Shenandoah National Park and Scenic Skyline Drive

The Shenandoah National Park is located in the great state of Virginia and encompasses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One of the major draws to the National Park is the scenic Skyline Drive that passes through 8 Virginian counties, for a total of 105 miles. The Shenandoah River runs to the west and to the east you'll find the Virginia Piedmont areas. It was established as a national park in December, 26th, 1935.

One of the best times to visit the park is during the fall season to see some of the prettiest fall foliage on the east coast. We've driven through Skyline Drive twice during the past 10 years and found that mid to late October was a great time to go. Of course, that will depend on the weather and the fall foliage outlook for that particular year. If you plan on visiting during the peak of the fall foliage season, you'll want to monitor the weather before your trip.

Another big draw to the park is the Appalachian Trail which runs through the park for 101 miles. In total, there are over 500 miles of walking & hiking trails within the park for visitors to enjoy. Some of the trails are great for beginners, while other's are more appropriate for experienced hikers. You'll find camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, etc. within the park, along with some of the best waterfalls on the east coast.

The highest peak is Hawksbill Mountain at 4,051 feet. Several of the photographs that we're featuring in our travel blog post were taken while at Hawksbill and nearby. Along Skyline Drive you'll find designated areas where you can pull off to the side of the road and get out to take photographs and to stretch your legs. We saw people pulling off in non-designated areas, but frankly, I don't recommend doing that. When traveling, safety comes first.

All animals within the park are protected by law. This means that you can't feed them, hunt them or try to touch them. If you're camping within the park, the "Leave No Trace" rule applies. In addition, all food & beverages needs to be secured in bear-proof bags and/or containers. You're not permitted to make campfires and you must clean-up your campsite before leaving. Please keep our National Parks clean for future generations to enjoy. There are several campgrounds and lodges for you to enjoy if you're looking for overnight accommodations.

If you're a fan of waterfalls, you'll find many of them within the park. The most popular waterfalls to visit are: South River Falls, Lewis Falls, Overall Run (the tallest), Rose River, Cedar Run, Dark Hollow Falls, Jones Run Falls and Doyles River Falls. Some are fairly easy hikes and other's are more difficult to get to.

You can learn more about Shenandoah National Park and the Scenic Skyline Drive by visiting their official website online and by connecting with them over on Facebook for the most current up-to-dates and news.