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This slender park follows the crest of Virginia's Blue Ridge, with farm valleys falling away on the western side and rolling Piedmont country to the east. Much of the land was once farmed and logged, and families were removed when the park was created in the 1930s. Forest has since returned, and the park is now home to deer, black bears and a dense network of trails.
Skyline Drive runs the length of the park along the ridge, with overlooks at frequent intervals. Near the north entrance, the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and Fox Hollow Trail make an easy introduction. Short climbs to Mary's Rock and Stony Man offer broad valley views, and Hawksbill is the park's highest summit. Whiteoak Canyon leads past a series of waterfalls, and Dark Hollow Falls is one of the most visited cascades. Big Meadows, with the Byrd Visitor Center, is an open area known for wildlife sightings. Rapidan Camp preserves President Herbert Hoover's retreat, and Bearfence Mountain has a short rock scramble. Old Rag Mountain, a demanding loop with a rocky summit scramble, requires a day-use ticket during busy months.
The park suits hikers and scenic drivers. October foliage draws heavy traffic, and some facilities close in winter.
WiserMap travel guideShenandoah National Park Virginia Skyline Drive and Old RagPlan Shenandoah National Park with Skyline Drive overlooks, Old Rag, Stony Man, Dark Hollow Falls, Big Meadows, lodging areas, the best seasons and park rules.Read the guide
Skyline Drive is the 105-mile road that runs the length of Shenandoah National Park along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with about 70 overlooks of the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont. The speed limit is 35 mph and mileposts mark every stop. An entrance fee applies. Expect slow traffic during fall foliage.
Mary's Rock is a rocky summit near Thornton Gap in the north part of the park, with one of the best panoramic views in Shenandoah. The most common route from the Meadow Spring parking area is about 2.9 miles round trip with a steady climb. The final scramble onto the rocks needs care. Great at sunset.
Stony Man is the park's second-highest peak, reached by an easy trail of about 1.6 miles round trip from near Skyland. The summit cliffs give wide views over the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain. It is one of the best short hikes for families. Stay behind the edges, since the cliffs drop steeply.
Whiteoak Canyon is a hike past a series of six waterfalls in a deep, shady gorge of old hemlocks below Skyland. Going down from Skyline Drive to the upper falls is about 4.6 miles round trip, and the full canyon is much longer and steep. Save energy for the climb back up. Rocks near the falls are slippery.
Old Rag is the park's most famous and challenging hike, a loop of about 9.4 miles with a long rock scramble near the summit through cracks and over boulders. It is reached from the eastern side, not Skyline Drive. A day-use ticket must be reserved in advance from March to November. Start early and carry plenty of water.
Hawksbill is the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park at 4,051 feet. Short trails from the Upper Hawksbill parking area lead about 2.1 miles round trip to the summit, with a stone observation platform and a day-use shelter. Peregrine falcons have been reintroduced nearby. The view is especially fine at sunset.
Bearfence Mountain is a short but rocky hike of about 1.2 miles round trip off Skyline Drive in the central district. A rock scramble along the ridge leads to a rare 360-degree viewpoint. The scramble needs hands and can be tricky in wet weather. A gentler Appalachian Trail route avoids the hardest part.
In the quieter South District, Loft Mountain has a campground and wayside with a scenic loop trail. Nearby Blackrock Summit is an easy trail of about one mile through a field of dark lichen-covered rocks, giving wide views to the west. It is one of the best easy viewpoints in the park. Good at sunset.
Dark Hollow Falls is a 70-foot cascade reached by the shortest waterfall trail in the park, about 1.4 miles round trip from Skyline Drive near Big Meadows. The trail is downhill on the way in and steep on the way back up. It is very popular, so arrive early. The falls are fullest in spring.
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center is the first stop in the park from the Front Royal entrance, with exhibits, a film, rangers and a valley view. Across the road, the Fox Hollow Trail is an easy loop of about 1.2 miles past old stone walls and a family cemetery from a farm that predates the park. Pick up maps here.
Big Meadows is a large open meadow in the center of the park, often grazed by white-tailed deer at dusk. The Harry F. Byrd Sr. Visitor Center explains the park's history, including the families moved to create it. A lodge, campground, wayside and dark night skies for stargazing are nearby.
Rapidan Camp was President Herbert Hoover's summer retreat, built in 1929 at a stream junction in the forest. The restored Brown House and Prime Minister's cabin hold exhibits. It is reached by a hike of about four miles round trip from Milam Gap, or by a ranger-led van tour from Byrd Visitor Center in season.
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