Shenandoah National Park
Milepost 79.5, Skyline Drive

A great base camp for exploring the Shenandoah National Park, Loft Mountain is located near the southern end of the Shenandoah. The Appalachian Trail runs through the campground, the adjoining Frazier Discovery Trail offers great scenic and natural value, and there are two waterfalls nearby as well as a pair of trails into the Big Run Wilderness. The campground is close to great hiking in the Riprap and Lewis Mountain areas as well (check out the Riprap Loop in our hiking section). Loft Mountain is the largest campground in the park and the closest to Charlottesville.

More info here.

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Distance from downtown Charlottesville: 52 miles (1 hour, 16 minutes)
To get there, go here.
GPS: 38.15737, -78.39618
No. of campsites: 200 (approximately)
No. with hookups: 200
No. for tents only: 34
Primitive sites: 0
Reservations? Yes. 877.444.6777, http://www.recreation.gov/
Cost: $15
Year-round? No. For 2014: May 7 thru a date to be determined
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Stuff to do nearby: Hiking, waterfalls. Horseshoe throwing is forbidden.