Lodging and restaurant facilities are operated by the park’s official concessionaire. Visitors can still enter the park on foot to hike even when the Drive is closed.įacilities and services begin operating in March and close down completely in late November. See pictures and our review of Shenandoah National Park & Skyline Drive. However, portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the park, are periodically closed during inclement weather and at night during deer hunting season. Shenandoah National Park & Skyline Drive is ranked 5 out of 12 things to do in Charlottesville. Also, be sure you will clear Marys Rock Tunnel (just south of Thornton Gap entrance from Route 211) at 12’8”.

RVs, camping trailers, and horse trailers are welcome, but be prepared to shift into low gear. Discover the fall colors by hiking trail, guided horseback ride or at nearby attractions. Remember it is unlawful to feed the wildlife. Skyline Drive a National Scenic Byway traverses 105 miles in Shenandoah National Park and affords outstanding vistas from 75 overlooks. At 35 mph, you’ll stand the best chance of a fun and exciting wildlife encounter rather than an unpleasant wildlife experience! If you want a closer look, be sure to pull completely off the Drive and stay in your vehicle. Watch carefully for these animals who may dart across your path without warning. This is your guide to both visitors centers, which end to start from, and where to find each amazing overlook view. June’s display of azaleas is spectacular, and cardinal flower, black-eyed susans, and goldenrod keep the color coming right into fall.ĭeer, black bear, wild turkey, and a host of other woodland animals call Shenandoah home and regularly cross Skyline Drive in their daily travels. In early spring you can see trillium peeking through the grass.

The park purposely leaves the roadsides unmowed so wildflowers put on a show all year long. There are 75 overlooks that offer stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west or the rolling Piedmont to the east. The maximum speed limit is 35 mph, so you can roll down your windows, feel the breeze and experience every curve and turn of this beautiful drive. Skyline Drive is the only road through the park, stretching 105 miles from Front Royal in the north to Waynesboro in the south. All park maps and information use these mileposts as a reference. The largest developed area, Big Meadows, is near the center of the park, at milepost 51. The mileposts begin with 0.0 at Front Royal and continue to 105 at the southern end of the park. These posts help you find your way through the park and help you locate areas of interest. There is only 1 gas station in the entire park thats at big meadows. It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the park on a clear day.As you travel along Skyline Drive you will notice mileposts on the right side if you are traveling south on the road. The tunnel is a great spot for pictures as with all scenic views parking is limited.

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