Over Memorial Day Weekend a few years ago, we visited Shenandoah National Park. It was great going into a trip with no expectations. We didn’t talk to anyone who had visited and were just open to exploring a little bit. We rented a house just south of the park and planned on taking Skyline Drive from the northern entrance all the way through the park on our first day. Even if you only have a half day, taking this drive is a must-do.
After exploring as many of the 51 overlooks as possible and getting up close and personal with some of the park’s residents, we plotted our hikes and visited some of the other attractions in the area. A weekend in Shenandoah National Park is perfect for a good introduction.
How to Spend a Weekend in Shenandoah National Park
Cruise Along Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive travels 105 miles through the center of Shenandoah National Park. It makes this park an incredible road trip opportunity. Pack snacks, download a good playlist, and make the drive. The Appalachian Trail follows nearby, so there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy hikes along the way.
Stretch your Legs at the Blackrock Summit Hike
Blackrock Summit is an easy 1-mile loop leading to a west-facing view of the mountains. You’ll find quite a few people on the trails, but the summit has lots of angles, and it’s easy to get photos and take a few minutes to enjoy the quiet beauty. Click here for the AllTrails map. It’s a great way to get a leg stretch in and enjoy some views.
Hightop Mountain Hike
Our second hike of the day was more challenging and less busy—and a lot better, in my opinion. We wanted an east-facing view, so we chose the Hightop Mountain Hike. This is a longer loop (5.6 miles) with more elevation gain (1480 ft), but the view and the quiet trails are worth every drop of sweat. This hike has a small parking area, but we had no problem finding a spot. It’s definitely a lesser-known hike in the park. There are 2 vistas at the top. The first is beautiful, but then you get to the second, and it’s breathtaking.
Check Out Shenandoah Caverns
The Shenandoah Caverns aren’t in the park, but they are close enough to add them to your weekend itinerary. Take a guided tour of the caves for $32 for adults. The tours are available 364 days a year, only closed on Christmas Day. You’ll get to explore about a mile of underground trails, and the tour lasts 60 minutes. This is especially great if you get a rainy day. We took the chance to escape the hottest part of the day, but the weather and temps never change underground.
Hike at Crabtree Falls
I don’t ever turn down a waterfall hike. Near Wintergreen, you can find an incredible three-mile loop trail to Crabtree Falls. You’ll follow the stream the entire time up to the viewpoint and enjoy many little falls on the way down. It’s a perfect pairing with the viewpoint hikes off of Skyline Drive. Here is the information on the trail.
Catch a Sunrise
I will never forget this stunning sunrise that we caught on our last morning. There was a viewpoint near our rental house, and we grabbed coffee and made it there to watch the sky light up. Vacation sunrises are one of my favorite treats and if you can get out of bed early enough, you likely won’t regret it.
Enjoy Some Local Wine, Cider or Beers
Exploring nearby cideries, breweries, and wineries. Blue Toad was our favorite for cider, and Devil’s Backbone was great for beer (and they have a beautiful outdoor space.) This part of the country has great local spots to stop for a post-hike cold one.
Tips to Plan Your Weekend in Shenandoah
When we visited, we stayed in the Wintergreen Resort area. There are quite a few rental houses you can choose from in this area, and it’s close to a lot of the fun things in town. Check out the options in Wintergreen here.
Make sure to get up and go early because parking can be an issue – especially on some of the more popular hikes.
Having a car is essential in Shenandoah. There are no shuttle buses, so you’ll need to be able to drive yourself. Rent a car from a nearby city or take a nice long road trip to this part of the country. We drove from New York City, and it was easier and quicker than we had imagined.
Check our full list of road trip essentials and pack your car so you’re prepared for anything.
Enjoy your travels! Pin this for your next trip.
