Shenandoah National Park is a hidden gem located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
With over 500 miles of hiking trails, scenic drives, and breathtaking views, this national park offers families an array of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed all year round.
Whether you’re looking to explore the great outdoors or want to learn about the natural beauty of the park, Shenandoah National Park has something for everyone.
Visiting Shanendoah National Park with Kids
Shenandoah is a place known for its breathtaking vistas, long drives, and important history.
In my experience, views and drives offer very fleeting engagement for kids.
My five big picture tips for visiting this park with children are:
- Visit with babies or toddlers. If you have kids under 5-years-old that will sleep through a very long car drive, strap them into the back, and let the adults enjoy the three-hour Skyline Drive tour.
- Take your kids when they are old enough to enjoy hikes. Although there are many short and easy hikes in this park, it may take effort to keep people enthusiastic about hopping in and out of the car for forest treks. It is predominantly a hiking and driving park. Teenagers may handle this the best.
- Let the Junior Ranger program be your guide. Even if your kids don’t often love these programs, at this park, the junior ranger book is probably the most engaging activity for kids. Grab it as soon as you can get to a visitor center, and wade deeply into its contents. Get the kids focused on a GOAL. If they are particularly tired from travel, you may even want to employ the evil strategy of bribery. “When you earn your badge, I will buy you ice cream.” Yes, I just said that.
- Limit your time in Shenandoah National Park. While we often suggest you spend several days in a park, the novelty of driving and hiking can wear off quickly with kids. Visit this park for a single day’s highlight tour, or your kids may grow weary.
- Enjoy this park as a portion of a longer trip to the Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. area. Shenandoah National Park is located near many wonderful sites that your family will enjoy.
Shenandoah is a magnificent park that deserves your time. The activities and programming options are just narrower for the “junior” crowd!
Activities in Shenandoah National Park
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center
This is the northern most visitor center in Shenandoah National Park. It is about four miles into the park for those who enter from the Front Royal Visitor Station.
At this location, families can view a handful of exhibits showcasing the forestry and wilderness of the area. For those who love large, topographic maps, you will find one on display here.
If this is your starting point, grab a Junior Ranger book, collect the itinerary of ranger-led programs, and check out the gift shop.
Make sure you take your snack and restroom breaks here because it will be a long way to the next visitor center restrooms!
Track Trail at the Fox Hollow Trail
Right across the street from the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, junior rangers-to-be can accomplish their first big hike on the Fox Hollow Trail. This is an easy trek at just over a mile.
We highly recommend you view the Track Trail website and print their companion brochure ahead of your trip.
Limberlost Trail is a Track Trail at mile #43. This 1.3 mile loop is also ADA accessible and level. To print your TRACK packet, visit their site HERE.
Blackrock Summit is another Track Trail that is in the southern portion of the park at mile #84. You can print the brochure for this short, one-mile here HERE.
This organization has worked hard to create engaging activities to keep your children learning and interested on their hiking journeys!
Drive the Skyline Drive
The centerpiece of Shenandoah National Park is the famous and breathtakingly beautiful Sklyline Drive. It meanders 105 miles from the northern tip of the park to the southern tip of the park.
Since Shenandoah National Park is fewer than 15 miles wide at any given point, this drive offers vistas covering most of its 197,000 acres.
This iconic drive takes about three hours to complete. There is one gas station along the way, and it is at the Byrd Visitor Center.
We suggest that you outline your Shenandoah adventure plan including many stops and diversions if you plan to drive this entire length with kids in tow.
Hike
Fortunately, for those who choose to drive Skyline with children, there are numerous easy hikes spurring right off of this main road.
Lands Run Falls is an easy, 3.8 mile round-trip hike located around mile 9. During wet times of year, you can see numerous waterfalls up to 80 feet tall!
One of the park’s most popular hikes, Old Rag Mountain, is a strenuous hike that may not be suitable for kids. Should you prefer to conquer this mountain, you need to secure day use passes to the area HERE.
Although some kids resist the invitation to hike, they may change their minds after 45 minutes of slow, windy driving! Who knows?
Shenandoah may actually become your kids’ favorite hiking park!
Harry Byrd Visitor Center
This is Shenandoah National Park’s most central visitor center. It is located at mile #51 of Skyline Drive.
Byrd Visitor Center features the park movie as well as extensive exhibits covering the region’s history. It is a must stop for families visiting the park.
Historic Exhibits
There are several historic sites and cabins for visitors to tour along Skyline Drive.
The Massanutten Lodge located around mile 41 offers a glimpse of cabin life.
Additionally, Rapidan Camp at mile 51 is the former summer home of President and First Lady Hoover.
Fishing
Visitors may enjoy fishing in the park’s many streams and waterways. A valid Virginia state fishing license is required for those over 16-years-old.
For more information about fishing regulations in Shenandoah National Park, click HERE.
Biking
Biking is a popular activity in Shenandoah National Park. Biking is only permitted on Skyline Drive and Rapidian Fire Road.
Single-file riding is required as are all state of Virginia biking laws. All types of bicycles are permitted including electric bikes.
There are many blind curves and other potential hazards along this heavily trafficked road, so it is essential that all riders are cautious.
Whitewater Rafting
While you cannot raft through the park, Shenandoah is a great jumping off point for some big, whitewater adventures! This is an absolute family-favorite, especially in the summer.
Consider booking a whitewater adventure to add onto your excellent, Blue Ridge vacation! Read more about the top outfitters and ways to prepare!
Do you have time for MORE?
If your vacation days aren’t full enough already, consider adding a trip to our nation’s capitol, Washington D.C.!
Within two hours from Shenandoah National Park you could be in the awe-inspiring presence of iconic monuments, museums, and, dare I say, RESTAURANTS!
Read everything you need to know about taking a family adventure through Washington D.C. Everyone loves a trip with both outdoor and indoor adventures, right?
Final Thoughts
Shenandoah National Park offers families an array of activities that can be enjoyed all year round. From hiking to scenic drives to historic sites, this jewel of Virgina is a must-visit for families who love our national parks.
So, pack your bags, grab your family, and head to Shenandoah National Park for an adventure you’ll never forget!
