About Mathews Arm Campground
Number of accommodations: 115
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
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Rates, Sites & Availability
115 Sites Available
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Site Details
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115 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (851)
What Guests Are Saying
Mathews Arm Campground offers excellent, spacious, and well-maintained sites, making it a perfect base for nearby hikes. Reviewers appreciate the clean facilities, friendly staff, and the intimate atmosphere, particularly during less crowded times. While some noted the restrooms could use upgrades, the overall experience is highly recommended for nature lovers and families.
What Guests Are Saying
Mathews Arm Campground offers excellent, spacious, and well-maintained sites, making it a perfect base for nearby hikes. Reviewers appreciate the clean facilities, friendly staff, and the intimate atmosphere, particularly during less crowded times. While some noted the restrooms could use upgrades, the overall experience is highly recommended for nature lovers and families.
Review Summary
Julian A
VerifiedAugust 7, 2023 • Stayed at: C156, Loop: C
A very clean and tidy campground, with adequate space between spots. Each spot has a fire pit and picnic table. Some have bear boxes. Most sites have some shade, but there are few that are more sunny. Some sites are better suited to RV's and not tents. There are no showers at this campground, no ice, and no firewood. There are toilets and water. Two miles from Elkwallow Waside, where there is ice and firewood, but no showers. Nice evening programs by the rangers. I have US Cellular and did have a wee bit of service in Area C, but it was slow and spotty. Overall a great campground and would definitely stay here again.
Cheyenne N
VerifiedAugust 7, 2023 • Stayed at: A037, Loop: A - 14 Day Advance Purchase
Julian A
VerifiedAugust 7, 2023 • Stayed at: C156, Loop: C
A very clean and tidy campground, with adequate space between spots. Each spot has a fire pit and picnic table. Some have bear boxes. Most sites have some shade, but there are few that are more sunny. Some sites are better suited to RV's and not tents. There are no showers at this campground, no ice, and no firewood. There are toilets and water. Two miles from Elkwallow Waside, where there is ice and firewood, but no showers. Nice evening programs by the rangers. I have US Cellular and did have a wee bit of service in Area C, but it was slow and spotty. Overall a great campground and would definitely stay here again.
Mehmet K
VerifiedAugust 6, 2023 • Stayed at: A038, Loop: A - 14 Day Advance Purchase
It is always better to have public shower in the camping site. A 34 don’t have camping ground.
Mehmet K
VerifiedAugust 6, 2023 • Stayed at: A038, Loop: A - 14 Day Advance Purchase
It is always better to have public shower in the camping site. A 34 don’t have camping ground.
Josiah C
VerifiedAugust 2, 2023 • Stayed at: D167, Loop: D - Group sites
We use the group sites for our church's youth group every other year. Always quiet and fairly private. Group bathrooms were very clean as well. Located relatively closely to the north entrance of Skyline Drive as well as Luray and Sperryville.
Josiah C
VerifiedAugust 2, 2023 • Stayed at: D167, Loop: D - Group sites
We use the group sites for our church's youth group every other year. Always quiet and fairly private. Group bathrooms were very clean as well. Located relatively closely to the north entrance of Skyline Drive as well as Luray and Sperryville.
Michael M
VerifiedAugust 1, 2023 • Stayed at: C161, Loop: C
We spent two nights at Mathews Arm Campground. One night heading south on July 20, 2023. One night heading North on July 24, 2023. On the July 24, 2023 day the Ranger was very accommodating and made us feel comfortable, welcome. I have been coming to Mathews Arm for over 30 years. Except the years it was closed. I have seen the trees grow up to be mature. Many improvements including the Entrance Building and overflow Parking Lot. The bathrooms were not clean as they should be. And showing signs of aging which I found common on my trip to different campgrounds. Also the Dump Station could use some attention to the concrete pad. The place in general is very well kept. We really do enjoy going their.
Michael M
VerifiedAugust 1, 2023 • Stayed at: C161, Loop: C
We spent two nights at Mathews Arm Campground. One night heading south on July 20, 2023. One night heading North on July 24, 2023. On the July 24, 2023 day the Ranger was very accommodating and made us feel comfortable, welcome. I have been coming to Mathews Arm for over 30 years. Except the years it was closed. I have seen the trees grow up to be mature. Many improvements including the Entrance Building and overflow Parking Lot. The bathrooms were not clean as they should be. And showing signs of aging which I found common on my trip to different campgrounds. Also the Dump Station could use some attention to the concrete pad. The place in general is very well kept. We really do enjoy going their.
Chang K
VerifiedJuly 31, 2023 • Stayed at: A053 Generator Prohibited, Loop: A - 14 Day Advance Purchase
The place was peaceful and quiet, but the toilets and showers were in dire need of repairs or replacements as they were in poor condition.
Location Mathews Arm Campground
Address:
3655 Highway 211 East
Luray, VA, 22835
United States
From Washington, D.C. metro area, travel west on Interstate 66 to exit 43A. Take US Highway 29 South to Warrenton, Virginia, then take US Highway 211 west for 28 miles to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive Thornton Gap Entrance. Follow Skyline Drive north approximately 9 miles and turn left into Mathews Arm Campground.
From Richmond, Virginia area, travel north toward Fredericksburg on Interstate 95 approximately 55 miles to exit 130B for Highway 3 and Culpeper, Virginia. Take Highway 3 approximately 33 miles west to US Highway 15/522 north. Continue on 522 North approximately 20 miles to Sperryville. Turn left onto US Highway 211 West and follow 8 miles to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive, Thornton Gap Entrance. Follow Skyline Drive North approximately 9 miles and turn left into Mathews Arm Campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 38.7601 / -78.2979
Elevation: 828 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- Black bears, deer, skunks, raccoons and other wildlife share this space with you; please plan to store all food, hygiene items and trash in appropriate containers or your vehicle.
- You are responsible for following all park and campground regulations.
- There are no RV hook-ups but there is a dump station with potable water available.
- Generator hours are 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. with a 60 decibel limit. Vehicle engines must be shut down when parked and may run for no more than five minutes.
- There is a $30 fee per vehicle to enter the park. The pass issued is valid for one week.
- Upon arrival to the campground, please check in at the registration office. If you arrive after hours, directions will be posted at that office.
- Unleaded fuel is available 24/7 at Big Meadows Wayside (milepost 51.2). Electric Vehicle charging stations are only available at Skyland Lodge (milepost 41.7)
- Firewood is available at Elkwallow Wayside 2 miles South of the campground, Sunday - Thursday until 5pm and Friday - Saturday until 6pm. Due to the spread of invasive insects, only kiln dried USDA approved firewood is permitted. Help protect our forest, Click here for more information.
- Cell phone reception is very limited throughout the park.
- There are no showers available at this campground or the closest wayside.
- A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date and will hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026