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Secluded in the thick trees and rolling hills of the Shenandoah National Park, Mathews Arm Campground is the ideal spot for a camping getaway.
Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Some trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint while others wind deep into the forests and wilderness.
Mathews Arm Campground is located near Overall Run Falls, which, at 93 feet, has the highest drop of all the falls in Shenandoah National Park. A moderately difficult hiking trail, which leads to the falls, is accessible from the campground. Once at the falls, visitors can enjoy views of the entire Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain.
Wildlife viewing is a also a popular pastime, with black bears, wild turkey, deer, birds and countless other animals abundant across the park.
The campground is located right off of Milepost 22 on the famous Skyline Drive, which runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stunning views are available from any of the 75 scenic overlooks.
Mathews Arm is a family-oriented campground, offering plenty of open spaces in the nearly 166 available campsites. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring and picnic area. The campground also offers amenities like flush toilets, drinking water and one dump station, which create a comfortable camping experience. There are no showers in this campground.
Mathews Arm Campground features pull-through and deep back-in sites which can handle most RVs and a tow vehicle. Although electric and water hookups are not available, potable water and dump stations are available, and limited generator use is permitted (see regulations).
Shenandoah National Park includes 300 square miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southern Appalachians. The park rises above the Virginia Piedmont to its east and the Shenandoah Valley to its west.
Elkwallow Wayside is located just two miles away, offering camping supplies, a limited menu restaurant, prepared sandwiches, beverages, souvenirs, and more.
Two visitor centers are located along Skyline Drive. Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, 18 miles North, and The Harry F Byrd Sr. Visitor Center, 29 miles South.
Bookstores, restaurants and exhibits are scattered throughout the Shenandoah National Park.[Click here for more information.](https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm)
Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance of arrival date only incur a $10 transaction fee. Within 48 hours, $10 and the first night's fee are charged.
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.
The nightly campground fee has increased to $30 at all standard campsites and $75 at all group sites.
We are now accepting campground reservations for the 2022 season. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance of your stay. Mathews Arm Campground is open during the spring, summer, and fall. Opening and closing dates vary from year to year and are subject to change at any time. Camping is NOT permitted in the campgrounds when they are closed.
I had a blast camping here. We were in campsite A65. I didn’t give it 5 stars because the campsites are so close to each other and it was noisy after quiet hours. We were so close, I could hear the camper next to us snoring. However, it had plenty of space for our oversized tent. Not all of the spaces did though, so if you have a large tent, check out the spaces ahead of time and reserve a space online. You can view pictures of the reservable sites. For cell service: I have T-Mobile and my phone was in and out between 1 bar and SOS. For location: we were 54 min from Big Meadows and 34 min from Walmart and Luray Caverns. There’s also zip lining in Luray just fyi. If you forget something, it’s worth taking the trip to Walmart. The store at big meadows was overpriced for sleeping bags and sleeping pads. $99-$120 for sleeping bags is unnecessary when you can get them at Walmart for $25-35.
*Bring your own firewood. I did not see firewood here or at big meadows. Maybe they run out sometimes. Walmart had plenty.
Absolutely stunning experience. Relax and Rejuvenate
Facilities:
Mathews Arm Campground boasts clean flush toilets equipped with dryers, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay. The maintained amenities elevated our camping experience, providing a level of comfort that's often hard to find in such remote locations.
Scenic Beauty:
The campground's location amidst lush greenery and towering trees was a sight to behold. The vibrant foliage and tranquil surroundings made for a picturesque backdrop. Setting up hammocks between the great trees allowed us to immerse ourselves in the stunning scenery and take full advantage of the serene ambiance.
Trails and Activities:
The campground serves as an ideal starting point for various hiking trails, offering a chance to explore Shenandoah National Park's natural wonders. The proximity to the trails provided an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to indulge in their passion for hiking and exploring.
Wildlife and Nature:
Throughout our stay, we were fortunate to observe a variety of wildlife species, including birds and deer. The campground's location within the park provided a unique opportunity to witness the park's diverse ecosystem up close.
Overall Experience:
Our experience at Mathews Arm Campground was marked by the harmony between well-maintained facilities and the surrounding natural beauty. The fact that it offers clean and convenient amenities while preserving the serene atmosphere of Shenandoah National Park is a testament to its appeal.
In conclusion, Mathews Arm Campground is a retreat that caters to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Its combination of facilities, scenic beauty, proximity to hiking trails, and wildlife observation opportunities make it a noteworthy destination within Shenandoah National Park.
One of the best campgrounds in Shenandoah and also has very little cell service, so if you have little ones and you want to get them unhooked from their phones, I'd highly recommend coming here as opposed to any other ones. The overlooks nearby were fantastic. However, the one thing I will say is you need to buy firewood before 6:00 p.m. from the local camp store as they do not sell it after hours
We loved our time there and we'll definitely be coming back.
One of my faves! Spacious, fairly private sites & love that it's one of the few places that still has first come first served sites. They have changed their reservation system this year to being much more fair in my opinion to people who can't make plans 6 months in advance. The hiking is great, the place is pretty empty on weekdays, & very pet friendly. I try to spend time here every year!
A nice park at the north end of Shenandoah. It has bathrooms with toilets and running water, but no showers. The spots are really close to each other with very few trees in-between. We had a spot that was right next to the bathroom, but there was no walking path for the bathroom- this meant that everybody walked through our area. In the middle of the night people would end up right next to our cars and picnic area. I wasn't really a fan of this. The rangers were really helpful and attentive to the campground. I saw them coming by frequently.
