Shenandoah National Park

Alberta's Icefields Parkway Photos: Side Trip to Lake Louise

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See some Central District hikes

Thornton Gap to Crescent Rock

Mile 31.5 Thornton Gap is one of the major entrances to the park, for U.S. 211 from Warrenton to Luray crosses Skyline Drive here. Park rangers at the entrance station can answer your questions and give other assistance. Park headquarters is four miles west on U.S. 211.

Mile 32.4 Marys Rock Tunnel, built in 1932, goes through 600 feet of rock with a 13-foot clearance.

Mile 36.7 Pinnacles beckons picnickers, even in rainy weather, for there is a shelter. Access to Appalachian Trail.

Mile 38.6 Stony Man peak is straight ahead as you enter the overlook from the north. Across the valley is Massanutten Mountain.

Mile 39.1 Little Stony Man Cliffs can be reached by a round trip hike of 0.9 mile from the parking area. Access to Appalachian Trail.

Mile 41.7 & 42.5 Skyland, at 3,680 feet, is the highest point on the Drive and one of the primary tourist facility stops. Naturalist George Freeman Pollock, who built Skyland resort in the 1890', was a major proponent for establishing the park. Lodge, dining room, gift shop, riding horses, Stony Man Nature Trail and other trails, conducted hikes, and evening programs.

Mile 42.6 Whiteoak Canyon boasts six waterfalls. A trail, 5 miles round trip, leads to them and to the Limberlost, an area of large hemlocks. Unfortunately, the hemlocks are quickly dying because of wooly adegid infestation. All the hemlocks in the park are predicted to be dead within 5 years. There is also the new Handicap Trail located in this area, which was completed in fall of 1994.

Mile 43 Robertson Mountain, a 6.2 mile round-trip trail to a scenic rocky summit in Shenandoah National Park. Relatively easy and doable for children, a good spot to stop along the road.

Mile 44.4 Crescent Rock, 25 yards from the Drive, provides the best view of Hawksbill Mountain. Another trail leads to Betty's Rock, 0.6 mile round trip.

Hawksbill Gap to Big Meadows

Mile 45.6 Hawksbill Gap Parking Area trails lead to Hawksbill Mountain, at 4,051 feet the highest point in the park.

Mile 46.7 Upper Hawksbill Parking Area to the Hawksbill summit is 2 miles round trip.

Mile 50.7 Dark Hollow Falls, the waterfall closest to the Drive, cascades 70 feet over greenstone. Round trip from the parking area is 1.5 miles.

Mile 51 & 51.2 Big Meadows offers a multitude of activities and services at three sites, all connected by a network of trails. Byrd Visitor Center, entrance at Milepost 51, is one of the park's two major information facilities, providing exhibits on the area's human and natural history; film and ranger programs; sales outlet for publications, slides and maps; conducted hikes; and self-guiding nature trail.

The wayside facilities at Mile 51.3 include a coffee shop, camp store, gift shop, and service station. One mile from the Drive, using either entrance, is Big Meadows Lodge with rooms, dining room, and gift shop open in spring, summer, and fall. Big Meadows Campground has tent and trailer sites, trailer sewage disposal station, showers, laundry, ice, firewood, self guiding nature trail, picnic ground, and summer campfire program.

During the summer and fall, campsites at the campground may be available by reservation only. Contact the park for current information. During winter and early spring the campground is staffed infrequently and is on a self- registration system. A trail leads from the lodge area to Lewis Falls, a 3.3-mile circuit. The campground, lodge, and wayside are closed during January and February. Byrd Visitor Center is open on an intermittent basis during these months.

Bearface to Simmons Gap

Mile 56.4 Bearfence Mountain summit provides a 360-degree view. The round trip from the parking lot is only 0.8 mile but part of it is a rock scramble and can be difficult, especially if wet. Wear sturdy shoes.

Mile 57.5 Lewis Mountain is open from May through October. Facilities and services include cabins, campground with tent and trailer sites, campstore, picnic ground, and campfire programs.

Mile 62.8 South River is a fine place to stop for a picnic and then take a hike to South River Falls, 2.5 miles round trip.

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Five Best Overlooks | North District Hikes | South District Hikes