Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

Best fall foliage on the East Coast. Deer in camp every evening.

Location: Luray, VA, VA

Price: From $30 per night

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (2870 reviews)

Elevation: 3586 feet

Season: Year-round (limited winter)

The most popular campground on Skyline Drive, set in the largest meadow in Shenandoah. Deer graze the meadow at dusk, the drive offers 75 overlooks with Appalachian views, and the area has some of the best fall foliage on the East Coast.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.

Amenities: Flush Toilets, Showers, Camp Store, Dump Station, Amphitheater, Laundry

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/big-meadows-shenandoah to be notified when sites open up.

Big Meadows sits atop the Blue Ridge at 3,510 feet with the Appalachian Trail running through the meadow and Skyline Drive offering 75 overlooks. The meadow itself hosts deer every evening without fail, and the fall foliage from the ridgeline is among the most spectacular drives in the eastern US.

The Limberlost Trail — a universally accessible boardwalk through an ancient hemlock forest. Magical in morning mist and completely overlooked by most visitors.

What is new at Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park: 2026: Hemlock restoration project on Limberlost Trail ongoing. New amphitheater programming added. Skyline Drive reopened after storm damage repairs at MP 48.

Wildlife alert: Black bears are actively managed and bold — food storage boxes are mandatory. White-tailed deer are abundant and unafraid. Copperhead snakes in rocky areas — watch your step. Black bears in Shenandoah have learned to open car doors — lock your vehicle and never leave food inside.

Fire rules: Campfires in fire rings only. Firewood sold at Big Meadows camp store. No outside firewood — to prevent invasive insects. Fire restrictions may apply during dry periods — check nps.gov/shen on arrival.

Things to do near Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park: Meadow walk at dusk (deer guaranteed). Dark Hollow Falls (0.8 mi). Skyline Drive sunrise at Hawksbill overlook. Appalachian Trail section hike. Story of the Forest Trail (self-guided).

Insider tips for Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park: Campsites D1–D20 are closest to the meadow — request these at check-in if available The AT intersects Big Meadows — chat with thru-hikers who pass through May–June Luray Caverns is 15 miles east — a rainy day option that is genuinely spectacular

Skip Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park if: You need hookups. You need fast travel (35mph limit throughout). You visit peak October without reservations.

Best time to visit Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park: Oct — Peak fall color — arguably the best foliage drive in the mid-Atlantic.. May–Jun — Wildflowers, AT thru-hiker season, comfortable temps..

Common issues at Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park: October weekend reservations fill months in advance for peak foliage. Book October weekends in April. Weekdays in foliage season are significantly more available and less crowded. Bears are common and managed — strict food storage required. Use the metal food storage boxes at every site. Bears in Shenandoah are habituated to campers and bold — non-negotiable compliance. Skyline Drive 35mph speed limit means travel takes longer than expected. Treat it as a scenic drive, not transportation. The drive itself IS the attraction — budget extra time.

What campers say about Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park: "Seven deer in the meadow at sunset. My kids were speechless. Then an AT thru-hiker walked by. Perfect Shenandoah night." — The Dyrt "Mid-October peak color on Skyline Drive is the most beautiful I’ve seen in 20 years of East Coast camping." — Campendium "Dark Hollow Falls is 0.8 miles and worth every step. Go first thing in the morning." — Google

Nearby campgrounds: Lewis Mountain Campground (Elkton, VA), Camp Roosevelt (Fort Valley, VA), Mathews Arm Campground (Luray, VA), Loft Mountain Campground (Elkton, VA).