Shenandoah National Park is a wildly scenic adventure that stretches over 100 miles with elevation eclipsing 3,600 ft. Shenandoah National Park has weather diverse from the lower valley, from lower humidity and temperatures to snow covered summits. It also hosts unique trail experiences from waterfalls, to rock scrambles to the Appalachian Trail.
Planning a day of adventure to Shenandoah National Park can feel overwhelming, from what to pack, the drive and logistics there still is the question of which hiking trail is best for your day. What makes a good day trip hike?
What to pack for a day hike experience in Shenandoah National Park
Planning a day of adventure to Shenandoah National Park can feel overwhelming, from what to pack, the drive and logistics there still is the question of which hiking trail is best for your day. What makes a good day trip hike?
- Consistent experience (regardless of weather, climate)
- Unique experience
- Well marked trails
- Trail distance of 10 miles or less.
What to pack for a day hike experience in Shenandoah National Park
- Water for your trail experience and additional water stored in a cooler in your car for the ride home.
- Bug Spray and Sunscreen
- Wear hiking shoes (Need help: Hiking Trail Shoe Guide)
- Trail Map : download or print out
- Buy a National Park Pass
- Food: Be prepared with the right nutrition for on and off the trail. (Need help: Trail Food)
|
Bearfence Mountain
Distance: 2.2 miles Trail Grade: Difficult (3) Park Location: Skyline Drive mile marker 56.4 What to know: Rock scramble , kids 8+ and no dogs allowed. About the trail: A short but impactful hike with a fun and manageable rock scramble and ample vista views. At 2.2 miles long, Bearfence is perfect to blend with other day hikes. |
|
|
Black Rock Summit
Distance: 1.1 miles Trail Grade: Easy (1) Park Location: Skyline Drive mile marker 84.4 What to know: Rock scramble , kids 6+ and no dogs allowed. About the trail: At the southern end of the park, this short but sweet trail brings easy to navigate trails, geologic history and bountiful summit views. About that summit, its truly unique to say the least. |
|
|
Bootens Gap
Distance: 9.4 miles Trail Grade: Strenuous (4) Park Location: Skyline Drive mile marker 55 What to know: Distance hike, rollercoaster, summit view, kids 12+ About this trail: A hidden gem that gets little publicity but really should. This backcountry adventure traverses Cat Knob, embraces groves of Mountain Laurel and culminates at Bear Church Rock granite summit view. |
|
|
Brown Gap Loop
Distance: 6.5 miles Trail Grade: Strenuous (4) Park Location: Skyline Drive mile marker 83 What to know: Waterfalls, Big forest, kids 10+ About this trail: Brown Gap is a meandering trail ripe with three waterfalls along its pathway. This loop trail carries with it beautiful forest tapestry of fauna, hardwood and lush canopy making this a wonderful summer journey. |
|
|
Bucks Hollow
Distance: 6.2 miles Trail Grade: Strenuous (4) Park Location: Route 211 outside the park entrance What to know: Lush forest, small waterfalls and babbling brooks, kids 12+ About this Trail: Bucks Hollow is a grinder, its a tough start with a steep ascent but complete the experience by tying in Mary's Rock trail for an amazing summit view. Bucks Hollow loop finishes with small waterfalls and water crossings. |
|
|
Furnace Mountain
Distance: 6.2 miles Trail Grade: Strenuous (4) Park Location: Skyline Drive mile marker 84.4 What to know: Joins with BlackRock Summit, rock scramble and limited space summit About this trail: Furnace Mountain brings a little bit of everything to your experience. It has multiple summits, geologic history and its final destination is a quiet small perch summit outcrop great for watching hawks. |
|
|
High Top Mountain
Distance: 3.1 miles Trail Grade: Difficult (3) Park Location: Skyline Drive mile marker 66 What to know: Summit view, kids 10+ About this trail: An easy one to navigate and enjoy. It's summit has some of the best views in the park, easily worth the 3 mile round trip. |
|
|
Little Devil Stairs
Distance: 5.3 miles Trail Grade: Strenuous (4) Park Location: Keyser Run Road (outside the park) What to know: Waterfalls, Creek Crossings and plenty of seclusion About this trail: Start at the bottom, enter a wonderous gorge of waterfalls and water crossings. Enjoy rock scrambles and bountiful seclusion. |
|
|
Mill Prong
Distance: 7.6 miles Trail Grade: Difficult (3) Park Location: Skyline Drive mile marker 52 What to know: Waterfalls, historic marker, plenty of seclusion, big forest feel About this trail: It won't work you but its a gradual burn, the trail captures a few waterfalls and even a historic setting where Presidents use to vacation. The spring time brings plenty of wildflowers , this trail is a nature lovers treat. |
|
|
Old Rag
Distance: 8.9 miles Trail Grade: Very Strenuous (5) Park Location: Route 707 Nethers Road (Outside the park) What to know: Reservation and park pass required. Is routinely the top hike for medical rescues. About this trail: Its iconic, as in its the cream of the crop of Shenandoah National Park. It has four summits, a mile long rock scramble and 360 degree views. It's that good. |
|
|
Overall Run Falls
Distance: 6.5 miles Trail Grade: Strenuous (4) Park Location: Skyline Drive mile marker 21 What to know: Waterfall , Kids 12+ About this trail: It can be deceiving to have all that downhill first. A woodland delight leads to perch views of SNP tallest waterfall. Simply breathtaking, the way back up takes the rest of your breath. |
|
