Shenandoah Trail & Visitor Guide
Shenandoah · United States · About 199,000 acres (roughly 311 square miles) along the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
Why Visit Shenandoah
Shenandoah National Park stretches 105 miles along the Blue Ridge in Virginia, with Skyline Drive running the full length along the crest. The park has over 500 miles of trails including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Nearly 40% of the park is designated wilderness, and the forest — which has regrown since farming was abandoned in the 1930s — is home to black bears, white-tailed deer, and over 190 bird species.
Free Shenandoah Audio Guide with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro offers a free, self-guided Shenandoah audio guide. It narrates trails, viewpoints, geology, and wildlife as you explore — Skyline Drive, Old Rag Mountain, Dark Hollow Falls, plus quieter spots like Bearfence Mountain and Whiteoak Canyon. No guide, no schedule, works offline.
explore by interest
Signature Trails
- Old Rag Mountain9.4 miles loop · Strenuous
Rock scramble near the summit and 360-degree views at 3,291 feet. A day-use ticket ($1) is required March 1 to November 30 in addition to entrance fee.
- Dark Hollow Falls1.4 miles round trip · Moderate
70-foot cascade; closest waterfall to Skyline Drive (trailhead at milepost 50.7). Steep 440-foot descent on the return climb.
- Hawksbill Loop2.9 miles loop · Moderate
Highest point in the park at 4,051 feet, with views from the summit observation platform.
- Stony Man1.6 miles round trip · Easy to moderate
Second-highest peak (4,011 feet) with cliff-top views; trailhead near milepost 41.7 at the Skyland area.
- Rose River Loop4.0 miles loop · Moderate
Rose River Falls (about 67 feet) and a route past old copper mine remnants; trailhead near milepost 49.4.
Must-See in Shenandoah
- •Skyline Drive — a 105-mile scenic road along the mountain crest with 75 overlooks
- •Old Rag Mountain — a challenging 9.1-mile circuit with a granite scramble to a 360-degree summit view
- •Dark Hollow Falls — a 1.4-mile round trip to a 70-foot cascading waterfall, one of the closest to Skyline Drive
- •Stony Man — a 1.6-mile round trip to one of the park's highest viewpoints at 4,011 feet
Best Viewpoints
- •Hawksbill summit (4,051 feet), the highest overlook in the park
- •Stony Man summit cliffs near Skyland
- •Old Rag summit (3,291 feet)
- •Big Meadows / Spitler Knoll and Hazel Mountain overlooks along Skyline Drive
- •Bearfence Mountain rock scramble viewpoint (milepost 56.4)
Quieter Corners of Shenandoah
- •Bearfence Mountain — a short 1.2-mile circuit with a rock scramble to a rare 360-degree panoramic viewpoint
- •Whiteoak Canyon — a 4.6-mile round trip past six waterfalls, the tallest dropping 86 feet
Wildlife You May See
Entrance Fee
$30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. Motorcycle $25, individual on foot/bicycle $15. The Shenandoah annual pass is $55; the America the Beautiful Interagency annual pass ($80) is also accepted.
Getting There
Access is via Skyline Drive, the 105-mile road running the length of the park with four entrance stations: Front Royal (north, off US-340 near I-66), Thornton Gap (US-211), Swift Run Gap (US-33), and Rockfish Gap (south, where Skyline Drive meets the Blue Ridge Parkway near I-64 and Waynesboro). Front Royal is about 70 miles west of Washington, D.C. There is no public transit into the park.
Where to Stay
Inside the park: Skyland (milepost 41.7) and Big Meadows Lodge (milepost 51.2) offer rooms and cabins; Lewis Mountain has cabins. Four campgrounds: Mathews Arm, Big Meadows, Lewis Mountain, and Loft Mountain (most open spring through fall; reserve via Recreation.gov). Backcountry camping is allowed with a free permit. Outside the park, the gateway towns of Front Royal, Luray, and Waynesboro have motels and hotels.
Best Time
Late September to mid-October for fall foliage (peak color is typically mid-October), and spring (April-May) for wildflowers and waterfalls. Summer weekends and the fall foliage season bring heavy traffic and full parking lots, especially at Old Rag and Dark Hollow Falls.
Safety
The top hazard is the Old Rag rock scramble, where falls on the granite have caused injuries and fatalities; attempt it only in dry conditions with sturdy footwear. Black bears are common, so store food properly and never feed wildlife. Skyline Drive has a 35 mph speed limit with frequent fog, ice in winter, and deer crossings. Sections of Skyline Drive close in winter due to snow and ice.
Scenic Drives
- •Skyline Drive: 105 miles end to end with 75 overlooks, 35 mph speed limit; allow about 3 hours one way without stops
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