Copyright: National Park Service
Shenandoah National Park
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Description
- Shenandoah National Park encompasses 196,466.19 acres along a beautiful section of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blue Ridge lies within the Appalachian Mountains between Pennsylvania and Georgia. A highlight of the park is Skyline Drive, which stretches over 100 miles north/south through the park. This scenic drive winds through hardwood forests along the crest of of the Blue Ridge Mountains providing numerous vistas of the surrounding landscape. Shenandoah is also known for its popular trails. During the 1930's the Civilian Conservation Corps built and impressive network of facilities and trails. There are over 500 miles of trails, seven picnic areas, four major campgrounds and two visitor centers.
Recreation - Park recreation opportunities include: hiking (over 500 miles of hiking trails), backpacking, bike touring, wildlife and wildflower photography, scenic driving, viewing exhibits and fishing. Climate - The mountains in Shenandoah National Park are usually ten degrees cooler than the valley below, but provide pleasant summer weather for outdoor activities. Summer afternoon showers are the norm and weather changes quickly. Winters can be severe with snow and ice. Layered clothing is recommended throughout the year to ensure comfort with any forecast. Location -
The Park lies in northwestern Virginia along the Blue Ridge Mountains between the Shenandoah River, to the west, and the Piedmont country, to the east. The site is approximately 75 miles west of Washington, D.C. between Front Royal in the north and Waynesboro in the south. LAT: 38.5006808 LONG: -78.4497294
Directions from : Skyline Drive travels the entire length of Shenandoah National Park. Mile markers are placed along the right-hand side of the road heading south. They are numbered from north to south beginning at the northern terminus in Front Royal, Virginia. Facilities, trails and park features use the mile markers as points of reference. At mile 81.1, park in the Doyles River parking area where you will find a large trailhead with directions.
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