One Fall Day In Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is the perfect east coast fall destination. Although you won’t get full foliage until a month or so after the northern east coast, it’s just as beautiful. A bonus is that Shenandoah is also dog friendly! So load the pups up and bring them with you to take in these spectacular views and to hit the gorgeous trails at this Virginia National Park. I lived in Virginia for 5 years, but I only visited Shenandoah National Park twice. Once was during the fall to see the Skyline Drive in all its glory and it was by far my favorite trip. But how should you spend a beautiful fall in Shenandoah?

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The Basics:

Where Is Shenandoah National Park?

Shenandoah National Park extends along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. The Skyline Drive runs its length, and a vast network of trails includes a section of the long-distance of the Appalachian Trail. 

Click here for more NPS maps of Shenandoah National Park.

What Should I Expect At Shenandoah National Park:

• Beautiful Fall Colors
• Crowds (especially on weekends)
• Hiking Trails
• Waterfalls
• Amazing Views Of Blueridge Mountains
• Tons Of Dog Friendly Options

Should I Visit Shenandoah National Park?:

Well, do you love stunning rises over beautiful mountains? Do you like hiking to gorgeous waterfalls? Do you like bringing your pups along for the ride? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions then, Yes! You should absolutely visit Shenandoah National Park! 

Getting to Shenandoah National Park:

Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, slightly west of Washington, D.C. The Park stretches about 105 miles from its northern entrance at Front Royal to its southern entrance near Waynesboro. There are four entrance stations to Shenandoah National Park.

From most directions you will find yourself on I-66 or I-64 to get to the park. 

Entrances: 

Front Royal, North Entrance
Near Front Royal, Virginia, off of Route 340 (Stonewall Jackson Highway).

Thornton Gap
East of Luray, Virginia and west of Sperryville, Virginia. Off of Highway 211 (Lee Highway).

Swift Run Gap
22591 Spotswood Trail, Elkton, VA. 

Rockfish Gap (South Entrance) 
A few miles east of Waynesboro, Virginia, off of Highway 250.

Tip: All of these register in Waze

Visitor Centers: 

The Park has two Visitor Centers that are both on the Northern side – 

Dickey Ridge Visitor Center: located near Front Royal, Virginia in the northern part of the Park. Available facilities: restrooms, information desk, exhibits, ranger programs, orientation movie, bookstore, publications, maps, backcountry permits, and first aid.

Harry F Byrd Jr Visitor Center: Byrd Visitor Center is located across from Big Meadows in the center of the Park. Available facilities: restrooms, information desk, exhibits, ranger programs, historical films, bookstore, publications, maps, backcountry permits, and first aid.

Find out more here. 

Staying Near Shenandoah National Park: 

Camping: 

Shenandoah boasts 5 different camping facilities within park limits. And while I’ve never camped here, I would really love to. 

Matthews Arm Campground (mile 22.1) click here to make reservations. 

Big Meadows Campground (mile 51.2) click here to make reservations. 

Lewis Mountain Campground (mile 57.5) no reservations accepted, this campground operates on a self-registration, first-come, first-served basis only. More primitive. 

Loft Mountain Campground (mile 79.5) click here to make reservations. 

Dundo Group Campground (mile 87.3) this campground has three sites, each of which is for groups of 7-20 people. All sites must be reserved in advance. Click here to make reservations. 

Lodging & Cabins: 

There are also several lodges and cabins located inside the park.  

Skyland (mile 41.7) – lodging ranging from premium rooms to small detached cabins, preferred and traditional rooms, suites, and pet friendly rooms – located in 28 separate buildings along the ridge and in the wooded areas on over 27 acres of Shenandoah National Park. Find out more here. 

Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51) – lodgings ranging from main lodge rooms to detached small cabins, preferred and traditional rooms, suites, and pet friendly rooms – all located within walking distance of the main lodge building. Find out more here.

Lewis Mountain Cabin (mile 57.5) – offers accommodations to families, couples, or anyone seeking an authentic Shenandoah National Park experience. These rustic, furnished cabins also offer private baths and outdoor grill areas. Find out more here.

PATC Cabins – The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club maintains six locked, primitive cabins at various locations in Shenandoah. The cabins are equipped with mattresses, blankets, and cookware, with a pit toilet and spring water nearby. Find out more here. 

Airbnb: 

There are also tons of Airbnb’s in the area! I’ve had my eye on this Glamping place.  

The Retreat At Shenandoah Meadows

Gum Tree Lodge

Old Rag Cabins

Know Before You Go: 

• This is one of Shenandoah’s busiest seasons and everything will be insanely packed. Prepare yourself for waits at entrance stations and large crowds at overlooks, on trails, and at Visitor Centers. 

• If you are planning a fall visit it is best to enter through one of the Southern entrances of the park. Swift Run Gap or Rockfish Gap. Even if you are coming from the North. The entrance lines at the Northern entrances get incredibly backlogged in the fall. 

• If you don’t have an Annual Pass or an America The Beautiful Pass. You can purchase an entrance pass in advance and really speed up your wait time. You can purchase that here. 

• If you are planning to hike get to the park as early as possible. The more popular trails get incredibly packed by 10 am. 

• Pack a picnic lunch or buy one at the Big Meadows Lodge. There are tons of picnic areas and the eateries inside the park get crazy busy as well. 

• Be prepared for crowds in the fall. Everyone else wants to see those beautiful leaves too! 

• Overlooks will be packed and people will back out in front of you. But if you pack your patience and you wait your turn, you will really enjoy Shenandoah in the fall. 

5 Amazing Things To Do At Shenandoah National Park

1. Take In A Sunrise On The Skyline Drive – 

Sunrises at Shenandoah are beautiful at any time of the year, but there is something special about watching the sunrise over a blaze of colorful leaves. The best overlooks for a sunrise are Tunnel Parking Overlook (mile 32.5), Buck Hollow Overlook (mile 32.8), Hazel Mountain Overlook (mile 33), and Thorofare Mountain Overlook (mile 40.5). 

2. Drive The Entire Skyline Drive – 

The Skyline Drive runs the entire length of the park and it’s one of the most popular attractions for a very good reason. The views on this scenic drive are stunning! Start at the Southern Entrance of Swift Run Gap and drive to Front Royal. The southern side of Skyline Drive is less crowded but it’s also less dramatic in terms of mountain views and foliage.

3. Take A Hike – 

Shenandoah National Park has so many options when it comes to hiking trails. Take in a waterfall on Dark Hollow Falls (if you don’t have the pups with you), Doyles River Falls, or Hazel River Falls. Avoid the crowds on Sugarloaf Loop, Millers Head, or Chimney Rock. 

Hikes At A Glance:

Not Dog Friendly:

Dark Hollow Falls –

• Distance: 1.4 miles
• Rating: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 564 ft

Old Rag Loop –

• Distance: 10.2 miles
• Rating: Hard
• Elevation Gain: 2,650 ft

Ridge Trail to Old Rag –

• Distance: 7.3 miles
• Rating: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 2,414 ft

Dog Friendly:

Hawksbill Summit Trail –

• Distance: 1.5 miles
• Rating: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 672 ft

Lewis Falls vis Lewis Springs –

• Distance: 1.8 miles
• Rating: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 639 ft

Saddle Back Mountain (and Appalachian Trail Loop) –

• Distance: 3.8 miles
• Rating: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 649 ft

4. Keep An Eye Out For Wildlife – 

Although Shenandoah isn’t necessarily known for its abundant wildlife, there are deer and black bear within the park. Wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk. Use binoculars or spotting scopes for safe viewing of black bears. 

Wildlife Distances: 

• Deer and Most Other Animals – 75 ft 
• Black Bear – 150 ft 

5. Take In A Sunset On The Skyline Drive – 

The best overlooks to take in a sunset are the Hazeltop Ridge Overlook (mile 54.5), The Point Overlook (mile 55.5), Bearfence Mountain (mile 56.4), Brown Mountain Overlook (mile 77), Rocky Top Overlook (mile 78). 

One Perfect Fall Day in Shenandoah National Park With Pups

Start your day as early as you possible can. I had about a 2.5 hour drive south and added a little time by driving even further south to enter through the Swift Run Gap entrance station. NPS suggests entering through one of the southern entrances during the fall foliage peak.  I highly recommend buying your pass before you go because it made the entrance wait time minimal. 

Hop on the Skyline Drive –

If you are interested in taking in a sunrise on the Skyline Drive, then it’s best to enter through the Thornton Gap entrance. The best place to view the sunrise is on the northern side of the park. Tunnel Parking Overlook (mile 32.5), Buck Hollow Overlook (mile 32.8), Hazel Mountain Overlook (mile 33), and Thorofare Mountain Overlook (mile 40.5).

Can’t Miss Skyline Drive Overlooks

Continue to drive the Skyline Drive and stop at as many overlooks as possible. There are 72 different overlooks so there will be no shortage of views! In fact, all (yes, every single one) of the overlooks offer stunning views of the foliage at this time of year but some of my favorites were…

Can’t Miss Overlooks

• Loft Mountain
• Bacon Hollow
• Big Meadows 
• Stony Man Mountain Overlook
• Buck Hollow

Find one of the many cute picnic areas and have a picnic in the park! Either pack your own picnic lunch or grab one at the Big Meadows Lodge. Let the pups walk around at the picnic area and make sure to bring some treats for them! 

Take A Hike

After lunch drive a bit more and then stop and a take a hike on one of the many gorgeous trails in the park. If you don’t have pups the most popular are Dark Hollow Falls, Old Rag, and Stony Man. If you brought the pups with you check out Lewis Springs, Upper Hawksbill, Hawksbill Summit, Lewis Falls, Saddleback Mountain, and Millers Head.  

Continue driving on Skyline until you reach on of these epic sunset locations, Hazeltop Ridge Overlook (mile 54.5), The Point Overlook (mile 55.5), Bearfence Mountain (mile 56.4), Brown Mountain Overlook (mile 77), Rocky Top Overlook (mile 78). 

Hopefully, you got to spot a black bear since they are foraging for their winter hibernation at this time. 

What To Pack For The Pups

• Rabies Vaccine/ Vet Records
• Leashes
• Harnesses
• Hammock Seat Cover 
• Dog Seat Belts 
• Crate/Kennel
• Food & Water Bowls 
• Food & Extra Water 
• Care Products – I always bring Benadryl, Famotidine, Nose & Paw Ointment 
• Dog First Aid Kit 
• Poop Bags (and please use them) And THIS handy little thing
• Backpack 
• Collapsible Water Bowl
• A Current Photo (in case they get lost)

Want A Handy Packing Checklist For Your Pup?

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Sips & Eats Guide 

There are several dining options in the park but be aware that these places get CRAZY busy. Especially in the summer and fall. 

Elkwallow Wayside (mile 24.1) variety of breakfast selections and sandwiches, grilled items for lunch and dinner, and groceries. Seating is available outside on the patio or at picnic tables.

Skyland (mile 41.7) Pollock Dining Room is a full service dining room serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mountain Taproom features a lighter fare menu with beer, local wines, and nightly family-friendly entertainment. Grab ‘n Go offers sandwiches, salads, pastries, snacks and drinks for meals to go.

Big Meadows Wayside (mile 51.2) offers a varied menu of regional favorites available for carry-out or sit down dining. Grab ‘n Go offers sandwiches, salads, pastries, snacks and drinks to go. Groceries are also available here.

Dog Friendly option: Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51.2) Spottswood Dining Room offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. New Market Taproom features a lighter fare with specialty drinks, beer, and local wines to go along with nightly family-friendly entertainment.

Pet-friendly outdoor terrace seating is available or stop by the front desk to request a Lunch To Go if you want a meal on hand while exploring the Park. This is a great option because there are SO many pretty picnic areas!

Loft Mountain Wayside (mile 79.5) offers a variety of breakfast selections, sandwiches, and grilled items. Indoor and outdoor seating options are available.

Tip: Grab a Lunch To Go at Big Meadows Lodge and eat at one of the many pretty picnic areas along the Skyline Drive! 

A Little History

The first evidence of humans within the boundaries of what is now Shenandoah National Park begins somewhere between 8,000-9,000 years ago. Native Americans seasonally visited this area to gather food, hunt, source materials for stone tools, and trade.

European hunters and trappers began exploring the mountains of the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley in the early 1700s. By 1750, these settlers moved into the lower hollows near springs and streams. 

Hundreds of families worked the land, planting crops, building homesteads and mills, using the mountains for both mining and logging. As is the case with many of America’s most beautiful landscapes, resourceful entrepreneurs built vacation resorts, promoting the mountain views, clean waters, and cool breezes of this stunning place.

Many of Americas first National Parks were established out west but eventually there was a call to bring a National Park to a larger population source in the east. While Acadia National Park was the first established park on the east coast (read more here) there wasn’t a huge population in Maine. It took two decades before Shenandoah was authorized and another decade after that to established as a National Park. 

It was finally established in December of 1935. 

Mapping Out One Day In Shenandoah National Park:

Shenandoah National Park is straight-up magical in the fall, so do yourself a favor and visit the park this fall. There really is no wrong way to visit Shenandoah National Park in the fall! Have you been to Shenandoah in the fall? What did you think? What was your favorite part?

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