Shenandoah, VA Road Trips

The oldest rocks in the Blue Ridge Mountains were created over a billion years ago as magma deep within the earth's crust moved upward. Over eons it cooled, fractured, and was joined by younger metamorphic rocks formed from sedimentary deposits. All were altered and eroded to shape today's granite peaks and sylvan hollows. Around 8,000-9,000 years ago, but seconds in geologic time, the first traces of humans were recorded on the land that would become the park. Native Americans seasonally visited the area to hunt, to gather nuts and berries, and to find sources for and to make their stone tools. Europeans first experienced the beauty of these mountains less than 300 years ago. First came hunters and trappers, and soon after 1750 the first settlers moved into the lower hollows near springs and streams. Over the next 150 years many hundreds of families built homesteads, mills and stores and planted orchards and crops. The mountains were logged and minerals were mined. Vacation resorts were established to allow guests to experience the mountain views, healthy water, and cool breezes. American society became urban, industrial, and yearned for special places for recreation and refuge. In the early 20th century the first calls for national parks in the east were heard in the United States Congress. It would be two decades before Shenandoah National Park was authorized and another ten years before it was established.

1 Rapidan Camp (Camp Hoover), ☏ +1 540 999-3500. Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, bought land in Virigina for his summer weekend retreat in 1929, during the first peaceful days of his administration. Rapidan Camp provided President and Mrs. Hoover much needed rest and recreation during the later difficult years of his presidency. The Brown House is historically refurnished to the 1929 era with a ranger-guided tour in high season. (updated Jun 2020) 2 Thornton Gap. Thornton Gap was one many mountain passes used to access the Shenandoah Valley by both Confederate and Union troops during the American Civil War. Neither side controlled it for very long and its scattered inhabitants were left largely undisturbed by the conflict raging in the valleys below. (updated Jun 2020)

Skyline Drive, which is designated a National Scenic Byway, runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is the only public road through the park. You can enter the drive at four places: Front Royal near Rt. 66 and 340, Thornton Gap at Rt. 211 near Luray, Swift Run Gap at Rt. 33 near Elkton, and Rockfish Gap at Rt. 64 near Waynesboro (where the drive continues south as the Blue Ridge Parkway). The maximum speed limit on the drive is 35 mph and it takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the park. To help drivers locate points of interest in the park, the drive features concrete mileposts on the west side of the road. The mileposts begin with 0 at Front Royal and continue to 105 at the southern end of the park. All park maps and information use these mileposts as a reference. For example, Big Meadows, the largest developed area in the park is located near the center of the park, at milepost 51. The drive features seventy-five overlooks with stunning views. The drive also leads through Marys Rock Tunnel (just south of Thornton Gap entrance from Route 211, near milepost 33). With over 500 miles (800 km) of hiking trails, including over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail, the park is a premier destination for hikers. 1 Bearfence Trail (parking area is at mile 56.4 of Skyline Drive. The beginning of the trail is across the street from the parking area.). Though only 1 mile, Bearfence offers a short but challenging rock scramble and a viewpoint.

The park has 6 picnic grounds and a near-unlimited number of spots where people can picnic and eat their own food, but build fires only in designated areas with grates. There are camp stores at or near all designated camp grounds, and only a few places where food is being served: 1 Elkwallow, Mile 24.1, Skyline Dr. Limited range of sandwiches and grilled food. No seating spaces indoors but there are picnic tables outside. 2 Skyland, Mile 41.7, Skyline Dr. This is part of the Skyland complex and offers dining with a view. 3 Big Meadows Wayside, Mile 51.2, Skyline Dr. Offers eat-in and take-away food. Country food and cakes. 4 Big Meadows Lodge, Follow signs from Skyline Drive mile 51.2. Dining room service in a rustic setting. 5 Loft Mountain Wayside, Mile 79.5, Skyline Dr, Elkton, Virginia. 9AM-6PM M-Su. Seating inside and outside. Also sells groceries, camping, and hiking supplies from May to late October. There are showers and a laundry near the campground from May to late October.

There are no bars in the area and only a few dining spots (see the Eat section).

There are three lodges in the park located at Skyland, Big Meadows and Lewis Mountain. These lodges are about the only accommodation in the park and they can be fully booked for months, especially during high season. Be careful about making reservations. There is a company called National Parks Reservation Service that charges a 10% booking fee and a cancellation fee of $15. Reservations should be made with Aramark which runs the park hotels. 1 Skyland Resort, Mile 41.7, Skyline Dr, toll-free: +1-888-896-3833. $74-$269. 2 Big Meadows Lodge, Mile 51.2, Skyline Dr, toll-free: +1-888-896-3833. $84-$159. 3 Lewis Mountain Cabins, Mile 57.5, Skyline Dr, toll-free: +1-888-896-3833. $30-$119. There are four campgrounds that offer sites on a first-come, first-serve basis and by reservation at phone number +1-877-444-6777: 4 Mathews Arm Campground (Mile 22.1, Skyline Dr). 166 sites, 3 group sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. Mathews Arm is a family-oriented campground, offering plenty of open spaces. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring and picnic area. The campground also offers modern amenities like flush toilets, drinking water and dump stations. Elkwallow Wayside is located just two miles away, offering camping supplies, restaurants and more. $15 per night, $50 Group Site (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020) 5 Big Meadows Campground (Mile 51.2, Skyline Drive). 178 sites, 2 group sites. All sites can be reserved in advance in the summer.

There are several ways to get into the park: Route 522 - the North (Front Royal) Route 211 - crosses the park in the northern part at Thornton Gap. Route 33 - crosses in the southern part Blue Ridge Parkway & I-64 - the South (not far from Waynesboro) If you want to fly into the park the nearest airports are Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD IATA) and Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO IATA).

The best way to enjoy the area is by taking any of the numerous hiking trails along the road. There is no public transportation in the area and the only way to get to the trails is by vehicle or by bicycle.

Bears. The park has a resident colony of black bears. It is important not to feed the bears. A wild bear will run away as soon as it notices there are humans nearby, unless it associates people with food by being fed previously. If you encounter a bear and it approaches you, make loud noises by yelling and clapping your hands so that the bear notices that you are a human. If you see one while you are in a vehicle, remain in the vehicle. Snakes. If you see a snake, leave it alone! All wild animals are protected. There are venomous snakes including copperheads and rattlesnakes so use ordinary precautions, wear shoes and carry a flashlight after dusk. Ticks. Several species of ticks are common in the park and there is a risk of tick-borne diseases if one bites you. Take precautions like using tick repellents, wear light colored clothing, long sleeves, and long pants with pant's legs tucked into socks if you are in tick habitat. Always check for ticks afterwards. You may not notice a small tick, so if you feel sick after visiting an area where ticks are common tell your doctor of the possibility of a tick-borne disease.