Shenandoah National Park

Year Established: 1935
Annual Visitors: 1.59 Million
Size: 199,224 Acres

State: Virginia

Best Time to Visit Shenandoah National Park

  • September to November

If you are planning to visit more national parks, check out our complete list of all US National Parks.

Best Experiences in Shenandoah National Park

  • Skyline Drive
  • Old Rag Trail

A Brief History

This part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is only 75 miles from Washington, D.C., had been logged and farmed for hundreds of years. During the Great Depression, the U.S. government bought pieces of the land to help fix it up.

Members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work relief program started by President Franklin Roosevelt, planted hickory, oak, fir, and poplar trees there to reforest it.

The park is renowned for having a number of the most well-known fishing streams. Herbert Hoover had a cabin on the Rapidan River, where he would go to fish for trout.

Visitors to the park can see waterfalls, wooded hollows, and fields of wildflowers. In the fall, they can drive along the famous 105-mile-long Skyline Drive to see the changing colors of the trees. There are black bears, beavers, and raccoons all over the park, and if you are lucky and very, very careful, you might even see an eastern cougar.

Shenandoah RV Camping

If you are looking for nearby RV camping options for Shenandoah National Park or in Virginia, consider checking out our other post:

Visitor Information

Fees

You need an entrance pass to get into Shenandoah National Park, whether you drive on Skyline Drive or walk in from the park’s border. All entrance passes can be used as many times as you want for seven days starting on the day you buy them.

Weekly Park Passes

Single Pedestrian: $15.00 per person

Single Vehicle: $30.00 per vehicle

Single Motorcycle: $25.00 per motorcycle

Visitors at least 16 years old walking in or riding a bike will be required to get a park pass (children under 16 are admitted for free).
All passes are valid for up to 7 days.

Annual Park Passes

Shenandoah Annual Pass – $55.00

America The Beautiful Annual Park Pass

You can also get an annual park pass to ALL National Parks in the United States for $80.
Keep in mind they have Senior, Military, and other discounts available!

Contacting Shenandoah National Park

Phone Number

(540) 999-3500

Visitor Centers

Dickey Ridge Visitor Center & Park Store

In the northern part of the Park, near Front Royal, Virginia, is the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (mile 4.6). It’s the best place for people coming in through the Front Royal Entrance Station to find bathrooms, info, a bookstore, and maps.  The trailhead for the popular Fox Hollow Trail is right across Skyline Drive from the visitor center.

Address

17065 Skyline Drive
Front Royal, VA 22630

Hours of Operation

  • Sunday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Monday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Thursday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Saturday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Byrd Visitor Center & Park Store

In the middle of Shenandoah National Park, right across from Big Meadows at mile 51 is the Byrd Visitor Center. There are restrooms, an information desk, ranger programs, a bookstore, maps, publications, and first aid. It’s a great place to start your next trip because it’s close to a lot of activities and hikes.

Address

259 Big Meadows Visitor Road
Big Meadows
Stanley, VA 22851

Hours of Operation

  • Sunday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Monday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Thursday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Saturday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Be sure to check for seasonal closures.