Shenandoah National Park » The Parks Expert

A hiker sits on a rock and watches the sunset in Shenandoah National Park. — Pixabay Photo

Shenandoah National Park is a unit of the national park system in Virginia, United States. The scenic Skyline Drive runs through its length and connects to two other units of the national park system: the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

It is the most visited national park in Virginia and has over one million visitors a year who come to camp, hike, bike, horseback ride, canoe, or kayak on its many streams and rivers. Visitors can also visit nearby caverns such as Luray Caverns, tour historic Civil War battlefields, or sample local culture in one of its many small towns.

The park is a retreat for urban residents from Washington, D.C., Richmond, and nearby Charlottesville, Virginia. With Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive merging with the Blue Ridge Parkway to form a panoramic corridor of road and trails through some of the most scenic landscapes in America, it’s easy to understand why.

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Land Acknowledgment: This post promotes travel to native lands for the following nations: Manahoac and Monacan. We honor all Indigenous caretakers of these lands and waters, the elders who lived here before, the Indigenous today, and the generations to come.

Fall colors light up a mountain side. White text over the image says "Best Hikes in Shenandoah"

A waterfall cascading down gray rock surrounded by green forest. White text over the image reads "Top Things to Do in Shenandoah"

A campfire brightly lit in front of a red and white tent. White text over the image says "Shenandoah Camping Guide"

An image of people watching the sunset by a cliff. Text over the image says "List of National Parks by Popularity" in white.

An image of two bear cubs. Over the image, white text with a black shadow reads "Bear Safety 101"

Shenandoah National Park Information

Park Size: 311.2 mi²

Established: December 26, 1935

Entrance Fee: $30/vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15/person (hikers or cyclists). Valid for 7 days.

Nearby Communities: Front Royal, Waynesboro, Luray

Visitor Centers: Dickey Ridge, Byrd

Campgrounds: Big Meadows, Duno, Lewis Mountain, Loft Mountain, Mathews Arm (learn more!)

How to Get There: There are several entrances to Shenandoah National Park. Click here for directions.

Best Time to Visit: October for fall colors, May to September for hiking/camping, winter to avoid crowds

Unique Things to Do: Scramble to the top of Old Rag or visit a plethora of waterfalls

Shenandoah National Park Products

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Fodor’s Guide to the 63 National Parks

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Map of National Parks T-Shirt

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63 National Parks Water Bottle

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Shenandoah Hiking Guide

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