Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA)

Cell service was reported to be available at the Amphitheater at Big Meadows Campground. We found it very spotty and intermittent (Verizon). Other than that, a lovely campground and location. Facilities (Lodge, Showers, Laundry) Buildings, in general, seemed in need of a little TLC. Can't argue with location and views :).

Stayed here election night. Restrooms are heated and clean. Campground was in great shape, even with leaves falling constantly.

First Off buy wood elsewhere. The wood was wet and they know it based upon the conversation when I told them I went through 11 bundles for a two night stay and it was near impossible to start and keep going every time. This spot is close to the road and other sites. Also closest to Appalachian trail. Lots of people walking by. But also wildlife walking by. A six point buck walked up and stopped opposite the fire posing for the Christmas card! And a doe 20 minutes later. Otherwise it was good too.

Outstanding national park and campground

This is a rather older campground. Positives are location, of course. Negatives are neglect, especially the roadways within the campground and some rather sizable potholes that could cause serious damage to tires, and pose a trip/fall hazard to walkers. Some sites are level, others, not so much.

The showers are run by a concessionaire and cost $5 for 10 minutes, but take quarters. Minimal signage about the cost doesn’t help. We ended up giving up and driving to a truck stop for a far better shower experience for similar cost. The NPS might do well to have the Army Corps of Engineers run its campgrounds, as theirs are so much nicer.

Walk-in sites are spaced well from each other, but near enough to the restrooms that were clean. A couple RVs ran generators, but they shut down after dinner time. Very quiet and peaceful campground. Elevation and weather made it perfect for virtually no condensation on the tent and no sign of mosquitos or other biting bugs when we were there.

Big Meadows is just an outstanding place to experience the Blue Ridge. An advantage of visiting late autumn through spring is that as the trees shed their leaves the views from within the campground open up. We live a little over an hour away and visit several times per year. We're pretty keen on our hack for arriving late - just go to the lodge, have a cocktail while viewing the sunset from the deck, and get dinner in the restaurant. We'll be virtuous and cook the rest of the weekend.

Plenty of hiking opportunities and the rangers can help you sort out what's right for you. We've enjoyed Rose River / Dark Hollows fall loop, and the Rapidan Camp loop. We also really enjoyed the Byrd Visitor Center's exhibit on the history of the park. We usually wrap up the weekend by catching a hike somewhere down Skyline drive on our way home.

Note that cell phone service is spotty throughout the park. We view this as a feature not a bug. You can get WiFi service at the lodges and visitor center for those last minute All Trails downloads.

Although sometimes crowded on Skyline Dr , the campgrounds are great. Lots of deer in early morning and late afternoon. Bathrooms are clean and warm. Nearby Wayside was crowded but service was good and fast.

Limited privacy. Would prefer quiet generators only allowed.

After passing overflowing parking areas at trailheads and overlooks (a sunny Sunday in late OCT brings an onslaught of visitors), I arrived just after Check-in time to NO LINE to register! Hooray. I got to my site and got set up with no neighbors...yet. I remembered the regular spigots are turned off late in the season and got water at the insulated one next to the D loop rest room, for hiking, coffee and extinguishing my campfire. I enjoyed walking to the Black Rock viewpoint just past the Lodge, then back out to the Visitor Center which was mobbed. Staff was managing the crowds well and I got a couple Q's answered after waiting my turn in a short line. After returning and organizing hiking stuff, I headed to the Meadow Spring trailhead to hike to Mary's Rock for the sunset. I found a small crowd there also waiting but got some great pics and enjoyed watching do the same. I decided to return before sunset to got back to my car without needing a headlamp. I enjoyed a fire back at my campsite, with a few "habituated" deer walking just feet away munching the bushes, and watched the stars come out! I could see the Milky Way and was happy for a very quiet loop all night. The heated rest rooms and hot running water are a simple pleasure when temps turn south of 45 degrees. Next day I hiked the Cedar Run - White Oak Canyon loop which is my 2nd fav after Old Rag Mtn. I got beautiful sunny skies with cool temps perfect for Fall hiking. The Run, cascades and the waterfalls all had plenty of water in them! Then I goofed off the rest of the afternoon at my campsite, soaking up the warm sunshine before enjoying another campfire and dinner before retiring. Ahhhh, batteried recharged.