Big Meadows Campground

"This campground is centrally located to many of the best hikes in the park. It’s a large campground and not all sites are created equal, so do some research. Over the years I’ve found the walk in tent sites provide the most seclusion. Use the bear boxes as there is a lot of wildlife around big meadows. Deer wander freely throughout and I’ve seen gray foxes, skunks, barred owls, and the occasional black bear. The campground is very quiet at night and sound travels a bit. Quiet hours start at 10pm, but a noisy neighbor can really dampen the experience. Some water spigots aren’t functioning (10/1/23) here or at the nearby visitor center, but bathrooms have running water as it’s a developed campground. The Big Meadows Wayside and the lodge are nearby for supplies or food. Firewood is sold on site, seasonally."

"I stayed in A94 which was next to the toilets. I did not hear toilet noise from there (flushing, etc). I did have the people camping next to me walking through my campsite to go to the facilities. The site had no shade for most of the day and it was mostly gravel (some sites had tons of trees, some had one or two). The showers cost 5 dollars, quarters only. There are plenty of trails around the site for late afternoon walking. Unfortunately I had a bad experience at the end of my trip. The couple in front of my site kept looking at me and walking by my site. Not an hour later, I had a ranger approached me to ask me of I had reserved the site and if it was registered. I had been there for two days and my tent was up both days. I don't know what that was about but as a person of color, it felt intimidating. I ended up packing and leaving a day early."

"Good for weekend camping. No electricity. Less privacy camping options. Rest rooms are easily accessible. For shower 20 quarters coins."

"This campground is at the top of the mountain and at the halfway point of the beautiful Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Forest! We had a class C motor home and climbing to the top was a bit touch and go at times, down through the clouds was also a little scary. The hiking, wow, this place has hiking for days and I could easily see spending a week or more here exploring! Bring good footwear because these trails are not for the faint of heart! I’m sure there are some mild trails but we took a chunk out of the Appalachian trail, and ventured off to see a waterfall. There is no electric or water, but the sites are level and spacious. I wish there was more trees separating campers but it was still nice. The bathrooms were clean, the showers were $5 for 10 minutes but well maintained and totally worth it, and there was a little shop with some essentials you may need! Overall a great stop on our way south and I wish we had more time here!"