Campsite #185 at Big Meadows Campground, Shenandoah National Park, VA

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Campsite #185

15 reviews
Drive-In 6 people
16 ft Back-In
2 fair
185
4/16
Campsite #185 Features: Drive-In access, Back-in parking, 16ft driveway, Fire ring w/ Grill, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed

Campsite Reviews (14)

4.0 out of 5

5 star
64%
4 star
21%
3 star
14%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%

@BenM3451919 · Camped on May 21, 2025 at Campsite #185
This campground is fantastic. It was amazing as always the Wednesday and Thursday nights I stayed before Memorial Weekend. Friday night was where it went south. The loud talk, barking dogs, and screaming crotch fruits harshed my mellow on what was otherwise another good Big Meadows experience.
Verizon
Major Issues
@PatriciaK11756 · Camped on Apr 20, 2025 at Campsite #185
A lovely campsite with restrooms & water nearby. We enjoyed our stay very much!
Verizon
Some Coverage
@GarretL3995664 · Camped on Aug 4, 2024 at Campsite #185
When you camp at Big Meadows, just remember it can be like a little "city". It is the biggest campground in SNP and usually has a lot of campers there. The site itself was good. The bathrooms were another story. We camped there 3 nights and I am 99.9% sure nobody serviced or checked on the bathrooms while we were there which is subpar. The men's bathroom ran out of toilet paper (bring your own for the "just in case"). Someone had also gotten crap on the toilet which remained uncleaned for a day and I ended up cleaning because of nature calling. Water: not all of the water fountains/stations in the campground work. The one nearest our site did not. Also, the spigots in the area where we camped are pretty low to the ground. We had to walk to the picnic area to find a spigot tall enough to allow us to fill our water jug. As a reminder, the showers are pay showers. $5.00 for ten minutes.
Verizon
Major Issues
@AndrewO7F3A6E7 · Camped on May 5, 2024 at Campsite #185
The campground is clean and has plenty of amenities. It is after all a federal park. The best camping experiences you can have. Bring the family or go solo. I absolutely love this place.
AT&T
Some Coverage
@MichaelT862538 · Camped on May 15, 2023 at Campsite #185
I have been visiting since 1973 ........ when the Park Service ran the concessions. Now: $12 for a single bundle of wood ($5 at the local grocery) ...... and $5 in quarters to take a shower? The ice/wood was closed Tuesday and Wednesday last week? The only Gas Station on the drive dismantled AGAIN after only a few years? The only Park Rangers we saw were at the entries. At least the outhouses are still free.
T-Mobile
Good
@MaryG2220960 · Camped on Jun 27, 2022 at Campsite #185
What a wonderful experience! This time I camped at one of the sites that is a stone's throw from the Appalachian trail so I had easy access to hiking. I also had easy access to the lodge where I got my morning coffee and had dinner one night at a gorgeous sunset. The camp store, visitor center and gift shop were also fun to walk to and explore. I did not move my car for the 4 days I was there. The rangers are also super nice. It does get very, very dark at night, and walking to the bathroom from my site did feel like I was walking through a forest at night, even though I was on the camp roads. But with the dark night came beautiful starry skies. I look forward to many more camping experiences at big meadows!
@GreggV7025E333 · Camped on Jun 12, 2022 at Campsite #185
VERY surprised by the tall grass within the campsite - could not enjoy. The open beer drinking and pitched tent camping at the Outpost was a bit much for the family. NPS seems to be lacking in grounds and general up keep of the facilities.
@GeraldW5854649 · Camped on May 31, 2022 at Campsite #185
Great campground, but beware of caterpillars under the oaks in early June.
@ChadMD5E4EA474 · Camped on May 16, 2022 at Campsite #185
Great campground. Our site was a little on the small side, so we couldnt have a campfire because our tent was too close.
@JamesD198 · Camped on Nov 7, 2021 at Campsite #185
New picnic tables - really clean bathrooms - beautiful views - what's not to love!
T-Mobile
Some Coverage
@ReneeS560 · Camped on Jun 28, 2021 at Campsite #185
Definitely one of the best campgrounds I've stayed at. Sites are large and well spaced, easy access to the AT, just enough amenities to make our stay easy. My new favorite!
Verizon
Major Issues
@KristenW516199 · Camped on Aug 24, 2020 at Campsite #185
Beautiful site, incredible views and the trails were great!
@HasanAAA45A92A · Camped on Aug 5, 2020 at Campsite #185
A great camping ground. I had a most pleasant experience here despite the torrential rain and thunderstorm on out first night. The meadow was full of wildflowers and butterflies. The camping ground was well maintained and serviced. The Appalachian trail was 20 feet away and we walked it for some distance.
@HeidiK3391BCE1 · Camped on Jun 29, 2020 at Campsite #185
I love these campsites along the edge of the E loop, where I can relax and enjoy the view and see hikers pass by on the AT just alongside the campsite.

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