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Shenandoah National Park
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| Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (Nathan Borchelt |
Shenandoah National Park
Established: 1935
Acreage: 199,017
Average Yearly Visitors: 1,511,000
Location: Northwest Virginia, 100 miles west of Washington, D.C.
Contact Details
Shenandoah National Park
3655 U.S. Highway
211 East Luray, VA 22835
Information: 540-999-3500
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- Climb 3,291-foot Old Rag, with some fun rock scrambling over, around, and through a series of above-treeline boulders to 360-degree panoramas of the Blue Ridge and Piedmont Valley. The trailhead is located close to Sperryville, Va. To get a jump on the weekend warriors, camp alongside the Hughes River on the park’s Nicholson Hollow Trail for an early start on Saturday morning.
- Drive the 100-mile-long Skyline Drive—but be sure to stop and get out for a hike. Countless trails lead off from the snaking byway that follows Shenandoah's ridgeline; highlights include a stepped series of waterfalls that tumble through Whiteoak Canyon and the Tuscarora Trail's scenic vista of Overall Run Falls and the Shenandoah Valley.
- Backpack a section of the Appalachian Trail as it winds its way some 100 miles through the park. The 26-mile Stony Man-Big Meadows traverse serves up big views, the zenith of the AT’s Shenandoah leg, and comfy cabins for those looking for a weekend-long AT sampler.
- Float the Shenandoah River in a canoe, kayak, or inner tube. Downriver Canoe Company in Bentonville, on the eastern flank of the park, rents canoes and inner tubes and has its own camping area. With swimmable sections, beaches for picnicking, great scenery, and a few riffling rapids, this is a great day outing for families.
- Cap off a hard day's hiking, biking, or paddling with a pint and a burger at the Griffin Tavern in Flint Hill, Va. The mellow pub vibe, landscaped outdoor patio, and good food and drink are the perfect complement to the rolling fields and mountain views.
- To fully appreciate Shenandoah National Park, try one of its four clean and comfortable campgrounds. You'll find tent and RV sites, trail access, vistas, potable water, toilets, and more. It's mostly first-come, first-served, but reservations are possible.
- If you're an ardent and experienced backcountry camper, take the challenge of roughing it in Shenandoah's vast tangle of forested ridges, steep slopes, and gorges. To hit the trail, request a free permit and agree to observe the park's regulations.
- Active birdwatchers should roam the trails along which birds generally common. Best bets include the South River Falls Trail (great for warblers), the Stony Man and Dark Hollow Falls trails (think ravens), and the open Big Meadows area.
- Riding a horse is a great way to explore the scenic variety of Shenandoah National Park—and get some exercise. The park's designated horse trails are well marked (yellow blazes), well maintained, and offer 180 miles of equestrian delight.
- For some of the East's best auto excursions, sample vista-rich Skyline Drive, which runs the length of Shenandoah National Park for 105 miles along the Blue Ridge from Front Royal to Rockfish Gap. Make your trips unforgettable: don't hurry.
Published: 23 Oct 2008 | Last Updated: 15 Sep 2010
Details mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication
Details mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication
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