Inn-Sider Guide: Shenandoah National Park
Let our Inn-Sider Guide give you the best hikes for all skill levels and interests,
birdwatching & fishing,
scenic drives, and pit stops to get
the most out of your visit to the Shenandoah National Park.
Let us be your hub to your adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Escape to where nature meets luxury.
Why is Shenandoah National Park so Special?
Panoramic views from overlooks scattered on Skyline Drive, which runs 105 miles down the length of the 300-square-mile sanctuary, miles of trails to explore through diverse forests, breathtaking overlooks, rivers, streams, and waterfalls. Fresh water fishing the colorful brook trout and wildflowers scattered throughout the trails. It is this beauty near and far that creates the unforgettable Shenandoah experience. It’s history also runs deep.
Shenandoah National Park, the first of Virginia’s national parks -- was dedicated July 3, 1936. Running the Blue Ridge from Front Royal to Waynesboro, the long narrow preserve divides the Shenandoah Valley from the rolling Piedmont to the east. The park contains a wide array of ecology as it rises from a mere 550 feet at its lowest elevation to over 4,049 feet at its highest atop Hawksbill.
Highly Recommended Hikes
Hikes under 2.5 Miles
- Distance: 1.4-mile round trip hike
- Difficulty: Moderate (explanation of our hiking difficulty scale from SNP)
- Hiking Time: 1 hour
- Elevation Gain: 311 feet
- Distance: 1.7-mile round trip hike
- Difficulty: Moderate (hiking difficulty scale)
- Hiking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 690 feet
- Distance: 1.6-mile round trip hike
- Difficulty: Easiest (hiking difficulty scale)
- Hiking Time: 1 hours
- Elevation Gain: 340 feet
Hikes from 2.5 to 8 Miles
- Distance: 7.4-mile circuit hike
- Difficulty: Strenuous (explanation of our hiking difficulty scale)
- Hiking Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 1,897 feet
- Distance: 8.1-mile round trip hike
- Difficulty: Very strenuous (hiking difficulty scale)
- Hiking Time: 7 hours
- Elevation Gain: 2,794 feet
- Distance: 9.4-mile circuit hike
- Difficulty: Very Strenuous (hiking difficulty scale)
- Hiking Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 2,348 feet
- Distance: 8-mile round trip hike
- Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (hiking difficulty scale)
- Hiking Time: 7 hours
- Elevation Gain: 1,240 feet
Must See Waterfall Trails
Captivated by their sound and the beauty, waterfall trails are the hidden gems of the Shenandoah National Park.
Under 2.5 Mile Waterfall Trails
- Distance: 2-mile round trip hike
- Difficulty: Easiest (hiking difficulty scale)
- Hiking Time: 1 hours 30 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 500 feet
- Distance: 1.4-mile circuit hike
- Difficulty: Moderate (hiking difficulty scale)
- Hiking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 440 feet
Waterfall Trails Over 2.5 Miles
South River Falls Trail
- Distance: 4.6-mile circuit hike
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Hiking Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 1272 feet
- Distance: 4.6-mile round trip hike
- Difficulty: Moderate (hiking difficulty scale)
- Hiking Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 1,040 feet
Birdwatching
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More than 190 species of resident and transient birds can be found in Shenandoah National Park. Approximately half of these species breed in the Park, including eighteen species of warblers. Roughly thirty bird species are year-round residents including tufted titmice, red-tailed hawks, carolina chickadees, wild turkeys, and barred owls.
(resource: SNP website)
Fishing
Shenandoah National Park contains over 90 mountain streams and their minor tributaries that serve as high quality sources for three of Virginia’s ten major drainages: Potomac, Rappahannock, and James. Over 70 of those streams contain fish, and most of those 70 contain native brook trout. Shenandoah’s streams support diverse aquatic resources including 40 fish species and hundreds of species of aquatic insects. Shenandoah National Park relies on natural fish spawning for populations. No fish are stocked, and all fish are wild. (resource: SNP website)
Tips For Your Fishing Experience:
The Rapidan River, Rapidan Camp access trail, offers great fishing. It provides easy access and gets you to the sweet spots on the Rapidan River without having difficult level hiking. The Rapidan Fire Road can be taken by 4WD vehicle until you get to the gate. You will hike in from there.
Want an Expert Guide to take you to the best kept secret spots?
Contact Albemarle Anglers to set up a guided trip that will have you experience the rivers and streams with the experts who know the area.
IMPORTANT INFO FOR PARK FISHING
Scenic Drives and Pit Stops
You can enter Shenandoah National Park at four places.
- Front Royal at U.S. 340
- Thornton Gap at U.S. 211
- Swift Run Gap at U.S. 33 (closest entrance to The Inn)
- Rockfish Gap at I-64 / U.S. 250 (also the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway)
Taking a scenic drive from The Inn through Orange, Somerset and Barboursville to Rt. 33 toward Greene County to the Swift Run Gap entrance of the park is a beautiful easy ride and the closest Park entrance.
Quaint Villages and Small Towns for an After Hike Refreshment
Sperryville sits just below the Panorama entrance to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park. Sperryville offers specialty shops, antique stores, galleries, and several unique restaurants and craft beverage spots.
Along the way Madison also offers a quaint small town village atmosphere with stops to enjoy locally made artisans and a savory craft beverage scene. Bald Top Brewing Company, Blue Quartz Winery & Shotwell Run Brewing Company, DuCard Vineyards, Early Mountain Vineyards, and Revalation Vineyards are some noted stops for an after hike refreshment.
Crozet has lots to offer in cozy restaurants and craft beverages that will not disappoint. Located in Albemarle County it sits very close to park borders for your ride home to make a fun after hike stop. Starr Hill Brewery, King Family Vineyards, Pro Re Nata Farm Brewery, Greenwood Country Store, and much more!
Historic Gordonsville feels like you are walking through a Hallmark movie! Super charming and full of great food that has established a reputation on it’s own. This historic Main Street community is full of artisan boutiques and unique eats along with tasting rooms and two breweries. Not hard to spend some time after a good hike.
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Ready To Book?
Book Our Wander-Full Package this Fall
Our Wander-Full Getaway package includes all the supplies you need for your getaway to reconnect
with the outdoors in the Shenandoah National Park.
Explore our current packages and offers.
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