp before dusk when the wild animals come out. At night I saw white-tailed deer and heard owls and cattle! During the day I saw/heard SOOO many birds on the South Ridge Trail and found a bear track after the Cpt. Morgan Trail on the creek side of Hadow Trail!! If all this sounds awful rather than exciting to you, just drive in for the day and stick to the historic areas rather than venture into the park's backcountry areas.

SiteRED 4
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by Reba H., May 2, 2023
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by Reba H., May 2, 2023
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by Reba H., May 2, 2023
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Apr. 13, 2021

Great views, primitive camping

We hiked the one mile into the campground and stayed for a night. It was a pretty flat walk from the overnight parking area to the campground. In the campground there is one bathroom facility with two vault toilets (although one of the doors was locked while we were there, which was unpleasant with a full campground). No running water or showers in the bathhouses. Non-potable water pump is near the restroom. Boil water at least three minutes before consuming. There are two areas with firewood (purchase when you check in or pay $6 cash at the kiosk - honor system). Each site has a bear box, fire ring, picnic table, tent pad with pea gravel, and a lantern pole. Definitely will be back!

The park has wide open rolling hills and mountain views. Lots of families picnicking and flying kites 🪁💙

Site7
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by RL , April 13, 2021
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by RL , April 13, 2021
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by RL , April 13, 2021
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Mar. 18, 2021

Simple Adventure

Everything at the park is laid out pretty clearly and straight forward enough so you shouldn't have too many issues. Make sure to have cash to simplify paying for things such as firewood (you can pay upfront).

There are camp toilets with toilet paper and hand sanitizer near the Red 1 tent site (not sure if there are others) which were clean enough. The trails are beautiful and I'm sure there was more to do, but didn't have a chance to see. Definitely a reason to return!

  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by Alexander H., March 18, 2021
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by Alexander H., March 18, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 20, 2020

Hike-in to great tent sites - don't overback!

My brother and I really only got to check out the trails leading to and from the overnight camping spots - but the rest of the park looks like a lot of fun, plenty of things to do.

The campsites are about 1 mile from the overnight lot, which was a great hike-in if you don't overpack! We brought a wagon with extra gear with us, but we definitely took in too many items. Ended up pairing it down after night 1 and took extra stuff back to our cars. The hike-in get mostly uphill in the second half with plenty of tree roots and decent sized rocks - for those of you taking in a wagon.

The campsites themselves were great, with plenty of space for 2-3 tents, bear lockers, bathrooms with hand sanitizers, and friendly park rangers to clean up the trash and re-stock the firewood. Make sure you pay for the wood you take, it's on the honor system with a dropbox. We had a family of deer pay us a visit each morning - didn't come across any bears.

We didn't get to check out the Appalachian Trail - but it was only a few miles from the campsites. I'll def. come back! Worth the 7-8 hour trip from both South Carolina and New Hampshire.

Site15
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by Russ L., October 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by Russ L., October 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by Russ L., October 20, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 13, 2020

Remote Camping

Other than the antiquated check-in process, we had a great experience camping at Sky Meadows. The reservation email said that check in is after 4, which is not true. You can check in after 1. But you have to drive up to the main building, register, go back to the overnight lot, put in the gate code, hang the lot tag on your mirror, and hike in to the site. Not bad unless you have another car coming later in the day, who then has to get the parking pass from the first person at the campsite and hike back out to their car to place the tag and put the registration in the drop box. Unfortunately we didn’t have cell signal, had never been there, and did not know we needed to coordinaste the parking. So first-timers beware! Seems like a lot of unnecessary steps. But otherwise, we had a great night. Quiet, no bears, easy access to firewood ($6/10 logs), and nice hiking trails steps form the site. There is no camp store at the campground, only at the main visitor center where you check in.

Reviewed Jul. 23, 2019

Peace and quiet!

This is a great campground! It is about a mile hike-in. They have wheelbarrows you can borrow to help bring in your stuff from the car. There are pit toilets and non potable water available as well as firewood when you get to the campground. The campsites are pretty secluded and spaced out so you have some privacy. It is so peaceful and quiet! Lots of great hiking to do in the area. When we were there they were having a historical reenactment near the visitors center that was so cool! We came in August and it was super hot, but that is just Virginia. Lots of friendly staff and campers there.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by Katie M., July 23, 2019
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by Katie M., July 23, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2018

Great hike in campground

It's about a mile hike in to the campground, which sits in the woods in the park. Firewood is available for sale and there are fire rings with grates and a picnic table. Sites are large enough for three one person tents. Pit toilets, no showers, cell service. Make sure you bring a bear bag or box with you.

Site12
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by Amy S., July 17, 2018
Reviewed May. 2, 2018

None

Not that known so there's a lot that still needs to be explored

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2017

Awesome foray into backpacking

Came here for the first time in February 2017 to do a shakedown on some new backpacking and camping gear. Super friendly staff and easy check in process. Parking is in a locked lot steps away from trail head which leads to campsites about a mile away. Campsites are in a wooded area of park well away from other park attractions so it's very quiet. Sites are spaced far apart and come with tent pad, picnic table, fire pit and lantern pole. Non potable water is available via hand pump near rest rooms. Rest rooms are very nice and clean. No showers. This was one of my favorite camping experiences ever and I will definitely be back!

Site11
Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2016

Good area!

Nice area to hike around, with access to the AT. There is also a stretch of trail that they deem the "old AT" before it was relocated.

Part of the trail cuts through some areas with cows - beware the cow pies!

  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by David S., September 30, 2016
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by David S., September 30, 2016
  • Review photo of Sky Meadows State Park Campground by David S., September 30, 2016
  • (8) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Sky Meadows State Park Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Sky Meadows State Park Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.