6 Incredible Ways to Explore Shenandoah National Park

Planning a visit to Virginia? Then you DEFINITELY want to add one of Virginia’s noteworthy gems to your itinerary. Here are 6 incredible ways to explore the beautiful Shenandoah National Park.

Recently I wrote an article about visiting the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. 

John Denver’s words to “Country Roads” keep playing over and over in my head…still.

I can’t get them out.

You know…”Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River”. (You’re singing it in your head now too, aren’t you?)

So I decided that I would share with you some of the best ways to explore Shenandoah National Park you may not have considered but definitely should. 

Explore Shenandoah National Park

If you’re a history buff (like me) then Shenandoah should be on your bucket list of places to visit and explore. 

Only 3-4 hours from the New River Gorge Bridge, Shenandoah National Park is worth hopping over the state line into Virginia to visit.

Shenandoah National Park is deeply tied to America’s rich history, including the American Civil War, the civil rights movement, the diligence of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, and even boasts strong ties to several past US presidents including Franklin Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover.

So, before I pour the moonshine and wipe the teardrops from my eye, here’s some unique ways to explore the best of what Shenandoah National Park has to offer.

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Explore Shenandoah National Park via Paved Roads

Drive Along Skyline Drive

Skyline Drive is the main road through Shenandoah National Park. You can download a park map here.

Designated a National Scenic Byway in 2005, it rivals the Blue Ridge Parkway in stunning views along the Blue Ridge Mountains through the Shenandoah Valley and gets over a million visitors each year.

Skyline Drive is 105 miles long and due to its winding nature and amount of wildlife in the area, the speed limit is a strictly enforced 35mph.

There is no fee to drive the road, however there is a fee to enter Shenandoah National Park. Click here to get your national park pass online.

There are four park entrances that provide access to Skyline Drive

Front Royal Entrance Station (Rt. 66 and 340)

Thornton Gap Entrance Station (Rt. 211)

Swift Run Gap Entrance Station (Rt. 33)

Rockfish Gap Entrance Station (Rt. 64 and Rt. 250 – which is also the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway)

Depending on how often you stop at the overlooks, Skyline Drive is about a three-hour drive from beginning to end.

Driving through Shenandoah National Park is just one way to explore one of America’s most beautiful national parks.

Explore Skyline Drive via Bicycle

You can also ride through the park.

Riding through Shenandoah National Park is a unique experience that allows you to take in the scenery at a slower pace while embracing the sights, smells, and sounds you might otherwise miss from being inside a vehicle.

Shenandoah allows bicycles on all paved roads in the park including Skyline Drive. Unfortunately, bikes are not allowed on trails or unpaved roads.

Tips on Where to Stay in Shenandoah National Park:

Along Skyline Drive you’ll find three beautiful lodges that you can choose to stay overnight or longer. Skyland Lodge, Big Meadows Lodge, and Lewis Mountains Cabins are open from March/April to November.

Skyland Lodge is the largest with the best views of Shenandoah. Big Meadows Lodge is smaller but with better views of the night sky and the most centrally located. And the Lewis Mountain Cabins are ten rustic cabins where you can relax and get away from it all.

You can make reservations for all three lodges here.

Shenandoah also has five campgrounds within the park available for a nightly fee and you can book sites up to six months in advance. If you are interested in camping options within the park, you can read more about them here.

Explore Shenandoah National Park via Off-Road Trails

Via Day Hikes

Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of hiking trails within the park, of which over 100 miles are part of the famed Appalachian Trail.

The Appalachian Trail sees peak visits by thru-hikers going north in May and June, and by those heading south in September. If you want to avoid the crowds, I would stay clear of the AT during those months.

The AT can be accessed from the park entrances so they are easy to get to from the main thoroughfare. You can also find huts and shelters along the Appalachian Trail.

The trails are well marked and labeled blue for hiking trails, white for Appalachian Trail, and yellow for horse trails.

Shenandoah National Park is one of the most dog-friendly parks in the country. In fact, all but 20 miles of trails allow dogs (on leashes of course) and there’s even lodging options available too!

Waterfalls

There are so many things to do and see along the trails. Shenandoah has nine major waterfalls that you can access via day hikes.

The most popular (and shortest distance off Skyline Drive) is Dark Hollow Falls and is only 1.4 miles roundtrip. But be aware that the trail is steep and rocky and classified as moderate by AllTrails.

The tallest waterfall at 93 feet is Overall Run and is about a 6.5 mile hike roundtrip. This waterfall should be seen in late spring or early summer for maximum effect.

Rapidan Camp

You can also hike to Rapidan Camp, the summer fishing camp of President Herbert Hoover.

It’s accessed by a 3.7 mile roundtrip hike along Mill Prong Trail.

The camp has been restored to its 1929 condition and there’s a ranger there on the weekends to give tours.

Explore via an Overnight Backpacking Trip

Overnight backpacking trips are a great way to explore Shenandoah National Park.

A permit for overnight backcountry camping is required, but there’s no fee and you can get one online here.

Be aware that campfires are not permitted in the backcountry so you will need to pack in a camp stove with you.

And make sure you have bear proof containers or a way to hang your scented items.

There are lots of bears in the Shenandoah and you definitely don’t want them inviting themselves to your food and gear! Check out bear proof containers here.

For a list of backpacking gear check out my 3-5 day Backpacking Gear List.

Winter Hiking

Getting in some winter hiking is also a great way to explore the park, and you’ll experience views much different than during any other time of year.

Check out the NPS website for great winter hiking trails like Stony Man, Frazier Discovery Trail, Rose River Falls, and and Chimney Rock Trail.

Tips for Winter explorations in the Shenandoah National Park:

1. Always check the weather forecast and keep an eye out for rapid changes in precipitation and temperature.
2. If hiking or backpacking, make sure you have crampons or microspikes for your hiking boots and consider snowshoes for powdery backcountry conditions.
3. It goes without saying, but make sure you dress in layers that don’t hold onto moisture. That’s a sure way to get cold fast -and stay cold!
4. Bring survival items with you when leaving the vehicle on foot. A backpack with headlamp or flashlights, a small propane camp stove, food, water, a whistle, and a personal location tracking device such as SPOTX will come in handy if you get lost or injured.
5. Make sure you have a park area map downloaded onto your phone or a hardcopy available as cell reception in the park is very limited.
6. Have survival items stored in your vehicle in case you’re unable to drive for any reason. During the winter months it’s a good idea to have a tote in the back of the car with extra warm clothing, gloves, boots, food and water, wool blankets, rope, tarp, and fire-starter equipment -just in case.

Explore via Horseback

Exploring on horseback is another great way to experience Shenandoah National Park.

There are over 180 miles of trails in the park open to horse traffic, including eight trails with gravel paths that are great for winter riding. A list of trail routes is available here.

You can bring your own horses or make reservations for a guided horseback riding adventure. The stables at Skyland Lodge provide guided tours from June through October and can be reserved here.

Explore via Rock Climbing

Rock climbing takes on a whole new light in the Shenandoah Valley and there’s nothing like exploring the park via a good climb.

Here is a list of just 60 of the most popular climbing routes in the park.

Experiencing breathtaking views you won’t see anywhere else and enjoying a connection with nature is what the national park system is all about.

So whether you’re into rock climbing, hiking, bicycling, or driving, there’s something for everyone and these are just six ways you can explore Shenandoah National Park.

Want to know other things to do in Virginia? Here’s an Incredible Itinerary for a Weekend Getaway in Virginia that’s full of great ideas!

What’s your favorite way to experience this beautiful national park? Comment below!

If you’ve never been to the area then consider getting out and trying something new or exploring an area of the park you’ve never seen before. Either way, embrace your inner dragonfly and live life to the fullest!