Shenandoah National Park is one of the most enchanting preserved areas in the country. This magnificent, narrow stretch of land incorporates part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. The mostly forested landscape encompasses 300 square miles of these mountains in the central Appalachians.
More than a million travelers visit this park every year. Each season is equally breathtaking. The Fall foliage is a spectrum of warm copper and red tones. In the spring and summer, wildflowers and trees are in full bloom. Snow often covers the mountainous landscape in the winter, but in this mid-Atlantic region, it typically melts quickly. The Virginia Piedmont hillsides lie to the east of the park, with the Shenandoah River and Valley to its west.
There are striking natural elements in every acre of the park. More than 500 miles of hiking trails meander through, leading up to magnificent waterfalls and mountains or out into the gorgeous back country. Part of the world-famous Appalachian Trail stretches over 100 miles within the park's boundaries. Overall Run is a 6 ½ mile hike to the tallest waterfall in the park. The hike up to 70-foot Dark Hollow Falls is the most visited because it is easily accessible from the park's only main road.
Skyline Drive is a beautiful stretch of highway that winds through the entire length of Shenandoah National Park. It over a hundred miles long, taking passengers along the Blue Ridge Mountaintops and amidst abounding wildlife. This drive has 75 scenic overlooks for visitors along the way. There are numerous trailheads for hiking right off Skyline Drive. Visitor centers, exhibits, gift shops, and restaurants are all near the picturesque highway. There are also fabulous lodges in and around the park.
There are many fun outdoor options for people wanting to explore this historic landscape. Mountain biking is a fun and thrilling activity for travelers. Bicycling is not allowed on trails, meadows, or only unpaved roads. Skyline Drive is one option or on any other paved roads within the park. Horseback riders enjoy more than 180 miles of trails available to them. There are mountain streams running through the park known to produce abundant native eastern brook trout.
Shenandoah Hotels are varied and lodging here gives you many options. This article gives descriptions of many styles of lodging to give you greater freedom on choice when choosing your vacation accommodations. ... Read More
Shenandoah valley can make an ideal vacation destination with cabins, resorts, lodges and more all found just a short drive from our nations capitol. ... Read More