SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

Shenandoah National Park offers one of the most scenic drives which has been named the Skyline Drive. Spread across 169 km, this route runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers spectacular panoramic vistas. This scenic drive rewards you with beautiful mountains, lush green meadows, vibrant valleys and stunning water streams. Skyline Drive starts from Thornton Gap at 2,460 ft and ends at Skyland at 3,680 ft. Some of the key stops in between include Big Meadows and Hawksbill Mountain.

Shenandoah National Park is any hiker’s haven, offering numerous scenic and refreshing hiking trails. The Old Rag Mountain is one of the most popular challenging treks of 14 km, rewarding hikers with 360-degree views of Shenandoah Valley and its surroundings. Another popular hike is the Dark Hollow Falls which is a moderate level hike of 2 km taking visitors to the park’s most beautiful waterfall. If you are looking for an easy hike, explore the Stony Man which is a 2.5 km round trip hike, offering stunning views of Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain. Some other hiking trails include Hawksbill Mountain, Mary’s Rock, Rose River Loop, Whiteoak Canyon, Lewis Falls and Bearfence Mountain.

The national park of Shenandoah Valley offers a rich flora and fauna. As you traverse your way through the dense forest of the park, you will get to see several rare plants like American Ginseng, Kudzu, Princesstree, Japanese stilt grass and Perilla Mint. Additionally, you will find various colourful flowers such as Wildflowers, Sunflowers, Goldenrods and Aster. During your hike, you will also encounter several wild animals such as big brown bats, coyotes, shrews, moles, bobcats, black bears, spotted skunks, white-tailed deer and voles. Some of the bird species residing at the national park are Carolina Chickadees, Red-tailed Hawks, Barred Owls, Wild Turkeys and Tufted Titmice.

Shenandoah National Parks offers you a chance to camp out in the wilderness and backcountry. This is an unparalleled experience that lets you feel closer to nature and gives you more time to explore the park. There are five different campgrounds, out of which the Mathews Arm Campground, Big Meadows Campground and Loft Mountain Campground are the most notable ones. Outside your camp, you can enjoy picnicking, stargazing or lighting a bonfire with your loved ones. Additionally, meals are provided by the camp organisers, so all you have to do is soak in the scenic views and enjoy.

There are interactive guided tours available at Shenandoah National Park, called the Ranger Programs. On these programs, a ranger (guide) will guide you as well as enrich you with interesting facts throughout your journey. Some of the best Ranger Programs are Hike Programs, Campfire Programs, NightSky Programs, Wildlife Programs, Junior Programs and Cultural and Historical Programs. These programs are designed and suitable for visitors of all ages. Also, with the help of these programs, you can have a hassle-free and memorable experience at the national park.

During winter, the Shenandoah National Park turns into a winter wonderland, offering several exciting winter sports. There are several ski resorts in the valley where you can learn skiing or simply enjoy it as an activity. Additionally, there are other winter activities available such as snowboarding, ice skating and tubing. These activities are a must-try for all adventure seekers and will surely enhance the overall experience of your trip. Along with these winter sports, you can also explore the all-season available hiking trails of the national park.