Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia in the Blueridge
Mountains. This national park is long and narrow, with the broad
Shenandoah River and valley on the west side, and the rolling
hills of the Virginia Piedmont on the east. Although likely the
most prominent feature of the Park is the scenic Skyline Drive,
almost 40% of the land area 79,579 acres has been designated as
wilderness and is protected as part of the National Wilderness
Preservation System. The highest peak is Hawksbill Mountain at
4,051 feet.
Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive
The park is best known for Skyline Drive, a 105 mile road that
runs the entire length of the park along the ridge of the
mountains. The drive is particularly popular in the fall when
the leaves are changing colors. 101 miles of the Appalachian
Trail are also in the park. In total, there are over 500 miles
of trails within the park. Of the trails, one of the most
popular is Old Rag Mountain, which offers a thrilling rock
scramble and some of the most breathtaking views in Virginia.
There is also horseback riding, camping, bicycling, and many
waterfalls. The Skyline Drive is designated as a National Scenic
Byway.
Shenandoah National Park's Backcountry Camping
Shenandoah National Park offers 196,000 acre of backcountry and
wilderness camping. While in the backcountry, campers must use a
"Leave No Trace" policy that includes burying excrement and not
building campfires. Backcountry campers must also be careful of
wildlife such as poisonous snakes and bears. Campers must
suspend their food from trees while not in use in "bear bags" or
park-approved bear canisters to prevent unintentionally feeding
the bears, who then become habituated to humans and their food
and therefore dangerous.
