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Shenandoah National Park
Transportation

The main travel artery for Shenandoah is Skyline Drive. This is a slow-down-and-take-your-time road; maximum speed limit is 35 miles per hour. As well as the south and north entrances, the park is cut by two roads, providing quicker access to the park's central areas.

North entrance: Shenandoah is accessible by I-66 and U.S. 340 at Front Royal
Central entrances: U.S. 211 for the central entrance at Thornton Gap, U.S. 33 at Swift Run Gap
South entrances: I-64 at the Rockfish Gap entrance.

Skyline Drive was built during the height of the U.S. infatuation with the automobile, and that is still the mindset that predominates. There are no bus, taxi or shuttle services through the Park.Taxi service is available from Front Royal, Luray and Waynesboro to areas in the Park. From Front Royal to the first visitor center, Dickey Ridge, is 5 miles, to Skyland is 42 miles. From Luray to Thornton Gap Entrance Station is 9 miles, to Skyland, 19 miles and to Big Meadows, 29 miles. From Waynesboro to the Loft Mountain area is 30 miles and to Big Meadows the distance is 60 miles.

The closest airports are in Washington, DC (90 miles), Weyers Cave (45 miles) and Charlottesville (50 miles), Virginia.

Bicycles are permitted in the Park on paved roads only. Skyline is cyclable, but you must be in good shape to endure the hills and prepared to brave the hazards of drivers paying more attention to the scenery than the two-wheeler coming around the bend. The speed limit is also 35mph on the Skyline Drive for bicycles and 10 mph in campgrounds.


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