My Five-Day Camping Trip in Pictures

Jul 08, 2025

I recently spent five days camping in Shenandoah National Park. I stayed at Matthews Arm campground for a couple of days and the rest of the time at Big Meadows campground. A nice benefit of having the senior lifetime national park pass was the 50% discount on campground fees. It was well worth the $15 per day. It was the first camping trip in my new hybrid Hyundai Santa Fe. I went on plenty of hikes and experienced some impressive views, amazing waterfalls, and the soothing sounds of the natural world around me.

The Matthews Arm campground was more primitive and much less crowded. Only a handful of sites were reserved. Most of the sites were also well-shaded, a nice bonus that kept the car and all the electronics inside (power station, fridge, etc.) at a much lower temperature.

There are a couple of trails right off the Matthews Arm campground that take you to the Cascade Falls and Overall Run Falls.

The Big Meadows Campground is the most popular because it is conveniently located near several popular trails. This one offers more amenities, including showers, laundry facilities, and a nearby picnic area, and is conveniently located a short distance from the Big Meadows visitor center, restaurant, and gift shop, all of which are situated right on Skyline Drive.

One of my hikes was to the top of Stony Man Mountain in Shenandoah National Park. It is the second highest peak in the park at 4,011 feet.

I also hiked to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain, the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park at 4,050 feet. The north face of Hawksbill Peak features a 2,500-foot drop into Timber Hollow, marking the most significant elevation change in the park. I enjoyed the beautiful views, along with a bird that was perched on top of a rock overlooking the valley below (in the center of the picture).

One of the most popular trails was Dark Hollow Falls. I decided to tackle that one early in the morning before the crowds arrived. The waterfall was quite impressive.