A Weekend in Shenandoah National Park: Old Rag, Skyline Drive & Luray Caverns

Last October, Tricia and I headed out on another national park adventure! We had explored Acadia National Park together the previous fall, so it felt only right to keep our October tradition going. This time, we traded Maine’s rocky coastline for Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and a weekend in Shenandoah National Park.

We drove from Columbus, Ohio, ready for fall scenery, hiking, and a little time away from everyday life. Shenandoah delivered all three—and a few sore muscles, some crowded trails, and a rainy-day change of plans for good measure.

We spent two days exploring the park and a third visiting nearby Luray Caverns. Was it enough time to see everything? Absolutely not. Did we manage to fit a lot into one weekend? We certainly tried!

If you’re planning a Shenandoah National Park weekend itinerary of your own, here’s how we spent ours, including the hikes, Skyline Drive stops, nearby attractions, and a few things I’d save for another visit.

Day 1: Hiking the Old Rag Circuit in Shenandoah National Park

We kicked off our Shenandoah adventure with Old Rag, which is apparently a perfectly reasonable way to spend your first day of vacation if you enjoy climbing over giant boulders and questioning your life choices.

Old Rag is one of Shenandoah’s most famous hikes, and it’s easy to see why. The full circuit is about 9.4 miles long, with roughly 2,500 feet of elevation gain. Between the uphill climb, rocky terrain, and extensive rock scramble, it’s a challenging hike—but also one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.

The Old Rag rock scramble: Bring your climbing skills (and maybe longer legs)

We arrived around 10 a.m. on Friday and checked in for our hike. Old Rag, which is described at strenuous on the National Park website, requires a separate day-use ticket during the reservation season, so make sure you arrange that before your visit.

The first couple of miles were mostly an uphill climb through the forest. It was a workout, but the trail was fairly straightforward compared with what was waiting for us. And it was lovely!

As we climbed higher, we started seeing more rocks and boulders along the way, until we finally reached the famous rock scramble. That’s when things got really interesting!

I’m only 5’2″, and some of those rocks were clearly designed for people with a much longer reach. There were places where I had to figure out how to get myself up and over a boulder that seemed perfectly happy to keep me on the other side. Sometimes that meant tossing my backpack ahead of me and then hauling myself up after it. Very graceful, I’m sure! Luckily the blue blazes were all over to give us the reassurance that we were doing the correct thing.

There were also some deep crevices to navigate, and at one point, we had to lower ourselves down a section that was around 10 feet. It was definitely a hike that required more than simply putting one foot in front of the other.

The scramble was challenging and occasionally intimidating, but it was also a lot of fun. You really have to pay attention to where you’re putting your hands and feet, and there were moments when I had to stop and work out the best way forward. If you’re shorter like me, be prepared to get creative!

The Old Rag summit

At one point, we reached what many now refer to as the fake overlook. We could see some scenery, and the views were great. We especially loved the large boulder. But that’s about the time someone told us that the real summit was still further along, and that we still had some scrambling to do.

After some more scrambling we found a large boulder with a view and took a break to eat a snack and enjoy the scenery. The leaves were beginning to change for fall, although we weren’t quite there for peak foliage. Even so, the mountain views were beautiful, and it was a great place to sit for a bit after all that climbing.

Eventually, we reached the real overlook, and that was the moment we’d been working toward. Of course, we took plenty of pictures. After putting in that much work to get there, you’d better believe we were documenting the experience! It was definitely a popular spot for taking pics and getting some rock scrambling in.

The Old Rag hike back down

The hike wasn’t over just because we’d made it through the scramble. We still had the return journey, which took us along the fire road.

And let me tell you: that fire road is LONG.

After hours of climbing, scrambling, and maneuvering around boulders, the long walk back, while full of beautiful scenery, felt never-ending. By the time we finished the hike around 4 p.m., I was ready to be done. However, we still had about a 10-minute walk from the trailhead and the primary parking to our secondary parking up the road. That final stretch felt especially brutal.

All told, we spent about six hours on Old Rag. It was challenging, occasionally intimidating, and absolutely memorable—and I’m glad we tackled it.

Know Before You Hike Old Rag

Before you lace up your hiking boots and head out to tackle Old Rag, there are a few things you should know!

• You need a separate day-use ticket. During the seasonal reservation period, March 1 through November 30, hikers need an Old Rag day-use ticket in addition to the park entrance fee. Check the official Shenandoah National Park website for current requirements and reservations.
• Give yourself plenty of time. The full circuit is approximately 9.4 miles, with around 2,500 feet of elevation gain. We spent about six hours on the hike, from roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Don’t forget to factor in time for the walk between the parking area and trailhead, too!
• Prepare for the rock scramble. This isn’t just a walk up a mountain. You’ll need to climb over and between large boulders, and some sections require you to use your hands. If you’re shorter like me, certain obstacles can be especially tricky! We read that bringing gloves would be helpful, and in hindsight I have to agree!
• Bring water, snacks, and sturdy hiking shoes. This is a strenuous hike, and you’ll appreciate having food and water for the long climb and return journey. We stopped for a snack at the overlook, which was a welcome break.
• Don’t forget the return trip. After the rock scramble, the fire road back is long. And when you think you’re finished, you may still have a walk from the parking area to the trailhead. Trust me, that last stretch can feel much longer after six hours of hiking!

Old Rag is an incredible hike, but it’s one to prepare for rather than underestimate. With a little planning—and a willingness to get your hands dirty—it can be a highlight of your Shenandoah National Park trip just like it was for us during our weekend there!

Day 2: Exploring Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park

After our big hiking day, we spent the next day exploring Skyline Drive, the scenic road that runs for 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park.

GuideAlong audio guide

We entered at Front Royal, the northern entrance, and used a GuideAlong audio tour we had downloaded to learn more about the park as we drove. We’ve used the GuideAlong app with other trips. And I used it during my trip to Death Valley National Park just a few months ago- I can’t even recommend it enough. The guide gives so much helpful information about the sites and suggestions on what to see and what to skip. It’s such a great addition to a road trip! While we didn’t cover the entire length of Skyline Drive, we did explore the majority of the road. And honestly, between the hikes, the views, and the stops we made, we had plenty to keep us busy.

Fox Hollow Trail and the history of Shenandoah

One of our first stops after starting on Skyline Drive after entering at Front Royal was to hike Fox Hollow Trail, located across from the Dickey visitor center. Fox Hollow is a short loop—about 1.2 miles. The hike takes visitors through an area where people once lived and farmed.

Along the trail, you can see remnants of the area’s past, including stones that made up the homestead of the Fox family. Also along the trip hikers will pass a cemetery that offers a reminder that this landscape was once home to local families.

The dark past of Shenandoah National Park

It’s worth understanding the difficult history behind Shenandoah National Park. I didn’t know much about it prior to visit and Tricia and I even listened to a book about it while we were on our trip. For those who aren’t aware, creating the park meant displacing hundreds of people who had lived in the mountains. Intersecting with of a eugenics movement during the 1930s, families lost homes, farms, and communities as the land was acquired for the park. Walking past the cemetery made that history feel a little less abstract: these weren’t just names from a history book; these were people who had built lives here. While the scenery at Shenandoah is beautiful, the history is an important part of the story, too.

A little walk on the Appalachian Trail

This is a popular spot for people hiking along the Appalachian Trail as there is a small store where they can buy supplies. And since we were so close to the AT, we had to take advantage and take a tiny walk in it! It wasn’t exactly a major backpacking accomplishment, but we could now say we’d hiked part of the AT!

Sometimes the little things count, right? The Appalachian Trail stretches for thousands of miles from Georgia to Maine, so our brief stroll was a very small contribution to that total. Still, it was fun to step onto such a famous trail during our visit.

Skyline Drive overlooks and mountain views

One of the best things about Skyline Drive is that you don’t need to complete a strenuous hike to enjoy Shenandoah’s scenery. The road stretches for 105 miles through the park, with 76 scenic overlooks where you can pull over, take pictures, and admire the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Mary’s Rock Tunnel

We stopped at several overlooks along the way, including Tunnel Parking Overlook near Marys Rock Tunnel. Marys Rock Tunnel is the only tunnel on the Skyline Drive. Completed in 1932, the roughly 670-foot tunnel was blasted through solid granite by Civilian Conservation Corps workers. Building a tunnel allowed engineers to preserve the mountainside rather than carve a massive cut through the ridge. It was also part of a bigger vision: Skyline Drive was designed to make the Blue Ridge Mountains accessible to people traveling by car. This helped turn Shenandoah into a major destination for outdoor recreation. The road was an immediate hit, and by 1937, Shenandoah had become the first national park to welcome one million visitors in a single year. We stopped at the nearby Tunnel Parking Overlook to take in the views.

October was a lovely time to drive the park, although the leaves were only beginning to change during our visit. I can imagine how gorgeous the views would be at peak fall color!

More scenic overlooks

If you’re planning your own Skyline Drive adventure, here are a few overlooks worth adding to your itinerary.

• Shenandoah Valley Overlook (Milepost 2.8): Near the northern entrance at Front Royal, this is an early opportunity to take in views across the Shenandoah Valley as you begin your drive.
• Range View Overlook (around Milepost 17): A lovely spot for looking across the Blue Ridge Mountains and admiring the layers of ridgelines stretching into the distance.
• Hogback Overlook (Milepost 20.8): One of the longer overlooks along Skyline Drive, with sweeping views of the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains.
• Hazel Mountain Overlook (around Milepost 33): A scenic stop in the northern-to-central stretch of the drive, especially appealing when the fall foliage starts changing.
• Pinnacles Overlook (around Milepost 35): A scenic stop near several hiking opportunities, making it a good one to pair with a trail if you have extra time.

These are just a handful of the 76 overlooks, so don’t feel like you need to stop at every single one. Pick the ones that catch your eye, leave time for spontaneous photo stops, and enjoy the drive. With so many views along the way, you might find yourself saying, “Okay, just one more!” more than once.

Shenandoah’s visitor centers

Also an important part for us when we visit national parks is checking out the visitor centers. Shenandoah Mariah park has two and we stopped at both: Dickey Ridge Visitor Center in the north and Harry F. Byrd Sr. Visitor Center farther south. These are useful places to pick up maps, ask rangers questions, and learn more about the park. We also love to get our national park books stamped and grab a few souvenirs.

Shenandoah Lodges

We visited both Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge, too. We weren’t staying at either lodge, but it was nice to explore them and get a feel for the different areas of the park. Both offer places to grab a meal, relax, and enjoy the mountain scenery, so they’re worth a stop even if you’re camping or staying outside Shenandoah.

Skyland Lodge

Skyland Lodge has a long history as a mountain retreat, dating back to the late 1800s, before Shenandoah National Park was even established. Perched high along Skyline Drive, it became a popular escape for people looking to trade city life for cooler mountain air and views of the Shenandoah Valley. Today, you can still stop at the Pollock Dining Room for a meal, browse the gift shop, or grab a drink at the Mountain Taproom. It’s also a good base for exploring nearby trails and viewpoints.

Skyland Lodge offers several different lodging options, depending on the kind of stay you’re looking for. You can choose from traditional rooms, upgraded premium rooms, preferred rooms, suites, or even detached cabins tucked among the wooded areas. Some of the cabins have multiple rooms, while a few are standalone units with a sitting room and kitchenette, making them a nice option for families or anyone wanting a little more space. The accommodations are spread across 28 buildings on more than 27 acres, so it feels more like a mountain retreat than a single hotel. There are also pet-friendly options if you want to bring your four-legged travel companion along.

Big Mountain Lodge

Another lodge is the Big Mountain Lodge. Built in 1939, the historic lodge has a rustic mountain feel, with stone walls and wood-paneled interiors. One of its highlights is the Great Room, where visitors can settle in and relax after a day on the trails. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down to relax, warm up by the fireplace, and enjoy the views of the valley from the balcony terraces.

There are several options if you’re hungry, too. The Spottswood Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located downstairs, the New Market Taproom offers drinks, beer, local wine, and a more casual menu. We stopped at the taproom for a beer, which was a nice excuse to sit down for a bit after a day of exploring.

Rooming options at Big Meadows

Big Meadows Lodge also offers a range of overnight accommodations. You can book a room in the main lodge, stay in one of the traditional or preferred rooms in nearby buildings, or opt for a detached cabin. The cabins have their own private entrances and wood-burning fireplaces, giving you a little more of a tucked-away mountain retreat while keeping you within walking distance of the main lodge.

Even if you don’t plan to stay overnight, I’d recommend stopping by to explore the lodge, grab a bite or a drink. It’s such a nice addition to a weekend adventure in Shenandoah National Park. Just make sure to check seasonal opening dates before your visit, since the lodge and its dining options aren’t open year-round.

Hiking Dark Hollow Falls

We also made time for Dark Hollow Falls, one of Shenandoah’s popular waterfall hikes. The hike is relatively short—about 1.4 miles round trip—but don’t let the mileage fool you. The trail descends toward the waterfall, which means you have to climb back up on the way out. The path is rocky and steep in places, and it can be a bit of a workout.

The trail was crowded when we visited, with lots of families making their way down. Progress was slow in places, especially when people were trying to navigate the steeper sections. We eventually made it to the waterfall along with hoards of others. When you visit, just remember- what goes down must go back up, the return trip was pretty difficult.

About Dark Hollows Falls

Dark Hollow Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park, dropping about 70 feet over a series of rocky ledges and cascades. Interestingly, the rocks beneath the waterfall formed from ancient lava flows hundreds of millions of years ago! The falls have been attracting visitors for a long time, too, with accounts of picnickers making the trip back in the 1880s, long before Shenandoah became a national park.

The waterfall area was so busy that we didn’t linger long. I would have loved to spend more time enjoying the falls, but sometimes you have to accept that you won’t have a peaceful, private moment with nature when you visit a popular spot. This is especially true during a fall weekend when it’s even more busy with people who are drawn to Shenandoah National Park to see the fall colors. However, even with the crowds, it was nice to see another part of Shenandoah’s landscape.

Other Best Hikes in Shenandoah National Park

Old Rag and Dark Hollow Falls gave us a taste of Shenandoah’s hiking trails, but there are plenty of other hikes worth considering. We only had two days in the park, so naturally, I came away with a list of things I still want to do next time!

Here are a few popular Shenandoah National Park hikes to consider when planning your own visit.

Stony Man Trail

• Distance: About 1.6 miles round trip
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Why hike it: Stony Man is one of the park’s classic viewpoint hikes, with beautiful views of the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains. It’s a great option if you want a rewarding overlook without committing to a long, strenuous hike.

Hawksbill Summit

• Distance: Approximately 1.7 miles round trip via the Upper Hawksbill Trail
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Why hike it: Hawksbill is the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, making it a popular choice for panoramic mountain views. There are multiple routes to the summit, so check the trail details before choosing your path.

Bearfence Mountain Trail

• Distance: About 1.4 miles round trip
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, depending on the route and your comfort with scrambling
• Why hike it: Bearfence is known for its rocky scramble and sweeping views. If you enjoyed the hands-on climbing at Old Rag, this could be another fun challenge—although it’s worth knowing that the scramble can be tricky for some hikers.

Whiteoak Canyon Falls

• Distance: Varies by route; shorter waterfall hikes are possible, while longer routes cover several miles
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, depending on how far you go
• Why hike it: Whiteoak Canyon is famous for its waterfalls and forest scenery. The trail involves elevation changes, so remember that every downhill section you hike toward the falls will mean climbing back up later!

Rose River Loop

• Distance: About 4 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Why hike it: This loop combines forest trails, stream scenery, and a waterfall. It’s a good option if you want a longer hike that offers more than a single viewpoint.

My advice: Don’t try to squeeze all these hikes into a single weekend! Choose a few based on your fitness level, interests, and how much time you have. And always check the National Park Service’s current trail information, closures, and reservation requirements before setting out.

Rapidan Camp

Did you know that there is a former presidential retreat located in Shenandoah National Park? Rapidan Camp was the retreat of Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover during Hoover’s presidency, from 1929 to 1933. It would be an interesting stop for anyone who enjoys presidential history, especially because it offers a glimpse into a quieter side of life at the White House. Visits are generally offered through ranger-guided tours, and advance reservations may be required. We didn’t make it there this time, so I’m adding it to the list for another Shenandoah visit.

Where to Stay When Visiting Shenandoah National Park

During our weekend at Shenandoah National Park we couldn’t find a room at either of the lodges (they book fast- so plan ahead!). Instead, we stayed in an Airbnb in Edinburg, Virginia. It was a bit of a drive to reach the park, but it worked well as a home base for our trip.

Here are some other options for lodging around Shenandoah, depending on your budget and how close you want to be to the trails.

• Front Royal: A convenient option for exploring the northern entrance to Shenandoah National Park and the northern end of Skyline Drive.
• Luray: A good base if you want to combine time in the park with a visit to Luray Caverns and other nearby attractions.
• Campgrounds: Shenandoah also has campgrounds for visitors who prefer to sleep outdoors. Check current opening dates, reservations, and facilities before your trip.

For our itinerary, Edinburg worked out fine. However, if I were planning a trip focused on getting an early start for several hikes, I’d compare lodging options closer to the park entrances.

Know Before You Visit Shenandoah National Park

A few practical details can make a Shenandoah trip much easier to plan.

Park entrance fees: Shenandoah charges an entrance fee of $30 per car. It covers the entrance fee for the driver and all occupants and is good for 7 consecutive days. Alternatively (and my favorite option) is to invest in an America the Beautiful pass, which for $80 allows admission to all the National Parks and many other sites for a year. You can purchase either pass at the park entrance. Have the annual pass did allow us to enter the park even quicker the weekend we visited Shenandoah National Park- there were two long queues of cars waiting to enter and pay and a third lane for people who already had a pass.

Old Rag reservations: Old Rag is popular, and a day-use ticket is required during the designated seasonal period. Don’t assume that having a park entrance pass is enough.

Download maps and audio before you go: We used GuideAlong for the drive, and I recommend downloading the information you need in advance. Cell service can be unreliable in parts of the park.

Check seasonal hours: Visitor centers, lodges, waysides, campgrounds, and other facilities may operate on seasonal schedules. This is particularly important if you’re hoping to stop for food or drinks after a hike.

Wear appropriate footwear: Even shorter hikes can involve steep, rocky trails. Dark Hollow Falls is a good example: the mileage is modest, but the climb back up can be tiring.

Day 3: Visiting Luray Caverns on a Rainy Day

Our third day didn’t go quite according to plan. The weather was rainy, so instead of spending more time outdoors, we changed things up and headed to Luray Caverns.

It turned out to be a great alternative—and a reminder that it’s worth having a backup plan when you’re visiting a national park.

Discovering the underground world of Luray Caverns

Luray Caverns was discovered on August 13, 1878, after a group of men noticed cool air coming from a sinkhole in a field. Andrew Campbell and his 13-year-old nephew Quint descended into the opening and discovered the caverns below.

Today, visitors can follow a walkway through enormous underground chambers filled with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and other formations that have developed over thousands of years.

I always find caves fascinating because they feel like an entirely different world from the one above ground. You can be standing in a rainy parking lot one minute and wandering through a massive underground chamber the next.

My favorite formations at Luray Caverns

I have visited many caverns, I’m a bit of a cave enthusiast if I do say so myself, and Luray definitely did not disappoint. There were so many amazing things to see inside the cavern. One of my favorite features was Dream Lake. The water is so still that it reflects the formations above it, creating the illusion of a much deeper cavern. It was simply stunning!

I also loved the drapery formations, which resemble curtains hanging from the ceiling, and the totem-pole formations. It’s amazing how many different shapes nature can create over time.

The Wishing Well at Luray Caverns is more than just a place to toss a coin and make a wish! The six-foot deep pool has been collecting visitors’ coins since 1954, and over the years, those wishes have added up to an estimated 40 million coins. The money is collected annually and donated to charitable organizations, with more than $1.2 million given to causes such as the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society. So if you decide to toss in a penny, you’re doing a little good along with making a wish!

The caverns are well laid out for visitors, with a walking path through the underground chambers. It’s a very different experience from hiking in Shenandoah, but it made for a memorable change of pace.

Organ in Luray Caverns

One of the most fascinating features of Luray Caverns is the Great Stalacpipe Organ, which holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s largest musical instrument. And this isn’t your typical organ! Invented by Pentagon mathematician and electronics scientist Leland W. Sprinkle in the 1950s, the instrument uses 37 stalactites spread throughout more than three acres of the caverns to produce musical notes. Electronic mechanisms gently tap the formations with rubber-tipped mallets, essentially turning the cave itself into an enormous instrument. It’s such an unusual combination of nature, science, and music, and definitely something you don’t see every day! Check out the video to hear part of the musical show.

More things to see at Luray Caverns

 Luray Caverns is open every day of the year, including rainy days, which makes it a great backup plan when the weather doesn’t cooperate with outdoor adventures. General admission is currently $36 for adults, $34 for seniors, and $18 for children ages 6–12 (children five and under are free). Your ticket includes the self-guided cavern tour, the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Shenandoah Heritage Village, and Toy Town Junction. Hours vary by season: from April through October, the caverns generally open at 9 a.m. and close between 6 and 7 p.m.; from November through March, closing time is 4 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends. The cavern tour takes a little over an hour, but I’d plan on two to three hours if you want to see everything included with admission. There are also additional attractions, including a hedge maze, rope adventure course, and gem sluice, for an extra fee.

We spent some time exploring the Toy Town and Car and Carriage exhibits after the caverns, and they were well done! We didn’t make it to the historical museum, but there was plenty to see without it.

By the time we left, the parking lot was absolutely packed- the rainy weather seemed to have brought plenty of other people indoors, too. If you’re planning a visit, I’d recommend arriving earlier in the day, especially if the forecast is calling for rain. Luray Caverns is a popular attraction, and it’s a useful option when the weather makes hiking less appealing.

More Things to Do Near Shenandoah National Park

Two days in Shenandoah gave us a good taste of the park, but there were several things we didn’t have time to do. If you have a longer trip planned, or you’re already thinking about a return visit like I am, here are a few places to consider.

Monticello: Thomas Jefferson’s historic home

During our weekend getaway we had hoped to visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home near Charlottesville, about an hour away from Shenandoah National Park. However, the rainy weather changed our plans.

Monticello is known for its distinctive architecture, gardens, and connection to Jefferson and American history. A visit should also include learning about the enslaved people who lived and worked there, whose lives were integral to the plantation. If you’re extending your trip beyond Shenandoah, Monticello could be a worthwhile addition, especially if you enjoy history.

Explore Historic Staunton, Virginia

If you have extra time before or after your Shenandoah adventure, consider spending some time in Staunton, Virginia. I actually visited Staunton earlier in the summer, and it’s a charming little city that deserves a spot on your Virginia itinerary. Its historic downtown is filled with beautiful architecture, independent shops, restaurants, and plenty of character. You can catch a performance at the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, visit the Woodrow Wilson presidential museum, explore the city’s history, or simply wander along Beverley Street and enjoy the atmosphere. Staunton is also a convenient stop if you’re entering or exiting Shenandoah through Rockfish Gap, making it an easy way to add a little small-town exploring to a national park trip.

Breweries, Cideries, and Wineries

The Shenandoah Valley has breweries, cideries, wineries, and other local spots that make tempting stops after a day outdoors. I had hoped we’d fit in more of them, but our schedule was a little too ambitious. Between our hikes, driving, and sightseeing, we often didn’t have as much time left in the day as we thought. Some places also closed earlier than we expected.

We did make it to Elkton Brewing Company and Sage Bird Ciderworks in Harrisonburg, both great stops and very close to Shenandoah NP. It wasn’t the full brewery-and-cidery tour I had envisioned, but it was still a fun way to sample a little more of the area.

My advice: if visiting local breweries, cideries, or wineries is part of your plan, choose a few ahead of time and check their hours before heading out. It’s easy to underestimate how much time a hike will take, especially when you’re stopping for views and photos along the way, and we were surprised by how early some of the breweries and wineries closed. Next time, I’d love to leave a little more room in the schedule for these stops. Apparently, you can’t fit every hike, waterfall, cavern, and cider into one weekend. Who knew?

Reflecting on Shenandoah National Park

Was one weekend in Shenandoah National Park enough? Not even close—but it was a great start!

Between tackling the Old Rag rock scramble, driving Skyline Drive, exploring waterfall trails, learning about the people who once called these mountains home, and escaping the rain underground at Luray Caverns, we packed quite a bit into our weekend.

Some moments were more challenging than others. Old Rag tested my climbing skills, Dark Hollow Falls was much more crowded than we would have liked, and our plans for breweries and wineries were curtailed by time and closing hours. But those are all part of traveling, and they gave us a few stories to bring home with us. The park gave us so much to see and do and I’d happily return to Shenandoah to see the fall colors at their peak, explore more trails, visit Rapidan Camp, and finally make it to Monticello.

If you enjoy national parks as much as we do, you can also read about our adventures in Acadia National Park and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Tricia and I have made a habit of turning October into national park season, and I have a feeling we’re not done yet. Do you have a suggestion for our next National Park trip? Or another road trip suggestion? I’d love to hear it! Feel free to leave a comment, and catch you soon!

-Catching Katie