Is Shenandoah National Park Worth Visiting?
Just 2.5 hours from Northern Virginia and Washington D.C., this national park weekend getaway is the perfect way to escape from the city and take in the mountains of Virginia. I went for a weekend in May, leaving Friday after work (4:45pm) and returning Sunday around 1pm. We could have done more activities on Sunday, but we simply enjoyed some of the overlooks along the Skyline Drive as we drove out of the park.
Shenandoah National Park is 300 square miles of protected wilderness – rolling hills and peaked mountains dot the iconic Skyline Drive, which is a 100 mile paved road that takes you through the mountain range. Hawksbill Mountain is the highest peak (over 4,000ft), there are 93 named peaks within the park.
This is the first place I’ve visited and saw the Milky Way – the Big Meadows campground is a great place for star gazing. While you can simply look up near your campsite (like I did), it’s recommended to drive to the amphitheater in the Skyland area, or Rapidan Fire Road for the best views.
And yes – you can go chase waterfalls at some of the hikes in this park – details below!
If you’re visiting from the DC Metro Area, you’ll be able to leave on a Friday evening and return on Sunday (that’s the trip I did). But if you’re visiting from further away, you can fly into Dulles (IAD) or Charlottesville (CHO) for a shorter drive to the park.
When to Visit Shenandoah National Park
Not sure which season to visit in? While they’re all beautiful, you’ll have more traffic in the summer and fall at this destination. Keep reading for the full breakdown of each season:
Why visit in the Fall: Shenandoah is its most beautiful during the fall, and peak leaf season is typically mid-October through early November in Virginia. Though you may see leaves peak sooner at higher elevations in the mountains. If you have flexibility, I would try to visit during the week to experience fewer traffic delays on Skyline Drive. Campsites book up quickly in the fall, so you’ll also want to reserve sites 6 months in advance, or set a reminder for potential cancellations.
Why visit in the Spring: My visit in mid-May was perfect – warm during the day, cool at night, and no mosquitoes. It’s when you’ll find peak wildflower blooms throughout the park, which makes for a beautiful view when walking along the trails. This is also when you’ll be able to enjoy rushing waterfalls, as the wettest season in Shenandoah is April-August.
Why visit in the Summer: You’ll find lush greenery in the summer if your goal is to see just how gorgeous the park is. This is when peak season starts, so remember to have more than one hike in mind as a full parking area means you’ll need to head to a new trail to explore. Wildlife is also more active this time of year, so you’ll be more likely to see some of the animals that call Shenandoah National Park home.
Why visit in the Winter: You’ll have an entirely different experience visiting in the winter. You’ll be more at risk of experiencing road closures due to inclement weather, and miss the foliage, but it would still make for a beautiful drive when the roadways are open. Note that visitor’s centers may close during this time as well, and you should always check the park website for alerts.
Things to know before Visiting Shenandoah National Park
There’s a few things to keep in mind before visiting the park including:
- There is an entrance fee. I recommend simply getting an annual national park pass, which grants access to all of the parks for 365 days from date of purchase. If you prefer to pay the park-specific fee, you can access the park for 7 consecutive days. You can pay at one of the four entrance gates.
- Supplies are limited in the park, but the Big Meadows Gas Station has gas available 24/7 to refuel your car.
- Skyline Drive will close in bad weather – you can join their alert system by texting SHENALERTS to 888777 to receive updates in real time. You can also view park alerts on their website that might affect your visit (like repaving roads in summer 2026).
- You can reserve camp sites in advance on recreation.gov which is especially important in peak season (fall). You can also set alerts for campsite availability if your desired date is not available when you go to book.
- Temperatures are cooler in the mountains, so be sure to pack layers for your visit!
- You can book cabins if you prefer glamping over camping – check out all of the lodging options here.
Where to Camp in Shenandoah National Park
There are four campgrounds to choose from: Mathews Arm Campground, Loft Mountain Campground, Big Meadows Campground, and Lewis Mountain Campground. I camped in Big Meadows Campground in mid-May, and would highly recommend it, especially for beginner campers!
Big Meadows Campground has picnic areas, accessible bathrooms, bear boxes (for food and trash storage), generator access, and potable water access. It’s also very close to the Big Meadows Gas Station. You will have options here for walk up sites (park and walk gear to campsite) and drive up sites (park directly at your camp site).
I stayed at campsite A082 and it was across from the bathroom with space for two tents on site (we camped with my sister’s family). It has a campfire ring with a grill, a metal picnic table, bear box, and space for two cars to park. This site is also pet friendly, but view the campsite page for a full list of amenities and site details. The campsite was $30 per night.
Where to Stay When Visiting Shenandoah National Park
You can stay within the park if you choose to camp or book a cabin (more below). If you want to explore beyond the park during your visit, consider staying in the Shenandoah Valley.
What to pack for a trip to Shenandoah National Park
Packing can be tricky for camping – between gear and enough clothes for varying weather and having backups in case you get rained on, there’s a lot of pack! For a full packing list for Shenandoah National Park, check out my recommendations below:
Hikes to do in Shenandoah National Park
There are over 500 miles of trails – so you’ll never run out of options when you visit the park! Ranging from less than a mile to nearly 10 miles, you can pick a hike that matches your ability and curiosity level. On my most recent trip to the park, these are the two hikes I did:
Miller’s Head Trail: This is a great hike for beginners, as the trail is partly grassy. My nephew walked the trail himself on the way out to the viewpoint (he’s two and a half), with a little support on the bigger steps. The trail ends at a former fire tower, which provides a great area to sit with a view while you eat lunch. The trail is 1.6 miles round trip, with a 450ft elevation gain. No reservations are required for this hike, and it can take 2-3 hours to complete. We completed the hike in just over 2 hours, with about a 20 minute break to enjoy lunch and take pictures.
Dark Hollow Falls: One of Shenandoah National Park’s most popular hikes, this 1.4 mile circuit will take your breath away (both from the falls, and the elevation gain!). While each way is only .75 miles, you’ll experience 440ft of elevation gain on this trail. It’s a steep descent from the parking lot to the falls, where you’ll walk over rocky pathways that can become slick in rainy weather. No pets are allowed on this hike, but service animals are welcome (the hike does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines).
You do not need reservations for this trail, and there is no reserved parking. If the parking lot is full, you’ll need to come back later. If you camp in Big Meadows Campground, you’ll be able to walk to this trailhead, which adds a mile onto the distance – but the walk from the campground to the trailhead is flat.
Want to experience more Waterfall Hikes?
There are 14 waterfall hikes you can do in Shenandoah National Park. All of these hikes are accessible from a parking lot, making it easy to visit for day trips and enjoy these hikes. The tallest waterfall is Overall Run Falls, which towers at 93ft, and the longest hike will take between 8-9 hours. You can view their hike difficulty ratings on the National Park site.
You can view all of the waterfall hikes on this website.
Exploring more of the area?
If you’re looking for more places to explore near Shenandoah National Park, add on a trip to Old Town Alexandria. This historic waterfront town is where George Washington called home, nestled on the Potomac River. Grab my all-season guide to Old Town Alexandria here.