One Of America's Most Scenic Drives Passes Right Through A National Park
Beth
Author
Thanks to careful planning and a widespread appreciation for our beautiful landscape, America is filled with scenic drives. There’s one in particular, though, that sets itself apart from the rest. Meandering through the majestic Appalachian Mountain Range in Virginia, Skyline Drive offers viewers unadulterated views of gentle rolling hills and breathtaking mountainscapes. And the best news? It extends for the entire length of Shenandoah National Park. So whether you’re looking for a gorgeous road trip, hiking trails, or breathtaking overlooks, you can find them all in one convenient stretch. Take a look at the photographs below and you’ll surely be inspired to plan your visit to this immensely beautiful national park in Virginia.
Related Stories
5 Lesser-Known State Parks In Virginia That Will Absolutely Amaze You
Spelunker's Cavern Burgers Is A Delicious Burger Joint Right Next To Shenandoah National Park
This Natural Phenomenon Happening In One Of Virginia's State Parks Is Too Beautiful For Words
Curious to learn more about Skyline Drive? You can check out the National Park Service website here to plan your visit to this beautiful national park in Virginia. Keep in mind, though, that there is an admission fee upon entering the park. All proceeds help to maintain the park and enhance visitor experience.
To see more gorgeous footage from this corner of the U.S., be sure to read about The Breathtaking Drive That Will Show You Virginia Like Never Before.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
National park to visit in Virginia
What makes Shenandoah National Park so unique?
Easily the most famous national park in Virginia, Shenandoah is also one of the best-loved national parks in the country! Few places in the country are as breathtakingly beautiful as Shenandoah National Park. This scenic expanse of the Southern Appalachian mountains in Virginia is 200,000 acres of pastoral perfection. Photographers love Shenandoah National Park for its picture-perfect panoramas, but this national park is so much more than just a quick photo stop. With stunning and radiant scenery, Shenandoah National Park offers some of the very best outdoor recreation opportunities in the U.S., stellar hiking trails (including access to the world-famous Appalachian Trail), extraordinary camping, an abundance of wildlife, and, yes, some of the most jaw-dropping views in the country. Shenandoah is a true national treasure; a place that belongs on everyone’s bucket list.
What's the history behind Shenandoah National Park?
The story of how Shenandoah National Park came to be is really quite remarkable. The western region of the U.S. is known for its bucket-list-worthy wonders, but you don't have to head west to find remarkable scenery. This notion is how, in 1935, Shenandoah National Park came to be. You see, the National Parks Service is meant to represent the entire nation, and Shenandoah National Park is one of the stunning wonders of the East. In the 1920s, the National Park Service’s first director, Stephen Mather, recognized that his agency was too focused on protecting western lands and that these established national parks simply weren't accessible for many people living on the other side of the country. Mather knew that something needed to change; after all, the West didn't have a monopoly on magnificent places. The U.S. was full of beauty just waiting to be explored, and it was the NPS's job to bring these wonders into the national spotlight. He first focused on the Shenandoah River region of Virginia and established Shenandoah National Park to shine the spotlight on this stunning and gorgeous valley -- and we're so very glad he did.