If you’re looking for oustanding hiking and biking, we recommend Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, a lesser-visited park surrounded by a couple of delightful natural sites.
The 200,000-acre wooded paradise is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountain range between Pennsylvania and Georgia. Families can appreciate much of the park’s scenery along the 101-mile-long Skyline Drive that winds through it.
The Civilian Conservation Corps built the National Scenic Byway in 1939. Pull over at overlooks to admire the wildflowers, waterfalls, and wildlife. Skyline Drive gives drivers, cyclists, and hikers a way to enjoy the park’s natural beauty. Alert: RVers must keep in mind that Mary’s Rock Tunnel, just south of the Thornton Gap entrance from Route 211, is only 12’8″ tall.
Great Hiking and Biking with Kids
Walk and discover how children love to explore the wilderness playground. Over 500 miles of trails vary in length, from short hikes to trips that require 12 hours or more.
Most trails are accessible in spring, summer, and fall. Hikers should always check with a Park Ranger for current information.
Pop in one of the park’s many visitor centers to purchase a terrific, award-winning “Junior Ranger Explorer Notebook” for your kids (ages 7-12; activity schedule here.)
If you don’t have any young naturalist tools, the visitor centers rent backpacks containing field guides, binoculars, and other handy supplies. These will help involve children in exploring and learning about trails, streams, plants, and woodland creatures. After completing some activities, and attending two ranger programs, your proud kids will earn a Junior Ranger sticker, badge, or patch.
Natural Landmarks like Luray Caverns
Explore another natural wonder and a U.S. Registered Natural Landmark located on U.S. 211. Luray Caverns is only 10 minutes from the central entrance to Shenandoah National Park at Skyline Drive.
Luray is recognized as one of the finest cavern illuminations in the world. The sculpted pathways and sophisticated lighting system make the vast chambers of the cave accessible. This is the region’s most popular cave and the first one you should visit. Enjoy this subterranean wonderland in an easy-paced one-hour walk. Open daily, year-round, the cave tours include stops to see the Great Stalacpipe Organ (the world’s largest natural musical instrument.) Have cameras ready for crystal clear lakes and pools, monumental columns, and beautiful cascades of glittering stone.
Be sure to eat breakfast beforehand. You will be fascinated by unique formations such as those resembling “Fried Eggs,” sunny side up!
Cavern goers can also enjoy the Instaworthy 6-foot-deep wishing well — a great photo op! After your tour, stop in to see the automobile displays at the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum, have a picnic, try the ropes course, and more (some additional fees apply.)
Manmade Landmarks at Shenandoah National Park
Families like the Shenandoah Caverns attraction just 1 mile from Exit 269 off of I-81 and 5 miles north of New Market. The underground cave complex boasts its own elevator, making it handicap accessible and great with multigenerational groups.
In a tour lasting approximately one hour, families can see 17 rooms, some 100 feet high. Picture sparkling crystalline formations, unusual drapery formations like “Breakfast Bacon,” and Rainbow Lake. According to the company, the caverns were the site of the first underground movies, shot in the 1920s, and the first underground telephone.
This is a huge commercial venture. One barn/warehouse at the site is devoted to historic floats from ‘American Celebration On Parade.’ Another shows off old farm equipment and memorabilia in a space for live performances. The third structure houses a restaurant and a reproduction ‘Main Street of Yesteryear,’ whose shop windows and stores highlight the products and styles of… what else? Yesteryear.
Note that like many local attractions, it’s closed between Thanksgiving and Easter.
Choosing Shenandoah Family-Friendly Lodging & Camping
Located 90 miles from Washington, DC, the region hosts several large and small Shenandoah resorts. The best known are Skyland Resort, Big Meadows Lodge (one of National Geographic Traveler’s “Top 10 National Park Lodges”), and Lewis Cabins, all managed by DNC.
From May to August, hike or do nature walks with a Shenandoah Mountain guide. Hike by day and go out at night to read the stars as the local Native Americans did. Suggested gear for the outing includes comfortable walking shoes, a jacket, and a small flashlight. Hikes are canceled in bad weather.
Lodging Options in Shenandoah
The rustic, timber Lewis Mountain Cabins on Skyline Drive are among the most popular lodgings. Families can set up a house with their own cooking supplies, dishware, and coolers. Use the cabins’ bedding, bathroom, and electricity for an authentic mountain home vacation.
The pet-welcoming Skyland Resort has various options, ranging from rooms to suites with fireplaces. Families will enjoy the historically rustic Big Meadows Lodge, with its 1930s fieldstone porch overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Book ahead, as often these hotels are sold out. In fact, they accept reservations over a year in advance.
Lodging Near the Caverns
If you want to stay near the caverns, the Luray Caverns Motels East and West at each entrance to the caves, offer simple double rooms and a small, on-site swimming pool, for a modest rate.
Yogi Bear Jellystone Park Camp Resort
One local mom recommends families try the Yogi Bear Jellystone Park Camp Resort. She says it’s a “typical campground where you’ll find varying degrees of bathroom cleanliness when it comes time to bathe the kids.” Families will enjoy the camp’s great bike paths, nice trailer sites, and location convenient for hiking within the park.
Note that in addition to renting a campsite, you’ll have to pay an additional fee for some activities. Facilities like the waterslide, laser tag, or mini-golf course are what make this a fun place to stay. This family-friendly campground is open April to December.
Rustic Campgrounds Managed by the National Park Service
If you fall in love with the famously scenic Shenandoah National Park, the National Park Service manages five more rustic campgrounds with tent sites, RV hookups, and all the conveniences you’ll need; spots can be booked through the park’s website.
Shenandoah Glamping Option
For a truly unique luxury retreat experience in Virginia, consider staying at the Shenandoah Yurt, a custom wooden yurt perched at an elevation of over 2,500 feet in the mountains, just one mile from Shenandoah National Park. This private glamping option provides an EV charger plus e-bikes and sleeps up to 8.
Plan Your Arrival – Getting to Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park boasts accessibility, with several entry points along its borders. Here’s how to navigate your arrival:
- By Car: The most convenient way to reach the park is by car. Shenandoah National Park runs parallel to Interstate 81, with several well-marked exits leading to park entrances. The most popular entrance is through Stony Man Mountain Pass (Exit 31) on the Virginia side. It grants access to Skyline Drive, the park’s scenic ridgeline highway.
- Public Transportation: Limited public transportation options exist. Some regional bus lines may offer service to nearby towns, but having a car is highly recommended for exploring the park’s vast expanse.
- Regional Activities: Allow time to explore the region. This part of Virginia offers many of the old-fashioned roadside attractions (family farms, Dinosaurland) rarely found any more.
Finding Your Season in Shenandoah National Park
- Spring (late April to late May): Escape the crowds and witness wildflowers blooming beneath a canopy of vibrant green. Cooler temperatures make for comfortable hiking, and with fewer leaves on the trees, you’ll enjoy expansive vistas.
- Summer (June to August): Lush greenery abounds. The park offers a welcome respite from the scorching summer heat in the valleys below. Be prepared for larger crowds, especially on weekends. Make reservations for campgrounds and lodging well in advance.
- Fall (September to November): Witness the park’s dazzling transformation as leaves erupt in fiery hues of red, orange, and yellow. This is peak season, so expect heavy traffic, particularly during October’s peak foliage. Weekday visits are recommended.
- Winter (December to March): The park takes on a serene tranquility, with a blanket of snow blanketing the landscape. While some hiking trails may be inaccessible, this is a magical time for photographers and those seeking solitude. Many park facilities close during winter, so plan accordingly.
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