Summary
$30
7-day fee
1 live
Camera
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is October, when around 19% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for December–March.
Plan Your Visit
Black Bear & Trail SafetyFrequent sightings▾
Park Entrance & Fees4 entrances · $30▾
North Entrance
Usually Open
Front Royal, via US-340/US-522
The northern start of Skyline Drive, closest to Washington, DC — about 90 minutes away, making this the busiest entrance on weekends.
NPS directions ↗
Central Entrances
Usually Open
Thornton Gap & Swift Run Gap, via US-211 & US-33
Cross Skyline Drive near the middle of the park, close to Luray and the Byrd Visitor Center at Big Meadows (Mile 51).
NPS directions ↗
South Entrance
Usually Open
Rockfish Gap, via I-64 near Waynesboro
The southern end of Skyline Drive, connecting directly to the Blue Ridge Parkway toward the Smokies.
NPS directions ↗
Note
No Timed Entry
Standard entry, no reservation
Unlike many western parks, Shenandoah has no park-wide vehicle reservation system — only Old Rag requires a separate day-use ticket (see below).
Old Rag Day-Use Permit$2/person▾
Campground Availability5 areas▾
Big Meadows Reservation Only ▾
Sites200+
LocationMile 51, central — the park's largest & most popular
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Loft Mountain Reservation Only ▾
Sites207
LocationSouth District, on Big Flat Mountain
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Mathews Arm Reservation Only ▾
Sites~166
LocationNorth District, Mile 22 — near Overall Run Falls
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Lewis Mountain First-Come, First-Served ▾
Sites30
NotesSmallest & quietest — no advance reservations, pay via Recreation.gov app QR code on-site
Campground details ↗
Landmarks & Trails6 stops▾
Central District4 stops▾
Hawksbill Summit4,051 ft
Highest point in the park · shortest route (Lower Hawksbill) 1.7 mi RT, 690 ft gain, moderate
Dark Hollow Falls~1.5 hrs
1.6 mi round trip · shortest waterfall hike from Skyline Drive
Stony Man~1.5 hrs
1.6 mi round trip, easy · second-highest peak, big views
Whiteoak Canyon3–5 hrs
4.6 mi RT to Upper Falls, moderate-strenuous · +2.7 mi RT more for Lower Falls
North & South Districts2 stops▾
Overall Run FallsModerate
93 ft drop, the tallest waterfall in the park · accessible from Mathews Arm Campground
Blackrock Summit~45 min
1 mi circuit, easy · boulder-strewn summit, South District
Things to Do7 categories▾
HikingSignature trail▾
Old Rag CircuitVery Strenuous
Rock-scramble loop up the Ridge Trail and down via the Saddle Trail & Weakley Hollow Fire Road — the park's signature hike; day-use ticket required Mar 1–Nov 30
9.4 mi · 2,348 ft
Skyline DriveScenic byway▾
Full-Length Drive105 mi · 35 mph limit
National scenic byway tracing the crest of the Blue Ridge, Front Royal to Rockfish Gap; open 24/7 except during winter storms & high wind
Entrance Stations~3 hrs end-to-end
Four vehicle access points: Front Royal (Mile 0), Thornton Gap (Mile 31.5), Swift Run Gap (Mile 65.5) & Rockfish Gap (Mile 104.6)
Horseback Riding2 options▾
Guided Trail RidesSpring–fall
Park concessioner rides depart from Skyland; book via GoShenandoah.com
Bring Your Own Horse180+ mi of trail
Yellow-blazed trails only; riders must carry the park's Horse Use Regulations and stick to graveled trails when the ground is soft
Fishing90+ streams▾
Mountain StreamsVA license req. (16+)
Native brook trout plus introduced brown & rainbow trout across ~70 fish-bearing streams; artificial single-hook lures only, no organic bait
Catch & Release1 line per angler
All streams catch-and-release except 16 designated harvest streams, incl. the Piney, Thornton & Rose rivers; brown/rainbow under 7 in. must be released
Biking2 ways▾
Skyline Drive & Paved AreasPark-wide
All bike classes, including e-bikes, are permitted; federal rule requires riding single-file at all times
Rapidan Fire Road~1 mi
The only unpaved route open to bikes — a gravel spur near Big Meadows, turnaround marked by sign
Stargazing & Night SkyNot certified▾
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Shenandoah does not hold a formal Dark Sky designation, given its proximity to the DC metro area — but on clear moonless nights NPS notes roughly 2,500 visible stars from spots like Big Meadows. The park has run an annual Night Sky Festival since 2016 with ranger-led programs. NPS night sky info ↗
Bird Watching196+ species▾
Peregrine Falcon
Reintroduced, nests on Skyline Drive's rock outcrops
Wild Turkey
Common along Skyline Drive and forest edges
Ruffed Grouse
Known for its drumming display in dense forest
Barred Owl
"Who cooks for you" call echoes through hollows
Pileated Woodpecker
Large, crow-sized woodpecker of the hardwood forest
River Conditions3 live gauges▾
Rapidan River near Ruckersville
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USGS site 01665500 ↗
Robinson River near Locust Dale
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USGS site 01666500 ↗
Park Contact Information