Explore Skyline Drive In Winter
Details
Added by Christin Healey
No cars and totally peaceful walks complete with overlook after overlook on one of America's most scenic roads. Great for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing after a snowfall as well.
Skyline Drive is a winding highway that cuts straight through Shenandoah National Park. Being that we are in the south, you will find that the road is closed for the majority of the winter, and usually at the very mention of snow. The first few years of living here it was incredibly frustrating, then I realized that walking the road is one of the most scenic, peaceful hikes around. It's totally legal, and aside from a few other adventurous souls, you will have the entire park to yourself. Make sure to call ahead to find out about snow levels, as it can be much higher accumulation in the wintertime and you may need snowshoes or skis. You can park at any of these entry points: nps.gov/shen.
Know for
Nearby
🌎
Local adventures
Find hikes, backpacking, photo spots, and more around Front Royal.
🏕
Nearby lodging
Search campgrounds, glamping, and hotels near Front Royal.
Reviews
Leave a ReviewScouted it out last year, hoping for snow this winter!
Did some winter hiking up here this past year. I'm crossing my fingers for a big snowfall this winter so I can finally do some snowshoeing along skyline drive. When the road is closed, it truly feels like whole park is yours!
4.0
Frozen Falls
I visit Skyline year round but recently started coming in the winter. It's not uncommon to see frozen natural runoff along the side of the drive. Beautiful!
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.