Introduction
Shenandoah National Park is a stunning natural wonder located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
Established in 1935, the park covers over 200,000 acres and is home to an incredible array of wildlife, plant species, and breathtaking scenery.
The park is best known for the scenic Skyline Drive, a 105-mile roadway that winds through the park and provides visitors with unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
With over 500 miles of hiking trails, including a portion of the famous Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting adventure, Shenandoah National Park is a must-visit destination that is sure to leave you in awe of the natural beauty of the Eastern United States.
Shenandoah National Park Itinerary
1. Shenandoah Valley Overlook
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Approximate time: 5 minutes
The first overlook on our tour will give you a taste of what is to come. You can see the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley, as well as the town of Front Royal, where our journey began.
2. Dickey Ridge Visitor Center
Image from Flickr by Shenandoah National Park
Approximate time: 10-20 minutes
An excellent Visitor Center, you can find information about the area, a bookstore, souvenirs, and clean restrooms.
3. Signal Knob Overlook
Approximate time: 5 minutes
Facing the west, the Signal Knob overlook gives you a view of the Signal Knob. It is a small mountain that was once used as a lookout post for the Confederacy during the Civil War.
4. Compton Peak Trailhead
Image from Flickr by Jake Slagle
Approximate time: 2 hours
This is a moderately difficult 2.4-mile round-trip hike that follows a portion of the Appalachian Trail. It also features a geological feature called columnar jointing, which looks like a series of columns on their side stacked on top of one another.
5. Elkwallow Wayside
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Approximate time: 10-20 minutes
A wayside is similar to a convenience store, and you’ll find a few along as we go through our tour. It offers groceries, camping supplies, grab-n-go food options as well as a small gift shop.
6. Luray Caverns (optional stop)
Image from Flickr by Phil Venditti
Approximate time: 2-3 hours
The Luray Caverns are one of the largest and most popular cavern systems in the eastern United States, attracting millions of visitors each year. The natural beauty of the caves is simply breathtaking, with enormous chambers filled with:
- stalactites
- stalagmites
- columns, and
- crystal-clear pools that reflect the stunning formations above.
In addition to its natural wonders, Luray Caverns also boasts a fascinating history, serving as a popular tourist attraction for over a century. Whether you're a nature lover, a history buff, or simply looking for an unforgettable experience, Luray Caverns is a must-see destination.
Your ticket to tour the caverns includes three other attractions. The Car & Carriage Caravan Museum features all sorts of cars from the past century. The Shenandoah Heritage Village is a seven-acre re-creation of a small 19th-century farming community.
It features restored historic buildings, cottage-style gardens, and a small vineyard with a scenic mountain backdrop. Finally, Toy Town Junction has dozens of model trains and a collection of toys from all over the place.
The stop in Luray may take a while, but it’s worth it if you’d like to see all of these attractions in one place.
7. Hazel Mountain Overlook
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Approximate time: 5 minutes
From Hazel Mountain Overlook, visitors can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley. The overlook is a popular spot for taking photos and enjoying the beauty of the park.
8. Jewell Hollow Overlook
Image from Flickr by Shenandoah National Park
Approximate time: 5 minutes
Jewell Hollow Overlook offers a view of the Blue Ridge mountains as they descend into the valley. Additionally, there is a distant view of the manmade Morning Star Lake, created by the building of the Dry Run Dam.
9. Stony Man Mountain Overlook
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Approximate time: 5 minutes
Stony Man Mountain Overlook offers an uninterrupted 180-degree view of the valley below as well as the distant mountains.
10. Skyland
Skyland in Shenandoah National Park offers a peaceful mountain retreat. Elevated at 3,680 feet, it presents stunning vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy rustic cabins, scenic trails, and delightful cuisine. Immerse yourself in nature's tranquility and beauty.
Approximate time: 1-2 hours
11. Limberlost Trailhead
Image from Flickr by Shenandoah National Park
Approximate time: 1 hour 30 minutes
A nice and easy walk through the woods on a paved path. The Limberlost trail is the only ADA-accessible hike on our route today. This hike also features a self-guided brochure and informational signs specifically geared toward kids of all ages. It is known as a TRACK trail, and makes the walk into a scavenger hunt!
12. Crescent Rock Overlook
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Approximate time: 5 minutes
Western-facing overlook that features a view of Hawksbill Peak, the highest mountain in the Valley. It also has an informational sign detailing the history of the National Park, as well as an account of the removal of the people who lived in the park’s boundaries.
13. Upper Hawksbill Trailhead
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Approximate time: 1 hour 30 minutes
A 2-mile round trip hike that takes you to the top of the park’s highest peak. This hike features a stunning 360-degree view of the Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Virginia Piedmont.
14. Dark Hollow Falls
Image from Flickr by Kelly Verdeck
Approximate time: 1 hour 30 minutes
At 1.5 miles out and back, this hike is deceptively difficult. You would think that such a short distance would be an easy leg-stretcher, but beware. This one is very steep and rocky, leading down to a waterfall, and then back up to the trailhead.
On the other hand, this is one of the most popular paths in this section of the park for a reason - the waterfall can be worth the walk.
15. The Point Overlook
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Approximate time: 5 minutes
The Point Overlook is at the top of a short but steep trail which is how it gets its name. From here, you get a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the town of Elkton.
16. The Oaks Overlook
Approximate time: 5 minutes
The Oaks overlook has a narrow but expansive view of the Shenandoah Valley.
17. South River Picnic Area
Approximate time: 2 hours 30 minutes with hike
This is a large picnic area featuring picnic tables, grates for cooking, restrooms, and water available from Spring to Fall.
The real attraction here is the South River Falls hike. It is a 3.3-mile moderately difficult hike that takes you to an observation point as well as to the base of an 83-foot waterfall. Also offers a hike on a section of the Appalachian Trail.
18. Rockytop Overlook
Image from Flickr by Shenandoah National Park
Approximate time: 5 minutes
Rockytop offers a view of the more rugged southern section of the park, with several mountains running parallel to the overlook.
19. Loft Mountain Wayside
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Approximate time: 10-20 minutes
The Wayside is a perfect place to stop and rest for a bit, taking a break from driving and hiking. There is a range of amenities, including a camp store, restrooms, and a picnic area.
20. Black Rock Summit
Image from Flickr by Waldo Jaquith
Approximate time: 45 minutes
This one-mile out-and-back trail gives you a view of the valley below as well as Massanutten Mountain in the distance. It is considered very easy and also features informational pamphlets and a scavenger hunt for kids of all ages.
21. Horsehead Mountain Overlook
Approximate time: 5 minutes
The view from this overlook is northwestern and shows the distant Horsehead Mountain. The name comes from the distinctive shape of the mountain that can be seen from the overlook, which is said to resemble the head of a horse.
22. Turk Mountain trailhead
Image from Flickr by Shenandoah National Park
Approximate time: 2 hours 15 minutes
An easy hike to the top of Turk Mountain, our final hike of the day features a western view of the valley, great for sunset pictures. It's a 2.2-mile round trip, so if you want a final hike for the day, this is the one for you.
23. Sawmill Run Overlook
Approximate time: 5 minutes
The view from this overlook faces the southwest, making it ideal for sunset pictures.
After the last stop on the tour, you’ll be about a mile outside the town of Waynesboro, Virginia - the starting point for Shaka Guide’s Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Tour. Combine both tours for the ultimate adventure!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Shenandoah National Park Know Before You Go article.
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