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. To find out which of the four Shenandoah National Park entrances along Skyline Drive is closest to you, use the map at the bottom to plan your trip.
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:
Polo match at King Family Vineyards. photo credit: matthew brown
- 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:
The Blackburn Inn. photo credit: Chad Williams, @echadwilliams
- Iris Inn Bed & Breakfast—Waynesboro
- Afton Mountain Bed & Breakfast—Afton
- Foxfield Inn—Charlottesville
- The Blackburn Inn—Staunton
- The Inn at Sugar Hollow Farm—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:
Early Mountain Vineyards Patio
- CrossKeys Vineyards & Winery—Mount Crawford
- Stone Mountain Vineyards—Dyke
- Brothers Craft Brewing—Harrisonburg
- Early Mountain Vineyards—Madison
- Pale Fire Brewing Co.—Harrisonburg
- Potter’s Craft Cider—Free Union
Things to Do:
Massanutten Indoor/Outdoor Waterpark
- 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. photo credit: Jumping Rocks Photography, @JUMPINGROCKSPHOTO
- Griffin Tavern Restaurant—Flint Hill
- 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:
Luray Caverns
- Use your imagination and experience a prehistoric drive-thru 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:
L'Auberge provencale restaurant, photo credit: jumping rocks photography, @jumpingrocksphoto
- The Red Fox Inn & Tavern—Middleburg
- Girasole—The Plains
- The Restaurant at Goodstone—Middleburg
- L’auberge Provencale Restaurant—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:
bluestone vineyard & winery. photo credit: emily eby
- Explore the Skyline Caverns in Front Royal
- 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 Wine Trail
Stay At:
photo courtesy of salamander resort
- Red Fox Inn—Middleburg
- The Inn at Vaucluse Spring—Stephens City
- Salamander Resort & Spa—Middleburg
- The Ashby Inn & Restaurant—Paris
- Goodstone Inn and 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.
Got any more suggestions for things to do around the park entrances? Let us know and share any pictures through our social media channels using #FindYourPark and #LoveVA!