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Madison, Virginia

Top Spots in and near Madison

  • Madison, Virginia

    Hike Bear Church Rock via the Graves Mill Trail

    3.5
    8.5 mi / 2250 ft gain
    Starting at the Graves Mill Parking area, head up the yellow blazed trail that is marked by a big cement marker. The trail will follow closely beside the gorgeous Rapidan River. Hike for half a mile until you come to the intersection of the Staunton River Trail. Turn left (do not cross the river)...
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  • Madison, Virginia

    Fly Fish on the Rapidan River

    5.0
    5 mi
    Park at the Graves Mill Parking Area. From here you can easily follow the Rapidan River up the mountain. Fishing reports inform that the lowest concentration of brookies are at the lower boundaries of the park so take some time to enjoy the trail and hike up stream. At the lower boundaries you mi...
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  • Syria, Virginia

    Fly Fish on the Robinson River

    5.0
    6 mi / 2000 ft gain
    There are two sections that you can fish on the Robinson River. The first section is about 15 minutes away from the trailhead of White Oak Canyon. The river is on the right side of the road and you can see where it has bee stocked from the white diamonds on the trees on the side of the road. This...
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  • Syria, Virginia

    Hike Cedar Run Falls Trail

    4.7
    2.6 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Cedar Run Falls is located in the central district of Shenandoah National Park.  This is a pretty waterfall that flows into a deep swimming hole.  There are two ways to get to the Cedar Run Waterfall: from the top of the mountain off of Skyline Drive and from the bottom of the mountain off of Wea...
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  • Syria, Virginia

    White Oak Canyon Cedar Run Loop

    4.0
    7.67 mi / 2257 ft gain
    This route combines Cedar Run Falls and White Oak Canyon Trail (one of the more popular hikes in SNP, with separate adventures detailing those hikes). Parking is easy, but gets very crowded due to the popularity of White Oak Canyon (WOC). When starting from the parking area/Shenandoah ranger stat...
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  • Elkton, Virginia

    Bearfence Mountain Loop

    4.8
    1.04 mi / 220 ft gain
    This is one of my favorite hikes in Shenandoah National Park for its views, easy access to the trail, and the option to combine it with a much further hike on the AT. There is also a really fun little rock scramble at the top that scares a lot of people away, but makes for a more secluded summit,...
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  • Elkton, Virginia

    Photograph The Point Overlook

    4.0
    The Point is the best overlook off of Skyline Drive to watch the sun set behind the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The Point Overlook is one of 72 overlooks for people to enjoy the beauty of Shenandoah National Park as they drive along Skyline Drive.  Skyline Drive is the road that winds through the hear...
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  • Stanley, Virginia

    Hike to Bear Church Rock via Bootens Gap

    3.5
    9.4 mi / 800 ft gain
    The trail leads along the ridge of Jones Mountain to the gorgeous views at Bear Church Rock, and it's the perfect hike for those seeking solitude - didn't see another soul the entire time on a holiday weekend.From the parking lot, head out left on the AT northbound. In .4 miles you will come to a...
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  • Stanley, Virginia

    Hike to Naked Creek Falls

    3.0
    1 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Please note that there is no trail leading to these falls.  This hike is for advanced hikers.Park your car at Naked Creek Overlook in Shenandoah National Park and walk through the field staying to the left. As you start to enter the woods you will hear the creek running on your left. Make your wa...
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  • Rapidan, Virginia

    Hike to Historical Rapidan Camp in Shenandoah National Park

    5.0
    4.5 mi / 890 ft gain
    For this hike park at the Milam Gap parking lot located at mile 52.8 on Skyline Drive. Once parked you will cross Skyline Drive to reach the trail.  Hikers will follow the blue blazes along the trail and creek. After you have crossed the creek twice you will come to a larger waterfall. At this po...
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  • Etlan, Virginia

    Old Rag Mountain Loop

    4.7
    8.95 mi / 2510 ft gain
    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 ...
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  • Etlan, Virginia

    Hike to the Summit of Mt. Robertson in Shenandoah NP

    9 mi / 2500 ft gain
    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 ...
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  • Stanley, Virginia

    Dark Hollow Falls

    4.6
    1.32 mi / 440 ft gain
    Catch the trailhead to these falls at mile 50.7 on Skyline Drive, just north of Big Meadows Lodge and Campground and the trailhead is just to the left of the parking lot. This is an easy 1.4 mile roundtrip hike, straight down to get to the falls, and straight up to arrive back at your car. Many...
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  • Luray, Virginia

    Upper Hawksbill Trail

    2.09 mi / 482 ft gain
    The trailhead has a small parking area at mile marker 46.7 on Skyline Drive, just past the Old Rag overlook (on the opposite side of the road) if you're driving south. The hike is a 2-mile out-and-back that takes you right to the summit. The first ~2/3 of it is relatively flat and very easy walk...
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  • Stanley, Virginia

    Big Meadows Loop

    4.7
    1 mi / 30 ft gain
    Big Meadows is home to many types of wildlife and is a great location to photograph many different types of animals. The best time to see the wildlife in the meadow is near dawn and dusk. White-tailed deer and a variety of local birds are the most common animals seen in the meadow, and because o...
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  • Stanley, Virginia

    Lewis Falls via Lewis Spring

    3.0
    1.71 mi / 607 ft gain
    Lewis Spring is the source of Hawksbill Creek which forms Lewis Falls (also known as Lewis Spring Falls) and eventually flows through the town of Luray and joins the Shenandoah River. The waterfall starts with 2 streams before hitting rock halfway down and fanning out. During dry seasons and summ...
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Camping and Lodging in Madison

Getaway Shenandoah
Stanardsville

Getaway Shenandoah

From $199 / night

Big Meadows
Stanley, Virginia

Big Meadows

Loft Mountain Campground
Crozet, Virginia

Loft Mountain Campground

Mathews Arm Campground
Rileyville, Virginia

Mathews Arm Campground

Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA Holiday
Broadway, Virginia

Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA Holiday

Dundo Group Campground
Grottoes, Virginia

Dundo Group Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Madison

4 Reasons Why You Should Photograph the Winter Night Sky

4 Reasons Why You Should Photograph the Winter Night Sky

Nick Palastro

Chasing Fall Colors in Shenandoah National Park

Chasing Fall Colors in Shenandoah National Park

Brandon Dewey

A Sunset You Won't Forget: Hawksbill Summit in Shenandoah National Park

A Sunset You Won't Forget: Hawksbill Summit in Shenandoah National Park

Demetrios Varoumas

5 Gorgeous Spring Hikes in Shenandoah National Park

5 Gorgeous Spring Hikes in Shenandoah National Park

Jess Fischer

A Gorgeous Summer Adventure at Doyles River Falls

A Gorgeous Summer Adventure at Doyles River Falls

Jeremy Meek