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  • Shenandoah National Park
  • Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

    Top Spots in and near Shenandoah National Park

    • 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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    • Charlottesville, Virginia

      Preddy Creek & Creekside Trail Loop

      4.3
      3.75 mi / 266 ft gain
      My husband is a runner and I am not. I hate to run and the entire time I am running I am exhausting myself thinking how much I hate running. However, I love hiking. I can hike all day and I can kick my runner husband's butt with a pack on going up a mountain trail. The problem with this though is...
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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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    • 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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    • 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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    • 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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    • Afton, Virginia

      Bikes & Brews on Route 151

      5.0
      This DIY bike & brews tour is perfect for combining a relaxing day with some activity. There are also wineries along this route if folks in your group want a break from the hops. You can start at any of the three breweries, but I would recommend this itinerary: Park at Blue Mountain Brewery ...
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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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    • Stanley, Virginia

      Camp at Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park

      4.4
      Visiting Shenandoah National Park for the first time can be quite overwhelming. The 109 mile long Skyline Drive, combined with over 500 miles of hiking trails, makes camping is a necessity if you truly want to experience Shenandoah.From the Appalachian thru-hiker to the RV'er, Big Meadows is perf...
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    • Stanley, Virginia

      Three Falls Hike

      8.3 mi / 2200 ft gain
      The Three Falls Hike in Shenandoah National Park will take you past three beautiful waterfalls all found within the central district of the park: Lewis Spring Falls, Dark Hollow Falls, and Rose River Falls. You are able to start the loop from any of the waterfalls’ trailheads, but I prefer to sta...
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    • Stanley, Virginia

      Hike to Rose River Falls

      4.5
      4 mi / 853 ft gain
      Rose River Falls is often overshadowed by it's more popular cousin, Dark Hollow Falls, as both hikes begin at the same trail head. But because Dark Hollow Falls is such a short and well known hike, it can get extremely crowded. It is also one of the few trails in Shenandoah where dogs are not al...
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    • Stanley, Virginia

      Hike the Rose River Falls to Dark Hollow Falls Loop

      5.0
      4 mi / 950 ft gain
      Parking at the trailhead is a few miles north of Big Meadows at the Fisher's Gap Overlook parking area. You will find much more solitude along this loop trail than if you were to park at the Dark Hollow Falls trailhead as the Dark Hollow Falls is much more popular. That makes being able to fin...
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    • Stanley, Virginia

      Backpack Rose River Loop

      5.0
      4 mi / 900 ft gain
      The trail can be found on Skyline Drive.  Though it is a little challenging to locate, you should park at  Fisher’s Gap Overlook (mile marker 49.4), and then walk over across the road and find the trail. You'll spot it by looking over the side of the road and then hiking down.  The Rose River Loo...
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    • Charlottesville, Virginia

      Hang Out At Riverview Park

      4.5
      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...
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