10 Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park
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Take A Hike
Hike a section of the Applachian Trail.
Ride the Sky
Ride the Sky on Skyline Drive on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Gaze at the stars
Gaze at the stars from a high altitude (without light pollution).
Go Back in Time
Go back in time at Rapidan Camp, the historic summer retreat of President Herbert Hoover.
Visit
Visit Byrd Visitor Center and learn about the park’s creation.
Explore
Explore the backcountry wilderness, mountain peaks and waterfalls.
Scramble Up Ancient Summits
Climb a rock scramble.
Spend the Night
Spend the night on top of the world at Skyland or Big Meadows Lodge.
Look Up! Birds of Prey
See birds of prey in their natural habitat on mountaintops where the peregrines nest.
Gaze across Fog Oceans
See fog oceans roll in between the foothills of the mountains.
Getting Started
Enter the park on Skyline Drive and begin to wind your way through the park’s 200,000 acres. Skyline Drive offers magnificent views along the crest of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
To truly experience the park’s natural beauty, step into the forest by way of one of the park’s 500 miles of trails. The famous Appalachian Trail runs for 101 miles through the park. Other trails lead to peaks with amazing views, some to cascading waterfalls.
Many types of wildlife call Shenandoah home, including black bear, white-tailed deer, bobcat and more than 200 resident and transient bird species.
Ranger educational programs are available from spring through fall and include easy walks, challenging hikes and traditional campfire talks designed to inspire and open your eyes to the wonder and beauty of the park.
Begin your experience with a stop at the Dickey Ridge (mile 4.6) or Byrd Visitor Centers (mile 51) where ready to help plan your visit and rangers can answer your questions and help you plan your visit.