Shenandoah National Park

Sights to See

Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. Located at mile 4.6 on Skyline Drive. Facilities: restrooms, information desk, exhibits, videos, sales, publications, maps, backcountry permits, and first aid.

Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center. Located at mile 51 on Skyline Drive. Facilities: restrooms, information desk, videos, sales, publications, maps, backcountry permits, and first aid.

Loft Mountain Information Center. Located at mile 79.5 on Skyline Drive.

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Touring Skyline Drive

The park is best known for Skyline Drive, a 105 mile (169 km) road that runs the entire length of the park along the ridge of the mountains. The drive is particularly popular in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. 101 miles (162 km) of the Appalachian Trail are also in the park. In total, there are over 500 miles (800 km) of trails within the park. Of the trails, one of the most popular is Old Rag Mountain, which offers a thrilling rock scramble and some of the most breathtaking views in Virginia. There is also horseback riding, camping, bicycling, and many waterfalls. The Skyline Drive is designated as a National Scenic Byway.

Historic Presidential Fishing Retreat

Rapidan Camp, the restored historic (circa 1931) presidential fishing retreat of Herbert Hoover on the Rapidan River is accessed by a 4.1-mile round-trip hike on Mill Prong Trail, which begins on the Skyline Drive at Milam Gap (Mile 52.8). The NPS also offers guided van trips that leave from the Byrd Center at Big Meadows.

Shenandoah National Park is one of the most dog-friendly in the national park system. The campgrounds all allow dogs, and dogs are allowed on almost all of the trails including the Appalachian Trail, if kept on leash (6-feet or shorter).

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