Shenandoah National Park & Blue Ridge Parkway

The Parkway is 469 miles long and connects Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Numerous trails and recreation areas are available along the route, and visitor centers also dot the parkway, with the closest being Humpback Rocks, a popular hike with a historic farm and beautiful views from a large rock outcropping.

Hiking

The park holds more than 500 miles of trails including 100+ miles of the Appalachian Trail, a National Scenic Trail and the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. Shenandoah is also dotted with scenic waterfalls, beautiful vistas, and trails for all hiking abilities. Great options close to Charlottesville include Turk Mountain, Little Calf Mountain, and Black Rock Summit. You can also access the park from Sugar Hollow Reservoir in Western Albemarle County. Be sure to bring your National Park Pass.

Hikes in the park can be strenuous. Be sure to check the difficulty level of the hike you're planning to do, as well as the elevation change. Many hikes start at the top of the ridge and end by hiking back up steep terrain.

Note: If you plan to hike at Old Rag, you must make a reservation ahead of time. There is very little service at the trail head so make sure your reservation is ready to present before you arrive.

Fishing

Shenandoah National Park contains over 90 mountain streams, many of them great habitats for diverse fish species and aquatic insects. Anglers come from all over the world to walk the stream banks and place an artificial fly in a beautiful plunge-pool in hopes of enticing trout to strike, especially in the spring and fall months. A valid Virginia State Fishing Liscense is required from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, as well as a valid National Park Pass. You can find more information on fishing regulations within the national park here.

The best times of year to fish are late fall, winter, and early spring. You'll experience the best water levels and temperatures and mitigate your impact on the fish populations during these seasons.

Scenic Drives

Skyline Drive runs 105 miles from Front Royal in Northern Virginia to its meeting with the Blue Ridge Parkway at Rockfish Gap, just west of Charlottesville. It is the perfect location for a full day of ridgetop driving, with breathtaking views of Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Restaurants, lodges, restrooms, and even a gas station are available along the drive.

Horseback Riding

Visitors can take part in Horseback Riding in multiple locations throughout the park, including 180 miles of trails open to horse use. Guided trail rides can be arranged leaving from Skyland in the spring, summer, and fall months. Riders can also bring their own horse, with multiple options for trailer parking throughout the park. For more information on equestrian activities, click here.

Education

The national park serves as an incredible classroom for students of all ages. Be sure to take a look at upcoming guided hikes and classroom sessions led by park rangers, as well as one of the many exhibits that are currently present at the park.

What to Bring With You

• Water & Food
• Protective Footwear and Proper Clothing
• Navigation and Wayfinding
• Bug Spray and Sunscreen
• First Aid

Lack of Cell Service & Paper Maps

Cell phone service cannot be guaranteed in the national park, and visitors should make a plan for navigation that does not rely on a data signal or battery power. Maps of the park as a whole can be sourced at entrance points as well as visitor centers and are also available in multiple languages. You can also print off individual maps of specific areas of the park, with trails and points of interest marked.

Wildlife Safety and Leave No Trace

Interactions with wildlife can be common in Shenandoah National Park, however, following specific safety guidelines will help protect both yourself, the wildlife, and their habitat. Give wildlife plenty of space and do not approach any form of wildlife in the park. Also, be sure to store your food properly so that it does not attract bears or other wild animals. Follow Leave No Trace principles including proper disposal of waste, leave what you find, and be considerate to others.

Visitor Center and Store Locations

There are two visitor centers within Shenandoah National Park, the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and mile-marker 4.6, and the Harry F. Byrd Sr. Visitor Center at mile-marker 51. These will have exhibits, gift shops, an information desk, and are commonly the gathering points for group hikes or walks, as well as ranger programs.

You can also find Campstores at the entrances to park campgrounds and lodges, which commonly have food, beverages, camping gear, and souvenirs. Some stores will have more available than others, and hours will differ, commonly opening up for the season in late spring and closing down for the season in November or early December.

The trail is over 2,190 miles long, with the most miles of any state located right here in Virginia. Thru-hikers commonly take multiple months to hike the trail, bringing everything they need with them. Many individuals will also hike smaller segments on daily hikes or for weekend backpacking trips.

The idea of the Appalachian Trail was spawned in 1921, and the trail was completed in 1937. It is a unit of the National Park System as well as a National Scenic Trail. More than 3 million people visit the Trail every year. The trail travels through 14 states as well as six National Park Service units and eight National Forests.