Health Department Prohibits Water Usage at Shenandoah National Park Locations

Photo byLuis Tosta / Unsplash

LURAY, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has identified concerns with water sources at two public facilities in Shenandoah National Park (SNP).

According to a media release dated February 20, “deficiencies” were found in water systems during required testing at the Dundo and South River areas. As a result, both locations have not had potable (safe to drink) water for several years.

Spigots remained with signage alerting users that the water is not potable, but still available for visitors to extinguish their campfires.

The Dundo area is located at mile 83.7 on Skyline Drive. According to the SNP website, “The Dundo Group Campground is a small, beautiful campground located in the southern part of Shenandoah National Park that offers group campsites only. The Appalachian Trail passes through the campground. All sites include fire rings and picnic tables.”

VDH recently informed the park that it can no longer provide water that is not potable – even with signage.

Group camping will no longer be available at Dundo, so group sites have been added at Loft Mountain Campground at mile 79.5.

The Dundo picnic grounds will remain open. However due to the lack of water, fires of any kind, including charcoal are prohibited. A vault toilet is available. .

The SNP website notes that the South River Picnic Grounds (mile 62.5) offers picnic tables, grates for cooking, restrooms, and water from spring to fall.

The picnic grounds will remain open, but fires are now prohibited due to the lack of water. There is a vault toilet at South River.

For Shenandoah National Park visitors seeking established or more family-friendly camping, Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain Campgrounds have a variety first-come, first-served and reservation-only sites. Lewis Mountain Campground offers first-come, first-served sites only. Big Meadows Campground sites are available by reservation only.

Consisting of nearly 197,000 acres, including 80,000 acres of congressionally designated wilderness, the park encompasses parts of eight counties.

Each year, millions visit the area, which includes the 105-mile Skyline Drive and 75 designated scenic overlooks. The park also includes established campgrounds and 101 miles of the famed Appalachian Trail.