LURAY – Notification by the Virginia Department of Health about non-potable spigots is forcing Shenandoah National Park to change some group camping sites. For years, there’ve been spigots in the  Dundo area at mile marker 83.7 along Skyline Drive, and South River Picnic Grounds that have had signage indicating water from them is not potable. But, now, the VDH has informed the park it can no longer provide water that is not potable, even with the signage.

As result, group camping will no longer be available at Dundo, although the picnic grounds will remain open. However, due to the lack of water, fires of any kind, including charcoal, are prohibited. There is a vault toilet there. The Park has added group camping sites at Loft Mountain Campground at mile marker 79.5.

The South River Picnic Grounds is also affected at mile marker 62.5 in that while it remains open, fires are prohibited due to the lack of water. There is also a vault toilet at that location.

Loft Mountain (mile 79.5), Big Meadows (mile 51), and Mathews Arm (mile 22.2) Campgrounds will all have reservable group sites for the 2024 season. Reservations can be made at recreation.gov.