Elkton, Virginia

A few miles east of the town of Luray and just a couple miles outside of the Thorton Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park sits Lake Arrowhead Recreation Park. This small lake and park features fishing, swimming, picnic areas, and other recreational park type of activities. Use of the faciliti...

From the parking area at Turk Gap (MP 94.1), cross over the Skyline Drive.  The Appalachian Trail (AT) intersects right here, and take the AT south by taking the trail on the left.  After 0.2 miles you will turn right off of the AT onto the blue-blazed Turk Mountain Trail.  The trail junctions me...

Be prepared to deal with crowds, especially on the rock scrambles, which tend to cause a bottle neck on this trail in Shenandoah National Park. I would recommend starting out early on this loop hike, around 6 or 7 am to avoid the crowds. Definitely arrive no later than 9:30am, as the parking lot ...

This hike is one of the lesser known hikes in Shenandoah. While everyone else is headed to Old Rag, hikers will find themselves on a peaceful hike to the summit of Mt. Robertson. Hikers should park in the Old Rag Parking lot and make sure to pay the daily fee ($25). If you have a yearly pass, be ...

Located west of Washington D.C. off Interstate 81 (exit 269) Shenandoah Caverns is a nice little place tucked away in the Virginia country side. Upon arrival you will be able to park your vehicle for free in the lot right across the street. The building you want to enter is called "The Yellow Bar...

One of Shenandoah National Park’s 72 overlooks, Jewell Hollow is a great place for people to stop while they are traveling through the park along Skyline Drive.  Skyline Drive is the road that winds through the heart of Shenandoah National Park, starting at Front Royal in the north and ending at ...

Pinnacles Overlook in Shenandoah National Park is a southern facing overlook in the Central District that provides one of the best views of Old Rag.   Looking south over the Blue Ridge Mountains, this 3,320 foot overlook has a great view of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains as well as a valley th...

Mary’s Rock is just south of the Thornton Gap Entrance in Shenandoah National Park’s Central District. This write-up details the hike from the Meadow Spring Parking area, but there are alternate routes starting from the Panorama parking area (3.7 miles round trip), Jewell Hollow Overlook (6 mile...

The trail to Hazel Falls may not be the most "wow" trail in Shenandoah but it is well worth it to reach the beautiful gorge where Hazel River falls over big boulders.  You should park at the Meadow Spring parking lot at mile 33 on Skyline Drive. You will see the trail post to the right of the par...

This little lake close to Charlottesville is my favorite place for an after work kayak, SUP, or just picnic by the water. It's a 20min drive from town, and the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Blue Ridge with water views. No gasoline powered motors allowed, but anything else you can g...

Skyline Dive runs through the heart of Shenandoah National Park.  Consisting of 72 overlooks over 105 miles, Skyline Drive offers great views of the surrounding Blue Ride Mountains and valleys.  Hazel Mountain Overlook is located at mile marker 33 along Skyline Drive and is one of a handful of ov...

Buck Hollow Overlook is one of 72 beautiful overlooks that are on Skyline Drive.  Skyline Dive is the road that winds through the heart of Shenandoah National Park. Over 105 miles long, Skyline Drive offers great views of the surrounding Blue Ride Mountains and valleys while simultaneously offeri...

If you're driving south on Skyline Drive, park in the lot on the right side of Skyline Drive immediately after you cross Route 211/Thornton Gap entrance. If you're driving north on Skyline Drive, the lot will be on the left side immediately before the Thornton Gap entrance. The trailhead is at t...

From Luray, follow Bixler's Ferry Road until you cross the river. The road will then T, go to the right along South Page Valley Road. Follow this road for about 6.5 miles until you pass Shenandoah River Outfitters. Shortly after this it will turn into a gravel road. Drive along the gravel road fo...

Riverview park has tons of options for getting outside around Charlottesville, VA. Part of the Rivanna Trail runs through here, so if you are really ambitious, this trail goes around the entire city. There are paved trails right along the river, so you can choose your activity. Running, biking, a...

This hike is best done as a two-day, one-night backpacking trip, however it can be done as a day hike if you don't wish to backpack.Jeremy’s Run is a beautifully forested 10 mile roundtrip hike with numerous stream-crossing. The trailhead starts at the Elkwallow Picnic area, at about mile 24 of S...