by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 9/217/2024
This was a stop on our Blue Ridge Adventure route. We stopped at our cabin at Lake Anna, VA on the way here, but a stay at Shenandoah National Park had always been a part of this trip plan. We had reservations at Big Meadows Lodge and we were planning on doing several hikes in the vicinity of the lodge. The Big Meadows Lodge area is a great starting point for many hikes, including the popular Dark Hollow Falls trail, which takes hikers on a picturesque route to the waterfall. Another favorite is the Stony Man Trail, which leads to the second-highest peak in the park and offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.
Shenandoah National Park is approximately 200,000 acres (or 311 square miles) in size, located along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia. This protected area includes over 500 miles of hiking trails and 105 miles of Skyline Drive, a scenic roadway that runs through the park.
Hawksbill Mountain at 4,050 feet is the highest elevation and the park reaches 561 feet near the north end of Skyline Drive.
Summers are warm and humid, the winters are very cold and snowy, and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 26°F to 86°F and is rarely below 12°F or above 93°F.
Shenandoah National Park welcomed over 1.7 million visitors in 2024 and 1.5 million in 2023, according to the National Park Service. These figures represent significant tourism to the area, with the 2023 visitor spending alone contributing $114 million to the local economy and supporting 1,351 jobs.
Along Skyline Drive, there are hiking trails for all fitness levels, abilities, and interests. Click here to go to the All Trails Website page for Shenandoah National Park trails. The Park offers over 500 miles of hiking trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Trails range from short, easy walks to long, rugged rock scrambles.
A single vehicle pass currently costs $30 for one private vehicle and $25 per motorcycle. If you enter on a bicycle or walking, the fee is $15 per person. Check the NPS Shenandoah Park page for current prices and other info. A lifetime "Senior Pass" can be obtained from the National Park Service for $80, this pass covers your vehicle and your spouse's entrance fees as well.
Shenandoah National Park is always open. However, portions of the 105-mile-long Skyline Drive, the only public road through the park, are periodically closed during inclement weather. Visitors can generally still enter the park on foot to hike even when the Drive is closed.
Yes, Gas is available at Big Meadows Wayside (mile 51), but it is always a good idea to enter the park with a full tank as the gas pumps can be unreliable, especially in the winter.
Yes, Shenandoah is a designated Dark Sky Park. The limited light pollution in this remote area offers a pristine canvas for exploring the night sky, making it a favorite destination for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers.
Shenandoah National Park alone has more than a dozen named waterfalls and dozens more course through Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Dark Hollow Falls and Whiteoak Canyon Falls are among the most popular, each rewarding hikers with cool, misty respite after a rewarding trek through the woods.
Shenandoah National Park is one of the few national parks that does allow pets on trials with an exception of a few trails. Pets are not allowed on Fox Hollow Trail (mile 4.6), Stony Man Trail (mile 41.7) except for the portion that follows the Appalachian Trail, Limberlost Trail (mile 43), Post Office Junction to Old Rag Shelter, Old Rag Ridge Trail, Old Rag Saddle Trail, Ridge Access Trail (Old Rag area), Dark Hollow Falls Trail (mile 50.7), Story of the Forest Trail (mile 51), Bearfence Mountain Trail (mile 56.4), Frazier Discovery Trail (mile 79.5). You can not leave your pet unattended or tied up to an object. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet (1.8 meters) at all times. Owners must clean up after their pets. Pet-friendly lodging is also available inside of the park.
Shenandoah National Park spans approximately 200,000 acres of public land, containing 197,438.76 acres in total, including over 79,000 acres of designated wilderness.
Skyline Drive runs 105 miles with 75 overlooks.
Over 500 miles of hiking trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
Founded in 1935; nearly 1.5 million annual visitors.
The park is open year-round, but the most popular seasons are spring and fall. Spring brings blooming wildflowers and waterfalls at their fullest, while autumn offers spectacular fall foliage along Skyline Drive. Summer is warmer and ideal for hiking, though more crowded. Winter is quiet, with limited services but peaceful trails.
Skyline Drive stretches 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Without stopping, it takes about three hours to drive from end to end. Most visitors plan four to six hours to allow for scenic overlooks, short hikes, and photography stops. The speed limit on Skyline Drive is 35mph, and the entire route is full of twists, turns, uphills, down hills and a lot of diverse wildlife.
Yes, Shenandoah is one of the most dog-friendly U.S. national parks. Pets are allowed on most trails and throughout the park, provided they are leashed (six feet or shorter) at all times. A few steep or sensitive trails prohibit pets, so check the official park map for restrictions.
Popular hikes include Old Rag Mountain (a strenuous all-day adventure with rock scrambles), Dark Hollow Falls (a short, family-friendly hike to a 70-foot waterfall), and Stony Man (an easy trail with panoramic views). The Appalachian Trail also runs for 101 miles through the park for those seeking multi-day treks.
No, you do not currently need a general reservation. Entrance fees can be paid at the park gates or online in advance. However, Old Rag Mountain does require a day-use ticket from March through November due to high demand. Campgrounds and lodges should be reserved ahead of time, especially during peak seasons. Policies can change season to season. Check current guidance on the official park site before you go.
Inside the park, accommodations include Skyland, Big Meadows Lodge, and Lewis Mountain Cabins, plus several campgrounds. Outside the park, nearby towns like Front Royal (north entrance), Luray (central access, home of Luray Caverns), and Waynesboro/Charlottesville (southern entrance) offer hotels, inns, and vacation rentals. See our section on this page where we provide information about lodging.
Shenandoah is home to bears, deer, snakes, and insects like ticks. Stay on marked trails, carry bear spray where recommended, check the weather forecast, bring sun protection, and avoid hiking during storms or in low visibility. In winter, expect possible road closures or snow and ice. The Park specifically recommend bear spray and says not to use firearms for wildlife safety. It is important to remember that black bears are common. Give wildlife space, never feed animals, and store food properly.
Yes, several overlooks and the visitor centers are accessible via paved or gently sloping paths. However, many trails are steep, rocky, or have uneven surfaces. Old Rag and some waterfalls have strenuous sections that are not recommended for mobility-restricted visitors. The only fully accessible trail in Shenandoah National Park is the Limberlost Trail, a 1.3-mile loop with a wide, gentle, crushed greenstone path suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Other accessible features include overlooks along Skyline Drive, visitor centers, and the possibility of touring Rapidan Camp via bus, though most other trails have significant elevation gain or rough terrain.
The main entrances are near Front Royal (north), Swift Run Gap (central), and Rockfish Gap (south). Choose the one closest to your lodging to save time.
Yes. Skyline Drive and trailheads are spread out; cell service is very limited—download maps.
Note: Leashed dogs are allowed on most trails in Shenandoah National Park, but are prohibited on the Old Rag Mountain and Dark Hollow Falls trails, and some others near those trails. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet at all times and must be cleaned up after. You can find more details on the NPS.gov Shenandoah website.
Under 2 hours:
Half-day:
Full-dayHalf-day:
For hiking at Shenandoah National Park, park at provided trailheads or Skyline Drive overlooks, and always bring the "10 Essentials" for safety and comfort, including navigation, water, snacks, sun protection, a first-aid kit, and appropriate clothing layers with a rain jacket. For popular trails like Old Rag, consider carpooling due to limited parking, download maps for your hike, and be prepared for strenuous conditions. The National Park Service (NPS) has a very good list of things you should be aware of or bring with you on a hike in the park.
Turnout on the Blue Ridge Parkway - Shenandoah National ParkThe following is not in "actual chronological order", as we first went to our cabin at Lake Anna, VA and then drove up to Big Meadows. But this is such a great area to hike in, so we decided to stay overnight in one of their pet friendly cabins.
If you are considering visiting & hiking the Skyline Drive/Shenandoah Valley area, we highly
recommend this book. Click the image to view it on Amazon.com. You will find that it has a good set of information about hiking trails, maps,
trail descriptions, etc.
Or you could consider using either the All Trails Website for their extensive information about hiking in the park, or you could go to the National Park Service Shenandoah page where they provide maps and general information about hiking in the park.
Big Meadows Arrival
Southern View of the Shenandoah Valley
Northern View of the Shenandoah ValleyThe Shenandoah Valley from one of the many scenic overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This was taken on the way to Big Meadows Lodge. The entire parkway is a series of beautiful vistas looking into the valleys below, with dozens of hiking trails traversing the park, including the Appalachian Trail.
Click here to go to their website where there is a good list of their accommodations & facilities and how to make
a reservation.
First Glimpse of the Bear
Second Glimpse of the Bear
Our Dog remained vigilant!We decided to hike the Lewis Falls Trail, because it was not yet check-in time for the lodge. We had not gone very far down the trail, came around a corner and there was a bear. He did not pay us much attention, as he crossed the trail in front of us and went into the woods looking for food. It obviously stopped us dead in our tracks and we debated whether or not to continue further along the trail, as it appeared that the bear was going in the same direction as we were! We finally realized that the bear had moved off into the trees away from the trail, so we continued to hike.
This is a loop trail (out & back) of approximately 3.3 miles in distance, with an elevation gain of 990 feet. This makes the trail "moderate" but continously steep. Pets are allowed as long as they are on leash, cleanup after your pets!.
The Lewis Falls Trail brings you down to an observation area where the Falls are just below you. It may not look like it, but the Falls are over 80 feet in height. It was a warm day and even though we were sure that a dip in the water would have felt great, we could not see a safe way to descend down to the bottom of the falls.
Headed up the Trail
Our Dog is enjoying Herself
We let her off leash when possibleOn the way back from the Falls, we stopped to take some pics. Our dog Maggie is having a great time exploring, and you can see that this part of the trail is not difficult. She does not let us get far away, she seems to recognize that this is not her backyard!
We had let our dog climb most of the trail off leash, but because we were now approaching the area where we had seen the bear earlier, we decided that it would be best to keep her on leash until we got back to the lodge. Quadripeds have a serious advantage when it comes climbing a steep trail like this one.
Waiting for our Room Keys
Our Cabin Area
Our Cabin PatioBy the time we got back to the Lodge, it was time to check-in. I decided to kick back in the area in front of the lodge, with our dog, while Celeste went in to get the cabin keys.
These views are from our rental cabin exterior. Rustic & small, but perfect for what we needed. After seeing the bears earlier, we kept expecting to hear one during the night !
The lodge features comfortable rooms and cabins that blend seamlessly with the park's natural beauty. Guests can unwind in front of crackling fireplaces or enjoy breathtaking views from their private balconies. Nature enthusiasts will find endless opportunities for outdoor exploration, with hiking trails leading to cascading waterfalls and panoramic overlooks.
In addition to its stunning location, Big Meadows Lodge offers a range of amenities to enhance guests' experiences. The on-site restaurant serves delicious regional cuisine, highlighting local flavors and ingredients. A gift shop allows visitors to take home souvenirs and mementos of their unforgettable stay.
Hiking trails from Big Meadows Lodge in Shenandoah National Park offer a variety of scenic routes for all skill levels, featuring stunning overlooks, waterfalls, and wildlife sightings. Here are some of the best trails near Big Meadows:
For more hiking information, we would recommend the National Park Service page "Recommended Day Hikes" for Shenandoah National Park. Or you could consider the All Trails page "Best trails in Shenandoah National Park". This is a commercial website, but their information & maps are the best we've seen anywhere.
Shenandoah offers a mix of rustic park lodges, historic cabins, and nearby towns that provide hotels, inns, and vacation rentals. Your choice depends on which section of Skyline Drive you plan to explore — the north, central, or southern entrances.
Inside the Park: There are no lodges at the northern end, but several campgrounds are a short drive down Skyline Drive. Mathews Arm Campground is the closest developed option.
Outside the Park: The town of Front Royal is the gateway to the park’s north entrance. Here you’ll find chain hotels, cozy B&Bs, and local inns. It’s a good base if you plan to explore the northern Skyline Drive overlooks or hike nearby sections of the Appalachian Trail.
Inside the Park: The central district has the best in-park lodging. Skyland, located at mile 41.7, offers rustic cabins, motel-style rooms, and dining with stunning views. Big Meadows Lodge, at mile 51, combines history and comfort near several popular hikes. Lewis Mountain Cabins provide a quieter, rustic alternative.
Outside the Park: The town of Luray lies just west of Thornton Gap and is one of the most popular bases. It’s home to Luray Caverns, plus a range of motels, inns, and vacation rentals. Elkton and Stanley also provide options close to Swift Run Gap.
Inside the Park: Lodging options taper off near the southern end, but Loft Mountain Campground is the largest campground in Shenandoah, with plenty of sites and access to trails.
Outside the Park: The towns of Waynesboro and Charlottesville make excellent bases. Waynesboro has a range of hotels and dining options right at the entrance, while Charlottesville offers a vibrant food scene, historic attractions, and upscale accommodations just 25 miles away.
If you prefer to perform your own research, here is a link to a Google Search Results page for "where to stay when visiting Shenandoah National Park".
Plan Your Visit to Shenandoah Travel Resources — Maps, Parking & Passes
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Day Trip to Shenandoah & Luray Caverns via GetYourGuide
