Virginia is for Lovers

  • Welcome

    Welcome

    • About Virginia
    • Welcome Centers
    • VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS
    • Accessible Travel
    • International Visitors
    • Weather
    • Transportation
    • Related Links
    • Weddings In Virginia
    • LGBT Travel
    • Virginia Green Travel
    • VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS SHOP

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Things To Do

    Things To Do

    • Family Fun
    • Historic Sites
    • Eat & Drink
    • Outdoors
    • THEME PARKS & WATERPARKS
    • Zoos & Aquariums
    • Music
    • BEACHES
    • State Parks
    • National Parks
    • CAVERNS
    • Golf
    • SPAS
    • SHOPPING
    • MUSEUMS
    • Arts & Culture
    • LOVEworks
    • Filmed in Virginia

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Events

    Events

    • ARTS & CRAFTS
    • CIVIL WAR
    • CULINARY
    • FAMILY FUN
    • FESTIVALS
    • HISTORY & HERITAGE
    • MUSIC FESTIVALS
    • PERFORMANCES
    • SPORTING
    • WINE FESTIVALS

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Places To Stay

    Places To Stay

    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • COTTAGES & CABINS
    • INNS
    • RESORTS
    • PET FRIENDLY
    • CAMPING
    • HOTELS & MOTELS
    • LODGES & GUEST RANCHES
    • Vacation Homes & Rentals
    • VIRGINIA GREEN

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Deals

    Deals

    • DEALS & DISCOUNTS
    • FALL PACKAGES
    • FAMILY FUN PACKAGES
    • FOOD AND WINE PACKAGES
    • HISTORY DEALS
    • SPRING PACKAGES
    • MILITARY DISCOUNTS
    • ROMANCE PACKAGES
    • TRAVEL PACKAGES

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Store
  • Maps

    Maps

    • Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia - Blue Ridge Highlands
    • Central Virginia
    • Chesapeake Bay
    • Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore
    • Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads
    • Southwest Virginia - Heart of Appalachia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Virginia Mountains

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Accessible Travel

Scenic Skyline Drive

Virginia's Skyline Drive is a National Scenic Byway that runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains starting in the north of the Shenandoah Valley at Front Royal to Waynesboro, where it meets the Blue Ridge Parkway. Skyline Drive is Shenandoah National Park’s linear conduit, with 75 overlooks connecting travelers to all the major visitor centers, campgrounds, lodges, picnic areas and most trailheads. Concrete posts numbered every mile keep you apprised of your whereabouts. The Drive is a worthy destination in its own right.  

Fall is the most popular time to travel along Skyline Drive, with its colorful foliage from late September to mid-November. But spring offers the most colorful wildflowers along the drive, as well as blooming azaleas and mountain laurel.

Front Royal to Thornton Gap

Hogback Overlook

Driving Distance: 31.5 miles

This most northerly section, winding through the park’s North District, rises from the town of Front Royal. Climb to historic Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, milepost 4.6 of Skyline Drive, once a dining hall with a stellar view. After orienting, consider walking the Fox Hollow Interpretive Trail, visiting old homesites. Next, stop at Hogback Overlook, milepost 20.8, the longest overlook in the park. Views stretch wide to match the overlook. Walk to Piney River Falls from milepost 22.1.

Overnight at Mathews Arm Campground, milepost 22.2, and make numerous hikes directly from your campsite. Grab some ice cream during the warm season from Elkwallow Wayside, milepost 24.0, or enjoy your own meal at the adjacent picnic area. Don’t miss the view from Thornton Hollow Overlook, milepost 27.6, before rolling into Thornton Gap.

Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap

Mary's Rock Tunnel

Driving distance: 34 miles

The Central District, from Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap, is the land of superlatives – highest park elevation, highest point on Skyline Drive, most land mass, two lodges, two campgrounds, historic cabins, trails galore and two visitor centers. Some would argue the best views, too. Start your view-fest from both road and trail by hiking to Mary’s Rock from Meadow Spring parking area, milepost 33.5.  Mary’s Rock has 360-degree vistas from an outcrop and is my favorite lookout in the entire park. Pinnacles Overlook, milepost 35.1, presents auto-accessible views and a nearby picnic area. You can’t go wrong overnighting at Skyland Lodge, milepost 41.7, and combining it with a hike to Stony Man, highest spot on the Appalachian Trail in the park. Speaking of high points, it is a ritual to head to Hawksbill, the park’s highest peak, from milepost 46.7. At the peak you will find an embedded directional indicator, pointing out all the sights you will see from this lofty height.

The next must-stop is Big Meadows, milepost 51.0, where deer are often spotted. Big Meadows includes a lodge, campground, visitor center, dining and picnicking. Explore the displays here; this visitor center is a great place to stop and learn about the park and plan your next moves. Big Meadows Campground is the park’s highest at 3,500 feet. Load up with goodies at the camp store, or hit the lodge dining hall. Nearby waterfall walks include Dark Hollow Falls, Rose River Falls and Lewis Spring Falls.

Visit the site of the first presidential retreat from Milam Gap, milepost 52.8, Rapidan Camp, where Herbert Hoover trout fished and entertained world leaders. View Big Rock Falls on the way to Rapidan Camp. Agile teens and adults will have fun navigating the boulders of the Bearfence Mountain Rock Scramble, milepost 56.4. Enjoy great views, too. Consider renting a cabin or pitching your tent at smallish Lewis Mountain Campground, milepost 57.5. It offers a more serene experience than does Big Meadows Campground. Finally, visit 83-foot South River Falls from the South River Picnic Area, milepost 62.8.   

Swift Run Gap to Rockfish Gap

Doyles River Falls

Driving Distance 40 miles

The South District holds claim to the longest and most quiet section of Skyline Drive. It is also long on wilderness and less on developed facilities. Known for its extensive rock formations, talus slopes, and outcrops, the South District reveals the most untamed side of the park, highlighted by the trails of the Big Run area. Interestingly, despite being a very rocky area, the area also has the park’s biggest stream in Big Run, plus other aquatic destinations such as Doyles River and Moormans River. The primary developed area is at Loft Mountain, with a camp store and the largest campground in the park. Dundo Picnic Area and group camp is the only other developed facility in the South District.

Overlooks are plentiful from this segment of Skyline Drive. Heading south from Swift Run Gap, you can see the geologically revealing peaks from the Rocky Mount Overlook, milepost 71.2, where boulder fields, known as talus slopes, are exposed. Another geological show is revealed at Rockytop Overlook, milepost 78.1. The Loft Mountain area is found at mile 79.5, where you can get supplies, books and souvenirs at the camp store. A side road takes you to appealing Loft Mountain Campground that also offers showers. 

Bag three major waterfalls on one loop hike from Browns Gap, milepost 83.0 – two on Doyles River and one on Jones Run. Browns Gap is also a jumping off point for exploring the wilds of Big Run, with cool clear pools for a summertime dip. The park narrows heading south, limiting opportunities. However, a short walk to Chimney Rock from Riprap parking area, mile 90.0, will put an exclamation point on your Skyline Drive experience. 

Entrances to Skyline Drive:

Front Royal at Rt. 66 & 340. The Dickey Ridge Visitor Center has maps and information about Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park
Thornton Gap at Rt. 211 - See Marys Rock Tunnel near this entrance.
Swift Run Gap at Rt. 33
Rockfish Gap at Rt. 64 - this is also the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Speed Limit: 35 mph - various animals might walk down the middle or cross the road.  

Where to Stay:

  • Big Meadows Lodge
  • Skyland
  • SNP Camping
  • Lodging in Front Royal
  • Lodging in Luray
  • Lodging in Waynesboro
  • Lodging in Elkton
 

Where to Dine:

  • Skyland's Pollock Dining Room 
  • Big Meadows Lodge Restaurant
  • Dining in Front Royal
  • Dining in Luray
  • Dining in Waynesboro
  • Dining in Elkton
 

More Information:

  • Blue Ridge Parkway
  • Virginia's Birding & Wildlife Trails
  • Afton and the Great Outdoors
  • Scenic Front Royal Getaway
  • Hiking in Shenandoah National Park
 

SV16021603V_008.JPG

Winter in Virginia

  • Mountain Resorts

    Cabin Rentals

    Skiing

    Ice Skating

    Whale Watching

    Winter Hikes

    Luxury Retreats
Virginia is for Lovers Trucker Hat

Shop with us for merchandise and gifts

Shop Virginia

We Need Your Feedback

Take our Survey

Travel Updates

Success! Get ready to start receiving Virginia.org travel updates.

Find out why Virginia is for Lovers. You’ll get monthly travel inspiration, insider tips, and itineraries to help you plan your best Virginia vacation yet. Plus exclusive offers, deals, packages and more! Sign up for Virginia is for Lovers Emails now!

There’s always more to LOVE in Virginia. Please select any topic that interests you!

About Va
  • Virginia Travel Blog
  • Welcome Centers
  • Cities & Localities
  • Transportation
  • Virginia Is For Lovers
Contact Us
  • Media/Press Room
  • Send Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Travel Industry
  • Travel Guide Order
Travel
  • Group Planners
  • Sports Marketers
  • Meetings Professionals
  • Virginia Green Travel
  • Accessible Travel
Additional Links
  • Virginia Is For Lovers Store
  • Add/Update Your Listings
  • Website Survey
  • Site Map
  • Virginia is for Lovers
  • DiscoverAmerica.com
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • France
  • Germany
  • England
  • Korea
  • China
  • Japan

Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia ● © 2020 Virginia Tourism Corporation, 901 E. Cary St., Suite 900, Richmond, VA 23219
For Virginia citizen and business services visit www.Virginia.gov. ● Virginia Economic Development Partnership visit www.VEDP.org.