Shenandoah National Park
Hike, bike, or cruise the Skyline Drive and take in the historic natural beauty from its numerous overlooks in Shenandoah National Park.
“The mountains are calling and I must go…” – John Muir
Locals and visitors have felt that same pull for many, many years. There is something truly beautiful and settling about escaping to the mountains, something that can calm and restore a tired soul and fan the flame of exploration.
Over the years, people have been flocking to the Shenandoah National Park for respite from the everyday. Whether it be through a hike in the woods to take time away from the city and the crush and rush of routine and traffic or through a drive from gateway to gateway with stops at overlooks to enjoy the dotting of the houses in the valley and a respite at one of the restaurants for their seasonal blackberry cobbler. Encounter the wilderness and allow yourself to lose cell phone reception and cut yourself off of the constant dings of your email and social media for the soft crunch of leaves as the chipmunks scurry to collect nuts and the birds rustle the trees as they build their nest. Spend some time mingling and swapping stories with the other visitors as you listen to live music in one of the taprooms or peruse the works of local artisans in the gift shops along the Skyline Drive. Once you're done with all of that, get off the road and off foot and see the mountains on horseback. Each day provides new views, experiences, and natural beauty along the Blue Ridge Mountains and the stunning Shenandoah National Park.
Only 75 miles from Washington, DC and the Northern Virginia metro area, the park consists of over 500 miles of trails for hikers of every experience level from beginner all the way up to the ambitious Appalachian Trail hiker. With 196,000 acres of protected wilderness filled with deer, bears, and a variety of birds, the Skyline Drive – a National Scenic Byway – provides a stunning view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Valley, and beyond. Come stargaze away from the lights of the city or immerse yourself in the history of the mountains where the settlers called it home before 1935. Any way you choose, a visit or stay at Shenandoah National Park will be a one-of-a-kind experience.
