National Park Service · VA
Shenandoah National Park
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds, and black bear, there's so much to explore...and your journey begins right here!
Live · updated
Trails ranked today
Bearfence Mountain Trail
Short hike to a true greenstone rock scramble near Skyline Drive mile 56.4, using hands and feet over ancient lava boulders to reach a 360-degree summit view of the valley and Piedmont.
Upper Hawksbill Trail
Steady, shaded climb from Skyline Drive (mile 46.5) to the 4,051-ft summit of Hawksbill Mountain, the highest peak in Shenandoah, with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley.
Dark Hollow Falls Trail
Steep descent from Skyline Drive (mile 50.7) to Dark Hollow Falls, a 70-ft cascade dropping over basalt ledges; one of the park's closest and most popular waterfall hikes.
Stony Man Trail
Easy loop off the Appalachian Trail to the cliff-top summit of Stony Man (4,011 ft), Shenandoah's second-highest peak, with west-facing views over Luray and the Shenandoah Valley.
White Oak Canyon Trail
Descends White Oak Canyon past a series of six waterfalls (35-86 ft) with swimming holes, one of Shenandoah's most popular canyons; hiked to the upper falls from Skyline Drive or up from the lower boundary trailhead.
Big Devils Stairs
Climbs to an overlook on the east rim of the Big Devils Stairs gorge with the creek cascading far below; often combined with the Bluff Trail and Appalachian Trail as a loop in the north district.
Old Rag Fire Road
Gravel fire road on the Berry Hollow side of Old Rag Mountain; with Berry Hollow Road and the Saddle Trail it forms the gentler, non-scramble route to Old Rag's 3,284-ft summit.
Rose River Fire Road
Gravel fire road dropping from Fishers Gap on Skyline Drive; it forms part of the popular Rose River Falls loop, which passes the 67-ft Rose River Falls and its cascades.
Riprap Trail
Rugged South District route through Riprap Hollow past Chimney Rock and Calvary Rock overlooks to a streamside swimming hole; usually hiked as a ~9.8-mile loop with Wildcat Ridge and the Appalachian Trail.
Park advisories
Effective May 4, Shenandoah National Park will begin infrastructure enhancements at the Old Rag Trailhead main parking lot. We expect to complete work by November 2026. Until then, the main parking lot is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Visitors can access Old Rag Trailhead via existing overflow parking lots. Day-use tickets are still required from March 1 through November 30 in addition to a park entrance fee.
On July 1, 2025, the park transitioned to a fully cashless system at our fee entrance stations. Only credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments will be accepted.
Visitors are reminded to park in designated parking areas when accessing the park via boundary trailheads. Parking in unauthorized locations may result in your vehicle being towed at the owner's expense. Park on the right side of the road approaching Thompson Hollow. Parking is authorized up to the "No Parking" sign before a private driveway.
Sign up for Shenandoah Alerts by texting SHENALERTS to 888777. Any time there are closures, re-openings, or other important safety-related alerts, subscribers will receive a notification via text. You may unsubscribe at any time.
March 1 - November 30 those wishing to hike Old Rag are required to obtain a day-use ticket before arriving.
About this park
Agency
National Park Service.
Official site
Coordinates
38.4924, -78.4691
Trails covered
9 curated routes at this park.