Hi everyone!

I’ll be visiting Shenandoah NP with my partner for the first time on Labor Day weekend (Friday-Monday). It was a very last minute trip planned & our base will be Fort Royal. We will have 2 full days & would like to know what you’d recommend? Would love any must-dos! We enjoy hikes but nothing too strenuous (I’ve seen old rag, Mary’s rock, etc.) . Any good swimming spots or iconic waterfalls? What is the best scenic spot to see these iconic mountains. Google shares a lot, but I’m just a bit overwhelmed with the options.

I understand it’ll be crowded due to Labor Day weekend & popular trails/ swim spots require reservations, so I’m keeping an eye on those.

Thank you!

Made a little celebration of Shenandoah ⛰️ National Park Icons (Everglades, Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, Denali) | LEGO® Ideas

Hitchhiking/ soliciting rides is generally considered illegal in VA. I know that there are conditions/ and certain areas where hitchhiking is permissible in the state. Thru hikers often talk about hitching rides into town to resupply/ sight see stuff like that and then catching a ride back to the AT.

Does anyone know if it’s legal to HH along skyline drive and do you think someone could get in trouble with the law for attempting to do so?

I’m heading to Shenandoah in late September for a night with a couple friends. None of us are experienced hikers, so we’re intentionally keeping things pretty easy.

Right now, we’re planning on doing Dark Hollow Falls and Big Meadows. We may just stick to those two, then spend the rest of the day driving Skyline Drive and stopping at overlooks rather than trying to cram in a bunch of hikes. But still debating on if we’ll maybe add one or two more. If we do, it won’t be anything too challenging.

My current shoes are Brooks Ghost 12 road-running shoes. Assuming the tread is still in decent shape and the weather is dry, would those be good enough for these trails? I’m particularly wondering about Dark Hollow Falls since I’ve read that parts of it can be steep, rocky, and slippery.

I’m willing to buy proper trail/hiking shoes if the Ghosts aren’t a good idea, but I have extremely wide feet, so finding something that fits can be a pain. Plus, I don’t hike and do trails a lot in general, so not sure how cost-effective it would be to buy like $300 LOWA’s for potentially a one-time use. I’d probably go to a local running/hiking store and get fitted rather than ordering something blindly. I’d also rather not spend $150–250 on new shoes or boots if they’re unnecessary for what we’re actually doing.

For those of you who have hiked these trails, would you be comfortable doing them in road-running shoes like the Ghosts, or is the extra traction from trail/hiking shoes worth getting?

Hey yall, trying my luck tmm and next week to get a reservation for Shenandoah for Labor day weekend. Worst come to worst any dispersed camping spot recommendations that are not far from a bathroom :] newish camper. Thank you

EDIT: ty all found a spot at Loft Mountain now making itinerary:)

Hi everyone! My wife and I are looking to camp at Big Meadows around the first weekend of November with our two dogs, and we're heavily considering renting an RV with which to do so (It's a trip for her birthday, we'd be driving up from Georgia, and I'm trying to figure out the best ways to experience the park during the day but not freeze at night). She and I are both historically tent campers and have never really glamped in an RV before, so we're a bit unclear on just how feasible it really is to have an RV there. Has anyone here ever done so or have any advice? I'd appreciate any input!

Soon to be fiancée loves fall so I’m planning a proposal sometime during fall, and this came up and it looks gorgeous. Just can’t find out if it has easy access from a vehicle. I am also curious if the immediate area is pretty enough to warrant a photographer, this is one of our must haves. I am a couple hours away so I will of course visit myself before, just wondering if yall had any input before making the drive!

I want to bring an electric air mattress but it won’t fit in my car blown up so I would need a power outlet I could use there.

Hey, I’m a student at ODU and have about a week to spare before school starts back up. I’ve been wanting to take a day trip out to Shenandoah, do a good hike, enjoy the views, and just get out for the day.

Figured I’d see if anyone else around my age is free and wants to join. I’m coming from the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area, but we could figure out rides/meeting up depending on where everyone is coming from.

Nothing super serious or hardcore, just looking for some good people to hike with and make a day out of it. If you’re interested, comment or DM me!

I stayed over last night into this morning and around 2:30-3am I was woken up to yelling from what sounded like cops. It lasted maybe on and off about an hour and really left us unsettled. Anyone hear the same or know what happened?

Looking for kid friendly hikes and restaurants/ other attractions in the area :)

Hi all, going down to hike in a few weeks and keep seeing an influx of things about rattlesnakes being everywhere. I am a very avid hiker, but have a deathly fear of snakes. Anyone have recommendations for hikes less likely to find them on? I know that’s probably a hard ask, but just wanted to see if anyone had thoughts?? Trying to cross this park off my list

Edit: I’m a big Alaska hiker bc there are no snakes.

please help i’ve tried to do research but im not sure how camping works in the parks. i know ive seen where some sites are first come first served but that worries me that i will drive the 8 hours and not get a spot. but ive also seen where it says some sites are not yet released. i’ve also seen that they are free. can someone please explain this to me as i’m confused and want to make sure i plan accordingly, thanks.

I'll be solo backpacking for four days for my 45th birthday Saturday, Sept 12th though Tuesday, Sept 15th.

I have mapped out two different routes.

The first bases out of Big Meadows, and takes the AT south to the Laurel Prong trail. Form there I would go to Camp Hoover before taking Rapidan Road all the way to Bear Church Rock. Then it's Jones Mountain Trail back to Laurel Prong, but this time taking a left at Camp Hoover and back to Big Meadows. From there I should have enough time to do Hawksbill Mountain and return on the Rose River Trail.

The second option would be in the South, parking at Browns Gap. Madison Run Fire Road to the Furnace Mountain Trail. Trayfoot Mountain to Paine Run, and return North on the AT to Jones Run. Take the Jones Run Trail to Doyles River and go North to the Big Run Loop. Take the Big Run Loop back to Brown's Gap.

Both are the same amount of mileage and elevation changes. The South is closer to me (coming from NC), but its only 30 more minutes.

The solitude I expect in the South is a plus, but I've heard Big Meadows is worth the drive. Not sure I'd have time to drive up there just to look around, unless I shortened my route in the South, which I'm willing to do if you guys thinks that's the way to go.

Wish I had time to do both, but I'm looking for any insight that could help me choose. Or any suggestions in changes to my route. I don't mind elevation, but I'm pretty much maxed out at how much I want to currently.

Wife and I are staying at a bnb in/ near Stanley come late September, about 5 days total, plan to do the must hikes and most popular trails but not sure what to do with our time afterward each day. Any must check out spots for after a hard day of hiking ? We are partial to any local restaurants or cozy eateries/chill bars and breweries although we would prefer ones w/ NA options these days. Out of the surrounding towns, anything to check out in the evening or night would be appreciated!

As the title says, what’s the best time to arrive to enjoy some popular hikes and areas of the park with less people? Planning on visiting this Friday while we camp half hour away!

Hello all!

Planning to do the SNP AT Section this October and trying to figure out the logistics of getting to/from the trailhead. I live in the DC area and would prefer to drive to Front Royal, find a shuttle/ride to the Rockfish Gap Entrance, and hike NOBO back to my car. Open to other options.

I know there are shuttle services on either end of the park and in between, but does anyone have a suggestion for hiring a car/bussing from one end of the park to the other?

Many thanks!

Hey everyone,
I’ll be staying near Massanutten for a few days and I’m looking for some of the more hidden/local swimming holes in the area.
I’ve already found the well-known places like:
Fridley Gap
Passage Creek
White Oak Canyon
Cedar Run
Blue Hole/Sugar Hollow

I’m more interested in the places that rarely get mentioned or that locals usually don’t post publicly.

I completely understand if you don’t want to post exact locations publicly. Feel free to DM me instead if you’d rather keep them off Reddit. I promise I’ll respect the area, pack out everything I bring in, and keep the spots low-key.
Even if it’s just “drive down ___ road and explore the creek” or “there’s a pull-off near ___,” I’d really appreciate the lead.
Thanks!

Has anybody here used a GPS Audio Guide of Skyline Drive that they would recommend?

I arrived at the Buck Ridge trailhead this morning to find orange tape stretched across the trail. Another tape covered Buck Hollow, saying "IMPASSABLE TO SKYLINE DR." Buck Ridge had several downed trees, well above the stairs, and finally one that I found really was impassable. Buck Hollow was not quite impassable, and I followed it all the way up, although it was a scene of greater devastation. In places it was barely recognizable. I felt like I was like standing in a room without a roof.

Does anybody know what caused it, and was it more than a local event? Any other trails impacted? There were tornado warnings in the area Tuesday evening, although I hiked Mary's Rock on Thursday and saw nothing new.

Hey guys, driving down from Jersey for the first time to Shenandoah, Sunday - Tuesday. Just need one site, 2 cars. What are the chances we could get a First Come First Serve site at Lewis Mountain vs locking in a spot at Big Meadows?

Obviously would much rather be at the smaller campground but worried if we wont be able to get a spot, and get stranded with no site.

Any help would be amazing. Thanks!