Load up with goodies at the camp store, or hit the lodge dining hall. Explore the displays here this visitor center is a great place to stop and learn about the park and plan your next moves. Big Meadows Campground is the park’s highest at 3,500 feet. Big Meadows includes a lodge, campground, visitor center, dining and picnicking. The next must-stop is Big Meadows, milepost 51.0, where deer are often spotted. At the peak you will find an embedded directional indicator, pointing out all the sights you will see from this lofty height. Speaking of high points, it is a ritual to head to Hawksbill, the park’s highest peak, from milepost 46.7. You can’t go wrong overnighting at Skyland Lodge, milepost 41.7, and combining it with a hike to Stony Man, highest spot on the Appalachian Trail in the park. Pinnacles Overlook, milepost 35.1, presents auto-accessible views and a nearby picnic area. Mary’s Rock has 360-degree vistas from an outcrop and is my favorite lookout in the entire park. Start your view-fest from both road and trail by hiking to Mary’s Rock from Meadow Spring parking area, milepost 33.5. The Central District, from Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap, is the land of superlatives – highest park elevation, highest point on Skyline Drive, most land mass, two lodges, two campgrounds, historic cabins, trails galore and two visitor centers. Don’t miss the view from Thornton Hollow Overlook, milepost 27.6, before rolling into Thornton Gap. Grab some ice cream during the warm season from Elkwallow Wayside, milepost 24.0, or enjoy your own meal at the adjacent picnic area.

Overnight at Mathews Arm Campground, milepost 22.2, and make numerous hikes directly from your campsite. Walk to Piney River Falls from milepost 22.1. Views stretch wide to match the overlook. Next, stop at Hogback Overlook, milepost 20.8, the longest overlook in the park. After orienting, consider walking the Fox Hollow Interpretive Trail, visiting old homesites. Climb to historic Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, milepost 4.6 of Skyline Drive, once a dining hall with a stellar view. Two waterfalls and the trails into the Big Run Wilderness area are nearby.ĭundo Group Campground has three camping sites for groups of 7 to 20 people.This most northerly section, winding through the park’s North District, rises from the town of Front Royal. The campground sits atop Big Flat Mountain with outstanding views to east and west. Located off mile 57.5 of Skyline Drive, Lewis Mountain is the smallest campground in the Park. Three waterfalls are within walking distance Big Meadows, with its abundant plant growth and wildlife, is close by. Near many of the major facilities and popular hiking trails in the Park. Elkwallow Wayside, with camping supplies and food service, is two miles away. It is next to a nature trail and the trail to Overall Run Falls, the tallest waterfall in the park. The nearest campground for those entering the Park from the north. They are listed geographically, going from the northern section of the Park to the southern section. These maps show where each numbered site is and provide an overview of the amenities available at each campground. Camping in one of our campgrounds is an amazing experience with the right preparation.

Map of skyline drive