Park of China
Overview
| Designation | US National Park |
| Location | Virginia, USA |
| Latitude, longitude | 38.8, -78.3 Google Maps |
| Nearby sites | Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Independence Hall, Moravian Church Settlements |
| Highlights | Mountain ridges, forests |
| Top sights | Skyline Drive, spring flowers, autumn leaves |
| Wildlife | Black bears |
| Area | 196,000 acres |
| Highest point | 4,051 ft |
| Nearby cities | Washington, DC |
| Themes | Mountain, River, Forest, Small Waterfall, Wildlife, Scenic drives, Hiking & climbing, Autumn colours, Viewpoints & photography |
About
Shenandoah National Park is in northern Virginia, about 70 miles west of Washington, DC.
The park runs along the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 100 miles from north to south.
Skyline Drive runs along the ridge through the whole park.
From Shenandoah you can drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 469 miles along the ridges, all the way to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Visitor map
Travel tips
Getting there: The park is about 120 km west of Washington, D.C., 1.5 to 2 hours by car; the nearest major airport is Washington Dulles International.
Entrances: Skyline Drive is 105 miles (169 km) long, running from Front Royal, Virginia, in the north to Rockfish Gap in the south, with two more entrances at Thornton Gap and Swift Run Gap.
Driving: The speed limit is about 35 mph (56 km/h), and the full drive takes about 3 hours; there are over seventy overlooks, and black bears and deer are often seen by the road.
Trails: Around Big Meadows the trails are easier, Dark Hollow Falls and Stony Man are short, and Old Rag is a well-known loop with rock scrambling, for which a day-use ticket is now required.
Season: Spring brings wildflowers and fresh green, and autumn colour peaks around mid-October, with crowds at weekends; in winter ice and snow close parts of Skyline Drive.
Time: A day allows the whole drive and one or two short walks; two days is more relaxed.
Where to stay: Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge are in the park, and there are campgrounds; outside it, Front Royal and Luray have hotels.
Caution: The Appalachian Trail runs through the park for about 100 miles. Keep your distance from black bears and do not leave food outside the car.
Map
