to get some rest; right next door to Shenandoah National Park you come across a golf course called Caverns Country Club. East Hawksbill Creek is a stream that you may stumble upon while here, and dry warm beds await you at Big Meadows Lodge. The grandiose loveliness of Shenandoah
National Park is there for you to like. Going to Shenandoah National Park is a perfect idea when you've gotta get out. It's a popular place to get away to for people from Luray. What a location this is for outdoors people. There's so much to do here at Shenandoah National Park
that you need to camp here for a while, Fort Valley Stable's Horse and Mule Campground is a perfect site for that; Dry Run is one of the streams nearby that might be worth taking a look at.
Shenandoah National Park lies astride a beautiful section of the Blue Ridge Mountains,
which form the eastern rampart of the Appalachian Mountains between Pennsylvania and Georgia. The Shenandoah River flows through the valley to the west, with Massanutten Mountain, 40 miles long, standing between the river's north and south forks. The rolling Piedmont country lies
to the east of the park. Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that winds along the crest of the mountains through the length of the park, provides vistas of the spectacular landscape to east and west. The park holds more than 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian
Trail. Trails may follow a ridge crest, or they may lead to high places with panoramic views or to waterfalls in deep canyons. Many animals, including deer, black bears, and wild turkeys, flourish among the rich growth of an oak-hickory forest. In season, bushes and wildflowers
bloom along the Drive and trails and fill the open spaces. Apple trees, stone foundations, and cemeteries are reminders of the families who once called this place home. Shenandoah National Park has many stories waiting to be told, and a world of beauty that can renew and bring
peace to the spirit. CONTACTS Email - SHEN_Superintendent@nps.gov Fax- 540-999-3601 Write to 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East Luray, VA 22835-9036 Phone Visitor
Information Recorded Message - 540-999-3500 Headquarters - 540-999-3500
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating Hours, Seasons The park itself is always open, but some portions of the Skyline Drive, the only road through Shenandoah National Park, are
closed from dusk to early morning during hunting season. This road also closes in inclement weather for safety reasons. Visitor facilities and services begin operating between early April and Memorial Day and close down by late November. Getting There PLANE - The
closest airports are in Washington, DC, Weyers Cave, VA, and Charlottesville, VA. CAR - The four entrances to the park are at I-66 and Route 340 to the north entrance at Front Royal, Route 211 to the central entrance at Thornton Gap, Route 33 to Swift Run Gap, and I-64 to the
Rockfish Gap entrance at the southern end of the park and the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Speed limit for the Skyline Drive is 35mph. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There are no bus, taxi, or shuttle services through the park. Weather & Climate The
mountains in Shenandoah National Park are usually 10 degrees cooler than the valley below. Winters can be severe with snow and ice, and summer showers may be sudden. Layered clothing is always suggested. Accessibility Most facilities and services in the park are
accessible or accessible with assistance. Detailed information is provided in the expanded park web pages and through the connection to the concessioner web pages under each facility or service. Limberlost Trail is the park's first accessible trail for wheelchairs; it is also very
popular for parents with strollers and anyone looking for a special experience and leisurely stroll rather than a hike. Getting Around Since there are no bus, taxi, or shuttle services through the park, a car is needed. Speed limit is 35mph. Bicycles are permitted
in the park on paved roads only. The speed limit for bicycles is also 35mph on the Skyline Drive and 10mph in the campgrounds. FEES/PERMITS
Entrance Fee 1. DAILY FEE (INDIVIDUALS) $5.00 for 7 Days Per-person fee for persons 17 years
of age or older when entering by means other than a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. Examples include walk-in entries at high-use areas such as Old Rag, Berry Hollow, Weakley Hollow, Lower Whiteoak Canyon, and Little Devils Stairs; bicycles; motorcycles with one person;
taxis and limousines providing transportation only; buses carrying passengers not on a pre-packaged tour such as school groups visiting for recreational purposes; and buses or vans registered to a non-profit organization such as a church or school. A family traveling together shall
pay no more than the $10.00 vehicle fee. Valid for the day of purchase and the next six days.
2. DAILY FEE (VEHICLES) $10.00 for 7 Days Valid for single, private, non-commercial vehicles such as passenger cars, pickup trucks, motorcycles with two or more occupants,
RVs, vans, and converted busses. Valid for the day of purchase and the next six days.
3. SHENANDOAH ANNUAL PASS $20.00 for Annual An annual pass for entrance into Shenandoah National Park for persons entering in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle or
alternately the pass owner, spouse, children, and parents when a per-person fee is charged. Valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. Pass is non-transferrable and valid for one vehicle only.
4. COMMERCIAL TOUR FEES $75.00 7-15 Passengers for 7 Days $100.00
16-25 Passengers for 7 Days $200.00 26+ Passengers for 7 Days A commercial tour is defined as consisting of 'one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes
financial gain through the provision of the service.' Entrance fees are based upon the total capacity of the vehicles that can carry seven or more passengers. Possession of a national park passport or the age of the passengers does not affect the price charged. Entrance fees are
valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. For sedans that hold six or fewer passengers, the fee is $25 plus $5 for each passenger, excluding the driver.
CAMPING
1. Mathews Arm Campground Mathews
Arm (mile 22.1) is the nearest campground for those entering the park from the north. It is next to a nature trail and the trail to Overall Run Falls, the tallest waterfall in the park. Elkwallow Wayside, with camping supplies and food service, is two miles away. (179 sites; $14
per night; open spring through October)
2. Big Meadows Campground Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP Big Meadows (mile 51.3), though secluded, is near many of the major facilities and popular hiking trails in the park. Three waterfalls are walking
distance; the Meadow, with its abundant plant growth and wildlife, lies directly across the Drive. Reservations are required mid-May through November; call 1-800-365-CAMP. (217 sites; $17 per night; open spring through November)
3. Lewis Mountain Campground Lewis
Mountain (mile 57.5), the smallest campground in the park, appeals to those who want a little more privacy without venturing deep into the backcountry. Yet it is within seven miles of the popular Big Meadows area. (32 sites; $14 per night; open spring through October)
4.
Loft Mountain Campground Loft Mountain (mile 79.5), the largest campground in the park, sits atop Big Flat Mountain with outstanding views to east and west. Two waterfalls and the trails into the Big Run Wilderness area are nearby. (219 sites; $14 per night; open spring
through October)
5. Dundo Group Campground Dundo Group Campground (mile 83.7) is a primitive campground open only to bona fide educational groups. It has seven large group sites, pit toilets, and water. Reservations are required; call 1-540-298-9625, or write Shenandoah
National Park, Swift Run Entrance Station, Rt. 3, Box 311, Elkton, VA 22827. ($30 per night; open spring through November)
LODGING
1. Skyland Skyland (mile 41.7) has 177 guest rooms, rustic cabins, multi-unit lodges, and modern suites. American
Express, MasterCard, VISA, and Discover cards are accepted. A limited number of smoking rooms are available. No extra fee is charged for cribs or children under 16 years old. There are some ADA accessible rooms. To make reservations at Skyland, write to ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment,
Inc. (an authorized park concessioner), P.O. Box 727, Luray, VA 22835; or call (800) 999-4714 or (540) 743-5108.
2. Big Meadows Big Meadows (milepost 51) has 25 rooms in the main lodge, 72 additional rooms in rustic cabins, multi-unit lodges, and modern suites.
American Express, MasterCard, VISA, and Discover cards are accepted. A limited number of smoking rooms are available. No extra fee is charged for cribs or children under 16 years old. There are some ADA accessible rooms. To make reservations at Big Meadows, write to ARAMARK Sports
and Entertainment, Inc. (an authorized park concessioner), P.O. Box 727, Luray, VA 22835; or call (800) 999-4714 or (540) 743-5108.
3. Lewis Mountain Lewis Mountain (mile 57.5) has several rustic, furnished cabins with private baths and outdoor grill areas. American
Express, MasterCard, VISA, and Discover cards are accepted. A limited number of smoking rooms are available. No extra fee is charged for cribs or children under 16 years old. There are some ADA accessible rooms. To make reservations at Lewis Mountain, write to ARAMARK Sports and
Entertainment, Inc. (an authorized park concessioner), P.O. Box 727, Luray, VA 22835; or call (800) 999-4714 or (540) 743-5108.
4. PATC Cabins The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (an authorized park concessioner), maintains six locked, primitive cabins in the park.
The cabins are equipped with mattresses, blankets, and cookware. A pit toilet and spring water are nearby. To get information or to make reservations, call PATC at (703) 242-0693 or (703) 242-0315; or write to PATC, 118 Park Street, SE, Vienna, VA 22180.
FACILITIES
1.
DICKEY RIDGE VISITOR CENTER Location - Mile 4.6 on Skyline Drive Available Facilities - Restrooms, information desk, exhibits, videos, sales, publications, maps, backcountry permits, and first aid. Many ranger-led programs and hikes begin here.
2. HARRY
F. BYRD, SR. VISITOR CENTER Location - Milepost 51 on Skyline Drive Available Facilities - Restrooms,information desk, exhibits, videos, sales, publications, maps, backcountry permits, and first aid. Many ranger-led programs and hikes begin here.
3. LOFT
MOUNTAIN INFORMATION CENTER Location - Mile 79.5 on Skyline Drive. Closures - Wednesdays and Thursdays Available Facilities - Restrooms, information desk, sales, publications, maps, backcountry permits, and first aid. Many ranger-led programs and hikes begin here.
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