Fees & Passes

Overview of entrance requirements

All visitors MUST have

Entrance Passes

Standard Entrance Pass

$15.00–$30.00

You are required to pay an entrance fee in order to access Shenandoah National Park, whether you're driving on Skyline Drive or hiking in from the boundary.

Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Vehicles must be private, noncommercial, and with a seating capacity of 15 or less.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Front Royal Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Swift Run Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Thornton Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Rockfish Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Old Rag Parking and Fee Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Whiteoak Canyon Falls Lower Trailhead

    Credit/Debit Only

Entry for one motorcycle and one passenger for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Front Royal Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Swift Run Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Thornton Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Rockfish Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Whiteoak Canyon Falls Lower Trailhead

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Old Rag Parking and Fee Station

    Credit/Debit Only

Entry for walk-up or bicycling visitors, when 16 years of age or older (children under 16 are admitted for free). Includes entering the Park by all means other than a private, non-commercial vehicle. A family traveling together shall pay no more than the vehicle fee.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Front Royal Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Swift Run Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Thornton Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Rockfish Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Old Rag Parking and Fee Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Whiteoak Canyon Falls Lower Trailhead

    Credit/Debit Only

For Organizations & Businesses

National Park Service regulations allow school groups and other approved national and international academic institutions to obtain a waiver of Park entrance fees, provided that visit is for educational or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities that the group intends to use, support those purposes. Request an academic fee waiver through the education section of our website.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Front Royal Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Swift Run Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Thornton Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Rockfish Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

More information

The total cost is calculated: $25 + $10 per passenger.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Front Royal Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Swift Run Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Thornton Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Rockfish Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 7-15 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Front Royal Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Swift Run Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Thornton Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Rockfish Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 16-25 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Front Royal Entrance

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Swift Run Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Thornton Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Rockfish Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 26 or more passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Front Royal Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Swift Run Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Thornton Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Rockfish Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

Fee is calculated per person for anyone 16 years of age or older (children under 16 are admitted for free). Groups will not be charged more than the equivalent commercial group fee.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Front Royal Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Swift Run Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Thornton Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Rockfish Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

Annual Entrance - Park

Annual Entrance - Park

$55.00
Provides unlimited entry for one year to the pass holder and passengers in the same vehicle, not to exceed 4 total adults. Children under 16 are admitted for free and are not included in this total. Purchase online or at any of our entrance stations.

In-person Purchase Locations

  • Front Royal Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Swift Run Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Thornton Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Rockfish Gap Entrance

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Old Rag Parking and Fee Station

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Whiteoak Canyon Falls Lower Trailhead

    Credit/Debit Only

  • Mathews Arm Campground

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Loft Mountain Campground

    Cash or Credit/Debit

  • Big Meadows Campground

    Credit/Debit Only

2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

 

Other Fees

Depending on your trip, you may need to pay for more than just your entrance to Shenandoah. 

Camping fees are separate from your entrance pass to Shenandoah National Park. Holders of Interagency Senior and Access passess are eligible for a 50% discount on their camping fee, but please be prepared to present your pass along with a photo ID. If reserving a site through Recreation.gov, your pass information must be provided at the time the reservation is made to receive the discount. Learn more about camping in Shenandoah.

From March 1 to November 30, visitors who wish to use trails in the Old Rag Area (Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails) will need to obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance, in addition to an entrance pass. Find out more information on our Old Rag day-use ticket FAQ page.
 
 

80 percent of the money collected from entrance fees is used for projects that directly benefit visitors. The remaining 20 percent goes to parks that do not charge fees to help them with visitor services. Shenandoah has used fees to rehabilitate historic structures, preserve the health of the forest, and to hire temporary staff who improve trails and lead ranger programs. If you look around the Park, you will see your fee dollars hard at work! Thank you for your support.

Last updated: January 17, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Shenandoah National Park
3655 U.S. Highway 211 East

Luray, VA 22835

Phone:

540 999-3500
Emergency Phone: 1-800-732-0911

Contact Us