White-tailed d eer, black bears, wild turkeys and other animals frequently cross the road and have been known to dart in front of vehicles. O n Skyline Drive, the limit is only 35 mph. You’ll find the Big Meadows Gas Station next to the Big Meadows Wayside.Īfter you enter the park, you’ll want to drive slowly and follow the speed limit. There is only one gas station in the entire park and if you run out, it could be hours before help shows up. From May through August, you may have to wait in line 10 to 15 minutes to get in, if you pick either of these.īefore you enter the park, it’s really important that you do one thing: fill up your gas tank. The Front Royal and Thornton Gap entrances get the most traffic because of their proximity to the Washington, D.C., metro area. The park’s entrances offer different experiences, and some are less crowded than others. But rest assured, our tour is not affected by these strange anomalies and will play commentary throughout Skyline Drive. It’s recommended to not simply enter “Shenandoah National Park” into these systems – it’s better to add a specific location, like one of the entrance towns or entrance station names for more accurate directions. Special note: GPS navigation systems and navigation apps have been known to give travelers incorrect directions to get to the park. And then Swift Run Gap Entrance and Thornton Gap Entrance offer two options to join, or exit, Skyline Drive along the route. Rockfish Gap Entrance is the southern entrance, convenient for those coming from West Virginia, southern parts of Virginia or North Carolina. Front Royal Entrance is the northern option, and is easily accessible from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. There are four entrances to choose from when you visit the park. It is served by eight major air carriers including Delta, United and American Airlines. The Richmond International Airport (RIC) is near downtown Richmond in Sandston, and is 92 miles (148 kilometers) from the park. Located near Baltimore, the Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) is 108 miles (174 kilometers) away and also served by most major carriers. The Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) (64 miles/103 kilometers) and Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) (81 miles/130 kilometers) are served by most major airlines. Have fun exploring Shenandoah National Park! And don’t forget to also watch for small animals like wild turkeys. Just keep trying! It’s almost certain you’ll see deer. Some visitors will be lucky and spot multiple bears, but sometimes you can come to the park many times without seeing one. The most sought-after sighting is to see a bear. And because it’s one of the few national parks that allows dogs on most trails, you actually can bring your furry friend along (on a leash).Ĭhances of spotting wildlife are very good in the park, but as always, not guaranteed. We absolutely encourage you to make sure to take a walk, even if it’s only short.
Hikers have a huge range of trails to explore peaceful forest wanders, scrambles to rocky peaks like Old Rag or Hawksbill, and relaxing waterfalls walks await. It’s easy to fill a day by simply driving and enjoying those panoramic views, including those that only require a short walk to reach the best vantage points. Along the 105 miles (169 kilometers) there’s an almost countless number of pullouts and overlooks – well, actually there’s 75 official ones.
It will feel like just about around every bend there’s a terrific view for us. The most popular activity in Shenandoah National Park is to drive the famous Skyline Drive as it navigates its way along the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Whether you have just a day, a whole weekend or even longer, there’s so much to do and enjoy in Shenandoah. And there’s options to camp inside the park, or reserve a room at one of the lodges along the route. You can drive through the park, hike a trail – even explore sections of the famous Appalachian Trail. Home to extraordinary wildlife, historic sites, beautiful views and unique hiking trails – there’s simply no wrong way to experience Shenandoah National Park.
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