Shenandoah National Park (Luray)

National park in the northern Blue Ridge, with the 169 km Skyline Drive, the Old Rag hike, waterfalls and Luray Caverns.

Shenandoah National Park lies in the northern Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Virginia, about 120 km from Washington, DC. The long, narrow park runs about 170 km north–south along the ridgeline, with Skyline Drive running its entire length past some 75 overlooks and more than 800 km of trails (about 160 km of them on the Appalachian Trail). By mileposts, the park divides into the North District (Front Royal to Thornton Gap), the Central District (Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap) and the South District (to Rockfish Gap). The North District has Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, Hogback Overlook and Overall Run Falls. The Central District is the highlight, with Stony Man, Skyland, Whiteoak Canyon, Hawksbill, Big Meadows, Dark Hollow Falls and Rapidan Camp. The South District sees fewer visitors and has South River Falls, Doyles River Falls and Blackrock Summit. The town of Luray at the western foot of the mountains is an ideal base, close to Luray Caverns, famous for its Great Stalacpipe Organ, and to canoeing and tubing on the Shenandoah River. Best seasons: fall color peaks in mid-to-late October, azaleas and wildflowers bloom in May, and in summer the mountains are about 5°C cooler than the lowlands; in winter some facilities close, and Skyline Drive shuts in ice and snow. You'll need a car: Washington to the north entrance takes about 1.5 hours, and to Luray via Thornton Gap about 2 hours. Entry is about $30 per vehicle (valid 7 days); Old Rag requires an additional day-use ticket reserved in advance from March to November, and the park lodges (Skyland, Big Meadows) need to be booked months ahead. Allow 2–3 days: one for driving the Central District with short hikes, one for a long hike on Old Rag or Whiteoak Canyon, and half a day for Luray Caverns. Black bears live in the park, so store food properly and never feed wildlife.

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