Shenandoah National Park
Nestled in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and just 75 miles from Washington, D.C., sits Shenandoah National Park. Driving Skyline Drive and hiking the trails to overlooks and waterfalls top the list of things to do in this park. We are frequent visitors to Shenandoah National Park (we live just 2 hours from here) and have learned quite a bit about this park over the years, which we will share with you in this guide.
Shenandoah National Park Stats
Founded: December 26, 1935
Annual Visitors: 1.7 million in 2024, making it the 17th most visited park that year.
Size: 200,000 acres
Location: Virginia
Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
Top Experiences in Shenandoah National Park
9 Amazing Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park
In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park, plus essential things to know to have the best experience.
Go for a Drive along Skyline Drive. Skyline Drive runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and along this drive, visitors can stop at the overlooks, historic sites, and take their pick from over 500 miles of hiking trails. This is the #1 thing to do in Shenandoah National Park.
Old Rag. This fun but challenging hike involves rock scrambling and hill climbing. It’s 9.4 miles round trip and the toughest hike on this list.
Dark Hollow Falls. It’s a short, easy hike to Dark Hollow Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the park.
Hawksbill Mountain. This is the highest peak in the park. To get to the summit, there are two steep trails to choose from, ranging from 1.5 to 2.2 miles round trip.
Stony Man. Hike to the summit of the second highest peak in Shenandoah. This is a relatively short hike, so it’s appropriate for almost all ages and ability levels.
Bearfence Mountain. This is Shenandoah’s most thrilling hike, just 1.1 miles round trip, with a bit of rock scrambling. From the summit, you get 360-degree views of the park.
Marys Rock. This is a tougher hike than those already listed but it’s one of my favorites. Again, there are two trails to choose from, ranging from 2.6 to 3.6 miles round trip. The views from the summit are extraordinary.
Rose River Falls. This 4-mile hiking loop takes visitors to several beautiful waterfalls. It’s particularly pretty in the fall, when autumn colors are at their peak.
Hike a Section of the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail runs from Maine to Georgia and 101 miles of the AT runs through Shenandoah National Park. During your visit, you can hike just a few miles of the AT or go the full distance.
Did You Know?
Located in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park preserves a section of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This long mountain range runs through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Many of the best overlooks and hiking trails are located in the middle of the park, where the mountains are at their highest. This is the area between Thornton Gap (Highway 211) and Swift Run Gap (Highway 33). Most likely, you will spend most of your time here, but the northern and southern sections are still very much worth your time.
Hiking in Shenandoah National Park
These articles detail our experience along some of the top hiking trails within Shenandoah National Park.
10 Great Hikes in Shenandoah National Park
500 miles of hiking trails travel through Shenandoah National Park. These trails range from short, easy summit hikes, gorgeous walks to waterfalls, to challenging climbs up the tallest mountains. You also have the option to walk a few miles of the legendary Appalachian Trail. In this post, we have 10 great hikes in Shenandoah National […]
How to Hike Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park
Old Rag is the toughest but the most rewarding hike in Shenandoah National Park. Some people say it’s the best hike in the mid-Atlantic region. The Old Rag hike is strenuous, with lots of switchback trails and rock scrambling. The reward from the top of Old Rag is a 360° view of the Shenandoah Mountains. […]
When To Visit Shenandoah National Park
In the spring, trees start blooming in April and by May the park should be a vibrant green. Late spring is a great time to visit, when wildflowers are in bloom and leaves return to the trees.
In the summer, the park is lush and green. It will be slightly cooler up in the mountains than in Shenandoah Valley. Be prepared for hot, humid weather.
Autumn is our favorite time to visit Shenandoah. In October, the trees turn a brilliant golden yellow and orange. Plan your visit for the last two weeks of October to see fall colors at their peak.
In December, January, and February, freezing temperatures are common, as is snowfall. The trees will be bare, the waterfalls will be icy, and visitation will be very low.
Shenandoah National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in May and October.
15 Best US National Parks to Visit in May 2026
Planning a trip to the US national parks in May and don’t know which ones to visit? May is a beautiful time to visit the national parks, now that the snow has melted across much of the country and roads are beginning to reopen. The list of national parks to visit in May is a […]
13 Best US National Parks to Visit in October 2025
In October, fall colors sweep across much of the United States. The majority of the parks that you will see on this list are parks that are ablaze in fall colors. Some of these are obvious picks, such as Acadia and Shenandoah, but a few may surprise you. In this guide, we list 13 beautiful […]
How Many Days Should You Spend in Shenandoah?
With one day in Shenandoah, you have enough time to drive Skyline Drive, stop at a bunch of the overlooks, and hike one, two to three short trails. I recommend Dark Hollow Falls, Bearfence Mountain, and/or Hawksbill Mountain.
With two days in Shenandoah, you can either do several shorter hikes or you can hike Old Rag.
With three days in Shenandoah, split the drive along Skyline Drive into two days, hiking a few trails in each section. On the third day, tackle the toughest hike in the park, Old Rag.
US National Parks that Require Reservations – 2025 Guide
Old Rag, Shenandoah’s most popular hiking trail, now requires a permit. Learn more about how to get a permit in our guide on how to hike Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park. We also cover these permits, plus the other US National Parks that require an advance reservation of some sort, in our guide to National Parks that Require Advance Reservations.
Shenandoah National Park Map
Shenandoah National Park Photos
US National Parks List
In our US National Parks List, get information on all of the US national parks, including interesting facts, the most and least visited national parks, and a FREE printable national parks checklist with map.
Ultimate US National Parks List for 2025 (+ Printable Checklist)
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