This article has links to products and services we love, which we may make commission from.
Thinking about a visit to Shenandoah National Park but not sure where to start?
Whether you’re a nature lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply someone yearning for a tranquil escape in Virginia’s natural wonderland, you’re in the right place.
To make your trip planning a breeze, we’ve put together this comprehensive Shenandoah National Park visitors guide, packed with the essential information you need to ensure you’re fully prepared for your upcoming adventure.
Shenandoah National Park is also one of the must-visit destinations on our Virginia bucket list.
If you’re craving more outdoor adventures, be sure to also check out our recommendations for the best state parks in VA.
Guide to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia
We’ll start off with some FAQs and background information for Shenandoah so you get more familiar with the park itself.
Next, we’ll highlight our favorite things to do and the best time to visit, and then give you some insights into weather and wildlife (plus rules for bringing your pup to the park!).
Is Shenandoah National Park Worth Visiting?
In the mountains of Northern Virginia, just a few hours from the country’s capital lies a large park along the Appalachian Trail.
As Virginia’s only National Park, Shenandoah is a perfect day trip from DC or you can enjoy a wonderful week-long nature escape.
If you’re wondering about Shenandoah National Park’s history, it was established in 1935 and is a product of the many programs and organizations launched by FDR during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
Shenandoah is known for its many rocky waterfalls, and views of the Shenandoah River Valley can be enjoyed from the top of the ridge in many places.
Other basic Shenandoah National Park facts are that it covers approximately 200,000 acres, providing ample space for outdoor adventures!
A number of standalone mountains sit away from the park and they are ripe for climbing and viewing the range from afar.
In addition to hiking, visitors can also experience the park by car via Skyline Drive, which stretches more than 70 miles from Waynesboro to Front Royal.
As the park’s centerpiece right from its founding, many pullouts and overlooks exist right along this scenic byway for visitors to stop and take in the natural beauty.
Skyline Drive is the also northernmost extension of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a famous byway starting in North Carolina and traversing much of western Virginia.
Visitors can also stay in one of the many Shenandoah campgrounds, giving you direct access to the variety of trails and natural sights the park has to offer.
It’s important to note that Shenandoah National Park fees may be applied for visitors to access the park and some of its amenities, which will be discussed in more detail below.
Where is Shenandoah National Park?
Located 90 minutes from Richmond, 2 hours from Washington DC, 3 hours from Virginia Beach, and 4 hours from Pittsburgh, Shenandoah sits in a perfect location for residents of any of the nearby cities (and states!) to get out and experience a national park.
Shenandoah National Park entrances include 4 options:
- the Front Royal Entrance (North)
- Thornton Gap Entrance (Northwest)
- Swift Run Gap Entrance (South)
- Rockfish Gap Entrance (Southwest)
Each entrance provides a distinct access point to the park’s stunning terrain.
Shenandoah can most easily be accessed by car, with Interstates 64 and 66 being the main routes to the south and north ends respectively.
US Highways 33 and 211 run right through Shenandoah from west to east.
For air travel, the Shenandoah Valley Airport (SHD) is the closest airport to Shenandoah National Park; it’s just 27 miles west of the Swift Run Gap Entrance Station.
SHD is a smaller airport with more limited service options, primarily serving the Shenandoah Valley area.
Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) is a major airport near Shenandoah National Park located just 31 miles east of Rockfish Gap.
This serves as a regional airport in central Virginia with travelers from across the United States being able to access CHO for their journeys to the park as well.
Visitors can also take the train from Washington DC to Culpeper, Virginia (about 20 miles from Shenandoah), and then take a bus or rent a car to get to the park.
Shenandoah National Park’s Location
Shenandoah sits between the two cities of Front Royal and Waynesboro, with the larger cities of Harrisonburg and Charlottesville located on the west and east sides respectively.
These four cities benefit the most from Shenandoah’s presence, and all have historic city centers.
Front Royal and Waynesboro are less touristy but offer do amenities for park visitors, while Charlottesville and Harrisonburg are larger cities boasting a wider variety of things to do.
Both Charlottesville and Harrisonburg are college towns, home to the University of Virginia and James Madison University, respectively.
Charlottesville also has an emphasis on history and tradition, as it was where Thomas Jefferson made his home at Monticello.
Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park
Before going, note that a Shenandoah National Park pass is required for all visitors, so be sure to purchase them online or in person.
You can also visit one of the Shenandoah National Park visitor centers to ask questions and familiarize yourself with the rules and programs within the park.
Of course, this park has something for everyone!
With the mountainous landscape, Shenandoah is always popular with hikers.
While some may be on a long journey to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail from end to end, the majority of visitors are day hikers.
There are strenuous routes for more experienced hikers, but Shenandoah also has flat walks along ponds that you can try for a more easy-going experience.
One of these is the Sugar Hollow Reservoir on the southeastern side of the park.
A short walking path runs along the north side of the reservoir, and since it is surrounded by mountains, it is quite a scenic stroll.
Rapidly flowing streams and waterfalls also interest some, and Shenandoah has no shortage of them.
Dark Hollow Falls is one of the park’s most popular hikes, and at just over a mile of moderately strenuous trail, it will challenge visitors who don’t normally hike without being too overwhelming for those who may be generally active.
Old Rag Mountain might be one of the most challenging hikes the park has, but it’s also one of the most popular.
There are a number of routes to get to the summit, all are at least 3 miles roundtrip and have lots of elevation change.
For more hiking options, check out our guide to the best hikes in Shenandoah.
Backpacking and remote camping might be some of the other things that Shenandoah is most known for.
While the park has a number of modern campgrounds, backcountry camping is also a popular Shenandoah activity.
A list of regulations can be found on the park’s site, but most of the park is open to backcountry camping.
Get more information about Shenandoah National Park reservations for camping, lodging, and other amenities.
We highly recommend Shenandoah for camping during Memorial Day Weekend so you can kick off the summer right!
For other activities, Sugar Hollow Reservoir is one of the few places where you can go fishing in Shenandoah.
If you’re looking for Shenandoah National Park stores where you can buy souvenirs and other goods, you can head to either the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (17065 Skyline Dr, Front Royal) or Byrd Visitor Center (Skyline Drive Milepost 51, Stanley); every purchase you make supports the park.
Best Time to Visit Shenandoah National Park
The best time to visit Shenandoah is entirely dependent on what you want from your experience, but most choose to visit in summer during school vacation or in the fall with the forested mountains offering a fantastic show of foliage.
The most common times to visit are in June, July, August, and September, but October may be an even better time for fall colors.
With few lakes and little standing water, bugs at Shenandoah aren’t as much of a problem as places further north with more lakes, but a fall visit will almost eliminate any chance of seeing bugs.
Due to the mountainous terrain, Shenandoah gets more snow than the valleys on either side, making for good cross-country skiing.
Spring is the rainiest season in Shenandoah, and that can be a good or bad thing depending on how muddy the trails get.
The best reason to visit in the spring is that visitors will get to see waterfalls at their peak flow, where sometimes in dry summers and falls, the waterfalls can be reduced to a drip.
Early spring’s snowmelt tends to fuel waterfalls more than the late spring rain, and while the trees may be browner, some may find this more appealing than a May visit.
Summer is obviously the most popular time to visit, especially for families with school being out.
The three potential downsides to a summer visit are the bugs, crowds, and temperatures, but those are all subjective.
Shenandoah National Park Weather
Located midway up the east coast, winters in Shenandoah are noticeable but not brutal.
Being in the mountains away from the coast, the park doesn’t have the ocean as a temperature regulator, and the mountainous terrain makes it windier in some spots.
Taking any day out of the year, visitors will find nearly equal chances of sunny or cloudy skies, with the park’s rainiest month being May.
With that being said, the most likely chances of sunny skies will be in August and September, at around a 65% chance.
Overcast skies are most common in December and January.
In summer, temperatures can shoot into the upper 80s, and with the humidity being so high on the East Coast, that can sometimes feel even hotter.
If you plan to hike in the summer, be sure to get an early start to avoid the midday heat and humidity as best you can.
July is the most likely month for these high temperatures, but they happen in August, too.
For those considering a winter visit, the coldest month is January with highs around 40 degrees.
The only times in winter when the park gets consistently below freezing is at night, while during the day relatively mild cold temperatures are common.
Spring and fall are almost identical at Shenandoah, with March through May gradually rising from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and temperatures from mid-September to the end of November are within the same range.
Note that Shenandoah National Park hours are 24/7, but inclement weather can lead to the closure of sections of Skyline Drive.
Animals in Shenandoah National Park
Very few national parks allow pets on trails, but Shenandoah is one of those parks.
Pets must be kept on a six-foot leash at all times and you should always consider whether your pet can handle any given trail.
Of the over 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah, fewer than 20 miles don’t allow pets, so be sure to check the updated trail list before taking your furry friends with you.
Dogs are also allowed in all campgrounds of Shenandoah.
If you’re interested in Shenandoah National Park wildlife, there is plenty to look for!
Common animals like squirrels and deer will be seen by nearly everyone who enters the park, but some animals are more elusive.
Among these animals are bats, skunks, bobcats, and black bears.
Birds in the park include warblers, turkeys, and owls, although some are easier to spot than others.
The park also has a number of reptiles and amphibians that live on land or near the park’s few bodies of water.
As with all National Parks, be respectful and keep your distance from any and all wildlife.
Visitors with dogs in Shenandoah National Park should also keep a close eye on their furry friends to ensure the safety of local wildlife.
Final Thoughts
We hope you’ve enjoyed this comprehensive guide to Shenandoah National Park and that it’s been helpful in planning your adventure.
If you found this guide useful or have any questions, feel free to comment below.
