Shenandoah National Park

[Ruthe]

I'm trying to figure out where to camp in Shenandoah and wondering whether reservations are necessary in October when the leaves are turning.

[ColoRockiesFan]

I can recommend the Luray KOA. Clean,beautiful, and quiet!

October is high season for looking at the changing colors ... I think reservations are pretty much necessary.

[elongest]

Yes make reservations. The camp sites in the park have no power and towing in the park can be a challenge. We usually camp outside the park and sightsee in the park during the day in our car/truck.
On the west side of the park the KOA at Luray is nice. Andy Guest State Park is also near Luray and a very popular SP. Near the center of the park on the east side there is a private CG in Standardsville which is OK. Near the south end of the Park just off the BRP is Lake Scherando NFCG they have power at some of their sites. Lake Scherando is fairly convenient to the BRP and Waynesboro for supplies shopping and gas.
If there on the October weekends you may want visit the Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festivals below the east side of the park near the center. They also have a big buffet in the lodge on Sat. night. Apple Harvest :: Graves Mountain Lodge
Make sure you have a full tank of gas before going up into the park. There are places to buy gas in the park but they are never near when needed.
Eddie

[Ruthe]

Why is towing in the park a challenge? Curvy roads? Traffic during leaf season?

[flatpick]

Originally Posted by Ruthe

Why is towing in the park a challenge? Curvy roads? Traffic during leaf season?

all of the above. busy weekends can be stop and go with hours being spend going a few miles. It IS the Appalachian mountains and the roads are quite curvy and steep. Great on a motorcycle!

steve
Harley rider too!

[elongest]

Overall the roads are good but in a few places the road makes a sharp turn while on a fairly steep uphill grade. It is enough for your automatic transmission to loose prime when all the fluid shifts to the side and the rear. Once level again it picks up the fluid and slams the drive train. The park service describes it as a narrow mountain road.
A lot of the sightseeing pull offs will not accommodate a tow vehicle and trailer and during the leaf viewing season on weekends the parkway is really crowded. The park is only about 60 miles from D.C. and the north entrance is only a few miles off the interstate. It is the perfect day trip for those folks.
There are nice level roads that run parallel to each side of the park at the foot of the mountain. Our experience is, it is best to camp at the foot of the mountain and take the car/ truck to sightsee in the park.
Eddie

[Ruthe]

Thanks both of you-- I was afraid that would be the case -- our actual reason for the trip is to get to Chapel Hill -- we were figuring two days down, two days in Chapel Hill and back (no choice -- work demands) and it seemed like it would be nice to travel through Shenandoah, but we're changing our minds.