Are you looking for the best way to tackle your stress? Treat yourself to a nature getaway by RV camping in Shenandoah National Park! 

Shenandoah National Park is just 75 miles away from Washington, D.C. The park is known for its gorgeous scenery across 200,000 acres of protected parkland.

Ready to explore the gorgeous hills and mountainside views of Shenandoah National Park on an amazing RV vacation? Check out this guide on RV camping in Shenandoah National Park to start planning your adventure! 

Shenandoah National Park Facts

There is more than meets the eye when learning about Shenandoah National Park. Established in 1935 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Shenandoah National Park represents an important part of Virginia’s history. 

If you’re itching to know more about the park, check out these Shenandoah National Park facts before your trip!

• There are over 850 species of flowering plants in Shenandoah National Park! 

• The first traces of human activity within Shenandoah National Park are almost 9,000 years old.

• Shenandoah National Park has 236 miles of roads. Skyline Drive, a popular road in the park, takes up an extraordinary 103 miles! 

• The estimated number of annual visitors to Shenandoah National Park sits at around 1.4 million.

• The park is home to many well-known landmarks, including the Shenandoah River. This river spans across 56 miles of land in Virginia and West Virginia. 

Best Shenandoah National Park RV Parks and Campgrounds 

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There’s no better way to experience the splendor of Shenandoah National Park than from the comfort of an RV. Stay at one of these RV campgrounds for an unforgettable experience when RV camping near Shenandoah National Park. 

Mathews Arm Campground

Amenities: Mathews Arm Campground is one of three RV campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park. This campground includes a dump station, picnic tables, a fire pit, and more. All sites at Mathews Arm Campground offer space for a tent or an RV. Individual campsites at $15 per night, while group campsites are $50 per night. 

Capacity: There are 166 available campsites at Mathews Arm Campground. A majority of the individual campsites at Mathews Arm are individual sites for smaller groups. The campground also offers several group campsites. 

More information: Mathews Arm Campground

Big Meadows Campground

Amenities: One of the most breathtaking RV campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park is Big Meadows Campground. Nestled in the rolling hills and lush vegetation of Shenandoah National Park, this site offers a gorgeous view of Virginia’s natural splendor. Some of Big Meadows Campground’s amenities include RV parking, showers, picnic tables, and flush toilets. Individual campsites are $20 per night, while group campsites are $45 per night. 

Capacity: Big Meadows Campground has more than 200 campsites for visitors to choose from. For large groups, the campground provides group sites with additional vehicle parking. 

More information: Big Meadows Campground

Loft Mountain Campground

Amenities: One of the largest Shenandoah National Park RV campgrounds is the Loft Mountain Campground, located near the top of Big Flat Mountain. Campers at Loft Mountain can bask in the picturesque views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Some amenities of this campground include flush toilets, a firepit, picnic areas, and a general store. The fees for staying at this campsite are $15 per night. 

Capacity: Loft Mountain Campground has 200 campsites. This campground includes individual sites for up to two visitors and larger group sites for up to six visitors. 

More information: Loft Mountain Campground

Shenandoah Hills Campground

Amenities: Shenandoah Hills Campground is an RV park near Shenandoah National Park. The campground offers many modern amenities to visitors. These amenities include wireless internet, a laundromat, a large swimming pool, and RV supplies! Shenandoah Hills rates are $45 per night for two visitors. 

Capacity: Staying at the Shenandoah Hills Campground is a great way to experience RV camping near Shenandoah National Park. The campground has 67 total sites. Some of these sites have water and electricity. Additionally, the camp’s full hookup sites have enough space to accommodate larger RVs. 

More information: Shenandoah Hills Campground

Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley KOA Campground 

Amenities: The Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley KOA Campground is located in the Shenandoah Valley, making it one of the top RV parks near Shenandoah National Park. Campsite visitors have access to many amenities, such as cable TV, a dog park, wireless internet, and a fishing spot. 

Capacity: The Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley KOA Campground has 68 sites that offer a variety of accommodations for RV camping near Shenandoah National Park. Many of the camp’s sites offer plenty of room for RVs of all shapes and sizes. 

More information: Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley KOA Campground

Best Time to Visit Shenandoah National Park for RV Camping

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One of the most important parts of planning an RV camping trip is choosing the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park! Shenandoah National Park is always open, but some seasons at the park have more to offer than others. 

Winter

The winter season in Shenandoah National Park is the park’s slowest season.

Visiting the national park during the winter has its advantages—popular hiking trails and tourist sites, like Skyline Drive, tend to be less crowded. Skyline Drive is the perfect winter activity with over 100 miles of scenic landscape and nearly 70 picture-perfect overlooks. Before you go, though, it is important to check the operating hours of the road. Depending on the weather, Skyline Drive might be closed to maintain park safety. 

It’s also important to note that certain facilities and services may be limited during winter visits. Many RV campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park are also closed during the winter. 

Spring

Most of Shenandoah National Park’s services and facilities are open from March through late November. That means that a spring visit to the park will allow you to make the most of the park’s facilities! 

Are you planning a spring visit to the park? As springtime rolls around in Shenandoah National Park, flora and fauna around the park start to change. Check out the park’s Wildflower Calendar to see what plants will be in bloom when you arrive. 

Summer 

As far as summer fun goes, there are many excellent activities to do in the summer at Shenandoah National Park. 

One of the most popular—and delicious—events to participate in is Shenandoah National Park’s annual Apple Butter Celebration. Gather up your family and learn the many different ways that park chefs turn apples into mouth-watering dishes. 

Another highlight of summer in Shenandoah National Park is stargazing. The park has a Night Sky Festival from August 9th to the 11th. Here, you can learn more about the night sky from park ranger talks and guest presentations. 

Fall 

One of the most beautiful sights to behold is the changing fall foliage in Shenandoah National Park. As the fall months begin to creep in, the park’s trees take on the red, orange, and yellow hues of autumn. This can make fall—especially October—one of the busiest times for the park. 

To bask in the autumn view of Shenandoah National Park, you can take a scenic drive along Skyline Drive. 

Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park

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Shenandoah National Park has something for everyone in the family. From park events to hiking activities and more, there are tons of things to do during your trip! 

To help you plan an action-packed vacation, we’ve put together this list of the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park.

• Hiking is a necessity when visiting Shenandoah National Park! The park is home to over 500 miles of hiking trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. 

• Relax in the cool atmosphere of Shenandoah National Park’s many mountain streams. Here, you can try your hand at fishing or simply take in the view. 

• Explore the park with one of the ranger-guided programs! These programs let you explore Shenandoah National Park with an experienced ranger as your guide. 

• Driving isn’t the only thing you can do on Skyline Drive! Visitors are welcome to bicycle down this scenic road and any other paved areas within Shenandoah National Park. 

• Escape the elements by touring the exhibits at one of Shenandoah National Park’s visitor centers. Exhibits at the Dickey Ridge and Byrd Visitor Center share priceless information about the park’s geography and history. 

Tips on Visiting Shenandoah National Park

Before you leave for your trip, we want to give a few tips on RV camping in Shenandoah National Park. 

• Many campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park are pet friendly. If you do bring a furry friend, make sure they’re on a leash and clean up after them. Also, read the park’s rules and regulations on pets if you plan on bringing them with you. 

• Before visiting a park trail or facility, check out the park’s operating hours.

• Weather conditions can vary throughout the park. Typically, the mountains are around 10 degrees cooler than the surrounding valley. 

• If you visit one of the historical sites in the park, be respectful. Disturbing any historical site in the park is prohibited. 

RV Rental for Shenandoah National Park 

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Feeling excited about exploring Virginia’s natural beauty from the comfort of an RV?

With Cruise America, getting an RV rental for Shenandoah National Park is a breeze. 

Cruise America offers several affordable RV rental options that are perfect for just about any family trip. Each Cruise America RV comes with amenities like air conditioning, a gas cooktop, a fridge, and much more! 

Well, what are you waiting for? Call Cruise America today at (480) 464-7300 and pick out your dream RV rental in Shenandoah National Park!