VA - Shenandoah National Park

Ray and Lynn from PA · 10-23-2007, 06:38 PM

Just got back from a beautiful 6 day fall foliage trip to Big Meadows and Loft Mt. campground in Shenandoah National Park. The leaves were just about peak and the views were wonderfull. If you like the mountains and hiking this is the place to go. Just wanted to share a few photos with everyone!

**JohnB** · 10-23-2007, 07:13 PM

Ray

Thanks for posting and sharing. WOW, nature at it's best.

We had 3" of rain here today in central Ohio. A real weather change from this past weekend.

John

**Tweety** · 10-23-2007, 07:13 PM

Looks lovely. Did you have to have reservations? and Do you know when they close the campgrounds? Strangely enough we've gone to the very southern parts of Virginia numerous times, but never camped in Shenandoah.

Ray and Lynn from PA · 10-23-2007, 08:08 PM

Yes we had reservations at Big Meadows and Loft Mountain. Big Meadows is open Late March through November and Loft is open Mid-May through October. Each campground has some reservable sights.

http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

**Tweety** · 10-05-2008, 02:11 PM

Campground Information:
Campground Name: Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park
Campground Web Site: see post above

Campground Stay Information:
Date of Stay: 9/2008
Length of Stay: 3 nights
Site # 72
Site Amenities:Picnic Table; Gavel/Grass
Rate / night: $20 ?
Extra Charges / night : no
First Visit or Return Visit: first
Your Rating (1 Low – 5 High): 5

Campground Facilities Information:
Hook-Ups: none
Credit Cards Accepted: yes, online
Discounts Accepted : none
Interior Roads : paved
Level Sites : ours wasn’t very level
Site size : large
Restroom Cleanliness (1 low – 3 high): did not use
Store (rating: 1 low – 3 high): 3
Game Room: no
Pool : no

Campground Impressions:
Kid Friendly: went mid week during school and saw no children
People Friendly: yes
Pet Friendly : yes
WiFi: no
Cell phone service: Go to the lodge and stand on the back porch. This is the only place you can get a signal

Comments
Site #72 had a nice view on the street side, but the door side was right by the road. I wouldn't choose that site again, but the campground is really nice with spacious sites. The AT ran right behind our campsite, which was great for us for hiking. We saw tons of deer, a couple black bears, and 2 different water falls. I'd love to go back when the leaves are changing some time. This is dry camping though - no hookups at all.
The restaurant is pretty darn good, for a park service establishment - we both had turkey and it was excellent.

Lost Hunter · 10-07-2008, 08:45 PM

We've been able to camp at Big Meadows several times the past few years and just love camping there. Being hikers there are plenty of trails to hike and lots of waterfalls to see.

We have only camped there during the summer months but hope to camp there next fall. I bet it gets a little cool there on top of the mountain in the fall, but now that we move up to a trailer with a heater it makes it a wee bit more comfortable to camp later in the season.

Ray and Lynn from PA · 10-26-2008, 02:19 PM

Lynn and I just got back from another beautiful fall foliage trip to Big Meadows campground in Shenandoah NP. The leaves were just at their peak and starting to fall. We met some friends from Virginia and Mike & Sue from the Sunline owners group. The weather was warm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday got colder and we had to use the furnace until we left for home on Tuesday. I used a 20lb tank of propane in 5 days! What a great time! Here are a few of my photos.

Mark · 10-31-2008, 10:40 AM

Fantastic pictures, what type of camera do you have?

Ray and Lynn from PA · 10-31-2008, 06:54 PM

Mark, I am using a Minolta Dimage Z5 5.0 megapixel camera with 12x zoom. I mostly use the camera in aperature priority mode. Minolta doesn't make digital cameras anymore. So my next one will be a Canon or a Nikon. I have a lot of great pictures from our trip. Here are a few more! Thanks RAY

kathyh · 11-01-2008, 04:44 PM

Ray and Lynn,

We run the contemporary service at our church and are currently looking for good scenery pictures to run on the screens as a slide show at the end of the service. Do you have any objection to us using some of your pix? They are fantastic pictures and I would like your permission to use them.

KathyH

RGar · 02-08-2009, 06:32 PM

How long does it take to get from Front Royal to Big Meadows? Are all the facilities( gas sation, restaurant etc) open in the fall durring the week. If any of you had dogs, how did they react when they saw a bear? How did the bear react? Thanks.

Ray and Lynn from PA · 02-09-2009, 04:30 PM

Front Royal is the beginning of Skyline Drive. Big Meadows is at mile marker 51.8 and the speed limit is 35 miles per hour. It will take about Two hours or so with all the overlooks to see along the way. If you drive the speed limit and don't stop at the overlooks it will take 1-1/2 hours. There are only two gas stations on Skyline drive, one at Big Meadows and one at Loft Mountain. The resturants are all open in the fall including the one at Skyland.

**Tweety** · 02-09-2009, 05:17 PM

...and they only sell gas, not diesel

RGar · 10-01-2009, 10:48 AM

We drove the entire length,splitting it by staying at Big Meadows for one night. Very cold and windy. Didn't envy those tent camping. Lots of nice views but once you've seen a couple you've seen them all. Didn't do any hiking. Next time, maybe we'll have more time.Couldn't believe how full it was on a Sunday ( check out is noon ).Monday was still full. We then head down part of the Blue Ridge parkway and enjoyed that better. Stayed at Sherando Lake about 10 miles south of mile marker 16 off the parkway.
Nice campground.