Skyline Drive welcomes RVs, but the Marys Rock Tunnel at mile 32.2 clears only 12 ft 8 in and every park campground is dry. Plan your base on the right side of the tunnel.
Skyline Drive is the 105-mile road that runs the length of Shenandoah National Park along the crest of the Blue Ridge. The National Park Service says RVs, campers and horse trailers are allowed, and that drivers should be ready to shift into a low gear going downhill. The speed limit is 35 mph in most places, so the drive is slow by design. Plan on a full day to do it end to end with stops.
The one number that shapes an RV trip here is the Marys Rock Tunnel at mile 32.2, which the park measures at 12 ft 8 in for both lanes. It sits just south of the Thornton Gap entrance, so it splits the park in two. Mathews Arm campground (mile 22.1) is north of the tunnel. Big Meadows, Lewis Mountain and Loft Mountain are south of it. A tall rig cannot drive between the two halves inside the park. It has to exit at Thornton Gap and re-enter at another gate.
There are no hookups in any of the four national park campgrounds. For electric, water and sewer, most RVers base in a private park around Luray or Front Royal and drive in for the day.
| Skyline Drive | 105 miles, mostly 35 mph; open 24 hours except when weather closes it |
|---|---|
| Entrance fee | $30 per private vehicle, valid 7 days; $55 park annual pass |
| Entrances | Front Royal (mile 0), Thornton Gap (31.5), Swift Run Gap (65.5), Rockfish Gap (104.6) |
| Camping | About $30 per night at the four park campgrounds; no hookups |
| Payment | Park fees are cashless since July 1, 2025 |
| Reservations | Recreation.gov, up to 6 months ahead; 877-444-6777 |
The tunnel is the headline, but campsite size and grades matter just as much.
The Drive is open year-round when weather allows. Campgrounds open seasonally, from early spring until late fall.
| Time of year | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (April–May) | Wildflowers, waterfalls at their best, and open campsites. Only some campgrounds are open until May. |
| Summer | Cooler on the crest than in the valley, but busy on weekends. Reserve the sites you want. |
| Fall (October) | Peak color and the heaviest traffic. Expect slow drives and full campgrounds, and book months ahead. |
| November | Most campgrounds close. Check opening and closing dates on the NPS campground page before you plan. |
| Winter | Weather can close the Drive at any time. Plan to stay in a valley RV park rather than count on the high campgrounds. |
The four park campgrounds are dry camping only. Rates and season dates come from Virginia Tourism, the NPS campground page and visitor reports, so confirm them when you book. Private parks in the valley supply the hookups.
Best for: The most central base, with a dump station, pay showers, laundry and a camp store, plus the lodge and visitor center nearby.
Watch out: Crowded, and it sells out on weekends. It is south of the tunnel.
Best for: Quieter and spread out, with dump station and potable water. A good base for the southern third of the Drive.
Watch out: Sloped sites and long walks to the pay showers. Limited generator use.
Best for: The only park campground north of the tunnel, so it works for tall rigs coming from Front Royal. Trailhead for Overall Run Falls.
Watch out: Tight, tilted sites and a steep entrance hill. A long rig may not fit.
Best for: Small and quiet, with cabins on the same loop.
Watch out: RV suitability is not described on the pages we read. Call the park before you rely on it.
Best for: Hookups, a river setting and easy access to fuel and groceries about 14 miles from the park.
Watch out: Rates swing widely. Book early for October.
Best for: Big-rig friendly with pull-through sites, about 20 minutes from the Thornton Gap entrance.
Watch out: Reviewers mention a steep rural approach off Route 340. Surface descriptions vary, so confirm the site type.
Best for: Full hookups with a pool and discounted cavern tours for guests.
Watch out: Roads are steep and cell service varies by site.
Other private options near the park include KOA Luray RV Resort, Madison Vines RV Resort and Walnut Hills Campground near Waynesboro, which is close to the south entrance at Rockfish Gap. Check each park’s own site for current rules and site lengths.
All three plans keep tall rigs on the correct side of the tunnel. Swap a valley RV park for a park campground if you prefer to stay on the Drive.
First visit, any rig that fits a dry site.
Rigs that need hookups or are taller than the tunnel.
Rigs under 12 ft 8 in with flexible dates.
There are dozens of overlooks along the 105 miles. Many have room for a pickup and trailer, but not all suit a long motorhome. Pull in slowly and check the exit before you commit.
A short, steep hike from the road near Big Meadows to a 70-foot cascade. It is easy on the way down and harder coming back, so allow extra time.
The highest point in the park, with long views from the stone observation platform. Start at Hawksbill Gap (mile 45.6) for the shorter route.
An open meadow beside the campground where white-tailed deer graze at dawn and dusk. It is also a popular stargazing spot.
A short trail from Skyland (mile 41.7) to a cliff-top viewpoint over the Shenandoah Valley, and one of the easiest summit hikes in the park.
A large show cave in the valley near the park. It is a good rain-day plan, and most RV parks in the area are within 15 minutes.
Use the right entrance. Front Royal (mile 0) and Rockfish Gap (mile 104.6) are the main end-to-end entrances. Thornton Gap (mile 31.5) and Swift Run Gap (mile 65.5) are the middle gates. The park advises written directions over GPS, because phone routing can send you to the wrong gate.
Tall rigs plan around the tunnel. If you are over 12 ft 8 in, exit at Thornton Gap onto US 211, drive to US 340, then US 33 to Swift Run Gap, and re-enter to reach Big Meadows.
Check the weather. The Drive closes in ice, fog and storms. If it is closed, you can still enter the park on foot.
Watch your brakes. Descents are long. Use a low gear and stop at overlooks to let brakes cool.
Services on the Drive are limited, and the National Park Service advises planning fuel and food in advance. Fuel up in Front Royal, Luray, Waynesboro or another valley town before you enter. Big Meadows has a camp store and a wayside. Loft Mountain has a camp store with pay showers and laundry.
Pay showers are reported at about $5 for 10 minutes. Cell service on the crest is weak and uneven, so download maps and confirm reservations before you arrive. Food and scented items must be kept in a locked vehicle or storage locker when not in use because of bears.
Fees from the National Park Service and Virginia Tourism, plus private-park ranges from RV listing sites. Confirm current amounts before you travel.
| Item | What we found | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | $30 per vehicle, valid 7 days | Annual park pass is $55. |
| America the Beautiful pass | $80 annual; $80 senior lifetime | Senior annual $20. Free for military and access pass holders. |
| Park campground | About $30 per night | Visitors with a senior pass report about half price. |
| Pay showers | About $5 for 10 minutes | Visitor report; the price may have changed. |
| Private RV park | $45–$470 per night | Wide range by park, site type and season. |
Fees are the amounts listed by the managing agency when this guide was checked. Use the budget worksheet to add fuel, groceries and contingency.
NPS lists Limberlost as the park's trail that meets ADA accessibility guidelines. Dogs are not allowed on several popular trails, including Stony Man and Dark Hollow Falls, so plan a separate walk for pets.
The Marys Rock Tunnel at mile 32.2 is 12 ft 8 in for both lanes, according to the National Park Service. Taller rigs can still visit by exiting at Thornton Gap and re-entering at Swift Run Gap.
No. All four park campgrounds are dry camping, with water and a dump station at three of them. Full-hookup sites are in private RV parks around Luray, Front Royal and Waynesboro.
RVs, campers and horse trailers are allowed. Speeds are slow, descents are long and some campsites are tight. Rigs over about 35 feet will have more trouble finding a spot.
$30 per private vehicle for seven days, or $55 for a park annual pass. Payment is cashless.
Big Meadows is reservation only. Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain take reservations for part of their sites, and Lewis Mountain is first come, first served. Reserve at Recreation.gov up to six months ahead.
Spring and fall are the favorites. October brings peak color and the heaviest crowds, so reserve early and arrive on a weekday.
Yes. Skyline Drive ends at Rockfish Gap, where the Blue Ridge Parkway begins. The Parkway has its own tunnels and no hookups at its campgrounds.
Rules were checked October 21, 2026. Campground rates, seasons and maximum lengths were not all on the National Park Service pages, so some figures come from Virginia Tourism and visitor reports. Use the official pages below as the source of truth.