IMPORTANT NOTE: Avoid the lines at the entrance stations and purchase your entrance fee in advance at Recreation.gov. Scroll down for link.
The historic 105-mile Skyline Drive, a National Scenic Byway, traverses Shenandoah National Park, a beautiful, historic national treasure.
The Park varies in width from less than one mile to about thirteen miles, so that views from peaks and overlooks include not only the Blue Ridge itself, but also the patchwork of woods, farmlands and orchards on either side.
Wildlife includes the white-tailed deer, black bear, raccoons, opossum, skunk, birds, red and gray fox, beaver, river otter, mink, weasel, woodchuck, rabbit, squirrel and chipmunks. With as many as 200 species of local and migratory birds, viewing opportunities at Shenandoah are good to excellent.
Campsites are available. More modern accommodations are available along Skyline Drive at Skyland (mile 41.7 and 42.5) and Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51.2) with full service restaurants and planned activities. Lewis Mountain Cabins (mile 57.5) offers comfortable rooms with a covered patio, picnic table and fire pit grill for cooking your own food.