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Shenandoah National Park Introduction
Shenandoah National Park includes 300 square miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southern Appalachians. The park rises above the Virginia Piedmont to its east and the Shenandoah Valley to its west. Two peaks, Stony Man and Hawksbill, exceed 4,000 feet. The range of elevation, slopes and aspects, rocks and soils, precipitation, and latitude create a mix of habitats.
Most of Shenandoah’s landscape is forested, with hardwood forests dominant. An interesting side effect of the process of photosynthesis, green plants create an air-born water that from a distance creates a faint haze giving the Blue Ridge Mountains their name.
Shenandoah National Park is just 75 miles from the bustle of our nation’s capital, yet tens of thousands of living creatures make their homes in the park, from black bears to tiny aquatic insects darting through cool mountain streams. Traveling from one of the four entrances to the next exit takes about an hour. Along the way you will see the beautiful vistas Shenandoah is known for
Outdoor Activities
Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails. Over 30% of the trails are in designated wilderness. 101 miles are part of the Appalachian Trail.
Other Details
Shenandoah National Park is always open. However, portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the park, are periodically closed during inclement weather and at night during deer hunting season.
Shenandoah National Park
3655 U.S. Highway 211 East
Luray, VA 22835
Information Line: (540) 999-3500
Location
United States
38° 32' 6.9936" N, 78° 24' 53.7012" W
