camping at Shenandoah (cabins, design, friendly)

[melissa2781]

I am planning on leaving DC on memorial day weekend and go camping. Since I didn't plan this as well in advance as I should have, all of the places at my first choice location (Shenandoah Nat Park) are all reserved. However, they have the first come, first serve spots available at Big Meadows.

My questions are:

1. I am planning on getting there Friday to try to get one of the first come, first serve spots. What time do you think I need to get there by? is 7am too late?

2. If that fails horribly and I cannot get a first come, first serve spot, is there any campsites within a close proximity to the park that I can try? It needs to be pet-friendly.

[Dr.Jim]

ummm.......memorial day weekend? Thats gonna be tough.
Are you looking for a 'cabin' type thing? OR an actual campsite to pitch a tent?
If the latter,...then there are ALOT of camping areas along skyline drive,...surely they are not 'all' taken......

More info.........

[j1n]

What I'm finding here in VA, is that campsites are kinda like a motel..."check in" is in the afternoon. If you can arrive at 7 am, and hang out, I think that might secure you a first-come, first-served spot. You may not be able to occupy that spot until around 3 pm though.
I think you can backcountry camp anywhere along there, as well. As far as "pet-friendly", I wouldn't worry about that at all. At worst, you may just get charged a small pet fee. If you are looking for any kind of "solitude", however, I'd get far away from Shenandoah and Skyline Drive on Memorial Day.

[melissa2781]

I am looking to pitch a tent. No cabins for this girl

[Dr.Jim]

Well,....you can "backcountry" camp anywhere in all of Shenandoah natl park, no reservation required. That said, you cannot make a "fire" though. Fires are only allowed in designated camp areas. There are plenty of campsites all along the drive, not just the big ones like Skyland and Big meadows,.......google the Shen park. You can call and make a reservation for a normal 'tent' campsite which will allow fires, and have bathroom/water "nearby".

Shenandoah National Park - Campgrounds (U.S. National Park Service) - Try Lewis mountain,...it is nice and quite small.

[j1n]

Another option would be to access the AT for a little hike up to a shelter, and camp there. Give thru-hikers priority on the shelter, though, if they show up.