Rate Shenandoah National Park
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
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Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Park
About
Nature’s Calling!
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is your escape to recreation and re-creation. Cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, quiet wooded hollows—take a hike, meander along Skyline Drive, or picnic with the family. 200,000 acres of protected lands are haven to deer, songbirds, the night sky…and you. Plan a Shenandoah escape today!
Directions
Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, west of Washington, D.C. It stretches 105 miles and has four entrances: Front Royal (northern entrance), Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap, and Rockfish Gap (southern entrance to Shenandoah and the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway). Complete directions can be found at the accompanying link. The physical address listed is the address is to the headquarters (administration offices), not the park itself. GPS is unreliable when navigating to our park.
Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, west of Washington, D.C. It stretches 105 miles and has four entrances: Front Royal (northern entrance), Simmons Gap, Swift Run Gap, and Rockfish Gap (southern entrance & the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway). Complete directions can be found at the accompanying link. The physical address listed is the address to the headquarters, not the park itself. GPS is sometimes unreliable when navigating to our park.
Visitor Centers
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center is located at Mile 4.6 on Skyline Drive. Here, you will find restrooms, an information desk, exhibits, an orientation movie, a bookstore, publications, maps, backcountry permits, and first aid. Right across Skyline Drive from the visitor center you will find the popular Fox Hollow Trail trailhead. Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center
Byrd Visitor Center is located at Milepost 51 on Skyline Drive, right across from Big Meadows. Here, you will find restrooms, information desks, exhibits, ranger programs, video screenings, a book store, maps, backcountry permits, and first aid. The visitor center is located close to Big Meadows lodge, campgrounds, and dining facilities.
Weather
Shenandoah experiences four distinct seasons. Best known for its fall foliage, the park is also spectacular in spring when the wildflowers and trees are in full bloom. Summer brings lush greens and relief from the hot valleys. The park’s elevation encourages as much as a 10 degree temperature difference. In winter, this means that when surrounding lowlands are experiencing rain, the the park can be blanketed in snow and ice. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for varying weather.
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