One of the most spectacular national parks in the country, Shenandoah is like a new smile from nature: in spring and summer the wildflowers explode, in fall the leaves burn bright red and orange, and in winter a cold, starkly beautiful hibernation period sets in. White-tailed deer are a common sight and, if you're lucky, you might spot a black bear, bobcat or wild turkey. The park lies just 75 miles west of Washington, DC.
Your first stop should be the Dickey Ridge Visitors Center at Mile 4.6, close to the northern end of Skyline Dr, or the Byrd Visitors Center at Mile 50. Both places have exhibits on flora and fauna, as well as maps and information about hiking trails and activities.
Shenandoah National Park is easy on the eyes, set against a backdrop of the dreamy Blue Ridge Mountains, ancient granite and metamorphic formations that are more than one billion years old. The park itself was founded in 1935 as a retreat for East Coast urban populations. It is an accessible day-trip destination from DC, but stay longer if you can. The 500 miles of hiking trails , 75 scenic overlooks, 30 fishing streams, seven picnic areas and four campgrounds are sure to keep you entertained.
Skyline Drive is the breathtaking road that follows the main ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains and winds 105 miles through the center of the park. It begins in Front Royal near the western end of I-66, and ends in the southern part of the range near Rockfish Gap near I-64. Mile markers at the side of the road provide a reference. Miles and miles of blazed trails wander through the park.
The most famous trail in the park is the stretch of Appalachian Trail (AT), which travels 101 miles through Shenandoah from south to north, and is part of the 2175-mile Appalachian Trail crossing through 14 states. Access the trail from Skyline Dr, which roughly parallels the trail. Aside from the AT, Shenandoah has over 400 miles of hiking trails in the park. Options for shorter hikes include the following: Compton Peak (Mile 10.4; 2.4 miles; easy to moderate), Traces (Mile 22.2; 1.7 miles; easy), Overall Run (Mile 22.2; 6 miles; moderate) and White Oak Canyon (Mile 42.6; 4.6 miles; strenuous). Hawksbill Mountain Summit (Mile 46.7; 2.1 miles; moderate) is the park’s highest peak.
