Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Shenandoah National Park follows Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, with Skyline Drive linking overlooks, forest trails, and places to stay. You can plan a visit around one stretch of the road rather than trying to cover its full length. Choose an entrance near the walks you want to take, especially when daylight is short or autumn traffic is heavy.

Highlights along Skyline Drive

• Mountain overlooks: stop at designated pullouts for views from the Blue Ridge crest.
• Limberlost Trail: take a shorter forest loop with a crushed-greenstone surface and published accessibility details.
• Big Meadows: combine a visit to Byrd Visitor Center with nearby walks and seasonal services.
• Old Rag: plan a separate mountain outing with advance day-use tickets and careful attention to parking arrangements.

Know before visiting Shenandoah

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Trail, waterfall, and wildlife safety

Wet rocks near waterfalls can be dangerously slippery. Stay away from waterfall tops, and turn back if ice or high water makes a route unsafe. A downhill walk still requires an uphill return, so keep enough energy and daylight for the way back.

Keep at least 150 feet from black bears and 75 feet from other wildlife. Animals can also cross Skyline Drive without warning. Use designated stopping places rather than braking in a traffic lane to watch them. Carry water, check the forecast, and take precautions against ticks.

Share the trails responsibly

Protect wildlife by securing food and scented items and taking all waste to appropriate disposal points. Follow marked paths and leave plants and other natural features undisturbed.

Leashed pets may use most park trails, but several prominent routes exclude them. These include Limberlost, Stony Man's summit trail, Dark Hollow Falls, and the listed Old Rag trails. Keep the leash no longer than 6 feet, collect waste, and check the rules for your exact walk.

Old Rag tickets and overnight bookings

From March 1 through November 30, each visitor needs a USD 2 advance day-use ticket for the designated Old Rag area, including the Ridge, Saddle, and Ridge Access trails. This applies to all ages and is separate from the park entrance fee. Tickets do not guarantee parking. Half of the daily tickets are released 30 days ahead, with the other half released five days ahead.

The main Old Rag parking lot is closed for improvements expected to continue into November 2026. Access uses existing overflow lots, with particularly limited parking on October weekends. Read the Old Rag ticket and parking instructions before making plans.

Big Meadows campsites require reservations. Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain combine reservable and first-come sites; Lewis Mountain uses first-come sites. Backcountry overnight stays require a purchased permit through Recreation.gov. The previous paper registration system no longer applies.

Choose the right Shenandoah entrance

Skyline Drive runs approximately 105 miles from Front Royal toward Waynesboro. Vehicle entry is through four gateways: Front Royal from US 340, Thornton Gap from US 211, Swift Run Gap from US 33, and Rockfish Gap from US 250 near I-64.

Boundary trailheads such as Old Rag are separate destinations. Do not let navigation software direct you onto a gated service road. Download the official park and trail maps before arrival because cell reception is unreliable.

Road status can change during bad weather. A Skyline Drive closure does not necessarily prevent entry on foot, but you must still check the safety and legal access of your chosen route. The park directs drivers to its alert service for current road updates.

Forest walks, overlooks, and longer hikes

Build a driving day around a few overlooks and one walk. The full road takes several hours even without extended stops, and winding mountain travel leaves less time for hiking than the mileage might suggest.

At mile 43, Limberlost forms a 1.3-mile circuit through the forest. NPS lists about 130 feet of elevation gain. Although designated accessible, it includes slopes; consult the detailed surface and gradient information if these affect your mobility.

The wider trail network offers longer mountain and waterfall walks. Use the park's individual route descriptions to compare distance, climbing, and terrain. Old Rag needs its own preparation and ticket arrangements, rather than being treated as an unplanned stop along the drive.

Visitor centers, water, camping, and lodging

Dickey Ridge Visitor Center is near the northern entrance at mile 4.6. Byrd Visitor Center is at Big Meadows, mile 51. Both provide orientation, with schedules that may change during severe weather.

Developed water fountains and marked spigots provide drinking water at selected locations. The park lists water points at places including Elkwallow, Thornton Gap, and Big Meadows. Some supplies shut down for winter. Bring enough for your route and treat backcountry water rather than assuming a spring is safe to drink.

Restrooms and accessible facilities are available in developed areas. Big Meadows, Lewis Mountain, and Loft Mountain have accessible shower and laundry facilities during their operating seasons. Selected campsites and many overlooks also have access features. Check the specific site instead of assuming every stop is step-free.

Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge provide seasonal lodging and food. Big Meadows Wayside has groceries, camping supplies, and the park's only gas station. Fuel availability and concession hours need confirmation before a long drive.

About Shenandoah National Park

Mountain communities and the making of a park

Shenandoah's history includes the lives of mountain residents as well as the development of a national park. The Civilian Conservation Corps shaped park infrastructure, while racial segregation affected early visitors' access and experiences. Visitor exhibits provide context for these human stories alongside the recovering forest.

Wildlife in the Blue Ridge

White-tailed deer, black bears, and bobcats live here, along with many resident and migrating birds. The park also protects amphibian habitat, including that of the endangered Shenandoah salamander. Watch quietly and avoid calling to animals or trying to draw them closer.

Contact Shenandoah National Park

For general information, call 540-999-3500. The mailing address is 3655 Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835. Use the official contact page to choose the appropriate office. For an emergency, call 911 or park dispatch at 800-732-0911.