Things to Do Near the 4 Shenandoah National Park Entrances

We may be biased, but we think Virginia’s parks are some of the most awe-inspiring in the entire country. One of our favorites? Shenandoah National Park. It is only a little over 100 miles long, but in that narrow strip of Virginia wilderness, you’ll discover abundant examples of Virginia wildlife, nature, and magnificent mountain views.

Shenandoah National Park has plenty of outdoor activities for visitors in the way of hiking trails, biking parts of Skyline Drive, and traversing the waterways that wind through the park, but there are many destinations right outside the park’s four entrances that add to the beauty and excitement of the area.

We asked Virginia Visitor Centers in the surrounding areas what they suggested for additional entertainment dining, and lodging options. Here are just a few of the hundreds of activities and destinations to keep your Shenandoah National Park trip packed with fun activities, whether you come for a day or a week. 

ROCKFISH GAP ENTRANCE

The Skyline Drive Rockfish Gap entrance is located near the intersection of I-64 and U.S. 250. There are many towns and cities within a short drive of the entrance, including Crozet, Charlottesville, Waynesboro, Afton, and Staunton.

Eat At:

• The River Burger Bar—Waynesboro
• Benny Stivale’s—Waynesboro
• The Green Leaf Grill—Waynesboro
• C&O Restaurant—Charlottesville
• Mill Street Grill—Staunton
• Crozet Pizza—Crozet
• Citizen Burger Bar—Charlottesville
• Zynodoa—Staunton
• Public Fish & Oyster—Charlottesville

Wineries & Breweries:

• Basic City Beer Co.—Waynesboro
• Stable Craft Brewing—Waynesboro
• Afton Mountain Vineyards—Afton
• Blue Mountain Brewery—Afton
• Veritas Vineyards and Winery—Afton
• Pollak Vineyard—Greenwood
• King Family Vineyards—Crozet
• Starr Hill Brewery—Crozet
• Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards—North Garden

Things to Do:

• Wintergreen Resort (Spa, golfing, hiking, tennis, dining, and lodging, all in one place)
• Visit Monticello and learn about Virginia’s unique history and heritage
• Tour the gorgeous and historic University of Virginia grounds
• Take kids to visit Highland, James Monroe's original property
• Go for a swim, take the boat out, or learn how to fly fish on Lake Monocan, part of Wintergreen Resort
• Attend a polo match on Sundays at King Family Vineyards
• Step back in time at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton to see how Virginia’s earliest settlers lived
• Pick up some fresh produce at the Nelson County Farmers Market in Nellysford

Stay At:

• Iris Inn Bed & Breakfast—Waynesboro
• Afton Mountain Bed & Breakfast—Afton
• Foxfield Inn—Charlottesville
• The Blackburn Inn—Staunton
• The Inn at Sugar Hollow—Crozet

SWIFT RUN GAP ENTRANCE

Moving North from the Rockfish Gap Entrance, the next entry point for the park is the Swift Run Gap Entrance at U.S. 33. This entrance is closest to places like Stanardsville, Elkton, Shenandoah, and Harrisonburg.

Eat At:

• Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza—Harrisonburg
• The Lafayette Inn Restaurant—Stanardsville
• Magpie Diner—Harrisonburg

Wineries & Breweries:

• CrossKeys Vineyards—Mount Crawford
• Stone Mountain Vineyards—Dyke
• Feel the Rain Brothers Brew Co.—Harrisonburg
• Early Mountain Vineyards—Madison
• Pale Fire Brewing Co.—Harrisonburg
• Potter’s Craft Cider—Free Union

Things to Do:

• Take a few memorable pictures at the Harrisonburg LOVEworks installation
• Play a round of miniature golf or practice your swing at the driving range at Mulligan’s Golf Center in Harrisonburg
• Slide, swim, and goof off at Massanutten Indoor/Outdoor Waterpark in McGaheysville

Stay At:

• Hotel Madison—Harrisonburg
• Massanutten Resort—McGaheysville

THORNTON GAP ENTRANCE

Continuing North, you’ll get to the Thornton Gap at the intersection of Skyline Drive and U.S. 211. The entrance is close to towns like Luray, Washington, Sperryville, and New Market.

Eat At:

• Houndstooth—Huntly
• Element—Front Royal
• The Inn at Little Washington—Washington

Wineries & Breweries:

• Gadino Cellars—Washington
• Woodstock Brewhouse—Woodstock
• Little Washington Winery & Vineyards—Washington
• Copper Fox Distillery—Sperryville
• Wisteria Farm & Vineyard—Stanley
• Hopkins Ordinary Ale Works—Sperryville

Things to Do:

• Use your imagination and experience a prehistoric park at White Post’s Dinosaur Land
• Get a close-up look at the geological process in Luray Caverns or Shenandoah Caverns
• See how they make your favorite snacks at the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory in Mount Jackson
• Rent ATVs, Jet Skis, and canoes and discover the beautiful wilderness at Appalachian Adventures

Stay At:

• Hopkins Ordinary Bed and Breakfast—Sperryville
• Middleton Inn Bed and Breakfast—Washington
• The Mimslyn Inn—Luray
• Foster Harris House—Washington
• Skyland—Luray
• The Inn at Little Washington—Washington

FRONT ROYAL ENTRANCE

The furthest North entrance, the Front Royal Entrance intersects with U.S. 340 a few miles south of I-66. Only a little over an hour and a half from Washington, D.C. and the Northern Virginia Metro areas, the entrance is nearest to Front Royal, Linden, Winchester, and Middleburg.

Eat At:

• The Red Fox Inn & Tavern—Middleburg
• Girasole—The Plains
• Goodstone—Middleburg
• La Table Provençale—Boyce
• Main Street Mill Restaurant—Front Royal
• The Apple House—Linden

Wineries & Breweries:

• Fox Meadow Winery—Linden
• Chester Gap Cellars—Front Royal
• Backroom Brewery—Middletown
• Linden Vineyards—Linden
• Winchester Ciderworks—Winchester

Things to Do:

• Explore the Skyline Caverns in Front Royal
• Discover striking works of art at Melissa Ichiuji Studio Gallery on Main Street
• Play golf at Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club, Front Royal Golf Club, or the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, all in scenic Front Royal
• Ride Horses at Meadowbrook Farm Equestrian Center in Huntly.
• Pack a picnic from Market Salamander in Middleburg and eat in nature.
• Make a few pit stops along the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail

Stay At:

• Red Fox Inn—Middleburg
• The Inn at Vaucluse Spring—Stephens City
• Salamander Resort & Spa—Middleburg
• The Ashby Inn & Restaurant—Paris
• Goodstone Inn & Restaurant—Middleburg
• Waypoint House Bed & Breakfast—Berryville

If you plan to drive from end to end, it takes about 3 hours total to drive the entire length of the park on a clear day. In addition to hiking, you can fill the rest of your time in Shenandoah National Park with a few of these suggestions to ensure you get the most out of your getaway.