camp store and the Byrd Visitor center. Campers often wander the grassy trails of the meadow, looking for blueberries and blackberries. Usually, bears have already foraged the ripe berries before hikers arrive; in early-morning hikes, bears are sometimes spotted around the edges of the meadow. Wildlife There are white-tailed deer, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels and a variety of birds who visit the campground area and are very used to people. The deer are eager to find campers who will hand out food and treats. The rangers discourage this, but the result is that the deer wander the campgrounds throughout the day. It is not uncommon to have a deer take food from a human's hand in a campsite. Daytime bear sightings are not uncommon. The black bears are not aggressive, and no attacks on humans have been reported. The park provides bear-proof metal lockers around the camp area to protect food at night. The biggest concern is the skunk population. Like the deer, they forage the campsites for food. Campers will sometimes note the aroma of a skunk who was startled during the night. Wise campers ensure there is no food on the ground to attract skunks, and that the tent flap is secured against skunk entry. Other wildlife includes venomous snakes, although they are relatively rare. The park houses rattlesnakes, copperheads, as well as garter snakes and other non-venomous species. Climate The hottest temperature recorded in Big Meadows was on July 24, 1991, while the coldest temperature recorded was on January 18, 1994. References Restoring a National Historic Landmark: President and Mrs. Hoover's Rapidan Camp, Shenandoah National Park The Free-Lance, Fredericksburg, Virginia, newspaper article 10/9/2005 External links Geographical coordinates: (click for maps and satellite photos of Big Meadows, Virginia) Shenandoah National Park Madison County, Virginia Geography of Virginia Geography of Madison County, Virginia Geography of Page County, Virginia Archaeological sites in Virginia Shenandoah National Park Tourist attractions in Madison County, Virginia Tourist attractions in Page County, Virginia