Mathews Arm Campground

For Virginia locals eager to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and experience the tranquility of a national park, Mathews Arm Campground offers an exceptional opportunity. Nestled within the iconic Shenandoah National Park, this campground provides a quintessential outdoor escape, combining rustic charm with essential amenities for a comfortable stay. It’s a perfect launching point for exploring the park’s renowned hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and diverse wildlife, making it an ideal destination for families, friends, and solo adventurers alike.

Mathews Arm Campground is known for its peaceful environment and its direct connection to the natural wonders of Shenandoah. While it maintains a somewhat primitive feel by not offering electric or water hookups, it provides fundamental comforts like flush toilets and potable water, bridging the gap between true backcountry camping and a more developed experience. If you’re looking for a genuine national park camping adventure with easy access to stunning vistas and invigorating hikes, all within the beautiful Commonwealth of Virginia, Mathews Arm Campground stands ready to welcome you. It’s a place where the stars shine brighter, the air is crisper, and the call of the wild is just outside your tent flap.

Mathews Arm Campground is uniquely situated at Milepost 22.1 on the scenic Skyline Drive, within the northern section of Shenandoah National Park. Its address, listed as Skyline Dr, Rileyville, VA 22650, USA, places it in a prime location for those entering the park from the northern Front Royal entrance. This means it is the closest campground for Virginians traveling from Northern Virginia, Washington D.C. suburbs, and the Winchester area, making it a highly accessible choice for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation without extensive travel.

Skyline Drive itself is a major draw, a 105-mile National Scenic Byway that winds along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering 75 scenic overlooks with panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the rolling Piedmont to the east. Accessing Mathews Arm Campground involves entering Shenandoah National Park via one of its entrance stations (Front Royal being the closest for this campground), which requires a park entrance fee. Once inside, the drive along Skyline Drive to Milepost 22.1 is itself part of the scenic experience. For Virginia locals, this location provides not just a campsite, but an entire journey through one of the state's most iconic natural treasures. While the exact town listed in the address is Rileyville, the campground's true geographic context is within the protected boundaries of the national park, offering a truly immersive natural setting away from commercial development.

Mathews Arm Campground offers a range of essential services and amenities, designed to provide a comfortable yet authentic camping experience within a national park setting:

• Campsites: The campground features approximately 165 campsites suitable for both tents and RVs (motorhomes, pop-ups, and 5th-wheels).

• Individual Site Amenities: Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill, perfect for outdoor cooking and gathering.

• Flush Toilets: Clean and well-maintained flush toilet facilities are available throughout the campground.

• Drinking Water: Potable water is accessible at various spigots within the campground loops.

• Dump Station: A dump station is conveniently located near the campground entrance for RVs and trailers to dispose of wastewater.

• Bear-Resistant Food Storage Boxes: Given that the park is bear country, some sites, particularly those on the perimeter, may have bear boxes for proper food storage. Campers are advised to store all food and scented items in locked vehicles or bear boxes.

• Generator Hours: Generators are permitted during specific hours (typically 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with extended hours in colder months for heating) in designated areas. There are also "generator-free" loops for those seeking more quiet.

• Camp Host: A campground host is typically on site, providing assistance and information to campers.

• Firewood for Purchase: Certified, heat-treated firewood is available for purchase within the park (at Elkwallow Wayside), helping to prevent the spread of invasive insects. Campers can also gather dead wood from the ground within the park.

• Overflow Parking: Additional parking is available in an overflow lot across from the registration station.

It's important to note that Mathews Arm Campground does NOT offer electric or water hookups at individual sites, nor does it have showers or laundry facilities. The nearest showers and laundry are located at Big Meadows Campground (Milepost 51), approximately 29 miles south on Skyline Drive, requiring quarters for use.

Mathews Arm Campground offers several compelling features and highlights that make it a desirable camping destination for Virginia locals:

• Gateway to Shenandoah National Park: As the northernmost campground in the park, it provides direct and easy access to Skyline Drive and the vast recreational opportunities within Shenandoah National Park.

• Proximity to Overall Run Falls: The campground offers direct access to the trailhead for Overall Run Falls, the tallest waterfall in Shenandoah National Park (93 feet). This moderately difficult hike offers rewarding views of the falls and the Shenandoah Valley.

• Traces Trail: An easy-to-moderate 1.7-mile loop trail, Traces Trail, circles the campground, providing a pleasant walk for all ages and a convenient way to explore the immediate surroundings. (Note: pets are not permitted on Traces Trail).

• Wildlife Viewing: The park is home to abundant wildlife, including white-tailed deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and various bird species. Proper food storage is essential due to the presence of bears.

• Scenic Beauty: Campers are surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering opportunities for photography, bird watching, and simply enjoying the peaceful forest environment.

• Quiet and Tranquil Atmosphere: Many campers praise Mathews Arm for its relatively quiet and tranquil setting, especially in the "generator-free" areas, allowing for a truly peaceful escape.

• Family-Oriented: With its open spaces and access to various trails, it's considered a family-friendly campground, providing ample opportunities for children to explore and connect with nature.

• Historic Elkwallow Wayside Nearby: Located just two miles south at Milepost 24, Elkwallow Wayside offers a small camp store with supplies, a limited menu for prepared food, and souvenirs, providing convenient access to necessities.

• Combination of Reservable and First-Come, First-Served Sites: This offers flexibility for planning, allowing some sites to be booked up to six months in advance via Recreation.gov, while others are available for spontaneous trips.

These highlights underscore Mathews Arm's appeal as a truly immersive national park camping experience.

As a National Park Service campground, Mathews Arm Campground does not typically offer "promotions or special offers" in the commercial sense. Instead, benefits for campers are generally tied to federal recreation passes and the inherent affordability of national park camping.

Key "promotions" or cost-saving opportunities available to eligible individuals include:

• America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes:

  • Senior Pass: U.S. citizens and permanent residents aged 62 or older can purchase an annual ($20) or lifetime ($80) Senior Pass, which provides a 50% discount on standard amenity fees, including camping at Mathews Arm.

  • Access Pass: A free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities, also providing a 50% discount on camping fees.

  • Military Annual Pass/Lifetime Pass: Free annual or lifetime passes for active U.S. military personnel and veterans/Gold Star Families, offering similar discounts on amenity fees.

  • Annual Pass: An $80 annual pass covers entrance fees for most federal recreation sites, which includes entry into Shenandoah National Park. While this doesn't discount the camping fee itself, it covers the necessary park entry.

• Fee-Free Days: The National Park Service designates several fee-free days throughout the year when entrance fees to national parks are waived. While camping fees still apply, the park entry fee is a separate cost, and these days can provide savings on the overall visit.

Campers with eligible passes should ensure they provide their pass information when making reservations via Recreation.gov to receive the discount. The standard nightly rate for a non-electric campsite is $30, with group sites (accommodating 7-25 people) priced at $75 per night.

For information regarding Mathews Arm Campground and Shenandoah National Park, you can use the following general contact information for the park, as Mathews Arm does not have a direct, unique phone number outside of the park's main lines:

Address: Skyline Dr, Rileyville, VA 22650, USA (This is the general location on Skyline Drive)

Shenandoah National Park Information Line: (540) 999-3500 (This line is often staffed weekdays during business hours).

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or online at

www.recreation.gov

Park Website:

www.nps.gov/shen

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on opening and closing dates, site availability, current conditions, and any specific regulations, Virginia locals should always check Recreation.gov or the official Shenandoah National Park website directly, or call the park's information line. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak seasons, weekends, and holidays.

Mathews Arm Campground is an outstanding choice for locals in Virginia seeking an authentic and accessible national park camping experience. Its location within Shenandoah National Park on Skyline Drive means that Virginians don't have to travel far to immerse themselves in one of the East Coast's most stunning natural landscapes. For those living in Northern Virginia or the Shenandoah Valley, it's a relatively quick and easy drive to escape urban environments and reconnect with nature.

The campground's blend of basic amenities (flush toilets, potable water, dump station) with a rustic, no-hookup environment makes it ideal for campers who want a genuine outdoor adventure without entirely roughing it. It’s perfect for families looking to introduce children to camping, with features like picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby trails like Traces Trail. The access to iconic hikes such as Overall Run Falls, the opportunity for wildlife viewing, and the sheer beauty of Skyline Drive make every moment spent here enriching. Furthermore, as a National Park Service campground, it offers consistent standards and the ability to utilize federal passes for potential discounts. For Virginians prioritizing a tranquil, scenic, and genuinely wild camping experience that’s still within reach of home, Mathews Arm Campground provides an unparalleled opportunity to create lasting memories amidst the grandeur of Shenandoah National Park.