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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 best way, 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 long-lasting 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 aren’t certain what to see and do alongside the best way, that is the last word itinerary which pinpoints the perfect stops, viewpoints, and points of interest.
While you drive, stored your eyes looking out for a number of the park’s most elusive animals, comparable to 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 your entire 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 unimaginable pure Virginian wonders in a single journey.
The place to begin 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 infinite 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 effectively to include the perfect hikes, picnic areas, lodges, and the perfect viewpoints, so we’ve ready the next itinerary that will help you out.
You can view this itinerary within the following interactive map. You can save this map by clicking the star button within the high bar.
There are viewpoints each couple of miles. Despite the great thing about every overlook, you’ll be able to rapidly 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 have been designed for these driving South to North – or they have been simply troublesome to see.
This is an issue we’ve had at different nationwide parks earlier than as effectively. However, overlook indicators might be straightforward to see with satisfactory warning.
Stop 1: Range View Overlook
As our time was quick – 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 superb grocery retailer and place to get ice cream, in case you’re visiting in the course of the summer time.
You’ll love stopping in right here for a chew to eat or a drink with magnificent views out over the Shenandoah Valley. It’s an amazing place to stretch your legs and take a break from the infinite winding street and exquisite 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 singular Skyline Drive function.
There is a 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 just a little skinny up right here.
This overlook is admittedly all about huge greenery for miles on finish. It actually makes you understand the sheer dimension of the park!
Stop 5: Robertson Mountain and Old Rag Mountain Loop through 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, type, 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 isn’t formally on the Skyline Drive, however since that is the best peak within the park, it could 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 whole 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 scent them.
Alternatively: Stony Man Mountain Hike
If you need to say you’ve hiked the legendary Appalachian Trail, it does cross Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, and it’s stated 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 will discover 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 long-lasting 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 best level, the hike in all fairness quick at 2.6 km and an elevation achieve of 203 meters.
It takes most individuals an hour and 10 minutes to finish, and is effectively maintained and standard. This is a shorter and steeper path to Hawksbill Mountain’s viewing platform, which is usually tree-lined and doesn’t have views on the best way 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 need to return to Shenandoah National Park to expertise extra of the hikes. It was a brief journey, and we might solely slot in one quick hike, and this was the one we selected.
Dark Hollow Falls Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike right down to the cascading Dark Hollow Falls. Allow for no less than 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 isn’t the underside of the Falls however is the perfect view of the Falls. You can stroll just a little additional down the path to the very backside of the falls.
It’s not a spectacular waterfall, however I cherished the attitude 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 need 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 high of a rocky talus slope.
This overlook is exclusive in that it has a rocky terrain, but in addition comes with unimaginable 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 folks 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 price stopping for a photograph.
It spans throughout a discipline of wildflowers, which look pretty within the late summer time season when they’re blossoming.
In the background, you will notice Saddleback Mountain peeping via the bushes within the distance.
Stop 11: Moormans River Overlook
I cherished 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 superb dawn spot.
There are a number of viewpoints between the South River Overlook and the Moormans River Overlook, however as i discussed, we bought overlook fatigue so we didn’t really feel these have been price 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 predominant 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, evening sky applications, and twilight hikes as effectively.
As effectively 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 put up on issues to do within the Shenandoah Valley, which outlines actions you are able to do each inside and outdoors the nationwide park in additional depth.
If you’re on the lookout for different issues to do within the space outdoors 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 folks normally 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 loos on Skyline Drive?
There aren’t any restrooms alongside the Skyline Drive, however yow will discover loos on the lodges.
Which Shenandoah entrance is finest?
The entrance will largely rely upon the place you’re driving from, however in case 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 is dependent upon what you need to expertise. For me, I cherished touring throughout summer time as every little thing is so lush and inexperienced – and I like climbing with a little bit of humidity.
Fall is an particularly standard 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 instances via the yr after which select your favourite?! (Be certain to share with us your expertise within the feedback under!)
How lengthy does it take to drive the Skyline Drive?
At 105 miles lengthy with a most 35 mph pace restrict, it’s going to take 3-4 hours to drive from one finish of the Skyline Drive to the opposite together with a couple of stops.
If you need 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 no less than.
Adventurers will need 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 no less than two days driving the Skyline Drive.
Shenandoah has a number of campgrounds that supply each first-come-first-served campsites and people you’ll be able to reserve prematurely.
To make it easier to discover options, amenities, and parking areas, concrete mileposts have been positioned on the suitable aspect of Skyline Drive as you head south.
Mileposts might be included in varied 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 preferred part.
- South District (Loft Mountain)
There are 4 entrance stations to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park, which will provide you with entry to no matter area you need to discover most. (Do all three!)
The entrance you select will largely rely upon the place you’re driving from:
If you’re 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 price. All passes are legitimate for 7 days and value $30 for single automobiles, $25 for bikes, and $15 per individual arriving automobile free. You should buy your go on-line prematurely from the NPS App or Official Website.
Motor houses, RVs, and tenting trailers are welcome within the park.
Where to search out Skyline Drive maps and knowledge
Be certain to seize a park map once 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, make sure you seize your Junior Ranger exercise booklet (customer facilities and reward outlets) and search for Junior Ranger actions which may be within the park. These applications are sensible for serving to your youngsters 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 caring for 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 pretty rental lodging.
They have a implausible indoor and outside Water Park, Ziplining programs, mountain biking trails, and several other eating choices. It’s a implausible place for households to remain!
If you’re trying to spend a few days exploring the drive, then you definately would possibly need to contemplate staying at one of many lodges within the park or camp.
There are another listed below are another nice choices simply outdoors the park as effectively, however as this can be a very talked-about attraction in Virginia, particularly in the summertime, it’s finest to plan forward and guide 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 isn’t advisable to camp outdoors 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 under.
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 suppose, you’ll be able to simply wave one other unimaginable viewpoint away as you retain driving. They can begin trying the identical.
A method 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 method to Massanutten Resort within the Shenandoah Valley Resort the place we have been staying.
The subsequent morning, we did many of the remainder of the drive north on our method 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 under.
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