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Any suggestions for campgrounds, areas for car camping, or cabins around the park? My sister and I are planning a trip for early April and are trying to compare accommodations. Not looking for backcountry camping unless it’s short hike.
Did not expect Shenandoah to be as gorgeous as it is. It might not be the biggest or wildest park out there, but it definitely deserves to be recognized. Some excellent camping and truly fun hikes to be had.
Make your reservations in advance, since the campgrounds get filled up on the weekends. Also, the NPS rangers will patrol the campgrounds looking for drinking and other foolish behavior and it's light out at 10 pm.
- Important Park Lingo and Insider Info
- Best Time to Visit to Shenandoah National Park
- Entrance Fees
- Operating Hours
- How to Get Into Shenandoah National Park
- Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park
- Where to Eat and Get Gas
- Where to Stay in Shenandoah National Park
- Weather
- Wildlife
“Shenandoah National Park” is a lot to write. I, and others who write about it, are too lazy or busy to type that out every time. Instead, you will see the easier, more efficient “SNP” abbreviation...Skyline Drive is the main road that runs the entire length of the park, from Front Royal in the north until it meets the Blue Ridge Parkwayin the south. It is often referred to as just “the Drive.”...The park is split into 3 sections: North Section (from Front Royal to Luray), Central Section (Luray to Elkton), and the South Section (Elkton to Waynesboro).Locations in the park are designated by mile marker on Skyline Drive. So if you see this – (mile 52.1) – that means that something is located at mile marker 52.1 on the Drive. The north end near Fr...Shenandoah is famous for its fall foliage, and the peak time is usually mid-to-late October. It’s a must-see, but know that everyone else wants to see the color-changing leaves too. I’ve been on Skyline Drive on a fall weekend when it’s bumper-to-bumper traffic. If you can swing it, try and go on a weekday to avoid the crowds. Alternatively, winter...
One vehicle for 7 days: $30Motorcycle: $25Annual Pass: $55If you’re 62+ years old, you qualify for a Senior Pass. A one-time $80 fee gets you lifetime access to every national park in the country. (My parents were really excited when they qualified for this)The park itself is always open, though the Drive sometimes closes for a variety of reasons (read on for more). The visitor’s centers, lodges, gift shops, and waysides are mostly closed between late November and mid-March. Go herefor a detailed list of opening dates.
There are four entrance stations into the park: 1. North Entrance: near Front Royal, off of Rt. 340 2. Thornton Gap: between Luray and Sperryville off of Hwy. 211 3. Swift Run Gap: between Elkton and Stanardsville 4. Rockfish Gap: between Waynesboro and Charlottesville, off of Hwy 250 (is also the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway)
Take a drive
Skyline Drive is 105 miles worth of incredible vistas from Front Royal south to Rockfish Gap, where it connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Allow yourself at least three hours to do the entire drive, as the speed limit is only 35mph and the road is a series of narrow curves and windy turns. Enjoy it and be sure to stop at several of the 75 overlooks along the way! The drive does close for inclement weather and at night during deer season (mid-November to January), so be sure to check the park’...
Take a hike
Shenandoah has over 500 miles of trails, ranging from the completely flat, anyone-can-do-it (Limberlost Trail), to the more strenuous. For first-time visitors, I recommend Stony Man. It’s a short (1.6 miles roundtrip), moderately easy hike that offers one of the best views in the park. This walk gives a great introduction to hiking in SNP. If you like it, you can check out my full list ofbest hikes in Shenandoah National Park. There are great waterfall hikes, but just remember that when hikin...
Learn from the Park Rangers
If you’re interested in having a guide during your first visit, the park’s Ranger Program offers a range of activities for every age. From wildlife walks, geological history talks, junior ranger programs for the kids, and ranger-led hikes, there’s something for everybody.
Big Meadows Wayside(mile 51.2) is the only gas station in the park. And gas is much more expensive along the Drive, so I suggest filling up before entering the Park. In addition to Big Meadows, Elkwallow Wayside (mile 24.1) and Loft Mountain Wayside (mile 79.5) also offer a variety of snacks and sandwiches for purchase, as well as outdoor seating a...
If you want to make your visit into a whole weekend (or longer), there are two options if you want to stay overnight in the park – using the campgrounds or staying at one of the lodges. The lodges: There are two main resort areas, Skyland (mile 41.7 and 42.5) and Big Meadows (51.2). Both of them offer hotel-style rooms and full cabins that you can ...
The temperature is always about 20 degrees cooler up on the Drive than it is down below. So if you’re thinking “oh, what a lovely 70-degree spring day it is! Let’s go hiking in SNP!” – take a jacket, because it won’t be 70 degrees up on a mountain. The weather also changes very quickly (even by Virginia standards). It can be snowing and 20 degrees ...
Yes, there are bears in the park. But if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you. Don’t be frightened of them, but admire them from a distance. I’ve seen tourists try to feed them snacks; those are the same people who wear high heels to hike in. Again, DON’T BE THAT PERSON. White-tailed deer are also extremely common, so keep your eyes alert w...
4 days ago · Hawksbill Loop Shenandoah National Park, photo courtesy of NPS. 2. Hawksbill Loop. While I’ll get into some other hiking options soon, Hawksbill Loop gets top billing because it is both a good trail and offers the chance to reach the highest point (4,050 feet) in Shenandoah National Park.
The five campgrounds within the national park provide plenty of options for everything from RV camping to secluded car camping, while over 500 miles of hiking trails provide endless opportunities for the adventurous to enjoy backcountry camping in Shenandoah.
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Apr 24, 2024 · PLAN YOUR TRIP TO SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK. Where to stay: Glamping is a great option near the park if you are looking for a more upscale nature-centric stay. Here are some great options near Shenandoah National Park: Skyline Yurt with Hot Tub & Wood Stove; The Jive Cabin; Shenandoah Yurt
