Hiking, Campgrounds, Mountain Trails - Shenandoah National Park
77Wonders of Shenandoah National Park
If you enjoy nature vacations the Shenandoah National Park offers it all, which includes great hiking trails, mountain climbing, mountain biking, campgrounds, horse riding, camping cabins and absolutely gorgeous scenery. You can also fish if you have a VA fishing license. While I was on vacation visiting my son and daughter-in-law we decided to drive to VA from MD to spend a day in this gorgeous national park.
Beginning of N. Skyline Drive
History of Park
Shenandoah National Park was fully established on Dec 26, 1936. Initially the land was acquired through eminent domain by the state of Virginia, but then it was given to the U. S. Federal Government with the provision that it remains a national park. It is a long, narrow park of 105 miles with gorgeous views of the Virginia mountains and hills. The crest of the ridge divides the Shenandoah River drainage basin with the Potomac River drainage on the west and the James and Rappahannock River drainage basins on the east side. The Skyline Drive connects with the Blue Ridge Parkway at the southern end. The highest peak is Hawksbill Mountain at 4,051 feet at the 45-mile marker.
Before the park was established people would come and stay during the summer to avoid the heat. President Herbert Hoover and the First Lady built their Rapidan Camp as a retreat to escape the heat in the capital during the summer. The Rapidan Camp has been restored and can be seen. You will also notice other remnants of home sites from long ago.
Rolling Mountains
Beautiful Mountain Top Views
As we entered the park we noticed 8 campgrounds listed and cabins; all were filled, which is typical from spring to autumn. The park does offer back country and wilderness camping. Of course, campers are expected to leave no trace. As we began our drive we pulled over at numerous scenic overlooks where you could see the beautiful ranges of mountains showing the beginning of autumn colors. We took numerous pictures; it seemed like each stop was more beautiful than the last. There were a lot of visitors, although traffic was not too crowded. We noticed people speaking at least six different languages while we were hiking.
Me Standing on Top the Mountain
Luray Caverns
Luray Caverns
Shenandoah National Park’s scenic Skyline Drive follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is 105 miles long with 75 scenic overviews with 60 mountain peaks. In addition, there are the Luray Caverns, which have shimmering white formations of pure calcite.
Beginning of Autumn
Mountain Scene
Marys Rock Tunnel
Marys Rock Tunnel
The Marys Rock Tunnel was built in 1932 going through 600 feet of rock with a 13’ clearance is located at the 32.4 mile marker.
Another Scenic View
Waterfalls
Wildlife is plentiful and you might see black bears, deer, numerous birds, snakes, squirrels and chipmunks frequently while hiking.
There are numerous hiking trails marked with concrete trail markers, with some that lead to beautiful waterfalls. We took some short hikes and decided to hike down to Dark Hollow Falls. This was a hike of .9 miles mostly downhill to see these beautiful waterfalls, but the hike back up hill felt like 5 miles! It was so beautiful at the falls and on the trail, so it was worth the effort. There are nine waterfalls all together.
Dark Hollow Falls
The video features a hike to Whiteoak Canyon/Cedar run waterfalls. The hike is strenuous and takes at least 5 hours. This video is featured by LunaTurd.
Shenandoah National Park - Waterfall Hikes
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Path Through the Woods
Summary
This national park is a fabulous place for a day or a week’s vacation. Skyline Drive is a designated National Scenic Highway with good reason. Visiting this beautiful site is truly a treat.
The copyright to this article is owned by Pamela Oglesby. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Susan, Thanks for your comments and I didn't even realize I was at the 2 year mark. I'm glad you enjoyed the hub and I appreciate the comments.
Hiya Pam, oh I'd missed you! Here we are working hard (I really wanted to say.. working our bu**s off, but I won't), while you were having a great time. lol Very interesting hub about the Shenandoah National Park, and beautiful photos. I enjoyed watching the video as well. Voted up and awesome. Cheers!
Have a nice day,
Rosie
my husband and I love to travel the back roads of America. National park are so beautiful. Love your work!
Susan
Rosie2010, I loved being away on vacation but of course, I didn't have time to write. I'm glad you enjoyed the hub and I appreciate the comments.
susan54, I love traveling the back roads of America also. Thanks for your comment.
Hello Pamela, How I would love to visit here, it sounds fabulous and your photos are amazing.
Thank you for sharing and voting up, best wishes MM
Movie Master, I am glad you enjoyed the hub and hope you get a chance to visit there some day. Thank you for your comments.
Thanks for your beautiful photos of this spectacular national park, Pamela. Would love to visit the Luray Caverns and the Dark Hollow Falls. Not sure about that returning uphill hike, though.
I appreciate your comments annd hope you get to visit the area.
Hi, Pam - pressed all the appropriate buttons :D - lovely photos!
Hi Pamela! I've been down the Skyline Drive. It is everything you've said and more. My late husband and I decided to get off the main route one day and regretted it. We managed to drive 17 miles an hour and it took us a whole afternoon to find a way back up to the main road. It was long and curvy, very narrow and our nerves were shot by the time we found our way off these mountain roads, however, we did get some wonderful pictures.
Wow, truly beautiful. I've never been there but would like to some day. I love hiking and this would be a great opportunity to hike and catch beautiful scenery along the way. Rated up and beautiful.
This is beautiful Pam. I love waterfalls. The pictures are beautiful, a place i would love to visit..Thank's
RedElf, Thanks for the comment.
SusieQ42, Thanks for sharing that story I'm sure you'll always remember that afternoon. We didn't take any of those side roads.
anglwu, The park is especially beautiful in the fall and spring as I understand the forces covered with beautiful flowers. I hope you get to visit as I know you love it. Thank you for your comments.
Always exploring, I wish I could've seen all the waterfalls really wasn't up to those long hikes as they're my favorites also. I appreciate your comments.
I love it right up my alley. I have been many places with the RV. good job
up and beautiful! Great read, well written and very interesting information.
Love hiking and would love to visit America once, thank you for giving me great idea where to start:)....magnificent park in a great country:)
LydieRVgirl, I'm glad you enjoyed the hub and I appreciate your comments.
Sampsons1, Thank you so much for your comments and I'm glad you enjoyed the hub.
Beata Stasak, I hope you get to make the trip as you can certainly do all the hiking your heart desires if this national park. Thank you so much for your comments.
What a beautiful place. Hiking isn't really my thing, but after seeing all these wonderful pictures, I'm quite tempted to give it a try. Rated up and bookmarked for future reference. :)
Om Paramapooyna, The nice thing about this park is its 105 miles long and you can enjoy numerous scenic views, have a picnic or buy food, so you don't have to hike to enjoy the park. Thank you for your comments.
My husband are starting to plan our next summer tip. I thinking about Shenandoah National park.
susan54, I don't think you will regret that choice. It is one of the most beautiful national parks I've visited. Thanks for your comment.
Great article Pamela and it is greatly reviewed. I have been in this area a few times traveling from West Virginia to Virginia to see family. The scenic nature is beautiful there. I always enjoyed looking down in the valley from the observation post. I remember seeing a tunnel from the highway, but I am not sure if it is the same one as your picture. This is a fantastic article, as all your articles are. I know you have worked hard on all them and I commend you for your hard work. Well done Pamela. up and across the board but funny.
thelyricwriter, I agree that Virginia is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for you kind comments.
Pamela99, what's the best time of the year, to go to this park. Thanks
Wonderful photos.. The article is well written and very interesting.thanks
susan54, I would suggest autumn as the leaves are so gorgeous. I have also seen pictures of the spring where wild flowers grow. Summer is good for camping also. Enjoy.
Simon, I'm glad you enjoyed the article and I appreciate your comments.
Gosh, that was beautiful. Thank you for sharing this magnificient piece of earth.
Hello, I'm so glad you enjoyed in and I appreciate your comments.
I love hiking and Shenandoah National Park is the best place for hiking. We can learn about nature at the same time. I love all the pictures above. I hope I can see this national park one day! Would you be my guide, Pam? Vote up and useful!
Prasetio
prasetio, I would love to show you the park. I hope you get to see it some day as it is very beautiful. Good to have your comments. Take care.
I love Shenandoah national park. I have seen many black bears there. It is always a beautiful experience. This hub is a good overview.
stephaniedas, I really looked for a black bear but didn't see one. It is so beautiful there. Thanks for your comment.
Luray Caverns looks amazing! Hope to get to Shenandoah eventually. I've been to Peaks of Otter outside of Roanoke and that was also beautiful. Voted up!
Pamela- Some people I know see black bears almost every time they go. Even the babies and adolescents, which are so adorable (just don't linger too long lol). Others have gone numerous times and never seen a black bear. My mom is a big outdoorswoman (I wish I had her stamina!), so she's taken me to a lot of remote areas of the park. She said you never see bears on Old Rag and seldom on Skyline drive because there are so many people. Also, she says that if you go with another person, you don't generally see bears as long as you keep up the conversation.
So, maybe you can get some info from my rambling that will help you to run into bears in the future :)
acc12, I think Virginia is such a beautiful state anyway. Thank you for your comments.
stephaniedas, I think you do have to hike further in away from other people than we did. I hope to return for another visit some day. Thank you for the information.
Just Ask Susan Level 8 Commenter 7 months ago
What a beautiful place. Congrats on your 2 years at HubPages. Voted up, useful, beautiful and interesting.