Weekend Guide to Shenandoah National Park
Weekend Guide to Shenandoah National Park
Ani Danelz | National Park Guide
Available for hire
With 500 miles of trails, this weekend guide is a just a glimpse into the beauty of Shenandoah. It will leave you satisfied with tired legs, and yet wanting more.
Total trip time: 3 days
Nearest major cities: Richmond, Washington DC
Note: I completed this trip heading north, but it could easily be reversed depending on your starting point
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Day One
Rockfish Gap Entrance Station
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Southernmost entrance station for Shenandoah Mountain and the start of Skyline Drive. Grab your park map and get ready!
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Trails
Please pick and choose the hikes that fit your adventure. Some travelers will want to do every trail on this list and others will just one to do one or two per day - either are okay!Â
Additionally, please listen to your body and stay safe on trail. This might mean turning down a more difficult hike in favor of something with a little less elevation gain.
Turk Mountain Trailhead
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Turk Mountain Trail: 2.4 miles (moderate)
This follows part of the Appalachian Trail, before detouring off onto the Turk Mountain trail.
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Calvary and Chimney Rocks
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Calvary and Chimney Rocks Trail: 3.2 miles (moderate)
Rolling elevation with amazing geological features and views along the way.
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Doyles River Falls
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Doyles River Falls Trail: 3.4 miles (hard)
Three different waterfalls greet you along this trail: Upper and Lower Doyles River Falls and Jones Run Falls. The hike is downhill to the falls and can get muddy/slick.
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Things to Do
Harrisonburg
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Harrisonburg is a historic college town that offers cute coffee shops, local galleries, and kid-friendly museums.
You could easily make a whole day out of exploring the restaurant scene, farmer's markets, and shopping district.
Especially if you are staying in the area, take some time to explore the town.
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White Oak Lavender Farm & The Purple WOLF Vineyard
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This local farm and vineyard offers tastings of their seasonal wines and beers, guided tours, gift shops, and u-pick lavender (check availability)!
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Places to Stay
Campground
Loft Mountain Campground
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Loft Mountain (mile 79.5) sits atop Big Flat Mountain in the southern part of Shenandoah National Park, with outstanding views to east and west. Two waterfalls and the trails into the Big Run Wilderness area are nearby.
Loft Mountain has a combination of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Reservable sites are released in sections. No reservations can be made 48 hours before your selected date.
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Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping is allowed throughout Shenandoah (see rules and regulations for details). Free backcountry permits can be filled out online or at a self-registration station.
Hotel Options
Because there are very few roads that intersect Skyline Drive, you will need to backtrack to Waynesboro or drive ahead to Elkton to find non-camping options.
Waynesboro
Rockwell Ridge Inn
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Located in Afton in the Virginia region, Rockwell Ridge The Chestnut Suite has a patio. The property is 21 miles from the Scott Stadium and features free Wifi throughout the property.
Composed of 1 bedroom, this air-conditioned apartment features 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower, a bath and a hair dryer. Towels and bed linen are provided in the apartment.
The apartment has a terrace. Fishing and hiking can be enjoyed nearby.
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Cider House Bed and Breakfast
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Located in Waynesboro in the Virginia region and Scott Stadium reachable within 29 miles, Cider House Bed and Breakfast provides accommodations with free Wifi, barbecue facilities, a garden and free private parking.
Fitted with a patio, the units offer air conditioning and feature a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and a hair dryer. Some units include a seating area and/or a balcony.
The daily breakfast offers American, vegetarian or vegan options.
The bed and breakfast has an outdoor fireplace.
Hiking and walking tours can be enjoyed nearby.
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Elkton/Harrisonburg
Massanutten Resort
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Located in Massanutten in the Virginia region, Massanutten Resort provides accommodations with free Wifi and free private parking, as well as access to a sauna.
Some of the units include cable flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, and a private bathroom with a bath and a hair dryer.
The condo hotel offers a range of wellness facilities including a hot tub, a spa facilities and a wellness packages. Guests can swim in the outdoor swimming pool or use the business center that offers printing, copying, and fax services.
Both a ski equipment rental service and a bicycle rental service are available at Massanutten Resort, while skiing and cycling can be enjoyed nearby.
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Sleep Inn & Suites Harrisonburg near University
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The Harrisonburg area offers an abundance of fun and exciting activities to satisfy every visitor.
Visitors will enjoy browsing the local galleries and antique shops. A variety of restaurants, cocktail lounges, malls and movie theaters are within walking distance of the hotel.
The hotel offers full-service amenities and features like free high-speed Internet access, free Morning Medley Hot Breakfast, free weekday newspaper, free coffee in the lobby, an on-site fitness center, computer hookups, voice mail, two-line telephones and access to fax and copy services.
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Day Two
Get your hiking shoes ready because there is a hefty list of hikes coming your way!
Again, I recommend just picking a few that fit your needs.
Trails
South River Falls Observation Point Trailhead
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South River Falls Trail: 2.5 miles (moderate)
Walk along the stream before it opens to a beautiful overlook
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Dark Hollow Falls Trailhead
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Dark Hollow Falls trail: 1.6 miles (moderate)
Very short hike off Skyline Drive - relatively easy walk down, with a slightly more difficult climb back up.
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Rose River Falls
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Rose River Trail: 3.8 miles (moderate)
This hike has several smaller waterfalls along the way, but the real star is the Rose River Falls.
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Upper Hawksbill Trailhead Parking
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Upper Hawksbill Trail: 2.1 miles (moderate)
This is the easiest route to the summit of Hawksbill, which is the tallest mountain in Shenandoah National Park (4,050 ft).
This is a popular hike for all ages, so try to come during off hours if you want to the summit to yourself.
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Limberlost Trailhead
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Limberlost Trail: 1.4 miles (easy)
This is a family-friendly loop trail through the woods on a wide gravel and boardwalk trail. If your legs need a break from the elevation changes, this is a great stroll.
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Little Stony Man
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Little Stony Man to Stony Man Lopp via Appalachian Trail: 3.0 miles (moderate)
Little Stony Man via Appalachian Trail: 1.2 miles (moderate)
There are two options from the trailhead, depending on if you want to summit Stony Man (in addition to Little Stony Man).
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Things to Do
Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center
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I learned so much from this visitor center. Whether you are a history fanatic, National Park bagger, or AT junkie, there is something here for you to discover about the push for a National Park east of the Mississippi.
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Luray Caverns
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If you need a break from the mountains and waterfalls, Luray Caverns are "generously adorned" with a variety of cavern rock formations.
The caverns are opened daily and offer a self-guided tour through the cave. Reservations not required.
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Places to Stay
Campground
Big Meadows Campground
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Big Meadows Campground (mile 51.2) is centrally-located in Shenandoah National Park, providing easy access to many of the most popular destinations in the Park, including Big Meadows, Dark Hollow Falls, and Byrd Visitor Center. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring, and a picnic table.
All sites at Big Meadows Campground are by reservation only.
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Hotel Options
Luray
Mimslyn Inn
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Located in Luray, 1.2 miles from Luray Caverns, The Mimslyn Inn provides accommodations with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness center and a garden. With a terrace, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property has room service and a 24-hour front desk for guests.
A continental, American or vegetarian breakfast is available daily at the property. At the hotel you'll find a restaurant serving American cuisine. Vegetarian, dairy-free and kosher options can also be requested.
At The Mimslyn Inn guests are welcome to use a hot tub. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Luray, like hiking, skiing and fishing.
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Sperryville
Hopkins Ordinary Bed Breakfast Aleworks
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Hopkins Ordinary Bed, Breakfast and Ale Works features mountain views, free Wifi and free private parking, located in Sperryville, 11 miles from Pinnacles Viewpoint.
There's also a kitchen in some of the units equipped with an oven, a microwave, and a toaster.
An American, vegetarian or vegan breakfast is available daily at the property.
The bed and breakfast has an outdoor fireplace.
Guests at Hopkins Ordinary Bed, Breakfast and Ale Works can enjoy cycling and hiking nearby, or make the most of the garden.
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Day Three
Old Rag Mountain
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Old Rag Mountain trail: 9.3 miles (hard)
This hike requires a day-use pass, but it has a high ceiling and is only $1, so just make sure you have it before you get to the trailhead.
This hike is known for being "brutally awesome," with nearly 2,600 ft. elevation gain and a fun rock scramble, you will get stunning views of the park from the summit. This is not one to be missed!
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In order to get to the Old Rag Mountain trailhead, you have to get off Skyline Drive. It takes 30 minutes from the Thorton Gap Entrance Station to the parking area.
If you decide to tackle Old Rag, then you have the option of driving back to Skyline Drive or making that your last stop before you head home. Â
If you decide not to hike Old Rag Mountain, then I recommend continuing with this guide as you finish the drive along Skyline Drive.Â
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Things to Do
Skyline Caverns
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If you missed the caverns in Luray, or just couldn't get enough - there are more!
Skyline Caverns offers one-hour guided tours that run every 30 minutes. No reservations required.
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Places to Stay
Campground
Mathews Arm Campground
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Mathews Arm Campground (mile 22.1) is the nearest campground for those entering Shenandoah National Park from Front Royal, in the northern section of the Park. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring, and picnic table. Elkwallow Wayside, with camping supplies and food service, is two miles away.
Mathews Arm has a combination of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Reservable sites are released in sections. No reservations can be made 48 hours before your selected date.
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Hotel Options
Front Royal
Mountain Home B&B
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Mountain Home Bed & Breakfast has mountain views, free Wifi and free private parking, located in Front Royal, 5.1 miles from Crosby Stadium.
Some units are air conditioned and include a balcony and/or a patio, as well as a seating area.
The daily breakfast offers American, vegetarian or vegan options.
The bed and breakfast has an outdoor fireplace.
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Hampton Inn Front Royal
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The Jefferson National Forest is a short distance away from this hotel, which lies in the Shenandoah Valley in Front Royal, Virginia and offers free WiFi access.
Microwaves and refrigerators are featured in all the rooms at the Front Royal Hampton Inn, as are a TV with cable and pay-per-view channels. Bathrooms include a hairdryer.
This hotel offers a 24-hour front desk free hot breakfast. Guests can also enjoy a fitness center.
Front Royal marks the northern entrance to Skyline Drive, the only public road through the Shenandoah National Park
A short drive from the Hampton Inn Front Royal is the Skyline Caverns, offering tours of caves and a forest mirror maze.
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An Anecdote
After two days of hiking, my legs needed something other than the rolling elevation characteristic of most Shenandoah hikes. Enter, the Limberlost Trail. I strolled through the gravel and boardwalk paths, enjoying the quiet nature around me.
Along the trail, there are many park benches, so you will find people chatting or sitting alone taking in the magic of the park. I walked by an older gentleman, who was sitting by himself. I gave him the Midwest nod and a "hi there," which I offer freely to anyone I pass. The man returned the greeting and casually asked where I was from. I turned to him and asked if I could join him on the park bench. He nodded and motioned to the open seat next to him.
We ended up talking for two hours about anything and everything, from past experiences on trail to future dreams and aspirations. We continued along the Limberlost Trail together and I felt a profound sense of community within Shenandoah. Â
I was less than a week into my national park road-trip and I could not have been more grateful for the opportunity to see such beautiful places and meet new people.
Find more of my adventures on Instagram @ani.theadventurer
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ani Danelz | National Park Guide
Available for hire
Welcome to my (and hopefully our) adventures! I have lived all over the United States, and I have a passion for the outdoors and budget-travel. My style of travel is easy-going, yet filled with adventure and excitement. I focus on connecting with people and community, as well as immersing myself in the outdoors as much as possible. Finding a balance between these two have led to some amazing memories, and I cannot wait to share them with you.
Most recently, I lived in my car for over seven months, while I visited every National Park in the lower 48. I hiked, camped, met amazing people, and hiked some more. I got to experience the parks like a local, because I had no timetable, no flights to catch, no rental car to return, etc. Some parks I stayed only for a few hours, and others for over a week. I chatted with park rangers, stayed with people that lived nearby, and camped with others at some amazing campsites. The travel guides I share give you an "insider" look at the national park, with tips for the best hikes, tricks for finding campsites (but I always include hotel options too), as well as information about the various aspects of the parks. I hope that you will use these guides as tools to fuel your next national park adventure!
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