Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park stretches along the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia for nearly 200,000 acres, offering some of the most accessible wilderness hiking and wildlife viewing on the East Coast of the United States. The park's centerpiece is Skyline Drive, a 105-mile ridgeline road with 75 overlooks delivering sweeping views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Piedmont plateau to the east. More than 500 miles of hiking trails traverse the park, ranging from the easy Stony Man Trail (1.6 miles round trip) to the strenuous Old Rag Mountain circuit (9.1 miles), widely considered one of the finest day hikes in the eastern United States. Visitors who prefer gentler terrain find numerous flat streamside paths and short waterfall trails, with Dark Hollow Falls being the most popular cascade. White-tailed deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and the occasional peregrine falcon are frequently spotted, particularly at dawn and dusk. The 1930s-era Skyland and Big Meadows lodges operate inside the park and give non-campers an overnight option with direct trail access. Big Meadows also hosts the park's most visited campground and a wayside store. The park's highest point, Hawksbill Summit at 4,051 feet, rewards hikers with panoramic views of the surrounding ridgelines. Fall color typically peaks across the park in mid-October, creating some of the most photographed foliage in the mid-Atlantic region. Weekend crowds during peak foliage can make Skyline Drive extremely slow; a weekday visit or early-morning start avoids the worst congestion.