Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park
Elliott B.
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2017

Nice large sites with decent tree coverage

Not too shabby of an area, with nice access to the center of the NP. You are right behind the Byrd Visitor Center and there is actually a nice paved path the entire way from there back to the campgrounds. Across the Skyline drive from the visitor center is a "Big Meadow" (which because of the waning moon when we visited was really crowded) where you can get some awesome, unobstructed views of the night sky. Bring a blanket or chair.

You do get to be in some pretty large sites which are a mix of secluded and open (see photos) Unlike some of the other campgrounds this one is definitely ADA accessible at all the restrooms and a good number of sites.

The "hike in" sites aren't as close together as in Loft mountain, but they woods are also a bit more open here. That way you can see it someone is actually at these sites and inversely you lose some of that privacy and some of them back up kind of close to the road and you definitely 100% have to walk through some of the sites to get to other sites, which is a poor design.

Because this is the largest and most "reservable" campgrounds it's also seems like the one to get filled up first, which in turn makes it really crowded. Also, because it has a large number of bigger RV spaces it also seems to be a bit noisier during the allowed generator hours.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017
  • Review photo of Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park by Elliott B., July 11, 2017