People can explore Shenandoah in different ways, even on a short visit. Hikers, campers, horseback riders, drivers-all will experience this natural world from a different vantage point. So too will those who prefer to fish, or participate in a ranger program, or attend a special event.
DrivingSkyline Drive is not just a road through the park; it is a way to experience it. Drivers will pass rock cliffs, and vistas, and probably deer and other wildlife; they will drive through tunnels of trees, past wildflowers and ferns, and (in late spring) by banks of mountain laurel in bloom. 75 overlooks offer a place to stop and absorb the view and the peace. The 35-miles-per-hour speed limit allows drivers the opportunity to truly enjoy the ride and helps to ensure the safety of wildlife along the road.
Hiking
Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Many trails are accessed from Skyline Drive. Some short trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint; longer and more difficult trails penetrate deep into the forest and wilderness. The Limberlost Trail, through a stand of ancient hemlocks, is accessible, with a crushed greenstone walkway and numerous benches.Fishing
The mountain streams of Shenandoah National Park are inhabited by a variety of species of fishes and these pristine waters provide some of the best protected strongholds for native eastern brook trout. Recreational fishing regulations have changed significantly in order to ensure effective protection and management of fisheries resources in the park. These recent changes eliminate many of the differences that have existed between Virginia fish regulations and park regulations. In order to provide protection for gamefish populations and enhance angling opportunities, Park Rangers strictly enforce regulations. If you see someone violating the regulations, please tell a ranger or call (800) 732-0911. Thank you and happy fishing!
Backcountry Camping
Most of Shenandoah National Park, including its wilderness, is open to backcountry camping. Special regulations for backcountry camping are intended to keep campers and the park in the best possible condition.
A free permit is required for backcountry camping.
- Free permit available by mail from Park Headquarters. Write: Superintendent, Attn: Backcountry Camping Permit, US Highway 211 East, Luray, VA, 22835.
- Or call, (540) 999-3500, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST.
- Permits are also available in the park at visitor centers, entrance stations, and headquarters. At the park, permits will be issued only between sunrise and one hour before sunset.
Prepare well. Bring a backcountry stove or no-cook food. Campfires are not permitted except at a limited number of pre-constructed fireplaces at backcountry huts and day-use shelters. Bring enough rope to hang food, toothpaste, soap, and other items that smell, at least ten feet up and 4 feet out from the trunk of a tree. Maximum group size is 10 people. Plan to camp out of sight of the trail, other camping parties, and day-use shelters. Pets are permitted, but must be leashed at all times. Shenandoah National Park is home to large populations of black bears and other animals that can be attracted by poor camping habits.
Leave No Trace in Shenandoah National Park:
Leave No Trace is a national program which promotes the protection of our nation''s wildlands through education, research, and partnerships. Leave No Trace teaches minimum-impact hiking and camping skills and wildland ethics and builds awareness, appreciation, and respect for our public recreation places.
Leave No Trace is simple. At its heart it is a set of 7 principles which can be applied in any natural setting to minimize human impacts on the environment. Listed below are the 7 principles of Leave No Trace with ways to apply these principles in Shenandoah National Park. Whether you are hiking and camping in the park''s wilderness or driving Skyline Drive for an afternoon, following Leave No Trace principles will help protect the park and preserve the park experience for you and for future visitors.The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare - Planning ahead for your visit to the park is the first step in helpingpreserve the park and your experience here. Know and follow park regulations. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces - Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rocks, gravel, and grasses. Stay on trails to keep from trampling fragile vegetation. Avoid shortcutting trails; shortcuts create new trails and increase trail erosion.
- Dispose of Waste Properly - Keep the park clean! Pack it in; pack it out. Pack out all trash and food scraps from backcountry/wilderness areas. When backpacking, deposit solid human waste in a hole at least 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet from water, camp, and park trails.
- Leave What You Find - All plants, animals, rocks, and artifacts are protected in Shenandoah National Park. Preserve the sense of discovery for others by leaving all natural and cultural artifacts as you find them. Take pictures, write poetry, or sketch to help you remember what you discover here.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts - Use a camp stove for cooking. It is lightweight and provides fast, clean cooking. If you wish to build a fire, do so only where fire is allowed and use existing fire rings. Build fires with dead and downed wood and never leave a fire unattended. Avoid burning trash and food scraps - animals are attracted to the smell of these items.
- Respect Wildlife - Shenandoah is home to many animals, and we are visitors to their home. Carry binoculars and observe wildlife from a distance. If an animal changes its behavior because of your presence, you are too close. Wild animals find plenty of their natural food in the park; human food does not give them the proper nutrients to survive the winter, so keep animals healthy by not feeding them.
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors - People visit Shenandoah for different reasons. Preserve the park experience for all visitors by showing courtesy towards others. Excessive noise, unleashed pets, and damaged surroundings take away from everyone''s experience. Preserve a sense of solitude by hiking in small groups. Keep noise levels down when hiking and camping. Observe "quiet hours" in park campgrounds.
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