Shenandoah National Park Active and Adventure Vacations

Shenandoah National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Upper Doyles River Falls in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Upper Doyles River Falls in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (Robert Cable/Photographer's Choice/Getty)

Shenandoah National Park Active and Adventure Highlights

By Travel Expert: Alistair Wearmouth
  • Climb 3,291-foot Old Rag, with some fun rock scrambling over, around, and through a series of above-treeline boulders to 360-degree panoramas of the Blue Ridge and Piedmont Valley. The trailhead is located close to Sperryville, Va. To get a jump on the weekend warriors, camp alongside the Hughes River on the park’s Nicholson Hollow Trail for an early start on Saturday morning.
  • Drive the 100-mile-long Skyline Drive—but be sure to stop and get out for a hike. Countless trails lead off from the snaking byway that follows Shenandoah's ridgeline; highlights include a stepped series of waterfalls that tumble through Whiteoak Canyon and the Tuscarora Trail's scenic vista of Overall Run Falls and the Shenandoah Valley.
  • Backpack a section of the Appalachian Trail as it winds its way some 100 miles through the park. The 26-mile Stony Man-Big Meadows traverse serves up big views, the zenith of the AT’s Shenandoah leg, and comfy cabins for those looking for a weekend-long AT sampler.
  • Float the Shenandoah River in a canoe, kayak, or inner tube. Downriver Canoe Company in Bentonville, on the eastern flank of the park, rents canoes and inner tubes and has its own camping area. With swimmable sections, beaches for picnicking, great scenery, and a few riffling rapids, this is a great day outing for families.
  • Cap off a hard day's hiking, biking, or paddling with a pint and a burger at the Griffin Tavern in Flint Hill, Va. The mellow pub vibe, landscaped outdoor patio, and good food and drink are the perfect complement to the rolling fields and mountain views.

Shenandoah National Park Overview

Running for 105 miles atop the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park is a haven for plants and wildlife. Although long and skinny, the park encompasses some 300 square miles of mountains, forests, waterfalls, and rock formations. It has more than 60 mountain peaks higher than 2,000 feet, with Hawksbill and Stony Man exceeding 4,000 feet. Although high ozone levels...

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Hotels

expert favorite hotel
Loft Mountain Campground
c/o Shenandoah National Park, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East
Luray, VA 22835
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 2.0 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
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Not Yet Rated
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expert favorite hotel
Lewis Mountain Cabins
c/o ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment, Inc., P.O. Box 727
Luray, VA 22835
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 4.8 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
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Not Yet Rated
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Active and Adventure travel
from: $89 compare hotel rates
Big Meadows Lodge
Mile 51.0 Skyline Drive
Luray, VA 22835
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 3.2 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Old Rag
Map
Distance: 6.9 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

This very popular hike along an inclined... Read More

Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
Skyline Drive
Map
Distance: 3.5 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The Skyline Drive runs 105 miles north and south... Read More
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
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Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel Parks and Outdoors travel
Downriver Canoe Company
P.O. Box 10, 884 Indian Hollow Road
Bentonville, Virginia 22610 Map
Distance: 24.3 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Downriver Canoe Company offers kayaks, canoes,... Read More
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
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Feature Articles

More Shenandoah National Park Active and Adventure Feature Articles (22)
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Shenandoah National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guides

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