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Since
I was going to be in the area for two months before heading back
south down the Blue Ridge Parkway, I opted for full hookup rv parks.
See links to the left for the Charlottesville area private campgrounds
I stayed at (Misty Mountain and Waynesboro North 340). I enjoyed
many trips up and down Skyline Drive, though, so pics and info gathered
are shared below starting with campgrounds in order when driving
north (Milepost 1) to south (Milepost 105)
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Campgrounds
Web Page
The
above NPS link also provides links to pdf pages of the individual
campgrounds' site maps.
Reservations
can be made for sites at Big Meadows, Loft Mountain and Mathews
Arm campgrounds online at Recreation.gov
or by calling 877-444-6777. Most sites are available on a first-come,
first-served basis. Campgrounds are open late May through October.
Rates quoted below are 1/2 off for Golden Age Passport holders.
Could
not get Verizon cell phone or air card internet at any campground
I tried.
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Mathews
Arm Campground |
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| Location |
Milepost
22.1 |
| Number
of sites |
178;
picnic tables and fire pits; all pullthroughs are on A loop
that doesn't allow generators |
| Generators |
None
allowed in sites A23-A60; otherwise allowed 8-10 am and 4-7
pm |
| Campground
Facilities |
Flush
toilets, drinking water, pay phones, dump station; no showers.
Elkwallow Wayside with camping supplies and food service is
2 miles away. |
| Rate |
$15/night |
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Sites
#A36 & A38 on left (empty); campground host in A40. Sites on
the right are the only pull-throughs. I don't understand why they
chose this part of the park to ban generators from when it seems
the best for the bigger RVs.
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Big
Meadows Campground |
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| Location |
Milepost
51.2 |
| Number
of sites |
210
with picnic tables and fire pits; many sites are suitable only
for tents |
| Generators |
None
allowed in bottom A Loop or B loop; otherwise allowed 8-10 am
and 4-7 pm |
| Campground
Facilities |
Flush
toilets, drinking water, pay phones, dump station; laundry;
showers. Byrd Visitor Center with store and restaurant less
than a mile. |
| Rate |
$20/night
when reserved; $17/night late spring & eary fall. |
| Misc. |
Busiest
and most popular campground; 3 waterfalls within walking distance |
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According
to the ranger and the nice folks in this site, this is the best
of the bunch: E-180. It's a massive, level pull-through on the outer
bluff with views of the valley when you can see through the trees.
Other recommended sites are G-210 (another large pullthrough but
in the interior part) and E-190, a very level back-in. Deer were
frequently seen throughout in the middle of the day and I was also
told bears come around, too, so food storage is an important issue
here.
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Lewis
Mountain Campground |
|
| Location |
Milepost
57.5 |
| Number
of sites |
31;
picnic tables and fire pits; |
| Generators |
Allowed
8-10 am and 4-7 pm |
| Campground
Facilities |
Flush
toilets, drinking water, pay phones, dump station; store, laundry,
showers up by the nearby cabins you pass as you're entering
the campground. |
| Rate |
$15
- no reservations accepted |
| Misc. |
Smallest
campground; only 6 miles from Big Meadows |
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According
to the camp host, the sites on the far side of the campground as
you make the loop are best for bigger rigs. There are two pull-throughs
on this side, also (#20 & #21). Seen here are back-in sites
#28-31.
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Loft
Mountain Campground |
|
| Location |
Milepost
79.5 |
| Number
of sites |
175;
picnic tables and fire pits; |
| Generators |
None
allowed in Loops F or G; otherwise allowed 8-10 am and 4-7 pm |
| Campground
Facilities |
Flush
toilets, drinking water, pay phones, dump station; store; showers;
amphitheater |
| Rate |
$15 |
| Misc. |
Largest
campground; atop Big Flat Mountain |
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This
is the only campground I stayed at - when mom was with me and we
had just come off the Blue Ridge Parkway and ended up on Skyline
Drive by mistake. This was a lucky accident because we really enjoyed
our night here - very quiet and lush with greenery. It's the closest
campground to the south entrance - about 25 miles. This site #A-19
is a large pull-through with more distance from the road.
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And
this is the yard - beautiful and very secluded feeling.
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I
have many more pics of these campgrounds. If you're interested in
seeing more before you stay here, please feel free to contact me
at Malia@MaliasMiles.com.
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Click
arrow to see a couple of hikes I enjoyed
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