We stayed for one Saturday night in October during the peak fall color season. We weren't able to make a reservation at our favorite spot, Big Meadows, because after a certain date during the year, all campsites are first-come, first-served. So, we left Maryland early (ok, not as early as we planned), and headed down to Shenandoah. We entered the park at Thornton Gap, hoping to get a spot at Big Meadows. There was a long line of cars at the entrance, and a sign saying that all campgrounds were full! Frustrated, I turned the car around and went back down the mountain. BF and I discussed possibly finding a place to stay in Luray, but decided to at least do some sight-seeing, so we drove back UP the mountain to the entrance again, and the sign says there is vacancy at Mathews Arm. We raced (as much as you can at 45 mph speed limit!) and got to choose a spot at the campground. The people working the check-in were very nice and helpful. The campground is fine if it is what is available. There are no showers, which wasn't a problem since we only stayed one night. We did not see any wildlife in the campground and the camp store area was CROWDED! Leaf peepers had to stand in VERY long lines for food and bathrooms. Word to the wise: if you are doing a day trip in fall, bring a picnic! Do not waste time in line to buy sandwiches/burgers. The weather and sights were absolutely beautiful in October, but my BF and I both kept comparing Mathews Arm to Big Meadows and agreed that it just wasn't the same.

It is a scenic area, but the rangers were very bad tempered. We had a group of 5 families with children from 5 to 16 yrs old and adults 35-45 yrs old. After 10pm the rangers came up and very nastily told us it was "quiet time and we needed to go to sleep or he was going to fine us each $130!?!?!" We were not being loud, and were only adults sitting up and talking around the campfire. I chalked it up as he was having a bad night but the following night he came back again and just as rude. We were even intentionally trying to be as quiet as possible, the second night but his response was "you are a large group and it wasn't possible for us to be quiet and we needed to go to bed" Then the rangers started walking through our campsite pointing spotlights in our tents and vehicles with no regard for our privacy? Meanwhile the site 3 down had dogs yipping and barking constantly the whole time. Will never visit again and would not reccomend to anyone.

We arrived Friday with a large group of people and a few kids and 2 dogs ready to have a great weekend and enjoy staying up late talking around the camp fire. Well for starters, who ever did the site layouts did a horrible job! The picnic tables were way too close to the campfire and the tables nor fire pit could be moved, not that is was THAT big of a deal but we dealt with it. So Friday night we are sitting around talking and laughing and enjoying the great weather about 11pm when we were approached by 3 campground security officers telling us there was a no noise tolerance past 10pm and that he advised us all to go to bed and if we kept it up that he would come back and fine each person $130?!? While one of the other officers was going through our open cars with flash lights??????????? Mind you, we are all adults here with a few children who were only talking and laughing. So we all went to bed as told! Saturday night same thing! it was not even 10pm yet when we were warned about the no noise tolerance and needed to go to bed by 10?!?!? Okay so first thing every morning the trash truck would come through between 6 and 7 AM LOUD as can be and honked the horn every time he backed up stopping at every trash station. And people with little yappy dogs through the day and night and wee hours of the morning barking at every noise they heard. We had 2 dogs with us that DID NOT BARK ONCE!!! Yet we talked passed 10pm get yelled out and they allow other people to let their dogs bark all night???????? I'm just very disappointed by this campsite, if you plan on going and enjoying yourself past 10pm or sleeping past 6am THIS CAMPGROUND IS NOT FOR YOU! WE WILL NEVER GO BACK AGAIN!!!!!!!

I stayed at Mathews Arm Campground for a recent camping trip and was very pleased with the outcome. I couldn’t believe such a beautiful quiet scenic place could be so close to the DC area! Since all the reserved campsites were already booked I showed up around 3ish on Friday and lucked out with a wonderful spot for $15 a night. Since it was a pretty weekend the place was completely booked by noon Saturday. The rangers up at the front desk were incredibly friendly and ready to answer any questions. The pet friendly site has quite a few fun trails to walk as well as a handful of breath taking scenic overlook views. There are a few restrooms available that aren’t too bad. The women restroom had 3 stalls available and two sinks just don’t expect any hot water! I do not recommend getting a camp spot near the restrooms – since there are no direct trails leading to the restrooms people have created trails through campsites that surround the restrooms. I was told by a few others who have camped in the Shenandoah how cold it can get up in the mountains – we went the first weekend in October and even though it was the mid 70*s during the day it dipped to about 40*-30* once the sun set. If you’re going in the fall make sure to pack a few extra blankets! You’ll be thankful for it!!

There is a small camp store at Elk Wallow just about 2 miles past Mathews Arm (they close at 7pm) and have a variety of camping supplies, gas, firewood, ice, drinks, beer, food and souvenirs. They also have a food stand inside the store where they sell burgers, sandwiches etc.

My Recommendations:
If you are planning on camping out in a tent – I highly recommend A58 / A57/ A56 since these are away from all the other spots it creates privacy and is very quiet. I did notice The entire C section campsites were very close together so you don’t have much privacy and could get loud depending on your neighbors. I stayed at site A15 and besides the occasional car driving by it was very quiet and peaceful. I do believe that they have 2 car 2 tent rule for every campsite so if you're planning for more expect to pay for another site as well.

I loved Mathews Arm Campground and can’t wait to visit again!!!