Shenandoah National Park – Hiking Trails, Skyline Drive & Blue Ridge Views

• How large is Shenandoah National Park? Created in 1926, it is 311.2 square miles (199,200 acres).
• What are the Elevation extremes in Shenandoah National Park? Hawksbill Mountain at 4,050 feet is the highest elevation and the park reaches 561 feet near the north end of Skyline Drive.
• What is the climate in the park? 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.
• What is the annual visitation in the park? Over a million people enter Shenandoah National Park’s gates each year.
• Where to Hike in the Park? 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.
• What is the cost to enter the park? A single vehicle pass currently costs $30. 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.
• When is the Park Open? 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.
• Are there gas stations in the Park? 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.
• Can you star gaze in the park? 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.
• Are there waterfalls in the park? 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.
• Are pets allowed in the park? 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 protects over 200,000 acres of Blue Ridge 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.

• When is the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park?

  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.

• How long does it take to drive Skyline Drive?

  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.

• Are dogs allowed in Shenandoah National Park?

  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.

• What are the best hikes in Shenandoah?

  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.

• Do I need a reservation or timed entry to visit Shenandoah?

  No general reservation is required. 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.

• Where can I stay when visiting Shenandoah?

  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.

Turnout on the Blue Ridge Parkway - Shenandoah National Park

The 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.

The 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.

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.

On 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.

By 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:

• Dark Hollow Falls Trail: (1.4 miles round trip, moderate) – One of the most popular waterfall hikes in the park, this short but steep trail leads to a beautiful 70-foot cascading waterfall.
• Story of the Forest Trail: (1.8 miles loop, easy) – A peaceful walk through lush forests and wildflower meadows, ideal for families and nature lovers.
• Lewis Falls Trail: (3.3 miles round trip, moderate) – This trail offers a stunning 81-foot waterfall and breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Valley.
• Mill Prong Trail to Rapidan Camp: (4 miles round trip, moderate) – Hike through serene woodlands and streams to reach President Hoover’s historic summer retreat.
• Big Meadows Loop Trail: (1.2 miles, easy) – A relaxing walk through the open meadow, perfect for spotting deer, wildflowers, and butterflies at sunrise or sunset.

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.

 Northern Entrance (Front Royal)

 Central Entrances (Thornton Gap & Swift Run Gap)

 Southern Entrance (Rockfish Gap / Waynesboro)

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".

• Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
• Our Shenandoah National Park Image Gallery
• 15 Must-Do Hikes in Shenandoah National Park’s Central District on the "Go Hike Virginia" site
• Shenandoah National Park on the "National Park Service" site
• Shenandoah National Park Site on the "Visit Shenandoah" site
• VRBO Search Results list for rentals near Shenandoah National Park
• Google Search Results list for accommodations near Shenandoah National Park
• Lodging near Shenandoah National Park on the "Expedia" site
• Big Meadows Lodge on the "National Park Service" site
• Visit our Youtube Channel
• Wikipedia Article for Shenandoah National Park
• Google Image Gallery for Shenandoah National Park
• Google Reviews for Shenandoah National Park
• National Park Service FAQ for Shenandoah National Park
• The creation of some portions of this page's narrative text were assisted by OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model].