Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park stretches across the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, encompassing more than 200,000 acres of protected forest, meadows, and rocky summits just 75 miles from Washington, D.C. The park's crown jewel is Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic road that traces the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers sweeping panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Virginia Piedmont to the east. With 500 miles of hiking trails — including a stretch of the Appalachian Trail — visitors can explore cascading waterfalls, quiet wooded hollows, and fields of seasonal wildflowers, all while spotting white-tailed deer, wild turkey, songbirds, and black bear. The park offers a rich array of visitor facilities managed by the National Park Service and its concessionaire. Lodging options include historic Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge, while four campgrounds (Mathews Arm, Big Meadows, Lewis Mountain, and Loft Mountain) accommodate tents and RVs throughout the spring-to-fall season. Waysides at Elkwallow, Big Meadows, and Loft Mountain provide food, supplies, and fuel, and two visitor centers — Dickey Ridge and Byrd — offer exhibits, ranger programs, and park store purchases. Beyond recreation, Shenandoah carries deep cultural and historical significance. The park's Lewis Mountain area preserves the story of African American visitors who experienced the park under segregation, and an interactive exhibit explores that history in full. Entrance fees apply year-round; the America the Beautiful Annual Pass is accepted. Skyline Drive may be temporarily closed during severe weather, but hikers may always enter on foot from park boundaries.