Shenandoah National Park guide · 1 min read
Skyland, Big Meadows and Loft Mountain Stays
Skyland, at mile 41.7 on Skyline Drive, is made up of 28 buildings spread through the trees and along the crest, covering a little more than 27 acres.
Accommodations there run from small detached cabins to premium rooms, with preferred and traditional rooms and suites in between. Some rooms accept pets, so visitors can pick the option that fits their plans.
Big Meadows Lodge and the Lewis Mountain Cabins are the other places to sleep inside the park. Staying within the park cuts down on the driving needed to reach the sights.
Five campgrounds line Skyline Drive, so campers can choose the stretch of park that suits them. Big Meadows Campground, at mile 51.2, sits near the middle of the park and puts you within easy reach of Big Meadows, Dark Hollow Falls and the Byrd Visitor Center. Each site can take a tent or an RV, and comes with a fire ring and a picnic table. Sites are by reservation only, and the campground has no cell phone reception or internet. Check each campground's listing for current reservation options before you go.
Loft Mountain Campground sits on Big Flat Mountain at mile 79.5, toward the southern end of the park. Campers get wide views both east and west, two waterfalls lie nearby, and trails from the campground reach the Big Run Wilderness. Some sites are reservable and released in sections, while the rest are first come, first served.
A ranger-led evening program takes place at the Loft Mountain amphitheater and lasts about 45 minutes. Bring a flashlight and a warm layer, since evenings on the mountain turn chilly.
