Only 75 miles from DC, you'll find this park - known for its cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, and quiet wood hollows. This is a place where you can escape to and recreate yourself. Here you can hike, meander along Skyline Drive, or take a nice picnic with your family. 200,000 acres here protect deer, songbirds, and the night sky.
Current Park Alerts
Live from the National Park Service · Official park site →
Plan Your Visit
Hours & Season
Shenandoah National Park is always open. However, portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the Park, are periodically closed during inclement weather. Visitors can still enter the Park on foot to hike, even when the Skyline Drive is closed. Campgrounds, services, and facilities have separate hours; please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere on our website.
Entrance Fees
- $30 – Entrance - Private Vehicle
- $25 – Entrance - Motorcycle
- $15 – Entrance - Per Person
- $0 – Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
Weather
Shenandoah National Park has four very distinct seasons. Spring typically brings mild temperatures, rain, and wildflowers. Summer brings lush green forests, but can be hot and very humid. Fall follows with cooler temperatures and spectacular fall foliage. Winter can bring snow and ice. The park spans roughly 100 miles, which means that weather can vary greatly depending on your location. The mountain is usually 10°F cooler than the valley below. Always check the forecast, dress in layers, and be prepared.
Things to Do
Old Rag Circuit
Reservation requiredPARK BOUNDARY | Visitors must obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance of this hike. Pets are not allowed. Old Rag is a popular, very strenuous hike with sweeping views and several scrambles across large rocks. This route starts from the Old Rag parking area on the boundary of the Park.
Stony Man
MILE 41.7 | Pets are not allowed on this hike. This enjoyable hike brings you to an outstanding view of the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Mountain, and beyond.
Turk Mountain
MILE 94.1 | A hike to the 2,981’ summit of Turk Mountain, located in the Shenandoah Wilderness, that provides a wonderful view to the west.
Riprap - Wildcat Ridge
MILE 90 or 92.1 | This loop can be hiked from Riprap Parking or Wildcat Ridge Parking. It takes you through the forests of the Shenandoah Wilderness and over several stream crossings, while offering beautiful views of the hollows and valley to the west and north.
Nicholson Hollow
PARK BOUNDARY | An alternate option for visitors with pets who still wish to hike from the Old Rag parking area. This hike takes you through the Shenandoah Wilderness to Corbin Cabin, an old homesite built by a former resident, and features several stream crossings along the way.
Knob Mountain - Jeremys Run
Elkwallow Wayside (mile 24) | This hike goes around a beautiful area of the Park featuring one of the most picturesque streams in Shenandoah. The majority of this hike is in the Shenandoah Wilderness.
Getting There
Address: Shenandoah National Park Luray VA 22835
Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, west of Washington, D.C. It stretches 105 miles and has four entrances: Front Royal (northern entrance), Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap, and Rockfish Gap (southern entrance to Shenandoah and the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway). The physical address listed is to the administrative offices, not the Park itself. GPS can be unreliable for navigating to the Park, so we encourage you to check out our website for more info.
Get driving directions → Official NPS directions →Where to Stay – Campgrounds
Big Meadows Campground
221 sites · $75/night
2026 Opening Date: March 25 Big Meadows Campground (mile 51.2) is centrally-located in Shenandoah National Park, providing easy access to many of the most popu…
Lewis Mountain Campground
30 sites · $30/night
2026 Opening Date: March 26 Lewis Mountain (mile 57.5), the smallest campground in Shenandoah National Park, appeals to those who want a little more privacy wh…
Loft Mountain Campground
207 sites · $30/night
2026 Opening Date: April 29. Loft Mountain (mile 79.5) sits atop Big Flat Mountain in the southern part of Shenandoah National Park, with outstanding views to …
Mathews Arm Campground
165 sites · $30/night
2026 Opening Date: April 29. Mathews Arm Campground (mile 22.1) is the nearest campground for those entering Shenandoah National Park from Front Royal, in the …
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter Shenandoah National Park?
The entrance fee for Shenandoah National Park is $30. See Plan Your Visit above for vehicle, per-person, and annual-pass rates.
Do I need a reservation or permit to visit Shenandoah National Park?
Some entry windows or activities at Shenandoah National Park require a reservation or permit. Check the Current Park Alerts and Things to Do sections above, and confirm on the official NPS site before you go.
When is Shenandoah National Park open?
Shenandoah National Park is always open. However, portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the Park, are periodically closed during inclement weather. Visitors can still enter the Park on foot to hike, even when the Skyline Drive is closed. Campgrounds, services, and facilities have separate hours; please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere on our website.
What are the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park?
Popular things to do in Shenandoah National Park include Old Rag Circuit, Stony Man, Turk Mountain, Riprap - Wildcat Ridge. See Things to Do above for photos and details.
Are there campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park?
Yes — Shenandoah National Park has 4 campgrounds, including Big Meadows Campground, Lewis Mountain Campground, Loft Mountain Campground. See Campgrounds above for site counts, fees, and booking links.