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Shenandoah National Park Travel Guide
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items Just a short drive from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park feels like a world away—with the winding Skyline Drive, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, and endless ridgeline views. Whether you’re planning a fall foliage road trip or a peaceful...
Sections
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Shenandoah National Park Packing List
Where to Stay In & Around Shenandoah
Where to Eat+Drink In & Around Shenandoah National Park
Stunning Hikes in Shenandoah National Park
Guided Tours in Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah Trip Planning Info
Shenandoah National Park Packing List
Be ready for changing weather and rocky terrain with this essential packing list for hikers, road trippers, and weekend adventurers heading into Shenandoah.
You'll want to have poles to help you up and down all those ridges. These are a great budget-friendly pair with cork grips!
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
We take this on all of our hikes, and Shenandoah was no different. Cell phone service is spotty at best in the park, so having a way to get help in an emergency is crucial!
Garmin inReach Mini 2
The weather can be spotty, even during the height of summer. We always had a rain jacket in our packs and did have to use it a couple of times!
Rain Jacket
I was happy that I threw my Chacos in my day pack, so I could wade in the waterfall pools on longer hikes. That cool water was a great break for my feet! (and I even wore them for some of those shorter hikes).
Chacos Sandals for Outdoor Hiking & Casual Days
Ticks can be a concern in the summer months, so long pants and insect repellant is a must.
Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin
This is my favorite day pack and fits all the 10 essentials.
Osprey Daylite Backpack
These are hands down my favorite hiking socks, and you will not likely convince me they're not the absolute best.
Darn Tough Men's and Women's Hiker Micro Crew Hiking Socks
Whether you use it at your camp shower or after you've cooled off in one of Shenandoah's many swimming holes, these microfiber towels will come in handy.
Camp Towel
The National Geographic maps always come in handy, and they're water resistant.
National Geographic Shenandoah National Park Map
Where to Stay In & Around Shenandoah
These are the top lodging options both inside and outside the park—whether you’re looking for a classic park lodge, a cozy cabin, or a nearby campsite in Luray or Waynesboro.
We had to audible instead of backpacking the Whiteoak Canyon loop and stay here for a night. We were so glad that we did because it stormed so much that it knocked out the electricity at the lodge for a little while. Grab a drink at the onsite bar/re...
Big Meadows Lodge
We didn't get to stay here, but we did hike around a little. It's so convenient and if you want a good sunset, you'll have a great shot here!
Skyland Resort
Convenient to town and the park if you want a happy medium!
Hillside Motel
A little further away, but a little more modern amenities. This one is right in the bustling college town of Harrisonburg.
Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Conference Center
A lively spot to camp with tons of sites, but you're really close to some of the highlights. We loved the convenience and stayed in one of the quieter loops for a couple of nights before heading out with our backpacks for a couple nights. Showers are coin-operated, so make sure you have quarters!
Big Meadows Campground
The views are great, and your body will thank you for the soak in the hot tub after a long day of hiking. Great for the family!
Sunset Haven - 10 min from Skyline Drive with Hot Tub
Where to Eat+Drink In & Around Shenandoah National Park
Whether you’re grabbing a meal in the park at Skyland, stopping for coffee in Sperryville, or enjoying a post-hike pizza in Luray, these spots are great for refueling between adventures.
Small but laid-back, we grabbed a flight and then headed down the street to grab a pizza. We ended up grabbing a couple cans to go, and took our pizza back up to a picnic area along Skyline Drive. Pizza and a beer with a view is tough to beat!
Hawksbill Brewing Company
A great variety in selection of both sandwiches and drinks, plus you get to enjoy time outside in the beer garden!
West Main Market
Grab your pre-hike coffee here or swing by in the afternoon! Whenever you need your coffee fix, this is the place to go!
Broad Porch Coffee Co - Luray
An easy spot to grab any souviners and also try the blackberry ice cream Shenandoah is known for! Spoiler alert, it is delicious!
Big Meadows Wayside
The views from the terrace are great. We also got to enjoy some acoustic music while we scarfed down a pizza.
Big Meadows Lodge New Market Taproom
Grab a flight and hang out in this spot with cool vibes. It's also dog-friendly!
Elkton Brewing Co.
Lots of room to spread out and enjoy a beautiful afternoon! They have a full food menu and are dog-friendly.
Bald Top Brewing Co.
Casual spot with a variety of burger options near the southern part of the park.
The River
A little further away, but the place is usually packed and the service is very attentive. Great experience, even for how busy the can be.
Blue Stone Inn
Stunning Hikes in Shenandoah National Park
From popular trails like Old Rag and Dark Hollow Falls to quiet stretches of the Appalachian Trail, these hikes show off the best of Shenandoah’s ridges, woods, and waterfalls.
We had an absolute blast (for the most part!) on this hike. It's one of Shenandoah’s most iconic and challenging hikes, the Old Rag Loop is a rugged 9.4-mile adventure featuring steep climbs, rock scrambles, and panoramic views from the summit. This ...
Old Rag Mountain Loop
A 1.4-mile out-and-back hike, moderate in difficulty where you'll hike down to the waterfall and then right back up to return to your vehicle, 440 feet of elevation gain. The Dark Hollow Falls Parking Area is located at mile 50.7 on Skyline Drive.
Dark Hollow Falls
A1.6-mile out-and-back hike with a small loop to the viewpoints that is fairly easy, with 340 feet of elevation gain. Begin the hike from the Stony Man parking area at mile 41.7 on Skyline Drive. Take the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) to the trail post. Continue on the blue-blazed Stony Man Trail to the viewpoint. It's a great spot to check out for a Shenandoah sunset!
Stony Man
A 1.4-mile round trip hike moderate loop with 311 feet of elevation. You'll find the trailhead at mile 56.4 on Skyline Drive. Climb the stairs up the bank. At the trail post, continue straight ahead on Bearfence Loop Trail to the top of the rock scramble.
Bearfence Mountain Rock Scramble
A 8.1-mile round trip hike that is quite strenuous with 2,794 feet of elevation gain. This one will likely take you most of the day! Begin from the Hawksbill Gap Parking Area at mile 45.6 on Skyline Drive. Then descend via the Cedar Run Trail. At the bottom of the drainage, go left on the Whiteoak Canyon Trail. You'll pass six waterfa...
Whiteoak Canyon Loop
A 3.7-mile round trip hike moderate hike that will likely take you a few hours. There is 1,210 feet ,of elevation gain. Begin the hike at the back of the Panorama parking area, take the short connector trail to the Appalachian Trail and go left (sout...
Marys Rock Summit
There are a couple of options for this short hike to the view from Shenandoah's highest peak. The viewing area also includes 360 degree views, so visiting any time of day is great (we visited for sunset!). It's a moderate 1.7-mile round trip hike with 690 feet of elevation gain from the Hawksbill Gap Parking Area at mile 45.5 on Skyline Drive...
Hawksbill Summit
This one is a quick, easy hike, perfect for the whole family. It's a 1-mile circuit hike with only 175 feet of elevation gain. The parking area can be found at mile 84.4 on Skyline Drive. The views are great from the boulder field.
Blackrock Summit
How can you talk about hiking in Shenandoah without mentioning the AT?! Hike 1 mile or 100 on it. You'll commonly access other trails using the AT or use it to make loop hikes.
Appalachian Trail: Shenandoah National Park
Guided Tours in Shenandoah National Park
Explore the park with expert guides on scenic drives, photography tours, or guided hikes. These tours are a great way to learn more about the park’s history, wildlife, and natural beauty—without the planning stress.
This is an audio guide you can play while driving along Skyline Drive. We've found that some of the locations are slightly off in this and other parks, but you get an idea. You'll learn a lot about both the history and the landscape!
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Shenandoah National Park
We had a great time and learned so much about President Hoover and his family on this tour. Had we just hiked here ourselves and explored, we would not have had the same appreciation for this place.
Rapidan Camp Tour
We were really bummed that it absolutely poured rain the night we planned to check out the nighttime sky program at Big Meadows. Maybe during our next visit!
Ranger Programs
Shenandoah Trip Planning Info
Know before you go: this section covers park entrances, seasonal road closures, entry fees, and what to expect in each part of the park—from Front Royal to Rockfish Gap.
Shenandoah does have entrance fees. If you have an America the Beautiful pass, though, you're good to go!
Fees & Passes - Shenandoah National Park
Hiking Old Rag does require a ticket for much of the year. We had an easy time getting them, but you'll want to snag ahead of time. Get them here!
Old Rag Day-Use Tickets
Black bears and poisonous snakes are the biggest concerns here. We didn't see any black bears, but we did have a copperhead slither across the trail in front of us!
Wildlife Safety - Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah has 500+ miles of trails, so know the basics of hiking and have all the necessary gear!
Hiking Basics - Shenandoah National Park
Things to do near Shenandoah
If your legs want a break from all the hiking, these spots are a great way to break up the day and enjoy other activities. There is so much to do in the area around Shenandoah!
We had a little extra time and wanted a break from all the ridgeline hikes. This was a great spot to get out of the heat and enjoy a little natural air conditioning! Walk through the caverns at your own pace, and enjoy the self-guided tour. The formations are quite impressive!
Luray Caverns
What a great way to cool off from the summer heat!
Shenandoah River Tubing