Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah is a long, green ribbon of the Blue Ridge Mountains just west of Washington, DC, a park defined by the 105-mile (169 km) Skyline Drive that rides its crest, past overlook after overlook of the rolling Virginia Piedmont and the Shenandoah Valley. Cascading waterfalls, wildflower-filled hollows, abundant black bears and blazing fall color make it one of the East’s most beloved escapes.
Fast facts
- Established: 1935
- Size: about 200,000 acres (800 km²) in Virginia’s Blue Ridge
- Skyline Drive: a 105-mile (169 km) scenic road along the crest with 75 overlooks
- Trails: over 500 miles (800 km), including 101 miles (163 km) of the Appalachian Trail
- Gateways: Front Royal and Waynesboro, Virginia
- Managed by: National Park Service
The landscape
The park protects a slice of the ancient, rounded Blue Ridge, forested ridges and hollows, rocky summits like Old Rag and Hawksbill, and streams that tumble over dozens of waterfalls. Once farmed and now returned to woodland, it is a recovering wilderness rich in black bears, deer, wildflowers and birds, with the Skyline Drive stringing its highlights together along the spine.
Best time to go
Spring brings wildflowers and full waterfalls; fall is the marquee season, when the hardwoods turn brilliant and Skyline Drive fills with leaf-peepers. Summer is warm, green and hazy, cooler along the ridge, with afternoon storms. Winter is quiet and can be icy, with sections of Skyline Drive closing in bad weather.
Getting there and around
Shenandoah is entered at four points along Skyline Drive, Front Royal in the north, Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap, and Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro in the south. A vehicle is essential to drive the ridge and reach the many trailheads and overlooks; the drive itself, with its low speed limit, is a destination in its own right.
Things to do
Drive Skyline Drive for the overlooks, hike to waterfalls like Dark Hollow and Whiteoak Canyon, and scramble the famous rock summit of Old Rag. Walk a stretch of the Appalachian Trail, watch for black bears and deer in the hollows, camp at the ridge-top campgrounds, and enjoy the wildflowers or fall color in season.
Top 11 things to do in Shenandoah National Park →
Staying safe
Black bears are common, so store food properly and never approach them. Streams and waterfalls can run fast and the rocks are slippery, weather and fog change quickly along the ridge, and trails like Old Rag involve steep, rocky scrambling. Wear good footwear, carry water, and watch for ticks in the warm months.
Know before you go
A park pass is required, and backcountry camping needs a free permit. Skyline Drive can close in winter weather, so check conditions. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report; always confirm current road status, conditions and closures with the National Park Service before your trip.
- Coordinates
- 38.4719, -78.5048
- Magnetic declination
- 9.8° W (2026)
Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.
How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass
A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.
Getting there 10
Park entrances
Visitor centre
Ranger stations
On the trail 34
Trailheads
Routes
Campgrounds
Huts and shelters
Picnic sites
Sights 102
Viewpoints
Waterfalls
Heritage sites
Peaks 30
Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).
Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →
- Best seasons
- Spring, Fall (foliage)
- Difficulty
- Easy to strenuous
- Access / trailheads
- In Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, entered from four points along Skyline Drive, which runs 105 miles (169 km) down the crest. Nearest hubs include Front Royal and Waynesboro.
- Water
- Streams and developed areas; filter or treat backcountry water.
- Cell / satellite coverage
- Patchy cell service along the ridge. Carry a map.
- Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
- Contact park rangers; life-threatening emergencies: 911.
- Permits & regulations
- Per-vehicle entry fee (America the Beautiful pass accepted); backcountry camping requires a free permit.
- Leave No Trace
- Use bear-proof storage, stay on trails, pack out all waste, and follow Leave No Trace.
January
- Below-freezing nights
February
- Below-freezing nights
March
- Below-freezing nights
April
May
June
July
August
September
October This month
November
- Below-freezing nights
December
- Below-freezing nights
What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.
Plan a trip here →Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Big Meadows station at 3,540 feet (1,079 m)1,079 m (3,540 feet). Precipitation from the Luray station, 10 miles (16 km)16 km (10 miles) away at 1,400 feet (427 m)427 m (1,400 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.
Nearby parks
-
Green Ridge State Forest
Maryland's largest block of public land: 49,000 acres (200 km²) of forest above the Potomac, with a long backpacking trail.
-
Ohiopyle State Park
Whitewater in the Youghiogheny gorge, the start of the 70-mile (113 km) Laurel Highlands Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage.
-
New River Gorge National Park
A deep river gorge in West Virginia with big whitewater, thousands of sandstone climbing routes and the New River Gorge Bridge.
-
Hanging Rock State Park
Quartzite summits, cliff-top views and five waterfalls in the Sauratown Mountains, the range that stands apart from the Blue Ridge.
Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.
Looking for somewhere closer to home?
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