Shenandoah National Park Itinerary - 3 Days
- Laura
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
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Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia is the perfect location to disconnect from the outside world. Our 3 day Shenandoah National Park itinerary is packed with the best things to do in the summit-top park; hiking, horseback riding, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing.
The abundant eco-treasures of Shenandoah National Park Virginia are located just 75 miles west of Washington, DC. The long, narrow park stretches along the tops of the Blue Ridge Mountains for 105 miles from Front Royal to Waynesboro, Virginia. One main road, Skyline Drive, runs the entire length of the park.
Our Shenandoah National Park itinerary is designed to minimize ride times and maximize your enjoyment of this beautiful mountain habitat. Skyline Drive can be driven straight through in one day. However; to really enjoy all the park has to offer, more time is require. We recommend at least 3 full days.
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK LODGING
To immerse in your adventure, try staying Shenandoah National Park lodging. The park offers the following accommodations:
Skyland Lodge Shenandoah: (Mile 41.7) 179 hotel style rooms, suites, and rustic cabins. Some pet friendly rooms. Closed during the winter.
Lewis Mountain: (Mile 57.5) One and two-room cabins at the Lewis Mountain Campground. Cabins have electricity, heat, linens, and private bathrooms (no in-room phones or Internet). Closed during the winter.
Big Meadows Lodge: (Mile 51) 96 hotel style rooms, suites, and rustic cabins. Some pet friendly rooms. Closed during the winter.
If you prefer to be closer to “civilization,” the towns of Front Royal and Luray are both close to the park and provide a number of dining, shopping, and recreational activities. Consider these lodgings:
Hampton Inn in Front Royal - we stayed here; clean, economical, and close to park
Mountain Home B&B - Front Royal
The Mimslyn Inn - Luray
Days Inn Wyndham - Luray
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK MAP
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK ITINERARY – 3 DAYS
DAY 1: Skyline Drive, Stony Man Hike, Horseback Riding, and Wildlife Viewing
Enter the park at the Front Royal northern entrance. Pay the park admission fee, and begin your exploration of Skyline Drive Shenandoah. The 105 mile National Scenic Byway stretches all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Along the curvy summit-top road there are 75 scenic overlooks. Placed on both sides of the road, the overlooks provide stunning views of the mountains and valleys below.
Make your first stop at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (Mile 4.6). At the visitor center, you can pick up park guides, trail maps, and speak with a ranger about your plans. View the exhibits and movies, peruse the gift shop, and use the rest rooms.
Back on the road, pay attention to the mile marker posts that will guide you throughout your trip. Enjoy a leisurely cruise along Skyline Drive Shenandoah. The speed limit is 35mph due to the many curves, changes in grade, and wildlife crossings.
Drive until you reach the Stony Man Trailhead (Mile 41.7). Located next to the Skyland Lodge, the Stony Man trail is one of the most popular in the park.
The 1.6 mile (round trip) Stony Man trail ascends to the summit of the second highest peak in the park. The hike starts out in a heavily wooded area. As you climb you will pass large bolder formations, rocky outcroppings, and a gorgeous overlook. At the summit there are stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain. The hike is rated as easy with an elevation gain of 340 feet.
After your hike, take a short drive to the Skyland Lodge Shenandoah (Mile 41.7). Have lunch in the rustic Pollock Dining Room (try the blackberry ice cream pie for dessert!).
When you are finished with lunch, drive to the Skyland Stables (Mile 42.5). From late spring until November, the stables offer guided trail rides through Shenandoah Park (reserve ahead). A guided trail ride on horseback through the Virginia forest is a great way to spend the afternoon.
If horseback riding isn’t for you, take another short hike. We suggest the Millers Head Trail on the grounds of Skyland Lodge (Mile 42.5). This 1.6 mile out-and-back trail rises and falls gently with a fun summit trail between small peaks. Along the way you will pass an abandoned antennae house, the foundation of an old tower, and some spectacular views. The hike is rated as easy with an elevation gain of 450 feet.
At dusk, plan to be on an outside deck at Skyland Lodge Shenandoah. Deer often feed on the bushes that cover the hillside below the dining room. Also, take a walk or slow drive around the Skyland Lodge complex. It is not unusual to see deer, wild turkeys, chipmunks, and even black bears crossing the road and feeding at the edge of the woods.
Combine your trip to Shenandoah Park with these Virginia tours and attractions:
DAY 2: Hawksbill Trail and Visit to Luray Caverns
Begin your day with a hike of the Hawksbill Trail (Mile 45.5). This 2.9 mile circuit trail is our favorite hike in Shenandoah Park. The loop has some steep sections and patches of loose rock to navigate, but the trail is wide and there are no rock scrambles. The summit has a picnic hut and observation platform that offer outstanding views of valleys below. The hike is rated a moderately difficult with an elevation gain of 860 feet.
At the hike’s conclusion, make your way north on Skyline Drive to the Thornton Gap entrance (Mile 31.5). Exit the park and drive to Luray, Virginia. Wander Luray’s main street, shop, and have lunch. Then, visit the nearby Luray Caverns.
The Luray Caverns are the largest cavern system in the eastern part of the United States. A self-guided tour of the caverns follows a paved walkway past thousands of towering stone columns. The path zigzags through narrow openings and into cathedral-sized rooms of limestone formations. In addition, entrance to a car and carriage museum, toy museum, and heritage village are included in the admission price.
Planning a trip to Virginia
Consider these travel resources:
DAY 3: Wildlife Viewing at Big Meadows, Rapidan Camp Tour, Dark Hollows Hike, & Skyline Drive Cruise
Begin your day at the Harry Byrd Visitor Center (Mile 51). Arrive early (as near dawn as you can manage). Park in the Byrd Visitor Center lot and walk to the deck at the front of the visitor center. Then, settle in for some wildlife viewing across the street in Big Meadow. Look for deer, fox, black bears, woodchucks, chipmunks, hawks, and many other winged and four-legged creatures.
Grab Breakfast at the Big Meadows Wayside café. Later, check out the historical exhibits at the Harry Byrd Visitor Center. At 10am take a ranger-led tour of the Rapidan Camp (reserve ahead).
Rapidan Camp is a National Historic Landmark. The camp was once the summer “White House” of President Herbert Hoover. Ranger-guided 4 hour tours leave from the visitor center and include a van ride 7 miles into the woods to tour the historic Brown and Prime Minister’s Cabin.
After your tour, grab lunch in the Spottswood Dining Room or New Market Taproom at Big Meadows Lodge (Mile 51).
Next, head to Dark Hollow Falls (Mile 50.7). Exit your car and follow a meandering path downhill for .75 miles to a 70 foot cascading waterfall. The trail follows a stream through the woods until the waterfall is revealed. This lovely wooded spot is one of the most popular places in the park. Note that there is a steep climb up after reaching the falls. The trail is rated as moderately difficult with an elevation gain of 440 feet.
Spend the remainder of your day driving south on Skyline Drive. Explore the many overlooks and amazing views.
Goodbye from the starry skies of Big Meadows and Skyline Drive, Laura and Randy
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