Shenandoah National Park: A quick trip from the nation's capital

When it’s time to escape from the hustle and bustle of the Beltway, drive 75 miles south to the 200,000 protected acres of land that comprise Shenandoah National Park for some peace and quiet. Though the park was established in December 1935, its history goes back thousands, and even billions of years. According to the park’s website, the oldest rocks in the Blue Ridge Mountains were created over a billion years ago, and the first recorded people on the land that became the park date back about 8,000 to 9,000 years ago. In more recent history, President and Mrs. Herbert Hoover established their summer retreat within the park’s boundaries, and as recently as last year, more than 1.4 million people visited Shenandoah National Park.

Shenandoah National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but its Skyline Drive may be closed periodically due to bad weather, and nightly during deer hunting season (mid-November through early-January). Even when the drive is closed, visitors are still welcome to enter on foot.

Here are 10 ways to make the most of your visit to Shenandoah National Park, in no particular order:

1. Take a Drive: To make the most of your time in Shenandoah National Park, set aside at least three hours to drive all 105 miles of Skyline Drive, traveling north to south (or vice versa) along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Skyline Drive is the only public road that runs through the park. There are four points from which to enter the drive — Front Royal, Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap and Rockfish Gap — and 75 overlooks along the way to stop and admire the park’s beauty and grandeur. As noted above, Skyline Drive may be closed periodically due to bad weather, and nightly during deer hunting season (mid-November through early-January), so be sure to and check the park’s website for any road closures.

2. Go for a Hike: With more than 500 hiking trails criss-crossing the park, including just over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail, there are plenty of hiking opportunities for all abilities and timeframes. The park’s website helpfully details the most popular of the park’s hiking trails, including information such as Skyline Drive mile markers, descriptions of the trails, difficulty levels and distances. Old Rag Mountain is one of the park’s most popular hikes, but also one of the most challenging. Be sure that you’re ready before tacking this beast of a hike.

3. Go for a Ride: Bicycling is permitted within Shenandoah National Park, but only along Skyline Drive and paved areas; bicycling is not permitted on trails, unpaved roads, or grassy areas. That being said, Skyline Drive can be a busy road, with steep hills and blind curves, so be sure you’re comfortable in the saddle before setting off for a ride. Or, Ride the Drive — go bicycling when the park closes Skyline District’s north district on April 23, making it accessible only to bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Go Fish: Anglers will be delighted to learn that there are more than 70 mountain streams ripe for fishing in Shenandoah National Park, so bait up. Before casting a line, however, review the park’s fishing regulations and be sure to follow them; park rangers strictly enforce these regulations. For those wanting to learn to fly fish or go on a guided trip, check out the outfitters authorized to offer in-park fishing trips.

5. Go for a Climb: Another popular outdoor activity in the park is rock climbing, and the park’s terrain offers plenty of opportunities to go for a climb, whatever your level of expertise. Just as with fishing, the park has established guidelines to not only protect its resources, but help ensures climbers stay safe and on course. For an insider’s peek at the best climbing spots, or to learn the difference between belay and rappel, contact one of the local outfitters authorized to lead climbing excursions into the park.

6. Chase Waterfalls: Cascading waterfalls are found in each section of Shenandoah National Park, and all are accessible from Skyline Drive — it just depends on how much effort you want to put into seeing them. Overall Run Falls, the tallest of the park’s waterfalls at 93 feet, is accessible via a challenging 6.4-mile roundtrip hike. Your reward? Rock ledges to sit upon and gaze at the natural beauty before you. An easier, 3.4-mile roundtrip hike will lead you to the soothing Jones Run Falls.

7. Keep an Eye on the Sky:Birdwatching is a favorite past time of visitors to Shenandoah National Park, and its varying landscapes are year-round and migratory homes to more than 190 species. Of these, about half breed in the park, including 18 species of warblers, and about 30 species may be seen year-round. Focus your binoculars and keep an eye out for tufted titmice, red-tailed hawks, wild turkeys and barred owls, to name but a few. A complete list of birds that have been spotted within the park can be found here.

8. Watch for Wildlife: In addition to birds, plenty of wildlife make their homes in Shenandoah National Park too. From bears to butterflies, painted turtles to bass, more than 50 species of mammals, more than 50 amphibian and reptile species, and more than 35 fish species can be found within the park’s boundaries. Complete lists of wildlife that has been spotted can be found here.

9. Walk in Presidential Footsteps: As mentioned above, President and Mrs. Herbert Hoover established their summer retreat within Shenandoah National Park, and you can walk in their footsteps at their Rapidan Camp. Ranger-led tours are available to Rapidan Camp, at which time you’ll see the president’s cabin, called The Brown House, and an exhibit on the Hoovers’ lives, which is displayed in the Prime Minister’s Cabin. Reservations are required for the two-and-a-half-hour tour (search Rapidan Camp on recreation.gov).

10. Stay the Night: If you just can’t get enough of Shenandoah National Park, or really want to take your time exploring the park, make arrangements to stay a night, or even a few. Seasonal accommodations are available at Big Meadow Lodge (mile marker 51), Skyland (mile marker 41.7), Lewis Mountain Cabins (mile marker 57.5) and six primitive Potomac Appalachian Trail Club cabins. Otherwise, seasonal campgrounds, three of which are equipped for RVs, are available.

For more on Shenandoah National Park, and to help with trip planning, download the free Chimani app to your smart phone to easily navigate your way around the park.