Loft Mountain Campground
Shenandoah National Park — hiking
Location: Elkton, VA, VA
Price: From $30 per night
Price range: $30–$75 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (734 reviews)
Season: May through October
Perched on top of Big Flat Mountain, this is one of the largest campgrounds in the park. Loft Mountain is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, providing a wilderness getaway in the historic Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. Two visitor centers with bookstores and exhibits are located in the park (milepost 5 and milepost 51).
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Dump Station
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/loft-mountain-campground to be notified when sites open up.
One of the largest campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park atop Big Flat Mountain, offering access to over 500 miles of trails including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Campers consistently praise the well-maintained facilities with clean bathrooms and showers.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, White-tailed Deer, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Copperhead, Scarlet Tanager, Barred Owl, Hooded Warbler, House Wren, Redbelly Snake
Insider tips for Loft Mountain Campground: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with 202 sites that fill quickly Scout for sites that offer tree cover and are not totally exposed for better weather protection Visit at dusk for frequent white-tailed deer sightings
Skip Loft Mountain Campground if: Your RV requires hookups — no hookups available at most sites; only suitable for self-contained RVs. You need camping outside May-October — seasonal operations only. You prefer level sites — some sites are very hilly with significant grade changes.
Best time to visit Loft Mountain Campground: May-October — Official operating season; May offers cold weather but clean facilities; fall provides cooler temperatures and wildlife viewing.
Nearby campgrounds: Lewis Mountain Campground (Elkton, VA), Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park (Luray, VA), Sherando Lake Group Camp (NATURAL BRIDGE, VA), Hone Quarry Campground (Dayton, VA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Loft Mountain Campground
Cell signal at Loft Mountain Campground (Elkton, VA): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Perched on top of Big Flat Mountain, this is one of the largest campgrounds in the park. Loft Mountain is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, providing a wilderness getaway in the historic Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. Two visitor centers with bookstores and exhibits are located in the park (milepost 5 and milepost 51).
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with 202 sites that fill quickly
Scout for sites that offer tree cover and are not totally exposed for better weather protection
Visit at dusk for frequent white-tailed deer sightings
Official operating season; May offers cold weather but clean facilities; fall provides cooler temperatures and wildlife viewing
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Washington, D.C., metro area, travel west on Interstate 66 to exit 43A. Take US Highway 29 south approximately 55 miles to Ruckersville, Virginia, then take US Highway 33 west to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive Swift Run Entrance. Follow Skyline Drive south approximately 15 miles and turn left into the Loft Mountain area. Follow the signs to Loft Mountain Campground. From Richmond, Virginia, area, travel west on Interstate 64 to exit 99 for Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Dr
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Shenandoah National Park fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Shenandoah National Park before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Loft Mountain Campground cost per night?+
What season is Loft Mountain Campground open?+
Does Loft Mountain Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Loft Mountain Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Loft Mountain Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Loft Mountain Campground?+
What season is Loft Mountain Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.