go whitewater paddling on Shenandoah River - South Fork. All year is a delightful time in the Blue Ridge Mountains if you go for the outdoors. Dry warm beds await you at Big Meadows Lodge, and if you came to camp Country waye RV Resort is a brilliant site to do that.
You'll
meet a lot of folks from Luray here, and hiking is a popular thing to do around Shenandoah National Park; Duncan Hollow Trail is a fine local trail. This spot is great, just explore all the amusing stuff to do close to Shenandoah National Park. If you need a place to stay Best
Western Intown Of Luray is a splendid choice, and if you came for an overnight stay Fort Valley Stable's Horse and Mule Campground is a delightful location to camp. It's a popular place to travel to for people from Luray.
This river has so much to offer. Lake Arrowhead is a
nearby lake that you could check out; naturally East Hawksbill Creek flows through this region.
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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