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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Mathews Arm Campground.
Rates, Sites & Availability
115 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
Rebecca M
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: B134 Generator Prohibited, Loop: B
Kody D
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: C155, Loop: C
Great Hiking trail access. a little busy as to be expected on weekend in July. once the campground cleared out on Monday we had a close call with a bear, so LOCK UP YOUR FOOD. We will absolutely be returning for a winter trip before it closes for the year.
John F
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: C162, Loop: C
Shenandoah was really pretty, and this is a nice campsite there. Our only big complaint was the noise. One night a group was having some sort of party/function/ritual that was really loud throughout the whole campground. They quiet down at 10pm for quiet hours, but with two little kids I was not happy to have such loud noise so late. We also hadn't been prepared for how loud the local wildlife is at night. There is some sort of frog or insect that makes an incredible amount of noise in the summer.
But this was a nice place to start some decent hikes, and we did get to see a bear not too far from the campgrounds. There were plenty of bathrooms, the sites were clean, and it wasn't too crowded.
Ashley F
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2020 • Stayed at: C160, Loop: C
The whole park was amazing! We had an amazing time camping at Matthews Arm Campground! The bathrooms and entire campground were very clean! There was so much wildlife to see in the park, even while at the campsite! There were tons of wild blackberries and butterflies everywhere! This was one of the best vacations we have ever had! I would highly recommend visiting the park for a day or even camping out for a week as we did!
Ashley F
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2020 • Stayed at: C160, Loop: C
The whole park was amazing! We had an amazing time camping at Matthews Arm Campground! The bathrooms and entire campground were very clean! There was so much wildlife to see in the park, even while at the campsite! There were tons of wild blackberries and butterflies everywhere! This was one of the best vacations we have ever had! I would highly recommend visiting the park for a day or even camping out for a week as we did!
Alisia C
VerifiedDecember 19, 2019 • Stayed at: B141 Generator Prohibited, Loop: B
The location is beautiful and the campground is reasonably priced. All staff with whom we interacted were very friendly, and campsites are set far enough apart that the grounds do not feel crowded. My only complaint is that the flat boxed in area designated for tent set up at my site was lower in the middle than the edges, and as a result of rain during my trip filled with water, so that I had to set my tent up in a rockier area close to my car.
Jessica V
VerifiedDecember 19, 2019 • Stayed at: D165, Loop: D - Group sites
The group space was great! Trails were lovely.
Dave G
VerifiedDecember 19, 2019 • Stayed at: C150, Loop: C
Had a great site, with neighbours but quiet. I just missed a bear sighting as I had my back turned. Neighbours and my wife saw it.
20 foot travel trailer and jeep Cherokee limited. Parkway and views a breeze to drive and beautiful.
Alisia C
VerifiedDecember 19, 2019 • Stayed at: B141 Generator Prohibited, Loop: B
The location is beautiful and the campground is reasonably priced. All staff with whom we interacted were very friendly, and campsites are set far enough apart that the grounds do not feel crowded. My only complaint is that the flat boxed in area designated for tent set up at my site was lower in the middle than the edges, and as a result of rain during my trip filled with water, so that I had to set my tent up in a rockier area close to my car.
Jessica V
VerifiedDecember 19, 2019 • Stayed at: D165, Loop: D - Group sites
The group space was great! Trails were lovely.
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
