Shenandoah NP for Memorial Weekend

[RVThere]

We will be at the Big Meadows campground from Thursday through Monday. Oldest son's girlfriend will be on her first RV trip. Also meeting five other families down there.

On Saturday, we will hike from Skyline Drive down into the valley, up Old Rag, back down into the valley and back up to Skyline Drive. This is a training hike for a New Mexico Scout trip in August. Tiring but fun!

[Bucksmom]

make sure you keep us updated on your weekend. would love to camp in that area some day

[RVThere]

Since Bucksmom asked for a recap, here it is:

- we have been to Shenandoah about 10 times but this is the first time with our 13-foot high coach. So when we pulled up to the entrance at Thorton Gap, we were told to turn around because there is a 12'-8" tunnel. So we went around to the Swift Run Gap entrance (about a 60 mile detour) and drove north to Big Meadows.
- Stayed in site H217. The E through I loops have a lot of trees which is great for shade but tight for fitting a big MH. We kissed one tree with our slide out awning on the way into our site.
- You cannot bring your own firewood into Shenandoah. They sell it for $5 a bag. With all the campfires, it gets very smokey at night.
- As it was a holiday weekend, plenty of families and kids. Everything quieted down quickly at night as it was not a party crowd.
- Seems people reserve sites for the entire weekend, but only come for one or two nights or don't show up at all.
- Hiked to Dark Hollow Falls one day (4 miles round trip from camp) and Old Rag the next day (18 miles round trip starting at Limberlost trail on Skyline drive).
- You can get 3G cell coverage if you hike out to a rock that looks over the valley. No cell coverage in the camground for Verizon.
- Only can run genset from 8-10am and 4-7pm. Our 6 volt AGMs did fine with enough power to watch the Bruins playoff game on Friday night. Loop B does not allow ANY generators to run.
- Dumped and pumped on way in and way out. We had 5 people so used campground showers ($1 for 5 minutes). Galley grey water was full but bath grey water was only 1/2. Black water was 1/2 and fresh water (started with 100 galllons) was just below half. Not bad considering we were there for 4.5 days.

We were there with 4 other families and everyone had a great time. One son of another family said it was his 'best weekend ever!'.

[Foz]

Beautifule area, glad you had fun. We live in Madison County......which begins at Big Meadows on the E side of skyline dr. Make plans for a fall visit...the view is awesome when the leaves change.

[Bucksmom]

great recap! I thought our rig was tall, but 13 ft has us beat. Good thing your turned her around before you found out the hard way.

None of us should be bringing our 'own' firewood in anywhere. Quickest way to spread pests around.