National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Shenandoah National ParkSunlight rays make their way through the forest and light up Front Royal Cemetery in Shenandoah National Park
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Shenandoah National Park
Two to Four Night One Way Trips for Beginners
 
Three or more Night Trips for Beginners
Nights Miles Trip Title Description Route Type Entry
3 23.00 Hawksbill to Swift Run via Laurel Prong Mountains (highest peak), streams, waterfalls, Rapidan Camp historic site one way MP 45.6
4 33.00 AT: Swift Run Gap to Wildcat Ridge Mountaintop trek along the AT with excellent views one way MP 65.5
4 33.00 AT: Swift Run Gap to Wildcat Ridge - Cabin Trip Mountaintop trek along the AT with excellent views; also a good winter trip one way MP 65.5
 

*Road and trail conditions, boundary access and natural events such as wildfires or ice storms could close any trail at any time. Please have a back-up plan in mind if your particular route is inaccessible when you arrive.

*Number of Days - The top of each trip plan records the number of days for which the trip is specifically written. However, many trips have longer or shorter options at the end of the trip plan, under "options".

*Distance is always in miles.

*Entry Point – Shenandoah National Park has trailheads along Skyline Drive, intersecting roads, and the boundary. “MP” indicates a Skyline Drive milepost. The Skyline Drive has mileposts every mile along the drive, starting with 0 at Front Royal, proceeding to 105 at Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro. “Rt” refers to a State Route number. While a few of these State Routes have highway signs directing you to a trailhead, the vast majority of the boundary trailheads have no signs. You will need a good map in order to find most route numbers and trailheads. Finally, “US” refers to a US Highway, if a trailhead is directly off of a US Highway (for example, Pass Mountain Trail on US 211). Click here to find more information on State Route and US Highway boundary trailheads.

*Districts - N is North District, between Front Royal and US Highway 211 at Thornton Gap; C is Central District between US 211 at Thornton Gap and US 33 at Swift Run Gap; S is South District, between US 33 at Swift Run Gap and US 250 at Rockfish Gap; A is all districts.

Two deer stand in the tall grass in Big Meadows.  

Did You Know?
The first visitors to Shenandoah National Park during the 1930s and early 40s rarely saw deer. They were gradually restocked from four other states.

Last Updated: June 11, 2007 at 15:00 EST