Shenandoah National Park is among the gems of the japanese United States. Just 75 miles outdoors of Washington, D.C., the park feels way more distant. Its huge pure magnificence presents a lot to discover, and what higher manner to take action than to totally immerse your self and camp in Shenandoah National Park?
Keep studying for a whole information to Shenandoah National Park tenting!
What to Expect When Camping at Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park is positioned in Virginia’s Blueridge Mountains. Spanning over 200,000 acres of land, the park is thought for its stunning views, pure panorama, and various wildlife.
Shenandoah options waterfalls, quiet woods, wildflower fields, rocky mountaineering trails, and a lot extra. This panorama and the park’s many alternative ranges of elevation are what permit so many species like black bears, deer, and wild turkeys to thrive.
Things to Do at Shenandoah National Park
With a lot to see and discover whereas tenting at Shenandoah National Park, it’s a terrific concept to plan forward and ensure you get to do every thing you need.
Read on for suggestions and tips on issues to do throughout your journey to this park!
Hiking
With over 500 miles of trails, together with greater than 100 miles of the enduring Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park presents a plethora of mountaineering choices. Hikes vary from simple to tough, cowl totally different distances, and embody options like mountains, waterfalls, and extra.
Depending in your talent stage and pursuits, listed below are a number of Shenandoah hikes I like to recommend:
- Dark Hollow Falls – Dark Hollow Falls is a surprising waterfall to go to on a hike, and it’s probably the most in style hikes within the park. The hike itself is brief, taking round an hour and quarter-hour to finish the 1.4-mile path. However, the trail is steep and rocky, and it may be slippery when moist, so it’s reasonably tough.
- Old Rag Mountain Hike – Old Rag Mountain Hike is one other very talked-about choice. This 9.4-mile hike is difficult, typically taking seven and a half hours to finish. During the hike, you’ll cowl rock scrambles and finally attain dazzling, 360-degree views of the park.
- Big Devils Stairs – If you’re searching for a much less crowded hike, Big Devils Stairs is for you. This reasonable, 5.5-mile path leads hikers to a steep cliff that provides a scenic overlook of the gorge and valley. It’s a terrific place to relaxation, have a picnic, or just benefit from the view earlier than going again the best way you got here.
- Bearfence Mountain – For a good looking 180-degree view of Shenandoah Valley, go to Bearfence Mountain. There are literally two totally different hikes that result in this view. Hikers who get pleasure from a little bit of a thrill might go for the reasonable, 1.4-mile Bearfence Rock Scramble. Or for one thing lighter, the Bearfence Viewpoint is a simple, 1.1-mile path that takes hikers straight to the perspective.
- Hawksbill Loop – Hawksbill Summit is a reasonable 2.9-mile hike. It’s a well-loved path that takes hikers to the nationwide park’s highest peak. At the highest, get pleasure from panoramic views of the encircling mountains and valleys beneath.
- Mary’s Rock – Mary’s Rock is a reasonable, 3.7-mile hike that takes round three and a half hours to finish. The path culminates on the rock’s summit, the place hikers can get pleasure from a surprising overlook of the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains.
Driving Skyline Drive
If driving wasn’t initially in your listing of issues to do when visiting a nationwide park, you might wish to suppose once more.
Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive is a 105-mile street that runs north and south alongside the Blueridge Mountains. The gradual drive, which has a pace restrict of 35 miles per hour, is a good way to chill out, benefit from the park’s surrounding magnificence, and perhaps see some wildlife.
Skyline Drive is the primary street all through the park, and it may be accessed by one of many park’s 4 entrance stations. The street additionally presents entry to Shenandoah’s campgrounds, eating, and most mountaineering trails.
Visiting Big Meadows
Big Meadows is among the extra stunning options at Shenandoah National Park. The grassy meadow is positioned on prime of a mountain, and guests can benefit from the view, see wildflowers and wildlife, and stroll by the meadow’s grassy trails.
Perhaps one of the best factor to do at Big Meadows is to go stargazing at evening. Big Meadows’ elevation and the park’s distance from main city areas make it a terrific spot to see the evening sky with out the sunshine air pollution you probably encounter in each day life. Bring your binoculars and luxuriate in!
Visiting the Park’s Waterfalls
Shenandoah is dwelling to many waterfalls, that are all the time a stunning sight to see! They are all positioned simply off of Skyline Drive, accessible by hikes from the street’s parking heaps.
The tallest waterfall within the park is Overall Run Falls, reaching a top of 93 ft. Other beautiful waterfalls embody Rose River Falls, Jones Run Falls, and Doyles River Falls.
The size and problem stage of the hikes to those waterfalls can range, so be certain that to plan forward.
Biking
Biking is a good way to discover Shenandoah National Park. Visitors can trip their bikes alongside Skyline Drive, different paved areas, and Rapidan Fire Road, a one-mile gravel street close to Big Meadows.
For one thing extra organized, a number of corporations provide guided bike excursions all through the park.
Fishing
With greater than 70 mountain streams that include native trout, Shenandoah National Park presents many nice fishing spots. In truth, all the fish within the park are wild, and none are stocked.
Most of the park’s fishing spots solely permit catch-and-release fishing, however there are 17 rivers and creeks that let you harvest the trout you catch.
If you’re planning to fish, ensure you know the guidelines, like the place harvesting is permitted and beneath what circumstances.
Eating Blackberries
Blackberries are a novel a part of Shenandoah National Park. In the summer time, the park fills with these small fruits, and guests are free to gather and eat them contemporary (as much as one gallon per individual per day).
Moreover, every summer time, the park hosts the annual Blackberry Delight Festival, that includes blackberry-infused dishes and different celebrations!
Where to Stay at Shenandoah National Park
When you’re tenting at Shenandoah National Park, it’s necessary to contemplate the place you’ll spend the evening.
Choosing a Campground
Shenandoah National Park presents 5 totally different campgrounds to select from. Here is a short overview of every:
- Big Meadows Campground – Big Meadows Campground is a superb alternative for tenting in Shenandoah National Park due to its central location and shut proximity to many in style park locations, together with, after all, Big Meadows. It has 221 campgrounds for each tents and RVs.
- Dundo Group Campground – Dundo Group Campground is smaller than a lot of the others, providing simply three campsites. As the campground’s identify suggests, these campsites are designated for bigger teams (between seven and 20 individuals).
- Lewis Mountain Campground – This is the smallest campground in Shenandoah National Park, with simply 30 campsites. It’s a terrific choice for individuals who desire a quieter choice with extra privateness. Plus, it’s nonetheless comparatively central, simply seven miles away from Big Meadows.
- Loft Mountain Campground – Located within the southern a part of the park on prime of Big Flat Mountain, Loft Mountain Campground is the biggest campground in Shenandoah National Park. Its 207 campsites provide entry to beautiful views, close by waterfalls, and mountaineering trails.
- Matthews Arm Campground – Matthews Arm Campground is the closest campground to the park’s northern entrance. It presents entry to a number of mountaineering trails and waterfalls, and it options 165 campsites accessible to each tents and RVs.
Although some campgrounds provide first-come-first-served campgrounds, in addition they all provide reservations, apart from Lewis Mountain Campground. I like to recommend making a reservation to make sure your spot, particularly in case you’re planning your Shenandoah National Park tenting journey on a weekend or vacation.
With just a little little bit of planning forward to search out the right campground in your park keep, you’re certain to have a terrific journey, regardless of which you select!
Backcountry Camping
Shenandoah National Park does permit backcountry tenting for a extra distant choice that really immerses guests within the park’s wilderness. It’s a good way to discover the park’s pure options, mountaineering trails, and wonder.
If you’re pondering of backcountry tenting in Shenandoah National Park, be certain that to plan forward. You’ll want a allow, and it’s necessary to know the park’s guidelines and laws. For instance, backcountry tenting is prohibited in sure spots, and campfires will not be allowed.
You must also plan your tenting itinerary fastidiously based mostly on the sort of journey you wish to have. The National Park Service has created a handful of recommended itineraries based mostly on mountaineering ranges and the perfect size of your journey to assist information you.
Other Lodging
If tent or RV tenting isn’t for you, otherwise you’re planning to go to Shenandoah National Park within the winter months, there are a number of different choices in your keep.
Skyland, Big Meadows Lodge, and Lewis Mountain Cabins provide a variety of lodging together with elegant rooms, conventional rooms, and cabins of assorted sizes. There are additionally six primitive public-use cabins positioned all through the park.
What to Pack for Shenandoah National Park Camping
Packing for Shenandoah National Park tenting is very like packing for different tenting journeys. Bring all of the requirements that you’d usually carry, together with tenting provides, activewear, and mountaineering boots.
Because of the elevation adjustments on the park, starting from simply 550 ft to over 4,000 ft above sea stage, temperatures can range. I like to recommend packing layers like jackets and sweatpants that may simply be placed on and brought off throughout a hike.
For extra details about what it is best to and shouldn’t pack for a tenting journey, go to our information about What to Bring Camping.
How to Get to Shenandoah National Park Park
If you’re planning to fly to Shenandoah National Park, there are a number of airports you possibly can select from. The closest is Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD), which is 27 miles from the park. Charlottesville-Albemarle (CHO) is only a few miles farther, 31 miles away.
For bigger airports, which are sometimes cheaper and simpler to get to, one of the best choices are Washington Dulles International (IAD) and Reagan National (DCA).
From there, I like to recommend renting a automobile to take you to the park and journey all through.
If you’re driving to Shenandoah National Park, I like to recommend selecting the closest entrance station and following GPS directions. Note that in case you simply enter the park’s identify into the GPS, it could direct you to a service street that isn’t accessible for public entry.
The 4 entrance stations are:
Other Considerations
Now you recognize the fundamentals of what there may be to do, the place to remain, and the right way to get to the park. However, there are only a few extra issues to bear in mind to make sure you’re absolutely ready in your Shenandoah National Park Camping Trip.
Keep studying for some necessary issues.
Visiting Shenandoah National Park within the Winter
Visiting Shenandoah National Park within the winter presents a little bit of a unique expertise, and sadly, campgrounds are closed within the colder months. But in case you simply wish to go to for the day or keep in a single day within the park’s different lodging choices, there may be nonetheless lots to see and do.
The wintertime on the park is quieter, with fewer guests. This implies that if you wish to keep away from crowds, winter is a superb time to go to Shenandoah National Park! Plus, fewer individuals typically means you’re extra prone to see wildlife.
As far as actions go, it’s necessary to know what might or might not be open.
Skyline Drive is normally open within the winter, however it might probably shut on account of inclement climate like snow and ice. Even if the street is closed, mountaineering trails stay open. Just take into account that trails could also be icy, particularly as elevation will increase. It’s a good suggestion to put on layers and convey traction units in your mountaineering boots!
Entrance and Camping Fees
Everyone that enters Shenandoah National Park will likely be required to pay an entry price. There are a number of totally different choices:
- Entrance cross – An entrance cross ranges from $15 for a person individual to $30 for a single automobile and all of its passengers. The cross is legitimate for seven consecutive days.
- Annual cross – A Shenandoah annual cross prices $55 and supplies limitless park entry for a yr. The cross covers entrance for the pass-holder in addition to as much as 4 adults touring in the identical automobile (youngsters beneath 16 years of age are included totally free).
- Lifetime cross – Various lifetime passes can be found for seniors, individuals with medical disabilities, and army veterans. These passes cowl all nationwide parks and vary from free to $80 relying on the kind of cross. There are further reductions accessible for sure teams, together with seniors 62 years of age and older. Fourth graders, present members of the army, and army veterans can acquire free passes. In addition to entrance charges, there are separate charges for tenting in Shenandoah National Park. Camping charges vary from $30 for a primary campsite (as much as six individuals) to $75 for a bunch campsite.
Pets
Shenandoah National Park is exclusive in that it’s one in every of only a few nationwide parks that permit pets on most of its mountaineering trails. They’re additionally allowed in campgrounds and sure different lodging choices which might be pet-friendly.
If you’re pondering of bringing your pet in your Shenandoah National Park tenting journey, simply ensure you know the guidelines and laws. For instance, pets have to be on a leash on mountaineering trails, and there are a number of trails the place they’re prohibited.
Park Shops and Services
Throughout the park, there are a number of reward outlets, tenting provide shops, and bike restore stations. The Visitor Centers additionally function park shops that promote maps, clothes, and souvenirs.
For gasoline, I like to recommend filling up your tank earlier than you enter the park. There is one gasoline station close to Big Meadows in case you want it, however it might probably exit of service often. Skyland presents an electrical automobile charging station.
Cell telephone service is spotty and never dependable in most elements of the park. However, there does are typically protection on the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. Additionally, Byrd Visitor Center, Big Meadows Lodge, and the Skyland Dining Room provide free Wi-Fi.
Wrapping up Your Shenandoah National Park Camping Trip
With a lot to see and do throughout your Shenandoah National Park tenting journey, you actually can’t go flawed. Just plan forward, comply with the information listed above, and also you’ll have a beautiful time!
Ready to plan one other superb tenting journey? Visit our National Park Camping web page for guides to much more tenting in these unbelievable parks.