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The Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia is 105 miles of most scenic vistas within the Eastern United States.
This stretch of National Scenic Byway extends via the verdant Blue Ridge Mountains, and is the one street via the Shenandoah National Park.
Along the way in which, there are a number of gorgeous hikes, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and views for miles. It passes dense forests, wetlands, and waterfalls, in addition to alongside the foothills of craggy peaks.
Some of essentially the most iconic points of interest on this stretch of street are the enduring Appalachian Trail, Hawkbill Mountain, and Old Rag Mountain.
The Skyline Drive encompasses the perfect of the nationwide park with out having the necessity to depart your automobile (although we advocate you do!)
If you’re considering of taking the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah, however will not be positive what to see and do alongside the way in which, that is the last word itinerary which pinpoints the perfect stops, viewpoints, and points of interest.
While you drive, saved your eyes looking out for a number of the park’s most elusive animals, reminiscent of deer, squirrels, wild turkey, and naturally, the black bear.
Where does the Skyline Drive VA start and finish?
The Skyline Drive catches the baton on the finish of the Blue Ridge Parkway and runs via all the 105-mile size of the Shenandoah Valley National Park on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It is the ONLY street within the Shenandoah National Park, which is thrilling because it permits you to expertise two unbelievable pure Virginian wonders in a single journey.
The start line is within the north of the Shenandoah Valley at an intersection with US 340, south of Front Royal (Milepost 0), and finishes within the Southern finish of the park in Waynesboro (Milepost 105), the place it meets the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Be ready for limitless viewpoints over the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Massanutten Mountain Range.
Skyline Drive VA Itinerary
It’s necessary to plan your drive properly to include the perfect hikes, picnic areas, lodges, and the perfect viewpoints, so we’ve ready the next itinerary that can assist you out.
You can view this itinerary within the following interactive map. You can save this map by clicking the star button within the prime bar.
There are viewpoints each couple of miles. Despite the fantastic thing about every overlook, you’ll be able to shortly catch fatigue, so we’ve solely listed our favorites on this itinerary.
We’ve picked a couple of on both aspect of the street because the views are totally different.
The East is extra mountainous with lush forests, whereas the West has extra expansive views of the Shenandoah Valley.
Note: Although most individuals drive from North to South, we discovered that we didn’t see any mile markers as a result of they had been designed for these driving South to North – or they had been simply tough to see.
This is an issue we’ve had at different nationwide parks earlier than as properly. However, overlook indicators might be simple to see with sufficient warning.
Stop 1: Range View Overlook
As our time was brief – and we skilled overlook fatigue – we didn’t go to each overlook.
The first viewpoint we stopped at was the Range View Overlook, probably the greatest views of the northern part of the park.
The Range Viewpoint has expansive views of the park, and on a transparent day, you’ll be able to see Jenkins Mountain, Pickerel Ridge, Old Rag, Stony Man Mountain and Pass Mountain within the distance.
Closer to you, you’ll see Keyser Mountain and Mount Marshall.
Stop 2: Elkwallow Wayside
Elkwallow Wayside is a good grocery retailer and place to get ice cream, when you’re visiting through the summer season.
You’ll love stopping in right here for a chunk to eat or a drink with magnificent views out over the Shenandoah Valley. It’s an awesome place to stretch your legs and take a break from the limitless winding street and delightful views.
Stop 3: Mary’s Rock Tunnel at Mile 32
Everybody loves driving via tunnels, proper? I used to be so busy taking a video of it (see our Reels) that I didn’t snap a photograph.
This 600’ lengthy tunnel was in-built 1932 and was thought of a marvel at its time. It was a welcome change from the a number of viewpoints and is a novel Skyline Drive characteristic.
There is a car parking zone close to right here so you’ll be able to take your photograph.
Stop 4: Stony Man Mountain Overlook at Mile 38.5
The Stony Man Mountain Overlook is an extended, panoramic view of the valley ground with Massanutten Mountain within the distance. It has an elevation of 3100 toes so the air can really feel somewhat skinny up right here.
This overlook is admittedly all about huge greenery for miles on finish. It actually makes you notice the sheer dimension of the park!
Stop 5: Robertson Mountain and Old Rag Mountain Loop by way of Skyline Drive
One of the perfect methods to expertise Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive is to hike on one of many over 500 miles of trails that start at Skyline Drive.
Stop in at one of many customer’s facilities to discover a path that most closely fits your curiosity, fashion, and talent, as they vary from ambling, strolls to difficult mountain scales. Some trails result in a waterfall or spectacular viewpoints, and others go deep into the forested wilderness.
Old Rag Mountain’s trailhead just isn’t formally on the Skyline Drive, however since that is the very best peak within the park, it will be a disgrace to not hike to the summit.
The approach to do that is to mix it with the Robertson Mountain hike, which extends over to Old Rag Mountain and loops again to the Skyline Drive.
This is a difficult hike and would take a complete day to do. It’s 25 km and has an elevation achieve of 1,400 meters – so it’s by no imply feat.
Allow 6-7 hours to finish this hike. You can see the path map right here.
It’s necessary to notice that Shenandoah National Park is black bear nation, so be bear conscious! Please additionally choose up your trash and don’t depart any snacks open the place bears can odor them.
Alternatively: Stony Man Mountain Hike
If you wish to say you’ve hiked the legendary Appalachian Trail, it does cross Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, and it’s mentioned to have a number of the most spectacular sections of the path.
Across the street from the Old Rag Mountain is a straightforward hike that permits you to do exactly that – that is the place you can find the trailhead for the Stony Man Mountain hike.
This 2.4 km path solely has an elevation achieve of 98 meters and takes lower than an hour to do. Despite being low in elevation achieve, Stony Mountain is the second highest peak within the National Park.
It can be a greater possibility for many who have youngsters. What’s extra is that it’s a part of the enduring Appalachian Trail. See the path head right here.
Stop 6: Hawksbill Mountain
The highest level of Shenandoah National Park is Hawksbill Mountain. Despite being the very best level, the hike in all fairness brief at 2.6 km and an elevation achieve of 203 meters.
It takes most individuals an hour and 10 minutes to finish, and is properly maintained and in style. This is a shorter and steeper path to Hawksbill Mountain’s viewing platform, which is generally tree-lined and doesn’t have views on the way in which up.
However, it finishes on the 360-degree panoramic view from the viewing platform, the place you’ll be able to gaze over the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Virginia Piedmont.
Stop 7: Dark Hollow Falls Trail
Located at mile level 50.7 is likely one of the hottest hikes within the Shenandoah National Park, particularly for households.
We wish to return to Shenandoah National Park to expertise extra of the hikes. It was a brief journey, and we may solely slot in one brief hike, and this was the one we selected.
Dark Hollow Falls Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike all the way down to the cascading Dark Hollow Falls. Allow for a minimum of an hour and pack a picnic lunch or a couple of sandwiches if you wish to spend extra time having fun with the falls.
The first viewpoint just isn’t the underside of the Falls however is the perfect view of the Falls. You can stroll somewhat additional down the path to the very backside of the falls.
It’s not a spectacular waterfall, however I liked the angle of the waterfall trickling down the moss-covered rocks.
It is a little bit of a steep climb coming again out, the toughest half is from the underside of the falls to the highest. After that it’s extra of a gradual climb.
Top tip: Some different waterfalls you may additionally wish to take a look at within the park are Whiteoak Canyon, Lewis Spring Falls and Rose River Falls.
Stop 8: Blackrock Mountain Trail
This is a brief 500 meter path to the Blackrock Summit, which sits on prime of a rocky talus slope.
This overlook is exclusive in that it has a rocky terrain, but additionally comes with unbelievable views of the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Mountain, and past.
Stop 9: Baldface Mountain Overlook
One of essentially the most scenic overlooks on Skyline Drive is the Baldface Mountain.
Many individuals advocate taking a stroll via any gaps within the stone partitions you discover as they result in higher views.
We didn’t have time for that, however the reduce at Baldface is supposed to result in a rocky outcropping with higher views
Stop 10: South River Overlook
The view from South River Overlook isn’t as spectacular because the others, nevertheless it’s totally different, which is why it’s value stopping for a photograph.
It spans throughout a discipline of wildflowers, which look beautiful within the late summer season season when they’re blossoming.
In the background, you will notice Saddleback Mountain peeping via the timber within the distance.
Stop 11: Moormans River Overlook
I liked this angle over Moormans River winding via the gently sloping mountains blanketed in a lush forest.
It was so totally different from the opposite Skyline Drive overlooks and really peaceable. This is supposed to be a great dawn spot.
There are a number of viewpoints between the South River Overlook and the Moormans River Overlook, however as i discussed, we obtained overlook fatigue so we didn’t really feel these had been value stopping for.
You can learn extra in-depth data on the totally different overlooks on the Skyline Drive on this information.
Where to eat on the Skyline Drive
When it involves discovering someplace to eat, the perfect place to dine are on the three primary lodges alongside Skyline Drive: Massanutten Resort, Skyland Resort, Lewis Mountain Cabins, and Big Meadows Lodge.
They every maintain occasions all through the season, together with Virginia wine tasting, night time sky applications, and twilight hikes as properly.
As properly as lodging, the lodges have eating places and reward shops.
Things to do close to the Skyline Drive Shenandoah
As talked about, we’ve an in-depth publish on issues to do within the Shenandoah Valley, which outlines actions you are able to do each inside and out of doors the nationwide park in additional depth.
If you’re in search of different issues to do within the space exterior the nationwide park, I recommend you intend for exploring the lovable cities close to the entrances. These cities even have some cool actions that encompass them.
Here are a couple of of our favorites:
- The city of Staunton
- Luray Caverns
- Walking alpacas
- Wine tasting at Veritas Vineyards
- Horseback Riding at Jordan Hollow Stables
- White Oak Lavender Farm
FAQs about driving the Skyline Drive Shenandoah
Here’s what individuals often ask us about Skyline Drive Shenandoah..
What is the perfect part of Skyline Drive?
The finest part of Skyline Drive is the Range View Overlook which has a number of the finest views of the northern part of the park, and in addition the South River Overlook which is the perfect dawn spot.
Are there bogs on Skyline Drive?
There aren’t any restrooms alongside the Skyline Drive, however you could find bogs on the lodges.
Which Shenandoah entrance is finest?
The entrance will largely rely on the place you might be driving from, however when you can select then we expect the Thornton Gap Entrance or Rockfish Gap Entrance are the perfect locations to begin.
When is the perfect time to drive the Skyline Drive Shenandoah?
The finest time to drive the Skyline Drive actually will depend on what you wish to expertise. For me, I liked touring throughout summer season as all the things is so lush and inexperienced – and I like mountain climbing with a little bit of humidity.
Fall is an particularly in style time to drive the Skyline Drive, with its colourful foliage from late September to mid-November.
Spring can be a good time to go to with spectacular views of wildflowers and mountain laurels, plus it’s extra lively with bears as they arrive out of hibernation.
Why not go to a number of occasions via the yr after which select your favourite?! (Be positive to share with us your expertise within the feedback beneath!)
How lengthy does it take to drive the Skyline Drive?
At 105 miles lengthy with a most 35 mph pace restrict, it can take 3-4 hours to drive from one finish of the Skyline Drive to the opposite together with a couple of stops.
If you wish to add in a couple of hikes and see a few of Shenandoah’s points of interest, then you definately’re taking a look at a full-day journey a minimum of.
Adventurers will wish to plan for a few days exploring the Shenandoah National Park and having fun with the Skyline Drive.
Because it’s situated in a nationwide park, with many different nice issues to expertise we advocate spending a minimum of two days driving the Skyline Drive.
Shenandoah has a number of campgrounds that provide each first-come-first-served campsites and people you’ll be able to reserve prematurely.
To show you how to discover options, amenities, and parking areas, concrete mileposts have been positioned on the appropriate aspect of Skyline Drive as you head south.
Mileposts might be included in numerous guides you get.
Skyline Drive Opening Hours and Entrance Fees
The nationwide park is split into three areas:
- North District (Dickey Ridge, Mathews Arm)
- Central District (Skyland, Big Meadows) This is the most well-liked part.
- South District (Loft Mountain)
There are 4 entrance stations to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park, which gives you entry to no matter area you wish to discover most. (Do all three!)
The entrance you select will largely rely on the place you might be driving from:
If you might be coming from Charlottesville or Richmond, the Rockfish Gap Entrance to the South might be higher. If you’re coming from Harrisonburg or Elkton, then the Swift Run Gap is nearer.
As the Skyline Drive runs is operated by the National Park Service, there may be an entrance charge. All passes are legitimate for 7 days and price $30 for single automobiles, $25 for bikes, and $15 per individual arriving automobile free. You can buy your move on-line prematurely from the NPS App or Official Website.
Motor properties, RVs, and tenting trailers are welcome within the park.
Where to search out Skyline Drive maps and knowledge
Be positive to seize a park map whenever you arrive at Skyline Drive Shenandoah.
Truthfully, nationwide park maps aren’t all that good sources of knowledge on issues to see and do in a nationwide park. They’re good for offering a map and historic, geological, and cultural details about a park.
Research earlier than you get into the park or go to one of many two Visitor Centers for extra in-depth help from Park Rangers. There are two within the park:
For households, be sure you seize your Junior Ranger exercise booklet (customer facilities and reward outlets) and search for Junior Ranger actions that could be within the park. These applications are good for serving to your kids join extra deeply to the expertise.
And they may love receiving the badge on the finish of it as a memento and a reminder of the significance of taking good care of Mother Nature.
Where to remain close to the Skyline Drive, Shenandoah
We stayed on the Massanutten Resort, which gave us quick access to all of the points of interest within the Shenandoah Valley and to the Shenandoah National Park. Plus, the resort provides extra than simply beautiful condominium lodging.
They have a incredible indoor and out of doors Water Park, Ziplining programs, mountain biking trails, and several other eating choices. It’s a incredible place for households to remain!
If you’re trying to spend a few days exploring the drive, then you definately may wish to take into account staying at one of many lodges within the park or camp.
There are another listed here are another nice choices simply exterior the park as properly, however as this can be a very fashionable attraction in Virginia, particularly in the summertime, it’s finest to plan forward and e-book prematurely.
If you like to camp, there are additionally 4 tenting spots within the park; Big Meadows Campground, Mathews Arm Campground, Lewis Mountain Campground, and Loft Mountain Campground.
It just isn’t beneficial to camp exterior the campgrounds due to bear exercise. Stay secure, camp in a campground.
You can view extra locations to remain round Shenandoah National Park on the interactive map beneath.
Before You Go
Before you go, I’ve one phrase of warning; with 75 scenic overlooks, it gained’t be lengthy earlier than you begin feeling gorgeous mountain viewpoint fatigue. Yes, it does occur.
Crazy to assume, you’ll be able to simply wave one other unbelievable viewpoint away as you retain driving. They can begin wanting the identical.
A approach to overcome that’s to unfold your Skyline Drive expertise over a number of days. There is lots to do within the close by Shenandoah Valley to make this an exquisite prolonged journey with the nationwide park as its focus.
We did the Southern a part of the drive on our approach to Massanutten Resort within the Shenandoah Valley Resort the place we had been staying.
The subsequent morning, we did many of the remainder of the drive north on our approach to Luray, and we nonetheless have the small northern part to do for subsequent time.
More Virginia Travel Tips
Are you considering of visiting another locations in Virginia? Then take a look at some extra useful guides beneath.
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