Shenandoah National Park: Discover A Stunning Oasis In The East
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 09, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
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.
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.
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.
Spanning 196,000 acres across Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, the park is defined by a single public road, Skyline Drive, which runs its entire length -- 105 miles -- from north to south.
This is a place to enjoy the journey -- not the destination. Luckily, visitors can enjoy an array of turnouts and parking lots on the side of the road.
The road has a strictly enforced speed limit of 35 mph, so travelers should slow down and savor the scenery. The spectacular sunsets over the Blue Ridge Mountains are not to be hurried.
Due to the convenience of Skyline Drive, many visitors treat Shenandoah as a "drive-through" park, which is an absolute travesty. Of course, Shenandoah's roadside overlooks are sublime -- but the park is so much more.
Nearly all the hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park branch off of this road, so you'll want to plan ahead and map out your must-visit treks.
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For instance, the acclaimed Appalachian Trail roughly parallels Skyline Drive, and there are several access points off the road for those wishing to experience this bucket-list-worthy hike.
There are over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail within this park; arguably some of the most scenic parts of the iconic trail.
There is an absolute abundance of adventure waiting to be had here. Hiking is one of the most popular activities in the park, and for good reason: Shenandoah National Park boasts remarkable topography, filled with lush forests, rushing waterfalls, and magnificent mountains and gorges.
The most popular waterfall hike in the park, Doyles River Falls Trail offers views of two gorgeous waterfalls; and, at 3.4 miles, is also a very accessible trek.
Rock climbing is particularly incredible here, too. The mountains that lie within the park rise dramatically from the valley floor, some up to 3,000 feet of elevation.
Mary's Rock Tunnel is located at mile 32.2 of Skyline Drive. Constructed in 1932, it's a 600-foot-long tunnel straight through a mountain, and is considered the greatest engineering feat of the scenic byway.
While you're driving or exploring, you're bound to see various wildlife.
Deer, wild turkeys, foxes, and bobcats are common here, especially in the morning or at dusk.
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Black bears are the only species of bear found in Shenandoah National Park. They are fairly common, especially around campsites. (Park officials estimate there are several hundred black bears in Shenandoah.)
If you do spot a bear while on the trails, maintain your distance (park regulations require at least 150 feet to safely view a bear), make noise, and don't run away from the animal. But don't worry -- seeing a bear in its natural habitat can be very memorable, and simply needs to be treated with an appropriate amount of caution.
Bears aside, the camping in Shenandoah National Park is unparalleled.
There are countless campsites from which to choose, all offering equally spectacular scenery. Loft Mountain is the largest campground in the park; it sits atop Big Flat Mountain and is adjacent to two waterfalls. Backcountry camping is also popular here; too, offering a primitive experience wherein campers can truly immerse themselves in the park's wild beauty. When possible, reservations are recommended and can be made online up to six months in advance.
Of course, the adventure isn't limited to Shenandoah's 190,000 acres. This entire region really is a bucket-list-worthy destination.
With several major rivers nearby, water recreation is epic in this part of Virginia. Those looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure will be very pleased with the white water rafting and kayaking on the nearby Shenandoah River.
But for those looking for a memorable river expedition that allows for a bit of rest and relaxation, definitely opt for a tubing adventure down the Shenandoah River.
One of two natural caverns located at the north end of the park, Luray Caverns is the largest cavern system in the eastern United States, home to jaw-dropping geological formations -- and the eponymous Stalacpipe Organ. This instrument is an electrically actuated lithophone located inside the cavern, operated by a console that produces music via the tapping of ancient stalactites of varying sizes with solenoid-actuated rubber mallets. It's truly something to behold.
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At the end of the day, though, the real reason to visit Shenandoah isn't solely for its trails, waterfalls, rocks, or rivers.
Shenandoah National Park is a pristine, pure place that’s perfect on its own — no gimmicks, no tourist traps, no noise. It’s as if Mother Nature finished this natural wonder, took a step back from her canvas, nodded her head, and put her paintbrush down. Shenandoah was sublime; nothing more was needed. It’s an inspiring place that radiates light and life, inviting explorers to come and simply take it all in.
Accessibility: With its variety of accessible hiking trails, picnic sites, campgrounds, and visitor centers, Shenandoah National Park is an incredibly accessible park. The park also offers assistive listening devices, braille brochures, and audio descriptions (available via the free Shenandoah National Park App) of its overlooks and notable features.
Pet Friendly: Shenandoah National Park is one of the few dog-friendly national parks, with the majority of trails open to pets on leashes.
Parking: Spanning over 100 miles, there are four entrances to Shenandoah National Park — and myriad places to park. Parking is permitted at trailheads where spaces are provided, and at entrance stations if space permits. Visitor Centers, picnic areas, waysides, and overlooks also have parking spaces. Just be sure you are not blocking Skyline Drive, administrative/fire roads, or overlooks.
Seasonal Access: Shenandoah National Park is open year-round; however, portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the Park, are periodically closed during inclement weather. There there are benefits to visiting any time of year, with autumn boasting some of the most incredible fall colors in the country. One thing to note: within the park, the mountains can be up to 10 degrees cooler than the valleys, so dress accordingly!
Cost: Single vehicle entrance passes to Shenandoah National Park are $30 per vehicle, and are good for seven days from the date of purchase.
Feeling inspired to fill your Bucket List? Check out our previous feature of Molokini Crater, an underwater wonder in Hawaii, and then subscribe to our weekly Bucket List newsletter to discover new destinations across the country that definitely deserve a visit.
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