Shenandoah National Park
4 campgrounds in the park · 111 nearby · 46 free and dispersed sites within 50 mi
Photo: NPS Photo / Neal Lewis
6 current alerts
As of Sep 20, 2026 · from nps.gov
- InformationGas pumps out of service for scheduled repairs September 9The gas pumps at Big Meadows Wayside will be out of service September 9 for scheduled repairs and testing. We strongly recommend filling up your vehicle before entering the park to ensure you have plenty of fuel for your travels.
- InformationInfrastructure Improvements to Old Rag TrailheadEffective May 4, Shenandoah National Park will begin infrastructure enhancements at the Old Rag Trailhead main parking lot. We expect to complete work by November 2026. Until then, the main parking lot is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Visitors can access Old Rag Trailhead via existing overflow parking lots. Day-use tickets are still required from March 1 through November 30 in addition to a park entrance fee.
- InformationShenandoah National Park Moved to Fully Cashless Fee CollectionOn July 1, 2025, the park transitioned to a fully cashless system at our fee entrance stations. Only credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments will be accepted.
- CautionParking at Boundary Access AreasVisitors are reminded to park in designated parking areas when accessing the park via boundary trailheads. Parking in unauthorized locations may result in your vehicle being towed at the owner's expense. Park on the right side of the road approaching Thompson Hollow. Parking is authorized up to the "No Parking" sign before a private driveway.
- InformationGet Skyline Drive Status UpdatesSign up for Shenandoah Alerts by texting SHENALERTS to 888777. Any time there are closures, re-openings, or other important safety-related alerts, subscribers will receive a notification via text. You may unsubscribe at any time.
- InformationTicket Required to Hike Old RagMarch 1 - November 30 those wishing to hike Old Rag are required to obtain a day-use ticket before arriving.
At a glance
- Entrance
- $30 per vehicle
- Open
- Year-round
- In the park
- 4 campgroundsAll reserve on Recreation.gov
- Near the park
- 111 campgroundsWithin 50 mi
- Free and dispersed
- 46 sitesWithin 50 mi
- Annual pass
- $55Shenandoah only
Where to camp
Camping in the park 4
Camping near the park 111
- Aerial viewCampground
Graves Mountain Farm Campground
7.7 mi · Brightwood, VA
- Aerial viewRV Park
Riverside camping
9.0 mi · Stanley, VA
Free and dispersed nearby 46
See them on the map- Camp siteLuray, VA9.0 mi
- Camp siteNew Market, VA11 mi
- Camp siteNew Market, VA12 mi
- Camp siteNew Market, VA12 mi
- Camp siteMassanutten, VA13 mi
- Camp siteMassanutten, VA13 mi
Services nearby: 12 dump stations · 6 rest areas
About Shenandoah
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer…
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds, and black bear, there's so much to explore...and your journey begins right here!
Photos: NPS Photo / Neal Lewis · NPS Photo | B. Raeburn · NPS Photo / Katy Cain
Things to do
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Astronomy
- Stargazing
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
Plan your visit
Getting there
Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, west of Washington, D.C. It stretches 105 miles and has four entrances: Front Royal (northern entrance), Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap, and…
Weather
Shenandoah National Park has four very distinct seasons. Spring typically brings mild temperatures, rain, and wildflowers. Summer brings lush green forests, but can be hot and very humid. Fall follows with cooler…
Plan your visit
Fees and passes
- Private vehicle$30
- Motorcycle, 7 days$25
- Per person$15
- Shenandoah annual pass$55
Hours
Shenandoah National Park is always open. However, portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the Park, are periodically closed during inclement weather. Visitors can still enter the Park on foot to hike, even when the Skyline Drive is closed. Campgrounds, services, and facilities have separate hours; please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere on our website.
Getting there
Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, west of Washington, D.C. It stretches 105 miles and has four entrances: Front Royal (northern entrance), Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap, and Rockfish Gap (southern entrance to Shenandoah and the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway). The physical address listed is to the administrative offices, not the Park itself. GPS can be unreliable for navigating to the Park, so we encourage you to check out our website for more info.
Weather
Shenandoah National Park has four very distinct seasons. Spring typically brings mild temperatures, rain, and wildflowers. Summer brings lush green forests, but can be hot and very humid. Fall follows with cooler temperatures and spectacular fall foliage. Winter can bring snow and ice. The park spans roughly 100 miles, which means that weather can vary greatly depending on your location. The mountain is usually 10°F cooler than the valley below. Always check the forecast, dress in layers, and be prepared.
Camped at Shenandoah? You could be the first to say which site you'd pick again.
Reviews, photos and cell signal reports from real stays help the next camper choose between Big Meadows Campground - Shenandoah (VA), Loft Mountain Campground and Mathews Arm Campground.