Shenandoah National Park Announces Winter Operations Schedule

Date: October 24, 2007

Shorter days and cooler nights remind us that the autumn travel season will come to an end, and signal the closing of facilities at Shenandoah National Park.  Superintendent Chas Cartwright announced today that facilities begin closing at the end of this month.

Visitor centers will be operated as follows: Dickey Ridge and Harry F. Byrd Visitor Centers will both remain open until November 25th.

Campgrounds will operate on the following schedule: Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain Campgrounds will close on October 28. Lewis Mountain Campground will close on November 4. Big Meadows Campground will remain open until November 25.

Concessioner-operated restaurants, lodges and associated facilities will operate as follows: Loft Mountain Campstore and Loft Mountain Showers/Laundry will close on October 28. Elkwallow Wayside, Big Meadows Lodge, Lewis Mountain Cabins, Lewis Mountain Campstore, and Loft Mountain Wayside will close on November 4. Skyland Resort, Big Meadows Wayside, and Big Meadows Showers/Laundry remain open until November 25.

This winter the following picnic areas will remain open year round, weather permitting: Elkwallow, Pinnacles, and South River Picnic Areas.  Lewis Mountain Picnic Area will close on November 4. The following picnic areas will close for the season on November 25: Dickey Ridge and Big Meadows.  Loft Mountain Picnic area remains closed. 

Skyline Drive is open year round; however, the Drive may be temporarily closed on short notice due to winter weather conditions.  During weather closures, park staff will work to open the North and Central Districts (from Front Royal to Route 33) first, followed by the South District (from Route 33 to Route 250).

For more information about planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park go to http://www.nps.gov/shen or call the park at [phone]