Shenandoah National Park Hiking and Backpacking Travel Guide

This 300-square-mile park has more than 500 miles of trails. Backpackers should be conscious of the many loop hikes that can be undertaken starting from Skyline Drive or adjacent lowlands.
A free backcountry permit is required before you embark on your overnight trip. No fires are allowed, but you can camp anywhere in the park as long as it is at least 20 yards from a trail, ten yards from a water source, and a quarter-mile from Skyline Drive.
Leave Skyline Drive and pass over Neighbor Mountain before dropping to camp at Jeremys Run. Loop back on Knob Mountain and spend the last night in the high country.
Head down to the Hazel River via the White Rock Trail. Camp on the Hazel River. Next day, cut over to Nicholson Hollow and camp, surmounting Hot-Short Mountain. Return via Catlett Ridge.
Leave the lowlands and hike up Hughes River before camping near Corbin Cabin. Loop back over Robertson Mountain and enjoy some views before returning to the lowlands.
Big Run is a fine camping and fishing destination. It can be accessed via Browns Gap. Return on the Rocky Top Trail and make a side trip to Lewis Peak.

Hiking Overview: Shenandoah National Park

Since Shenandoah is so narrow, hikes tend to be short, either up or down the ridge from Skyline Drive and back. The grand exception is the the Appalachian Trail, which traverses the length of the park, never very far from Skyline Drive and in fact crossing it several times. Some areas of the park were once heavily inhabited, leaving a network of old footpaths and roads, out of which a hiker can make longer composite hikes. Many of these hikes pass by the ruins of abandoned cabins and farm buildings of the vanished mountain folk. Shenandoah also has many beautiful waterfalls that make extraordinary destinations. And of course, many hikes are to overlooks with magnificent views, of which Shenandoah abounds. Read More

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I'm taking the grands to the Shenandoah area of VA, staying @ Bryce Resort. The youngest has recently learned to ride a bike. I'm looking for info about bike rentals (cruiser as opposed to mtn. bike) in the Bentonville area. I'm thinking leisurely ride in Shenandoah River State Park. Suggestions and words of wisdom qukk bw greatly appreciated.
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Shenandoah National Park Hiking and Backpacking Travel Guide