Shenandoah National Park is without doubt one of the gems of the japanese United States. Just 75 miles exterior of Washington, D.C., the park feels way more distant. Its huge pure magnificence presents a lot to discover, and what higher means to take action than to completely 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 situated in Virginia’s Blueridge Mountains. Spanning over 200,000 acres of land, the park is thought for its lovely views, pure panorama, and numerous wildlife.
Shenandoah options waterfalls, quiet woods, wildflower fields, rocky climbing trails, and a lot extra. This panorama and the park’s many various 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 an excellent concept to plan forward and ensure you get to do every thing you need.
Read on for suggestions and recommendations 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 long-lasting Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park presents a plethora of climbing choices. Hikes vary from straightforward to tough, cowl completely different distances, and embody options like mountains, waterfalls, and extra.
Depending in your ability degree and pursuits, listed below are a couple 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 one of the vital fashionable 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 an excellent 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 fantastic 180-degree view of Shenandoah Valley, go to Bearfence Mountain. There are literally two completely different hikes that result in this view. Hikers who get pleasure from a little bit of a thrill could go for the reasonable, 1.4-mile Bearfence Rock Scramble. Or for one thing lighter, the Bearfence Viewpoint is a straightforward, 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 encompassing mountains and valleys under.
- 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 checklist of issues to do when visiting a nationwide park, chances are you’ll wish to assume 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 an effective way to calm down, 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 climbing trails.
Visiting Big Meadows
Big Meadows is without doubt one of the extra shocking options at Shenandoah National Park. The grassy meadow is situated on high of a mountain, and guests can benefit from the view, see wildflowers and wildlife, and stroll by means of the meadow’s grassy trails.
Perhaps the most effective factor to do at Big Meadows is to go stargazing at night time. Big Meadows’ elevation and the park’s distance from main city areas make it an excellent spot to see the night time sky with out the sunshine air pollution you possible encounter in each day life. Bring your binoculars and revel in!
Visiting the Park’s Waterfalls
Shenandoah is dwelling to many waterfalls, that are all the time a beautiful sight to see! They are all situated 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 degree of the hikes to those waterfalls can fluctuate, so be certain to plan forward.
Biking
Biking is an effective 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 supply 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 below what circumstances.
Eating Blackberries
Blackberries are a singular a part of Shenandoah National Park. In the summer season, the park fills with these small fruits, and guests are free to gather and eat them recent (as much as one gallon per particular person per day).
Moreover, every summer season, 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 think about the place you’ll spend the night time.
Choosing a Campground
Shenandoah National Park presents 5 completely different campgrounds to select from. Here is a quick 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 fashionable park locations, together with, in fact, 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 folks).
- Lewis Mountain Campground – This is the smallest campground in Shenandoah National Park, with simply 30 campsites. It’s an excellent choice for individuals who need 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 high of Big Flat Mountain, Loft Mountain Campground is the most important campground in Shenandoah National Park. Its 207 campsites supply entry to beautiful views, close by waterfalls, and climbing trails.
- Matthews Arm Campground – Matthews Arm Campground is the closest campground to the park’s northern entrance. It presents entry to a number of climbing trails and waterfalls, and it options 165 campsites obtainable to each tents and RVs.
Although some campgrounds supply first-come-first-served campgrounds, in addition they all supply reservations, aside from Lewis Mountain Campground. I like to recommend making a reservation to make sure your spot, particularly if you happen to’re planning your Shenandoah National Park tenting journey on a weekend or vacation.
With just a little little bit of planning forward to seek out the right campground on your park keep, you’re positive to have an excellent 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 an effective way to discover the park’s pure options, climbing trails, and wonder.
If you’re pondering of backcountry tenting in Shenandoah National Park, be certain to plan forward. You’ll want a allow, and it’s necessary to know the park’s guidelines and rules. For instance, backcountry tenting is prohibited in sure spots, and campfires should not allowed.
You must also plan your tenting itinerary rigorously based mostly on the sort of journey you wish to have. The National Park Service has created a handful of steered itineraries based mostly on climbing ranges and the best 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 couple of different choices on your keep.
Skyland, Big Meadows Lodge, and Lewis Mountain Cabins supply a spread of lodging together with elegant rooms, conventional rooms, and cabins of varied sizes. There are additionally six primitive public-use cabins situated 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 climbing boots.
Because of the elevation modifications on the park, starting from simply 550 ft to over 4,000 ft above sea degree, temperatures can fluctuate. 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 just some miles farther, 31 miles away.
For bigger airports, which are sometimes inexpensive and simpler to get to, the most effective 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 if you happen to simply enter the park’s identify into the GPS, it could direct you to a service street that’s not obtainable for public entry.
The 4 entrance stations are:
Other Considerations
Now you recognize the fundamentals of what there’s to do, the place to remain, and the best way to get to the park. However, there are only a few extra issues to remember to make sure you’re absolutely ready on your Shenandoah National Park Camping Trip.
Keep studying for some necessary concerns.
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 if you happen to simply wish to go to for the day or keep in a single day within the park’s different lodging choices, there’s nonetheless loads to see and do.
The wintertime on the park is quieter, with fewer guests. This signifies that if you wish to keep away from crowds, winter is a superb time to go to Shenandoah National Park! Plus, fewer folks typically means you’re extra more likely to see wildlife.
As far as actions go, it’s necessary to know what could or will not be open.
Skyline Drive is normally open within the winter, however it might probably shut attributable to inclement climate like snow and ice. Even if the street is closed, climbing trails stay open. Just remember that trails could also be icy, particularly as elevation will increase. It’s a good suggestion to put on layers and produce traction units on your climbing boots!
Entrance and Camping Fees
Everyone that enters Shenandoah National Park can be required to pay an entry charge. There are a couple of completely different choices:
- Entrance move – An entrance move ranges from $15 for a person particular person to $30 for a single automobile and all of its passengers. The move is legitimate for seven consecutive days.
- Annual move – A Shenandoah annual move prices $55 and gives limitless park entry for a yr. The move covers entrance for the pass-holder in addition to as much as 4 adults touring in the identical automobile (kids below 16 years of age are included without cost).
- Lifetime move – Various lifetime passes can be found for seniors, folks with medical disabilities, and navy veterans. These passes cowl all nationwide parks and vary from free to $80 relying on the kind of move. There are extra reductions obtainable for sure teams, together with seniors 62 years of age and older. Fourth graders, present members of the navy, and navy veterans can receive 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 folks) to $75 for a gaggle campsite.
Pets
Shenandoah National Park is exclusive in that it’s one among just some nationwide parks that permit pets on most of its climbing 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 rules. For instance, pets should be on a leash on climbing trails, and there are a couple 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 characteristic 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 if you happen to want it, however it might probably exit of service often. Skyland presents an electrical automobile charging station.
Cell cellphone service is spotty and never dependable in most components of the park. However, there does are usually protection on the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. Additionally, Byrd Visitor Center, Big Meadows Lodge, and the Skyland Dining Room supply 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 guidelines listed above, and also you’ll have an exquisite time!
Ready to plan one other superb tenting journey? Visit our National Park Camping web page for guides to much more tenting in these unimaginable parks.