Shenandoah National Park - Oct 2024

"The mountains are calling and I must go." -- John Muir

"Shenandoah National Park is lovely. It is possibly the most wonderful national park I

have ever been in, and, considering the impossible and conflicting demands put on it, it is extremely well run. Almost at once it became my favorite part of the Appalachian Trail." -- Bill Bryson

Did you know, Shenandoah means Beautiful Daughters of the Stars.

Last week, we took a 5-day trip to Shenandoah National Park (NP) listening to an amazing 'GuideAlong' tour while traveling the 105-mile Skyline Drive, stopping by 2 visitor centers, relaxing in 3 national park campgrounds, indulging in 4 Shenandoah NP's restaurant meals, participating in 4 Ranger-led events, mastering (LOL) 5 scenic hikes, and embracing the scenery at ~6 overlooks along the way!!! What an inspirational fall trip.

Day 1 - Departed home and after a precarious drive, entered the north side of the NP, and stopped at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center for our NP stamp and cancelation, passed by a number of overlooks and arrived at Matthews Arm Campground for the night. Set up and took our first hike - Overall Run - a 5-mile hike from the campground, with an elevation gain of 943 ft. Then, relaxed with a nice Jack-grilled meal and drinks, followed-by a fiddle-playing Ranger, who gave us an overview of the area and the music.

Day 2 - We woke up, had a nice oatmeal and coffee/tea breakfast, departed the campground, and hiked three trails -- Mary's Rock (2.85 mi/966 ft gain), Stony Man (1.8 mi/322 ft gain), and Upper Hawksbill (3 mi/819 ft gain) -- before stopping by Skyland's Pollock Dining Room for a great lunch and then heading to Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center and Big Meadows Campground. We set up camp and enjoyed a fabulous meal at the Big Meadows Lodge Spottswood Dining Room.

Day 3 - awoke early and hit the trail from our campground to see stunning falls via a 6.5mi/ 1,508 ft gain hike to Dark Hollow and Rose River falls. After a long hike, we delighted in a longish hot shower, grabbed a bite and drank local wine and beer at the Big Meadows Lodge New Market Taproom, followed by an overview of the park by one of its rangers.

Day 4 - after three days hikes, we decided that it was time to relax, slept in, packed up camp and took a ranger-led Meadow walk, and then were entertained by a ranger-led bear overview. Unfortunately, we did not see any bears, but the deer were eveywhere - nearly entering our RV. Before we departed the Big Meadows area, we were starving, and ate lunch at the Big Meadows Wayside grill. I'm not a big burger person, but wow!!! I had an amazing burger with pimento cheese and Jack enjoyed one with swiss -- so good! Then, back on Skyline Drive until we arrived at Loft Mountain Campground, for a chilly evening and amazing dinner under the stars.

5 Tips

1. Invest in the GuideAlong tours for the national parks — it is well worth it!

2. If you are self sufficient and dont require hook-ups, stay in Shenandoah National Park campgrounds — they have clean bathrooms and showers, and in close proximity to many of the hiking trails.

3. Definitely take time to partake/listen to Ranger-led events - they are free and provide lots of information.

4. When in Shenandoah NP - stop by the Restaurants, they are reasonable and well worth it!

5. If you are looking for fall colors, you may want to wait until later in October --of course, that all depends on how dry and/or wet the summer was, and how cold the nights are in early October.