Starting this website has been so fun. I’d love to make money off of it one day, but for now it’s more of a passion project. The very first page I worked on was the Shenandoah National Park page, since it’s the park I know the most about, and visit the most often. However, I don’t know everything! So I did need to do some research, especially on the lodging options. That’s how I stumbled upon the Lewis Mountain Hiker Cabin.
I went to a ranger program inside the campground in August 2021, so I knew there were cabins. However, even cabins with the bare minimum can run $100+ a night inside National Parks, so at the time I didn’t even consider looking into them. Tent camping seemed like the cheapest way to enjoy SNP.
What is the Hiker Cabin?
The hiker cabin fits 4 people. It has two metal bunk beds and a potbelly stove for heating but no air conditioning. There is electric lighting and one extra outlet that has a small power strip for charging phones or to use a small fan. There is also a porch light. Another nice perk is that this cabin comes with 2 free bundles of firewood – a $15 value.
Each cabin has its own bear box, bear-proof trash can/recycling bin, and water spigot and two chairs for around the fire pit. There were also a few nice surprises that were not mentioned on the website. First, there were buckets and shovels to remove ashes from the fire pit or the potbelly stove. Second, there were lanterns and flashlights in the cabin. I’m unclear on whether they were left there or if the campground provides them, but they came in handy!
Are there other types of cabins?
Yes! There are a total of 10 cabins, some with one bedroom and some with two. Pets are welcome for an additional $30 per night. These cabins come fully furnished including linens, heating, and a bathroom. There is a ceiling fan but no air conditioning. There is a fire pit and grill for cooking, but no refrigeration so you must bring your own coolers and cooking utensils.
What other amenities are included?
The campground itself has pretty much everything you would need. Right across from the cabins is the camp store, which sells camping gear, firewood, grocery essentials, and souvenirs. This is where you check in and get your keys. Attached to the camp store is a single person bathroom with a shower. The shower is coin operated ($2.50 for 5 minutes). Just down a short path is a building with multiple bathrooms and a utility room where you can wash dishes.
I really appreciated that this campground has everything that Big Meadows (the bigger, more popular campground) has, but is much smaller.
When you pull into the campground, there is a left turn that takes you back to an amphitheater, which they will do ranger programs at during the busy months.
How much do Lewis Mountain Cabins cost?
The hiker cabin cost $48 a night, while the one and two bedroom cabins cost $155. Considering the hiker cabin comes with firewood, your own personal bear box, and easy access to water and a trash can – I think it’s an absolute steal.
The cost of a campsite at any campground is $30 a night. This does not include firewood and you will have to walk for water and store all your trash in your car. Some campsites have bear boxes but not all, so that means you are putting stuff in and out of your car the whole time.
What did I do on my trip?
I pulled out of my house around 6:30am and headed for Browns Gap (mile marker 82). It is in the South District, which is pretty far, almost a 3 hour drive. I always put off hikes in the South District because doing all that driving in one day is hard. So I took advantage of not having to drive home and decided to do the Jones Run Falls/Doyles River Loop. There are multiple ways to do this hike, but my version was 7.2 miles and 1,400 feet elevation gain. As soon as I got to Jones Run Falls I fell in love and it shot up to my top 3 hikes. It might actually be #1, but I need to think about that!
I got done my hike and headed for Big Meadows Wayside because they always have a good selection of local beers (specifically sours). Then, I made my way to Lewis Mountain Campground to check in and get my keys.
After I checked in I made a snack and went to gather some kindling. I took my time puttering around and went to check out some information plaques they had up put up around the campground. Eventually I made dinner and then bolted out at the last minute to catch the sunset at the closest overlook.
My personal experience
I LOVED the hiker cabin. Most of what was included with the cabin I had no idea about. I knew about the free firewood, but I did not know it came with the trash can, water spigot, chairs, and fire tools.
I hiked in 60 degrees, full sun. When I woke up it was 25 degrees and sleeting. There was probably a quarter inch of ice on my car. The cabin does have 4 walls and a door, but it was very drafty. Air was coming in all the cracks. In full disclosure: I brought my electric heater from home and it did nothing. I did have a fire in the potbelly stove, but you have to keep feeding it all night for it to be effective.
I can’t lie – it was pretty cold. Originally, I wanted to wake up and have a slow morning. I brought my jet boil to make coffee and I had packed a bagel and cream cheese. Once I woke up I immediately started packing up. The sleet was eventually supposed to turn to snow so I had to get off of Skyline Drive.
So why did I love it after freezing all night?! Well, I will probably never go again in April. But I will definitely go again in the summer months. When you consider all it comes with, I think it’s an awesome deal! Obviously if you prefer a few more amenities, the furnished cabins are right next door!
Know before you go
Keep in mind that the temperature on top of the ridgeline is not the same as any nearby town you google the weather for. Take whatever temperature the weather app says and subtract 10 degrees and add wind. In June, July, and August, it’s pleasurable. In April it’s COLD.
You can buy firewood at the store, but you can also walk around and gather free dead wood from the trees! In Big Meadows this can be hard to find because it’s so much bigger of a campground. Lewis Mountain is much, much smaller and there are more woods to gather from. I’d walk around and see what you can gather before purchasing anything.
Camp sites are all first come first serve, but if you are interested in booking any Lewis Mountain Cabin, click here!
Last updated: April 18, 2022
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