COMPLIMENTARY $3.95 2019 YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE PARKS SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

ACTIVITIES • SIGHTSEEING • DINING • LODGING TRAILS • HISTORY • MAPS • MORE

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WELCOME S:7.375” SO TASTY EVERYONE WILL WANT A BITE. WelcomeT:8.375” to Shenandoah National Park! Established in the heart of the Appalachians FUN FACTS in 1935, the park owes much of its construc- tion, masonry and landscaping to the Civilian Conservation Corps. The creation of the park allowed the forces of nature to regenerate the scenic mountain terrain, which now provides a refuge for nearby urban populations. In 1936, President Franklin Delano Roos- evelt dedicated Shenandoah National Park to “this and to succeeding generations for the recreation and the re-creation” they would Established: Shenandoah National Park find here. was established in 1935. Like generations before you, you can ex- Natural Features: The park plore, relax, and join us in securing the same features 300 square miles of the Blue memorable Shenandoah experience for fu- Ridge Mountains, rising above the ture generations. Shenandoah needs your Virginia Piedmont to the east and the support to ensure it will be preserved and Shenandoah Valley to the west, with two protected for many years to come. Enjoy the peaks rising above 4,000 feet. park, but be respectful at all times. Popular Activities: Hiking, camping, fish- With the support of the American people, ing, wildlife viewing, horseback riding and the National Park Service (NPS) works to pro- many more recreational activities await tect this landscape and its visitors. The NPS you at the park. and concessioner Delaware North Compa- Plants & Animals: More than 1,400 ©2019 Preferred Brands International. reserved. rights All nies (Delaware North at Shenandoah National ­vascular plants, 100 trees and 300 spe- Park) work in partnership to ensure that your cies of animals thrive in the park. Deer, visit is a memorable one. squirrels and groundhogs are common This American Park Network guide to sights. Shenandoah National Park is home Shenandoah is provided by Delaware North to one of the largest concentrations of to enhance your appreciation and enjoyment black bears in the United States. of the park. The booklet has been made pos- Scenic Driving: Skyline Drive, the park’s sible by the support of the sponsors whose scenic byway, has more than 75 overlooks messages appear inside. We hope this guide with scenic views for miles. will become your companion while you ex- Hiking: More than 500 miles of trails plore Shenandoah National Park. Take it along lead to stunning views of waterfalls, spec- TASTY BITE® is all-natural while you hike, mark it up with notes and en- tacular mountain vistas and lush forests. and perfect for the trail. Look joy! Don’t forget to pass it along to a friend, Camping: There are four campgrounds for the yellow pouch in the family member or even a complete stranger. in the park. Backcountry camping is al- international food aisle.* The best way to ensure the future of the park tastybite.com lowed with a permit. is to encourage others to experience it! *Keep wildlife wild; Don’t feed the animals. | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 1

A23899_2d_9tas_2967_Q2_Print_Oh-Ranger.indd 04.04.19 A23899x01D_OhRanger_smp.psd Epson A23899X02C_Tasty Bite Final 032919-Product_smp.psd HP

FINAL Client: Tasty Bite APPROVAL SIGNATURES ROUND(s) 3 Filename: 19tas_2967_Q2_Print_Oh-Ranger.indd SIZE / Date: 4-2-2019 2:32 PM MECHANICAL SPECS (w x h) FONTS & IMAGES PROOF FORMAT Job #: 2967 Bleed: 5.875” x 8.875” Fonts TRAFFIC Insert Date: 4/1 Trim: 5.375” x 8.375” Knockout (HTF49 Liteweight), Acumin Pro Condensed (Light), Pubs or Loc: PROD. Oh Ranger Viewing: 5.375” x 8.375” Acumin Pro (Black, Regular, Bold) Magazine Description: None Live: 4.75” x 7.375” Images STUDIO Scale: 1” = 1” Print Tasty Bite Final 032919-CMYK.psd (CMYK; 448 ppi, 494 ppi; AD Notes: None ACTUAL SIZE (w x h) 66.93%, 60.7%), Tasty_Bite_Logo.ai (17.81%), Tasty Bite Final 032919-Product.psd (CMYK; 536 ppi; 55.95%) CW Bleed: 5.875” x 8.875” Mekanism Trim: 5.375” x 8.375” Inks CD 640 Second St Viewing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black SF, CA 94107 5.375” x 8.375” BM 415.908.4000 Live: 4.75” x 7.375” Gutter: None Designer: Dustin Page Printed at: None CLIENT CONTENTS

Unforgettable Adventures. Welcome 1 What’s New! 4 American Park Network® publishes OhRanger. com, Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™ and Oh, Ranger!® guides —a collection of visitor guides for public Plan Your Visit 6 lands all across America­—and operates Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi in parks and public lands. American Important Numbers 10 Park Network is an official partner of the National Forest Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, National Fish and Wildlife Park Regulations & Safety 11 Foundation, American Hiking Society and the Student Conservation Association. Who’s Who at the Park 14 Publisher & Editor-in-Chief MARK J. SAFERSTEIN Visitor Services 15

Associate Publisher & Executive Editor Joel S. Saferstein Preservation 17

Group Sales & Partnerships Director Alex Frenkel Sights To See 21 EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION Centerfold Map Editors: Monette A. Bailey, Daniel Johnson, Jacqueline Kehoe, Amanda McConnon, Julie McCool, Danielle Taylor, Wendy Willis Things To Do 26 Proofreader: Scott Tabor Production Manager: Mario Arce Walking & Hiking 30 Graphic Designers: Karla Aldana, Dennisse Cruz, Tatiana Hurtado, Yamileth Recinos AD Camping 33 DIGITAL Technology Manager: Scott Falconer History & Culture 34 ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING (212) 581-3380 Lodging & Dining 38 [email protected] Business Development: Randy Burton, Mary Pat Kaleth, Pat Keane, Craig King, Kristi Rummel Nature & Wildlife 40 Feel-Good Savings. Operations Manager: Matthew Price American Park Network Photography 44 41 East 11th Street, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10003 Just for Kids 46 Heed the call of adventure with great insurance coverage. @OhRanger 15 minutes could save you 15% or more on RV insurance. ©2019 APN MEDIA, LLC · All Rights Reserved If You Only Have a Day 48 Oh, Ranger! and American Park Network are registered trademarks of APN Media, LLC. Cover: Granite boulders at Old Rag (iStock)

The publisher of this guide and the advertisers herein are not geico.com | 1-877-434-2678 | Local Office affiliated with, or endorsed by, the National Park Service. FOR MORE INFORMATION GET THE APP! IT’S FREE! DOWNLOAD NOW Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or Distribution requests in all situations. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC [email protected] 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2019 GEICO Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi™ installation/sponsorship | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 3 [email protected] PLAN YOUR VISIT WHAT’S NEW! WE’RE ALL CONNECTED

As a young man, John Muir, the naturalist known as, “Father of the National Parks,” Mark, Joel & Alex – connecting in parks! had an accident that left him temporarily blinded. It changed his life forever. When he science. I often find inspiration in parks. In its regained his sight, he emerged into the light traditional form, yoga was about joining with ever-determined to pursue his dreams of the collective universe. So, too, is Muir’s quote, exploration. Fortunately for the world, Muir’s best illustrated by an example from Yellowstone. trials led him to help move Congress to set When wolves were reintroduced there after a aside Yosemite, one of his many contributions 70-year absence, the rampant elk population to our nation’s preservation movement. could no longer leisurely nibble on willows, graze When faced with adversity, we have but in open meadows or congregate by the rivers. In two choices. We can either rise above our a short period of time, the forests and meadows circumstance or succumb to our demons of began to regenerate. Song birds appeared. doubt, fear, resentment and apathy. While Beavers flourished, building dams, which Muir was lucky to have his sight return, his created habitats for otters, muskrats and ducks. subsequent efforts drew strength from hope, Cooler waters, shaded by more trees, attracted compassion, kindness and love to rise up different species of amphibians and fish. Tree from personal adversity. roots stabilized the river banks, diminished Lately, it feels like we’re all dealing with erosion and even changed the geography of the too many hurdles. Every hour, “breaking” park! Indeed, pick out anything by itself and we news spews forth accounts of tragedy and quickly find that everything is connected. divisiveness. It was with this backdrop that I Now is the time to seek out connection— SOMEWHERE was preparing to teach a restorative yoga class, whether in a park, a yoga studio or anywhere to create a safe environment for my students you find inspiration—to find strength to rise up BETWEEN and provide an hour’s worth of peace and quiet and overcome the obstacles that face us all… to carry out into the world. What theme would capture their imagination and neatly underscore STUNNING our human need for connectedness? When teaching, I try to use examples that marry ancient tradition with contemporary and SURREAL

GET CONNECTED AT YOUR FAVORITE PARKS! VISITUTAH.COM Parks are about enjoying nature, but what if you want to share a great picture or are awaiting an important email? If you’re looking to add connectivity to your park, or if you already have Wi-Fi and would like help adding content or generating sponsor revenues, please let us know at [email protected].

4 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | PLAN YOUR VISIT PARK VISITOR GUIDE Note: To help you find features, facili- The NPS park visitor guide details sea- ties and services, concrete mile mark- PLAN YOUR VISIT sonal information about the park, such as ers have been placed on the right-hand ranger program schedules. It can be found side of Skyline Drive as you head south. in all visitor centers in the park as well as They are numbered from north to south, GETTING TO SHENANDOAH Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, 18 at the entrances. beginning with Mile 0 at the junction of Air: The park’s south entrances at miles northeast of Staunton or 14 miles U.S. 340. For your convenience, “mile” Rockfish Gap and Swift Run Gap are ser- south of Harrisonburg on Highway 256, PARK ENTRANCES references are included throughout this viced by commercial­ flights to Charlot- (540) 234-8304 or flyshd.com. Dulles In- Nearly all of the overlooks, trails, historic guide for a variety of services. tesville-Albemarle Airport, which is eight ternational Airport is 1.5 hours east of the sites and facilities in Shenandoah are ac- miles north of Charlottesville on Highway junction of U.S. 211 and Skyline Drive, and cessed from Skyline Drive. This 105-mile ENTRANCE FEES 29, (434) 973-8342 or gocho.com; and east of the junction of I-66 and U.S. 340 scenic road runs north and south along the Shenandoah National Park is one of at Front Royal. For more information, visit crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains offering more than 117 national park sites that metwashairports.com. visitors stunning views and many chances to charges an entrance fee. Shenandoah Bus: Greyhound offers bus service to enjoy the park's nature and wildlife. National Park entrance pass fees for ve- nearby Charlottesville, Virginia. To make There are four entrances to Shenandoah. hicles are now $30 and motorcycles are reservations, please visit greyhound.com. Front Royal Entrance Station in the north $25. Individual fees are $15 per person. Train: Amtrak serves nearby Charlot- (Mile 0.6) is reachable via U.S. 340 and All these passes are good for seven days. tesville, Virginia. For more information Highway 55. Thornton Gap Entrance Sta- An annual park pass is $55. Federal lands about pricing and schedules, please call tion (Mile 31.5) is easily reached via U.S. passes (see page 8) are accepted as well. (800) 872-7245 or visit amtrak.com. 211. Swift Run Gap ­Entrance ­Station There are a variety of passes available. Rental Cars: Agencies operate at the (Mile 65.7) is easy to get to via U.S. 33. Rock- Visit nps.gov/shen for more informa- airports and major surrounding cities out- fish Gap Entrance Station is the fourth en- tion. Eighty percent of the fees collected side of the park. trance. It is located in the south (Mile 104.9) are returned to Shenandoah for a variety Note: Keep in mind there is no pub- and accessible via I-64 and U.S. 250. GPS of projects (see page 22). The other 20% lic transportation into the park. Visitors systems are often unreliable. goes to support parks that do not charge must find their own way into the park. an entrance fee.

ENTRANCE FEES AND FEDERAL RECREATION LANDS PASSES EVERY KID IN A PARK To help engage and create our next A federal recreation pass is helpful if you plan to visit many national parks, forests or other FUN FACTS generation of park visitors, the Every Kid federal lands. For information, call (888) 275-8747 or visit store.usgs.gov/pass. Q. WHAT IS AN in a Park initiative provides an opportunity Type Cost Availability Details ACTIVITY I DON’T for each and every fourth-grade student WANT TO MISS? Annual This one-year pass is available on site, across the country to experience their fed- $80 General Public Pass by phone or online (see above). A. Ranger Programs! eral public lands and waters in person. Rangers lead hikes, walks All kids in the fourth grade have access Senior This lifetime pass is available on site or via $80 U.S. residents age 62+ and talks every day during Pass mail order. ID required. Add $10 processing. to their own Every Kid in a Park pass at the summer and most days during www.everykidinapark.gov. This pass U.S.active duty spring and fall. Joining a Ranger for a Military This one-year pass is available on site. admits the pass owner and any accom- Free military members and Pass ID (CAC Card or DoD Form 1173) required. special activity is the best way to get their dependents panying passengers in a private non- to know your park. Stop at a visitor commercial vehicle to the park. Access U.S. residents with This lifetime pass is available on site or via center or look in the visitor guide for Free Pass permanent disabilities mail order. ID and documentation required. a schedule. You can obtain the pass by visiting everykidinapark.gov and you must print Volunteer 250 cumulative volunteer Inquire locally to obtain information Free it and present it at the park. The Every Kid Pass service hours about this one-year pass. For answers to all your questions, go to OhRanger.com in a Park pass is valid until August 31, 2019. 6 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | Visit Shenandoah County!

Whatever the season you will love Shenandoah County!

Beautiful mountains, historic towns, locally owned shops and restaurants, award-winning WINeRIES and craft breweries are all just a short detour off Skyline Drive.

There’s so much to do you’ll need to extend your trip—whether you visit museums, saddle up and go for a ride, hit the links, slap on your skis, explore caverns, or check out a variety of festivals year-round. Visit friendly towns for a look at small town life, beautiful architecture, and scenic farmland.

Plan your trip at VisitShenandoahCounty.com! PLAN YOUR VISIT PARK REGULATIONSPLAN YOUR VISIT VISITOR CENTERS interactive exhibit at Byrd Visitor Center. There are two visitor information centers­ Visit nps.gov/shen to find opening and & SAFETY in Shenandoah. Dates and times of opera- closing dates. tion may vary. Refer to the visitor guide, call The large open area across from the visi- The following park regulations are in- nps.gov/shen to download a copy of the the park recorded phone messages number tor center is a rare high-elevation meadow tended to enhance your enjoyment of the most recent fishing regulations. at (540) 999-3500, or visit nps.gov/shen,. and is certainly worth a visit. Be sure to ask park. They are designed to protect the park, Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (Mile at the visitor center about ranger-led tours its wildlife and its visitors. Please remember OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES 4.6), is open Friday through Tuesday from of Big Meadows and the surrounding area. to practice Leave No Trace principles. Take All motor vehicles and bicycles must 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., early April through No- Park information, backcountry permits, your trash, and any left by others, out of the remain on paved areas. No off-road riding of vember. Built in 1938, and listed on the Junior Ranger information and souvenir park with you and leave the park cleaner any kind is permitted on trails or fire roads National Register of Historic Places, the pass­port stamps are available at both visi- than you found it. See the “Preservation” or in grassy, open areas. The maximum park visitor center is a comfortable place to tor centers in the park. You can also find chapter for more information. speed limit is 35 mph. view exhibits and an introductory video. books, maps, hiking guides and other inter- Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center (Mile pretive materials for sale at these locations. FIREARMS PETS 51), named for the former Virginia sena- If you’d like to learn more about the park, Visit nps.gov/shen/parkmgmt/ Pets are permitted in Shenandoah but tor, is open Wednesday through Sunday there are several publications that delve lawsandpolicies.htm for information must be on a leash no more than six feet from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., late March through into its history, geology and wildlife. Many about carrying firearms in the park. long at all times. Pets are allowed in all late fall, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday titles are sold at park stores managed by campgrounds and in a number of lodge the rest of the year, weather permitting. the Shenandoah National Park Association. FIRES rooms at Skyland, Big Meadows and Lewis Exhibits and videos about Shenandoah For specific titles, see the Trail Guide side- Wood fires are permitted only in existing Mountain, but not in public buildings, on stories and resources are available. bar in the “Sights to See” chapter. fireplaces at campgrounds and established conducted walks and hikes or on trails A mobile visitor center operated out of picnic grounds. Do not bring wood into the marked with a “No Pets” sign. Check the a colorful Sprinter van is now serving the STOP-OFFS park. Firewood must be gathered or pur- park visitor guide for a listing of trails closed park’s south district. The van is most often There are several stop-offs along ­Skyline chased within the park. Backcountry camp- to pets. In developed areas, visitors must parked at Beagle Gap (Mile 99.5), but also Drive that sell souvenirs, ­apparel, grocer- ers must use camp stoves. dispose of pet droppings by wrapping them visits other nearby areas as well. ies and hand-crafted items To find out more in paper or aluminum foil and discarding Visitors can learn the stories behind the about the locations of the stop-offs and spe- CAMPING them in a trash container. Service animals creation of Shenandoah and its evolution cific mileposts, please see the “Visitor Ser- There are four campgrounds in the are allowed in the park, at the concessioner into the park we love today through an vices” chapter. park. See the “Camping” chapter for more facilities and on all trails. Note: There are information about using the park’s camp- no kennels in the park. grounds. Those interested in a wilderness IMPORTANT NUMBERS experience should review the regulations to VANDALISM Current Park Information (540) 999-3500 nps.gov/shen obtain a permit to backcountry camp. Please take only pictures and memories home with you. Do not deface, destroy or Emergency (800) 732-0911 FISHING remove any flowers, trees, shrubs, rocks or Relay Center/TDD (from VA) (800) 828-1120 Fishing is allowed in the park, but spe- objects. Vandalism is unlawful; violators will Voice (800) 828-1140 cial regulations exist for certain streams. be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Lodging Reservations (Skyland, Big Meadows, Virginia residents 16 and over must have Remember, if everyone picked just one (877) 247-9261 goshenandoah.com Lewis Mountain Cabins) a Virginia fishing license. Nonresidents 12 flower, whole meadows of flowers would Campground Reservations (877) 444-6777 recreation.gov and older must also have a license. Visit disappear. An exception to this do-not-pick Lost & Found (540) 999-3500 dgif.state.va.us/fishing to learn how to rule applies only to edible fruits, nuts and ber- obtain a fishing license. See the “Things ries. Be diligent about picking only what you Shenandoah National Park Association (540) 999-3582 snpbooks.org to Do” chapter for more information. Visit will eat while visiting the park.

10 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 11 PARK REGULATIONS & SAFETY PARK REGULATIONS & SAFETY

“Things To Do” chapter. To obtain a permit BEARS a bag. Use a 20-foot rope to hang the bag 10 iStock for weddings, filming, religious services and Shenandoah is black bear country! Avoid feet above the ground and four feet from the other special events, contact the park’s Man- encounters with bears by making noise trunk of the tree. agement Assistant at the address above. to warn them of your approach. A loud shout or clap will often scare them away. DRIVING SAFETY TIPS If you do come upon a bear, do not move Observe posted speed limits while driv- Park rangers are on duty at visitor cen- abruptly, which may startle him or her. Stay ing. Watch for turns. Be especially alert for ters, campgrounds and entrance stations.­ calm and slowly leave the area without animals crossing the road. The speed limit Call (800) 732-0911 for emergencies only. turning your back. on Skyline Drive is 35 mph. Please observe Rangers also patrol Skyline Drive and Never get out of your car or approach it for both your safety and the safety of the maintain offices throughout the park. The a bear for a better look or for a picture. Be animals. Be sure to pull completely off the Black bears are common in the park; please following tips can help you enjoy a safe alert. Never camp in an area that has obvious road to view wildlife. store all of your food properly. vacation in Shenandoah. evidence of bear activity, such as digging, Protect your property. Lock your car tracks or scat. and store valuables in the trunk. Vis- WILDLIFE FALLING Keep your gear clean and free of food ible valuables are easy targets for Feeding, petting or harassing wildlife is Falling is the single most common acci- odor. Do not sleep near your food, garbage those tempted to break in. prohibited. Animals may seem tame, but dent in the park. Always exercise extreme or your food preparation area. Campers must If you are having car trouble, try they are wild and can injure you. When you caution around cliff ledges, as well as water- store food in their vehicles and backcoun- to report it to another driver, who can feed wildlife, they lose their fear of humans, falls and stream beds where rocks are algae- try campers must “bear-proof” their food advise a park ranger. Do not rely on making them easy prey for poachers and covered and slippery. And do not throw rocks by sealing it. Store any food, toothpaste, cell phones, which can have limited prone to being hit by cars. from cliffs, as this not only displaces natural makeup, fragrant items and soiled clothes in reception in the park. features, but also can injure others below. NATURAL RESOURCES Water is a valuable and sometimes HIKING scarce resource. Because water levels Hiking off-trail is unsafe, damages vegeta- A NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARK fluctuate on the mountain, it is important tion, causes erosion and creates unsightly to conserve it. For additional information, paths. If you are having trouble on the trail, please see the “Preservation” chapter. ask another hiker to seek help. Always plan GRAND CAVERNS ahead and pick a place to meet up, should PERMITS you become separated from your party. Free permits are required for backcoun- Be aware of standing dead trees that try camping. They are available during op- have perished from disease, insect and erating hours at visitor centers, entrance storm damage. They can topple at any time, stations and at Park Headquarters. Permits especially on windy days, so exercise care. are also available online if requested two Be sure to take plenty of water for weeks or more in advance. Visit nps.gov/ ­everyone in your group, including pets. shen/planyourvisit/campbc.htm for more information. TICKS America’s Oldest Show Cave Hang gliding permits are available To reduce your risk of being bitten by by mail. To request one, write to Shenan- ticks, which are active year-round, please doah National Park, Attn: Hang gliding per- stay on trails and avoid venturing into grassy, Ask about I-81 at Exit 235 mits, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, brushy areas. See the “Walking & Hiking” Adventure Tours! www.grandcaverns.com VA 22835. For more information, see the chapter for more information.

12 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 13 PLAN YOUR VISIT PLAN YOUR VISIT WHO’S WHO AT THE PARK VISITOR SERVICES

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE support of the park’s interpretive, educa- Park visitors will find conveniently located Big Meadows Wayside (Mile 51.2) of- The National Park Service (NPS) is the tional and resource preservation units. For service facilities along Skyline Drive and at fers to go food and sit down dining, grocer- federal custodian of Shenandoah Na- more information, contact SNPA, 3655 park waysides and other ­visitor areas. Ser- ies, gas, camping and hiking facilities and tional Park. For more information, contact U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835; vices include merchandise, food, lodging, an ATM and gift shop. It's open daily from Shenandoah National Park Headquarters, (540) 999-3582; snpbooks.org. gas and a variety of books and maps about late March to November. from 8:00 a.m. to 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA Shenandoah National Park. 8:00 p.m. 22835; (540) 999-3500; nps.gov/shen. SHENANDOAH For information about attractions, There are also two electric vehicle charg- NATIONAL PARK TRUST ­restaurants, accommodations and ser- ing stations, one at the Harry F. Byrd, Sr. DELAWARE NORTH AT The Shenandoah National Park Trust was vices outside the park, contact: Shenan- Visitor Center and one at Skyland. SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK established in 2004 as an official fundraising doah ­Valley Travel Association, P.O. Box Delaware North is a global leader partner of Shenandoah National Park. Do- 261, Luray, VA 22835, (800) 847-4878 DIGITAL MEDIA in hospitality and food service that is nations to the Trust are put to work directly or visitshenandoah.org; Warrenton- Cameras, digital memory cards and grounded in a family ownership. Under to help ensure the future of Shenandoah Fauquier County Visitor Center, 33 North other supplies are available at both lodg- the leadership of Jeremy Jacobs and his National Park, as well as enrich the experi- Calhoun Street, Warrenton, VA 20186, ing facilities and waysides throughout three sons, Delaware North has become ences of current visitors. The Trust works in (540) 341-0988; Virginia Tourism Corpora- the park. one of the most admired family-owned concert with the park to support the park’s tion, (800) 847‑4882 or virginia.org; or the hospitality management and food ser- highest priorities. These include natural Virginia Economic Development Partner- GIFT SHOPS vice companies. With more than 60,000 and cultural resource protection, education ship, 901 East Cary Street, P.O. Botx 798, Various gift and craft shops are located associates, it’s one of the largest privately and visitor enjoyment. As a nonprofit orga- Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 545-5600. throughout the park. They carry hand- owned companies. Delaware North pro- nization, it relies on donations to fulfill its crafted jewelry, wood carvings, pottery, vides lodging, food service, camping mission. For more information or to make ATMS & BANKS quilts and woven items. Many of these and grocery supplies, laundry, shower a donation, contact Shenandoah National Automated teller machines (ATMs) wares are produced by the skilled artisans facilities, horseback rides and gasoline Park Trust, Shenandoah National Park Trust, are available in the Dining Room Build- of the Appalachian area. You will also find to visitors. For more information, contact 404 8th St. NE, Suite D, Charlottesville, VA ing at Skyland (Mile 41.7), at Big Mead- ecological and environmentally friendly Delaware North at Shenandoah National 22902; (434) 293-2728; snptrust.org. ows Lodge (Mile 51) and at Big Meadows products, including apparel, recycled paper Park, P.O. Box 727, Luray, VA 22835; Wayside (Mile 51.2). Banks are lo- products, cards and home décor. (877) 247-9261; goshenandoah.com. POTOMAC cated outside of the park in Luray and APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB other nearby communities. LOST & FOUND SHENANDOAH The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club To retrieve lost items, or to turn in found NATIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION (PATC) was founded in 1927 as a volun- GAS STATIONS articles, go to any entrance station or visi- The Shenandoah National Park Asso- teer organization to maintain a portion of Only unleaded gas and oil are available at tor center. If you’ve already left the park, ciation (SNPA) was organized in 1950 as the Appalachian Trail. The club develops Big Meadows Wayside (Mile 51.2). There send inquiries to Shenandoah National a nonprofit organization to support the and maintains other trails within the area, are no auto repairs or towing services. Park, Lost & Found, 3655 U.S. High- interpretive and educational programs of as well as historic shelters and cabins on There are, however, limited emergency way 211 East, Luray, VA 22835; or call Shenandoah National Park. The associa- the Appalachian Trail and other trails. It services, which include tire changing, (540) 999-3500. tion sells maps, pamphlets, field and trail encourages hiking and related outdoor lock opening, jump starts and emergency guides, and books about the human and sports, and publishes maps, guidebooks refueling. The gas station is open spring MEDICAL natural history of the Blue Ridge region. and more. For more information, contact through fall only, so it’s a good idea to fill The nearest hospitals are located in Profits are channeled back into Shenan- the PATC, 118 Park Street S.E., Vienna, your tank before entering the park, espe- Front Royal, three miles north of the Front doah National Park primarily through VA 22180; (703) 242-0315; patc.net. cially in winter. Royal Entrance Station; in Luray, 10 miles

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west of the Thornton Gap Entrance Station ­portions meet Americans with ­Disabilities PRESERVATION on U.S. 211; in Fishersville, five miles west Act (ADA) guidelines for slope. of Rockfish Gap; and in Harrisonburg, 20 Information or assistance may be ob- miles west of Swift Run Gap. tained by calling the Virginia Relay Center WILDERNESS RENEWAL ­gallons to more than 12 million gallons For emergency ambulance service, call at (800) 828-1120 (TDD) from within the In 1976, Congress designated 40 per- per year! The increased usage places 911 or (800) 732-0911. Always bring a first state or (800) 828-1140 (voice). Or, write cent of Shenandoah as wilderness, which additional stress on the area’s natural aid kit, extra water and food when you go to Shenandoah National Park, 3655 U.S. is defined in The Wilderness Act as “an resources. on long hikes. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835. area where the earth and its commu- Periods of drought place flora and fauna nity of life are untrammeled by man...” at risk and we encourage you to follow a POST OFFICE STORES & SUPPLIES Shenandoah is part of a national system few simple practices to help conserve Mail drops are located at the gift shops Souvenirs, crafts, snacks and food of wilderness areas on our public lands ­water in the park: at Elkwallow, Skyland, Big Meadows, ­service are available at lodges and way- that provides refuge for both animals and • Take short showers instead of baths. Lewis Mountain and Loft Mountain. sides. Waysides also sell camping supplies humans who are drawn to these areas • Turn off faucets while washing dishes, and groceries. Gasoline is available at Big for inspiration, education, solitude and washing your face and hands, or brush- RELIGIOUS SERVICES ­Meadows Wayside. recreation. ing your teeth. In-park services are sometimes offered Elkwallow Wayside (Mile 24.1) stocks Sitting by the edge of a stream or taking • Report stuck valves or dripping faucets by private organizations and open to the limited groceries, camping supplies, food, in a mountain vista, we begin to feel like to a park or concessions employee. public. Check at information desks for souvenirs and crafts. integral parts of the natural world. Recon- times and locations. Nearby communities Big Meadows Wayside (Mile 51.2) is necting with nature can help us escape FIRE offer religious services. the place for groceries, camping supplies, the everyday stresses of life; however, Resource managers understand fire gas, snacks, souvenirs and crafts. There even if you never step foot in a wilder- is a naturally occurring phenomenon SHOWERS & LAUNDRY are showers and laundry facilities at the ness area, you’ll still reap the benefits. that is essential in maintaining a healthy Delaware North provides wheelchair-ac- Big Meadows campground. For example, spring-fed waters flow from ecosystem. Pinecones from table moun- cessible, coin-operated showers and laun- Lewis Mountain Campstore (Mile 57.5) Shenandoah into rivers and streams that tain pine, for example, need fire to open dry near campgrounds at Big Meadows, sells souvenirs, crafts, camping supplies reach as far as the Chesapeake Bay, the

Lewis Mountain and Loft Mountain. and groceries, and also has showers and largest estuary in the United States. Keep- NPS laundry facilities. ing this ecosystem healthy provides food, SPECIAL SERVICES - Loft Mountain Wayside (Mile 79.5) is wildlife habitat and recreational access for There is wheelchair access at Skyland near the campground and has showers and millions of people in the region. and Big Meadows lodging and dining laundry. It sells souvenirs, groceries, locally Shenandoah’s wilderness area is an ex- ­facilities, the Lewis Mountain Campstore made crafts and camping supplies. perience as well as a place. While you ex- and Cabins, at many comfort stations, plore the areas of the park, take notice of and at the concessioner-operated show- SHENANDOAH VALLEY'S your surroundings and reflect on the sig- ers at Big Meadows, Lewis Mountain and FIELDS OF GOLD nificance of this “enduring resource.” Loft Mountain campgrounds. Visitors with For a complete guide to the region's lo- hearing impairments can see the two park cal produce, craft beer, vineyards, working WATER films shown at the Byrd Visitor Center, The farms,orchards and farm to table restau- Big Meadows is one of the few high- Gift and Experience Shenandoah, with rants, visit the fieldsofgold.org website. elevation wetlands in Virginia and is home ­captions. The center also offers several to a diversity of plants and animals that is other films about the park. SHARE YOUR FAVORITE rarely found elsewhere in the state. Over The Limberlost Trail (Mile 43) is fully ac- PHOTOS WITH US! the last decade, local population growth cessible. The entire trail is a hard-packed, and other factors have led to increased FOLLOW US! NPS staff occasionally employ prescribed burns crushed greenstone surface and most water consumption—from 6 million to maintain the vitality of forests and meadows.

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and release seeds that will grow into new water vapor and return to the earth as ac- YOUR MONEY AT WORK • Construction of an ADA-compliant trees. The NPS staff occasionally employs ids. The acids may damage sensitive plant Unless you already have a pass, you must restroom at Byrd Visitor Center. prescribed burns to maintain the vitality of foliage and change the chemical balance pay an entrance fee to enter Shenandoah. • The rehabilitation of Comfort Stations forests and meadow areas. Uncontrolled of streams and soils. If an imbalance oc- These fees help preserve the cultural, histori- (restrooms) at the campgrounds. fires, however, pose a threat to preserv- curs, living things may fail to reproduce cal and natural resources of this unique park, • The restoration of President Herbert ing Shenandoah’s natural and cultural or even die. Since 1979, park staff have and support their ongoing preservation. Hoover’s Rapidan Camp, also known as resources. In spring and fall, the park is worked with the University of Virginia and The Federal Lands Recreation Enhance- the “summer White House.” especially vulnerable to the negative ef- other organizations in cooperative studies ment Act allows parks to retain a portion of • The construction of an ADA-compliant fects of human-caused fires. For more to detect and measure acid rain and its collected fees for various projects, as per- state-of-the-art amphitheater at Skyland. information, see the “Park Regulations & effect on the ecosystem. mitted by Congress. Shenandoah invests • Preservation of park archival collections. Safety” chapter. With your help, and under the protec- this money in improvements and your fees • Clearing of decades of vegetative tion of the National Park Service, Shenan- have been used for many of these enhance- growth along Skyline Drive to reveal POACHING doah’s natural beauty will be here for ments, including: vistas of the Shenandoah Valley and the Wildlife poaching is a major concern many years to come. • A film and exhibit at Dickey Ridge Visitor Piedmont Plain. in Shenandoah. The NPS closes portions Center that introduces you to the world As a partner in the stewardship of of Skyline Drive at night during the hunt- of Shenandoah National Park. Shenandoah, you are helping to ensure its survival for future generations. With ing season to deter poachers from enter- LEAVE NO TRACE • The restoration of Massanutten ing the area to hunt illegally. Hunting is Lodge at Skyland with exhibits and your support, the park can continue to ­always prohibited in the park. Leave No Trace is a national program historic furnishings. provide many more years of enjoyment. that teaches people how to enjoy the • An extensive exhibit at the Byrd Visitor This treasure is invaluable to the region AIR QUALITY outdoors responsibly, and promotes and Center. and its people. Enjoying the scenic beauty of the inspires proper stewardship of America’s Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont re- public lands. Many land management gion is an integral part of the park visitor agencies are cooperating partners in this experience, and the NPS carefully monitors program. You can help minimize impacts to the natural resources and social experi- visibility in the park. Some of the charac- ences of other visitors by practicing these IT’S HERE! teristic blue haze is natural as trees release seven principles. For more information, tiny water droplets and other gaseous mol- “AMERICA’S FAVORITE DRIVE” please visit LNT.org. ecules into the air. Sadly, 70 to 80 percent AT YOUR FINGERTIPS... of the visibility-degrading haze seen in • Plan ahead and prepare. • Travel and camp on durable surfaces. 469 miles of scenic places, historic sites, Shenandoah is human caused. Within the • Dispose of waste properly. last half-century, visibility has decreased lodging, outdoor recommendations and more • Leave what you find. by about 50 percent. • Minimize campfire impacts. Sulfates and nitrogen oxide from power • Respect wildlife. Planned and developed plants and other industries in Virginia and • Be considerate of other visitors. in cooperation with the nearby states are carried to Shenandoah Blue Ridge Parkway – Consider applying these principles dur- on air currents. Congressional legislation­ National Park Service. ing your travels. We always need your requires the air over Shenandoah to be help in preserving our shared lands for fu- DOWNLOAD HERE the cleanest possible. To help combat a ture generations. It is the most important growing problem, NPS staff monitors the thing you can do for the places you love. park’s air quality. Make the commitment to Leave No Trace Acid rain forms when sulfur and nitro- today. You can make a difference. Part of the ParkFinder™ Network gen byproducts in the air combine with

18 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 19 PRESERVATION PLAN YOUR VISIT SIGHTS TO SEE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS IN SHENANDOAH

Between 1933 and 1942, 10 Civilian In September 2006, at Shenandoah’s NPS Conservation Corps (CCC) camps were annual CCC Reunion, the park dedicated While scholars may debate the specific meadow might have been created by ­­established within or on leased land adja- a bronze CCC worker statue at Byrd Visi- meaning of “Shenandoah,” they all agree tundra-like conditions and later, perpetu- cent to Shenandoah. During this time, more tor Center plaza, Big Meadows (Mile Post that it has something to do with the land. ated by fire—either naturally by lightning than 10,000 young men lived in these camps 51). The statue was part of a campaign the Ranging from “Silver Water” to “Great or deliberately by native peoples­—to cul- under the supervision of the Army. group started in the 1990s to commission Meadows” and “River of High Moun- tivate wild berries and attract game. Graz- They worked on projects directed a bronze statue of a CCC worker from the tains” to “Daughter of the Stars,” these ing deer, elk and bison likely helped keep by the National Park Service and ­Elliot Gantz Foundry of New York. The various definitions attest that the land in- it open, until settlers started grazing their the Bureau of Public Roads. Their group’s goal was to erect a reproduc- spired people to name it. Like its original cattle here. It’s estimated that by 1900, activities involved building trails, tion of the statue in every state inhabitants, modern visitors are moved the meadow was 1,000 acres! fire roads and towers, log comfort to commemorate the Corps’ by the beauty and diversity of the park’s Since the establishment of the park in stations, picnic grounds and con- work throughout the United landscape. Boasting unparalleled natural 1935 and the cessation of grazing, the struction projects ­associated with States. The first statue beauty, the park continues to draw visitors meadow has shrunk considerably, as it is Skyline Drive. was erected in 1995 for rest, recreation and rejuvenation. reclaimed by trees and shrubs. To keep a By the end of 1934, the CCC had in North Higgins State 130-acre part of the meadow open, NPS built a sawmill, shingle mill, black- Park, Roscommon, NATURAL SITES staff controls woody shrubs, such as el- smith shop and sign shop to pro- Michigan. Shenandoah Bursting with wildflowers and blueber- derberry and huckleberry, by burning and duce materials to construct park National Park’s bronze ries, Big Meadows is the largest area in mowing, thus allowing grasses and herba- buildings. They set up nurseries statue was the 32nd state the park, and it is almost treeless. The ceous plants to grow. in Front Royal and Big Mead- commemoration. ows to grow the trees and The life-size bronze statue is

shrubs that would ultimately loosely based on the depression- iStock be used to revegetate areas era drawing of “Iron Mike,” a repre- disturbed by construction. sentative, although idealized, young After the official estab- man. Shirtless, dressed in denim lishment of the park on field pants and a floppy hat, the December 26, 1935, the enrollee proudly stands with CCC expanded its activities his axe at rest. The statue was across it. They built and made possible by a gift from landscaped the overlooks the Barlow family of Stanley, along Skyline Drive. They Virginia, in memory of Rus- also constructed the stone sell T. Barlow and Louise P. guardwalls. The “boys” built hun- Barlow. Mr. Barlow was an dreds of miles of trails and installed much of enrollee at camp NP-2 (Big the infrastructure to ready the park’s facili- Meadows) from 1934 to 1936. ties for visitors. Mrs. Barlow was one of three Stanley sis- These “boys” created the form and fabric ters who married CCC enrollees from the of the new park so that future generations Big Meadows camp. could find recreation here. All of their hard Visit the park’s website to see an interac- work is still enjoyed by visitors today. tive program about the CCC: nps.gov/shen. Climb one of the park's scenic peaks—like Old Rag—to see the its dark hollows and rolling hills.

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Area (Mile 43), Franklin Cliffs (Mile 49), historically refurnished. The lodge also Corbin was forced to vacate the land on Blackrock (Mile 51.2) and several spots houses an exhibit, The Women of Sky- which the cabin sits in 1938, when the Acroterion on Stony Man Mountain. land, which documents the lives of sev- land was incorporated into Shenandoah An overview of the park’s highlights eral women who frequented the resort in National Park. The cabin is one of a few would be incomplete without mention- the Roaring Twenties. buildings preserved during the creation of ing its waterfalls, which can be reached Although they came from very differ- the park, and still stands despite recent on foot and are spectacular in the spring. ent backgrounds, they shared a com- forest fires.he cabin is now maintained See the “Walking & Hiking” chapter for mon need to reach beyond many of the by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club a list of some of the trails that lead to social barriers of the time. The lodge, lo- and can be rented by the public. Please waterfalls. cated in Skyland, is a significant historical visit patc.net for more information and site in the park. to make reservations. HISTORIC SITES The Fox family homesite at Fox Hol- There are more than 100 cemeteries in Shenandoah boasts not only a rich natu- low can be seen at the end of a short hike the park. Some are small plots with only a ral history, but also a rich human one. The from the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center few markers, while others have as many park traces the lives of the area’s many (Mile 4.6). A guidebook explaining the as 100 gravesites with the remains of mul- early settlers, and visitors can see arti- site is available at the Dickey Ridge Visitor tiple families. facts from their habitation at that time. Center or the trailhead. Some cemeteries are still in use by de- Built in 1911, Massanutten Lodge is an impressive historical cabin at Skyland. Reminders of the days of the mountain A 1.5-mile hike down a steep trail scendants of mountain families. Please residents can be found in the ruins of (Mile 37.9) leads to Corbin Cabin, which respect the final resting places of those More than 270 species of plants grow houses, barns, animal pens and fruit was built in 1909 by George T. Corbin. who settled this land before it was a park. in the meadow and attract the park’s di- cellars, some more than a century old. verse wildlife. A variety of wildlife depends The remnants of some 500 homes on this area, including the wetland in the and farms are now mostly a handful of meadow’s center. still-standing walls, an occasional ­chimney There is evidence of many prehistoric and more than 100 family cemeteries. encampments located in the meadow. There is also evidence of American In- More recently, it was the site of one of dian habitation; however, these sites are the first Civilian Conservation Corps generally restricted to archeologists­ who camps and the park dedication ceremony are researching and preserving them. in 1936. History buffs will enjoy visiting and ex- Shenandoah is part of the Appala- ploring Skyland, Massanutten Lodge chians, one of the oldest mountain ranges and Rapidan Camp. The latter was built in the world and, as such, it has many by President and Mrs. Hoover as their unique rock formations. Some rocks ex- “summer White House.” In 1932, the hibit columnar jointing, a geologic phe- Hoovers donated the 160-acre tract for in- nomenon caused by the rapid cooling of clusion in the future park. Rapidan Camp molten lava. As cooling continued, verti- is located at the end of Mill Prong Trail. cal fissures and cracks penetrated deeper, Visitors may hike down from Milam Gap creating large columns of rock with four (Mile 52.8) or take the van tour from the to eight sides. Columnar jointing can be Byrd Visitor Center (Mile 51). seen at Compton Peak (Mile 10.4), Lit- Massanutten Lodge was the home of tle Devils Stairs (Mile 19.4), Crescent Addie Nairn Pollock, co-owner of Skyland Rock Trail (Mile 44.4), the Limberlost Resort. The lodge’s living room has been

22 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 23 PLAN YOUR VISIT THINGS TO DO THINGS TO DO BYRD VISITOR CENTER EXHIBIT

Byrd Visitor Center (Mile 51) is a great No matter which season you visit wine tastings or basket-making workshops NPS place to stop for information, films, a park Shenandoah, there is always something to at Big Meadows Lodge. Other regular store and exhibits. Within a Day’s Drive of do or see in the park. Springtime is great events include Sunday afternoons of 1930s Millions, a highly interactive exhibit, tells the for wildflower viewing, while summer’s to 1940s music; A Walk for Sunshine presen- stories of Shenandoah’s establishment­ and best for camping and other outdoor ac- tations by talented speaker and author Jeff development, ­including the controversial ac- tivities. Autumn brings colorful fall foliage. Alt; the popular night skies presentations quisition of privately owned land, the work of Snow is not uncommon in the winter, and and the new Basic Outdoor Skills programs; the Civilian­ Conservation Corps and the little- signs of wildlife abound when the park is craft making and more. Call Delaware known story of desegregation in the 1930s blanketed in white. This chapter captures North at Shenandoah National Park at (877) and 1940s. the seasonal highlights within the park. 247-9261 or check out the current events In the exhibit, interactive maps highlight on goshenandoah.com.­ the locations of former homesites. Hundreds PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES Shenandoah National Park ranger pro- of historic photographs and documents take Delaware North sponsors a variety of grams are offered during the spring, sum- visitors through the decades of the park’s special activities and programs at Big Mead- mer and fall. Rangers lead a variety of past, offering a great way to pay homage to ows and Skyland throughout the season. activities, including guided hikes, evening A visitor checks out an exhibit at that period. On most Tuesday evenings, watch local clog- programs, special offerings for children and Byrd Visitor Center. Visit a model of the Lewis Mountain Camp gers perform at Skyland. For something a trips to Rapidan Camp ($10 per person by Store, the center of Shenandoah’s historic As each decade has unfolded, Shenan­ little more subdued, participate in monthly reservation, visit recreation.gov for more journey through desegregation. Experience doah’s landscape has changed in reflection details), a National Historic Landmark. the shift in the nation’s environmental ethics of America’s values. This exhibit chronicles Schedules for ranger programs are avail- during the 1970s and follow its impacts to the those changes and involves you in the able at visitor centers and other public con- present day. Plan your own wilderness expe- Shenandoah of the future. Make a stop at tact areas, or online at nps.gov/shen. FUN FACTS rience in Shenandoah National Park through Byrd Visitor Center part of your Shenan- an interactive touchscreen program. doah visit! Q. WHAT TYPES BIRDWATCHING OF HIKES ARE Shenandoah National Park is an excel- AVAILABLE IN THE lent location to birdwatch. More than 190 support species that can be found no- creatures. Discover many changes and PARK? species of resident and transient birds are where else in the park. explore the wonders of Limberlost using A. There are trails for all known to live in or visit the park. Approxi- your senses and imagination. levels. Some lead to a mately half of these species breed here, KIDS IN PARKS TRACK TRAILS waterfall or viewpoint, while others including 18 species of warblers. Roughly Kids in Parks has an expanding net- PICNICKING penetrate deep into the forest and 30 of the species—including tufted tit- work of family-friendly outdoor adven- Get back to nature and take advantage wilderness. Be sure to take plenty of mice, red-tailed hawks, Carolina chicka- tures called TRACK Trails. Each TRACK of one of Shenandoah’s picnic areas, lo- water, wear appropriate shoes and allow dees, wild turkeys and barred owls—are Trail features self-guided brochures and cated at Dickey Ridge (Mile 4.6), Elkwal- about an hour for each mile. Most hikes to waterfalls are long and strenuous, so year-round residents. signs that turn any visit into an extraor- low (Mile 24.1), Pinnacles (Mile 36.7), Big be sure to select a hike of the proper Due to the park’s location along the dinary experience. At Shenandoah, the Meadows (Mile 51.2), Lewis Mountain level. crest of the Blue Ridge and the extent of Limberlost TRACK Trail (Mile 43) is a 1.3- (Mile 57.5), South River (Mile 62.8) and the forested habitat, Shenandoah provides mile loop built for visitors of all ages and Dundo (Mile 83.7). Each picnic area fea- For answers to all your questions, essential habitat for neotropical­ migratory abilities. This gentle trail winds through tures tables, fireplaces, drinking fountains go to OhRanger.com birds, both for nesting and as a travel cor- sprawling mountain laurel, tall oaks, and and restrooms. Note: The picnic area at ridor. Certain areas, such as Big Meadows, feathery ferns. It’s home to all sorts of Dundo has vault toilets only.

24 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 25 THINGS TO DO THINGS TO DO

25 of which are open for harvest. The fish- NPS BE SAFE THIS WINTER ing season is year-round for both stream classifications. Anglers must use a single- • Find out current weather and hooked, artificial lure (with or without road conditions. Call the park at barbs). The minimum size limit for trout is (540) 999-3500. nine inches and the maximum creel limit • Enter the park with a full tank of gas. is six fish. Size and creel limits for other • Drive a winterized car with snow tires. • Obey the 35-mph speed limit. game fish species follow Virginia regu­ Weather conditions may dictate lations. A Virginia fishing license is re- lower speeds. quired for anyone 16 and older fishing at • Watch for animals and construction the park. A license may be purchased at crews on Skyline Drive. Big Meadows Wayside or local sporting • Dress for temperatures 10–15ºF goods stores. cooler at higher elevations. Ethical fishing techniques are critical to • Carry a first-aid kit, snacks, water, sustaining the park’s native brook trout maps and extra clothing. populations. For more detailed information, including a list of streams open for harvest, Temperatures are usually cooler in the consult the updated Recreational Fish- mountains than in the valley and weather There is no more authentic way to experience Shenandoah National Park than on horseback, ing brochure available at entrance stations, conditions can change quickly. What falls where you'll get an entirely new persepective. visitor centers, campgrounds and the park as rain in the valley can turn to ice and website. Fishing guides or paid instructors snow on the mountain. Winter storms in HORSEBACK RIDING reflector (visible from at least 200 ft) on the must obtain a commercial use authoriza- Shenandoah may leave several inches of Horseback riding, permitted on des- back of the bike. tion from the park superintendent before snow or ice on the ground. ignated trails, is a wonderful way to entering the park. Be prepared for quick changes in the enjoy Shenandoah. You can also sign up SWIMMING weather. Wear warm, layered cloth- to take a guided ride on horses or ponies Swimming is permitted in all the streams WINTER ACTIVITIES ing. Plan ahead so you don’t have to rely through wooded trails at Skyland Stables in Shenandoah. Swim at your own risk, but Winter offers opportunities for quiet soli- on routine ranger patrols (no facilities are (mile 42.5 on Skyline Drive). For more in- be sure to wear old tennis shoes or water tude in Shenandoah National Park. As the open in winter). Enter the park with a full formation, visit goshenandoah.com. shoes, as the rocks underwater can be leaves fall from the trees and cooler tem- tank of gas, first aid kit, snacks, water and sharp and slippery. peratures improve visibility, valleys below maps. Always share the details of your BICYCLING and mountains beyond appear more spec- trip with a friend or family member so that Bicycling is permitted only on Skyline HANG GLIDING tacular than ever. help can be summoned if you don’t return Drive and on paved roads in developed areas. Hang gliding and paragliding are autho- You’ll also have a better chance of as scheduled. For current weather and Bikes are forbidden on backcountry trails rized with an advanced permit at several seeing woodland animals like deer, road conditions, call (540) 999-3500. and fire roads. Cyclists must comply with all locations within Shenandoah. Permits squirrels and turkeys as they forage for Note: Most services and facilities are applicable traffic regulations and should stay may be obtained by writing to Shenan- food. Foxes and bobcats are active in win- closed from late fall to early spring. Por- on the extreme right side of the road. Since doah National Park: Shenandoah National ter. Look for tracks of mice, rabbits and tions of Skyline Drive are periodically Skyline Drive is a two-lane, two-way road- Park, Attn: Hang Gliding Permits, 3655 other animals. closed due to inclement weather and at way and does not have bike paths, cyclists­ U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835. Winter snowfall sometimes makes night during deer hunting season. Byrd must ride single file. When there’s fog cross-country skiing and snowshoe- Visitor Center is open Friday, Saturday or limited visibility, cyclists must mount FISHING ing possible on certain hiking trails or fire and Sunday in winter, weather and road a white light on the front wheel (visible All streams are open for catch-and- roads. Visitors must bring their own gear. conditions permitting. Contact the park for from at least 500 ft) and a red light or red release recreational fishing, approximately Winter in Shenandoah is unpredictable. hours of operation and more information.

26 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 27 BEYOND THE PARK EXPLORING THE AREA Shutterstock The Shenandoah Valley is full of inviting boutiques, antique stores, and Victorian and small towns and bustling downtown districts retro-inspired shops and restaurants. for you to explore. They offer a diversity of Luray is also home to the most popular and lodging options that will make it easier to largest system of caverns in the eastern U.S.. extend your stay. Whether you’re looking for Luray Caverns, known as “geology’s hall of a history lesson, a distillery tour, boutique fame,” will leave visitors marveling at cathe- shopping or fun family activities, the gateway dral-sized rooms, giant stone formations, and communities of Shenandoah National Park countless natural wonders. are worth a visit. To plan your next trip, visit VirginiasShenandoahValley.com. GROTTOES, VIRGINIA In 1804, a man named Bernard Weyer FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA was trying to retrieve a hunting trap from a As the northern gateway to the Shenan- groundhog hole when he discovered an enor- doah Valley (and Shenandoah National Park), mous system of caverns. A tourism economy Front Royal, Virginia is a town built around get- sprung up around the caves, known as Wey- The Luray Singing Tower, in Carillion Park, contains a carillon of 47 bells, regularly scheduled recitals are held, free of charge, throught the spring, summer and fall. ting out and exploring. The ”canoeing capital of ers Cave, Grottoes of the Shenandoah, Virginia,“ Front Royal is home to the Shenan- and – more recently – Grand Caverns. toric homes and Shenandoah Valley Cul- eries, great independent bookstores, and doah River State Park, where you can rent a The caverns hold the distinction of being tural Heritage Museum in Edinburg. Civil carefully curated galleries. It’s home to first- kayak or canoe and take in the region’s beauty the oldest continually-operational show cave War buffs won’t want to miss the Virginia rate museums like the Virginia Discovery from the water. in the United States, and were even visited Museum of the Civil War. Woodstock Museum, where hands-on exhibits and ac- A half-dozen scenic and award-winning by both Confederate and Union soldiers dur- is Virginia’s fourth oldest town and home tivities will keep kids entertained for hours; golf courses draw amateurs and pros alike ing the Civil War (some of their signatures of the Woodstock Tower overlook of the a great way to spend a rainy day! to Front Royal, and the downtown has no are still visible on the cave walls today). “seven bends” of the Shenandoah River. Charlottesville also boasts championship shortage of delicious eateries, vintage bou- There’s plenty to do in Grottoes above- If you have time, follow the Shenandoah golf courses designed by top architects, tiques, and quirky souvenir shops. ground, too. Hike or bike through Grand Cav- Spirits Trail that connects the county’s and waterways such as Mint Springs, Chris Shenandoah National Park has multiple erns Park and Mountain View Park, spend wineries, breweries, distilleries and cider- Greene Lake, and Walnut Creek Park, which campgrounds, with sites available for both some time at the Grand Caverns swimming ies. Along the way you’ll find award-winning are open to swimming, canoeing and fishing. RVs and tent campers. If you’re looking for pool, or grab your rod and reel and head for farm-to-table restaurants to sate your crav- Charlottesville is a draw for history buffs something a little less rustic, there are lux- the banks of the Shenandoah River. ings. Or just stop by the Route 11 Potato as the historic home of Virginia’s most fa- ury cabins available for rent in Shenandoah Chip factory to try some gourmet potato mous son: Thomas Jefferson. His legacy is River State Park, and Front Royal boasts SHENANDOAH COUNTY, VIRGINIA chips, lovingly made in small batches. preserved at Charlottesville’s two UNESCO some of the quaintest bed and breakfasts Located just west of the park, Shenan- For more information or to obtain World Heritage Sites—his home, Mon- on the East Coast. doah Country comprises a number of pic- an area visitor guide, please check out ticello, and the University of Virginia, turesque towns along Route 11 as well as visitshenandoahcounty.com. which opened a year before its founding fa- LURAY, VIRGINIA a couple nestled in the mountains. This di- ther’s death. It took decades to complete the The hilly mountain town of Luray dates verse region offers year-round options that CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA construction of the plantation and its grand back to the early 19th century, and stepping will appeal to everyone in your party. Just a short drive from the park, Charlot- house. Tours of Monticello are available, and onto its charming downtown streets is like Hit the slopes at Bryce Resort in Mount tesville’s small-town feel and big-city ameni- the gardens and grounds are open to visi- stepping back in time. Detailed brick archi- Jackson on skis during the winter, on a ties will charm you. On a stroll through the tors year-round. You’ll find more ideas at vis- tecture and storefronts are home to modern mountain bike in the summer. Visit the his- city’s historic streets, you’ll find local win- itcharlottesville.org.

28 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 29 PLAN YOUR VISIT WALKING AND HIKING

WALKING & HIKING the park and preserve the park experience for you and future generations of visitors.

Ambling along Shenandoah’s trails is one sturdy, comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes APPALACHIAN TRAIL of the best ways to experience the park. and quality outdoor socks. On longer hikes, In 1921, conservationist Benton Mac- Stop by a visitor center for trail recommen- bring extra clothing and rain gear (showers Kaye proposed an “experiment in regional dations and hiking maps. Day-hiking maps are fairly common in the summer). Always planning”—the Appalachian Trail. Work be- are free at entrance stations and visitor cen- pack out any litter, including cigarette butts. gan the following year and, by 1937, the ters and are also downloadable from the trail—2,176 miles in length—reached com- park website. Topographical maps are avail- LEAVE NO TRACE pletion. The first person walked its entire able for sale at visitor centers, gift shops Please practice Leave No Trace prin- length, from Georgia to Maine, in 1948. Ev- and online at snpbooks.org. When hiking, ciples and guidelines while exploring ery year, 300 to 400 hikers repeat the feat. always stay on trails and pay attention to the Shenandoah National Park, especially by Notable hikers have included a six-year-old concrete posts found at trail intersections. keeping to hiking trails with durable sur- boy, several octogenarians and a blind man Near the top of the posts are metal bands faces. Leave the trails as you found them, with his service dog. The entire trip takes indicating the trail name, direction and dis- and be considerate of those visitors who four to six months to complete. Another Great Reason tance. All trails also have blazes, which are will follow you. Review the seven princi- The trail crosses 14 states, eight national marks made on trees with paint. The color ples of Leave No Trace in the “Preserva- forests, two national parks and 15 major to Leash Your Pet

of the blaze indicates the following: tion” chapter. Whether you are hiking and rivers. Elevations range from 6,642 feet Wildlife and pets can be a dangerous combination. If you choose to bring your pet to Shenandoah, it must White Blaze: Appalachian Trail camping in Shenandoah National Park’s at Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. Yellow Blaze: Open to hikers and horse- wilderness or driving along Skyline Drive Mountains to near sea level in the Hudson back riders for an afternoon, following Leave No Trace River Valley. Some of the most impressive Blue Blaze: Open to hikers only principles and guidelines will help protect sections are found along the 105 miles that tice frequent tick checks. If you become Red Orange Blaze: Park boundary traverse Shenandoah National Park. For ill after visiting the park, tell your physician Double Blaze: Indicates a sharp turn or more information about the Appalachian you were in a tick habitat. Some ticks are iStock change in direction. Trail, visit nps.gov/appa. smaller than a pinhead. Check yourself care- Many of Shenandoah’s more than 500 fully and be aware of the possibility of a tick- miles of hiking trails begin at Skyline Drive. TICKS borne illness, even if you haven’t found any Some trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint. To prevent ticks from latching on to evidence of ticks. Others penetrate deep into the forest and you, tuck shirts into pants and tuck pants wilderness. They descend to a point of inter- into socks. After hiking, thoroughly wash TRAIL MAPS est and then climb back out again. Be sure and inspect yourself. Wear light colors so Detailed topographic maps are available to take plenty of water, appropriate shoes ticks can be easily seen and use insect at visitor information centers, entrance and allow about an hour for each mile. repellent. If a tick attaches itself to your stations, concessioner locations, by mail As you hike through Shenandoah’s for- skin, remove it with fine-pointed twee- from the Shenandoah National Park As- ests, notice the thriving birches, maples and zers. Wash the area thoroughly with soap sociation, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, white pines. Look for wildflowers, like blu- and water. Rarely does part of the tick Luray, VA 22835; (540) 999-3582, and on- ets and violets in spring and yarrow and wild remain in the skin; if this occurs, seek line at snpbooks.org. Free maps for day columbine in summer. Discover ferns and medical attention. hikes are available at visitor centers and mushrooms and listen for and spot birds in Lyme and other serious diseases can entrance stations. To plan your trip before the trees. be transmitted by deer ticks. Cases are arriving at the park, download maps at Always carry a map, plenty of drink- Shenandoah National Park encompasses a documented each year in the park. The nps.gov/shen. The park also offers Back- ing water and food. To avoid blisters, wear 105-mile portion of the Appalachian Trail. best way to prevent disease is to prac- country Camping Trip Guides online.

30 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 31 WALKING AND HIKING PLAN YOUR VISIT

DAY HIKES CAMPING

Round- Trip Difficulty Trail Distance Elevation Shenandoah’s campgrounds offer both Big Meadows (Mile 51.2) All sites are Trailhead Description Time Gain first-come, first-served campsites, as well $20 per night during peak season and Riprap Loop Outstanding geology, exceptional scenic 9.8 miles Very strenuous as reservable sites, from spring through $17 per night during the off season. Big views, stream crossings, cascade and Mile 94.1 9 hours significant swimming hole. Hidden gem, not often elevation late fall (the “peak season”). Family sites Meadows has 221 sites, flush toilets, coin crowded. (up to six people) and group sites are avail- showers, coin laundry, a dump station and Overall Run Falls This long, steep trail is worth walking; it 4.7 miles Strenuous able, as well as generator-free sites. Res- a camp store. - leads to a spectacular view of the tallest Mile 22.2 5 hours 1,850 feet falls in the park (93 feet). Valley views. ervations may be made up to six months Lewis Mountain (Mile 57.5) All sites In a dry year, there may be little water. in advance by visiting recreation.gov or by are $15 per night. This campground, the Mary's Rock Trail from This winding trail climbs up through the for- 2.8 mile Moderate to calling (877) 444-6777. All campgrounds smallest in the park, has 31 sites, flush est to a rock ledge. Spectacular view to the 2 hours Difficult Meadow Spring have a 30-night limit, except Big Meadows, toilets, coin showers, coin laundry and a west, as far as the Allegheny Mountains. Mile 33.5 which has a 14-night limit during the peak camp store. - Whiteoak Canyon Hike to the first of six falls in Whiteoak 4.6 miles Moderate to season. All campgrounds allow pets, but Loft Mountain (Mile 79.5) Rate is $15 Canyon. Crosses the Limberlost Trail and Strenuous Mile 42.6 4.25 hours they must be leashed at all times. There per night. The largest campground in passes through beautiful forest, gorge. 1,040 feet are no hookups. Opening and closing dates the park has 202 sites, flush toilets, coin Limberlost The Limberlost Trail has a crushed green- 1.3 miles Easy vary each year. For specific dates, visit showers, coin laundry, a dump station stone walkway and a gentle grade. People circuit Mile 43 100 feet of all ages come here to see birds, flow- 1.0 hour nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit. Rates are and a camp store. The group campsite ers, new tree growth and find a sense of subject to change. formerly located here has been moved to peace. Mathews Arm (Mile 22.2) Rate is $15 Dundo Picnic Grounds. There are three Upper Hawksbill Moun- Rocky trail to the summit of the park’s high- 2.1 miles Moderate per night. There are 166 sites, flush toilets sites available from $35–$50 a night, ac- tain Summit est peak at 4,049 feet, where rare balsam 2.0 hours 520 feet fir and red spruce can be seen. and a dump station. No showers or laundry commodating seven–25 people.- Mile 46.7 facilities are available. Find camping sup- *For additional RV information, visit Dark Hollow Falls Excellent view of Dark Hollow Falls. The 1.4 miles Moderate/ waterfall is a series of frothing cascades. Steep Return plies at nearby Elkwallow Wayside.- gocampingamerica.com. Mile 50.7 1.5 hours 440 feet South River Falls Fairly steep trail through lush woods with 1.6 miles Moderate view of the falls. Longer hikes available. Mile 62.8 2.25 hours 850 feet INVASIVE SPECIES: THE EMERALD ASH BORER Blackrock Summit Outstanding views and rock outcroppings. 1.0 Mile Easy You’ll stay awhile at this mammoth pile of Visitors may not bring outside firewood into Mile 84.8 1.25 hour 175 feet quartzite rocks. Shenandoah National Park unless it is USDA- TRAILS WITH DOWNLOADABLE GUIDE BOOKLETS certified kiln dried. The Emerald Ash Borer, a non-native beetle from Asia discovered in the Shutterstock Fox Hollow Trail The trail passes the old homesite of the 1.2 miles Easy to Fox family, remnants of rock piles and a Moderate U.S. in 2002, feeds on ash trees and causes Mile 4.6 1.25 hours cemetery. The trail is beautiful, passing 310 feet devastating results. Ash trees are a significant through forests and wildflowers. (good for kids) component of the park. This destructive beetle has already been found in the park and could Stony Man Trail This trail, one of the loveliest in the park, 1.6 miles Easy to passes ferns, wildflowers, hardwoods and Moderate Mile 41.7 1.5 hours kill millions of ash trees. You can help to mini- rare red spruce and balsam fir. The west- 340 feet ward view, from Stony Man’s “forehead,” mize the chance of transporting this beetle into is unforgettable. the park by purchasing firewood from within Rapidan Camp Hike Take the Appalachian Trail to Mill Prong 4 miles Moderate the park only. You may also gather dead and Trail, follow it downhill to historic Camp roundtrip Mile 52.4 870 feet down wood inside the park, or bring your own Rapidan, President Hoover's rustic 3 hours Help prevent Emerald Ash Borer infestation by getaway. charcoal if you are planning to cook. gathering wood from inside the park.

32 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 33 PLAN YOUR VISIT HISTORY & CULTURE HISTORY & CULTURE

FORMATION OF THE eventually compressed the two layers into SHENANDOAH REGION metamorphic rock. The geologic story of Shenandoah Na- As a result of the eons-old shifting of the tional Park began over 1 billion years ago. earth’s tectonic (or crustal) plates, North All photos courtesy of NPS Molten magma, miles beneath the earth’s America and Africa collided. This re-elevated surface, slowly solidified to become the and fractured the sea floor, causing the “basement rock,” or core, of what we know older, underlying layer of metamorphic rock today as the Blue Ridge Mountains. For the to tilt upward and slide over the younger next 500 million years, erosion and the up- layer, creating the towering mountain range lifting of the earth’s crust exposed the gra- that we call the Appalachians. nitic basement rock. You can see the granite The powerful forces of wind, water and component of this rock in Old Rag Mountain frost have worn away the Appalachians for and its surroundings. nearly 250 million years. These forces con- Over millions of years, the uplift of the tinue to create and refine the spectacular earth’s crust formed deep cracks in the scenery of Shenandoah National Park. Wa- granite, which led to volcanic activity. For ter runoff, as demonstrated by the “500- centuries, molten basaltic lava burst forth year” rainstorm of June 1995, has carved and poured over the land, forming a smooth, the mountains’ distinctive alternating pat- flat plain called the “Catoctin Formation.” tern of ridges and valleys. As you explore (The bedrock underlying Big Meadows was the park, look for signs of its geologic his- formed by at least 12 of these lava flows, tory and how wind, water, frost and ice con- which collectively are approximately 1,800- tinue to sculpt the land. feet thick.) The cooling and contraction of the lava produced a network of polygonal cracks, HUMAN HISTORY or columnar jointing. Please see the “Sights The post-Ice Age people who knew these To See” chapter for more information. lands were hunters and gatherers. They were nomads who moved with the seasons, pick- THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS ing nuts and berries and hunting caribou, elk When continental drift (the separation and musk ox with spears and clubs. They of the Americas from the continents of Eu- had no permanent villages in the area that is rope and Africa) began about 600 million now Shenandoah National Park, but stayed in years ago, it formed a broad, shallow de- encampments for short periods of time. pression from Alabama to Newfoundland. Among the many native tribes living in and For 300 million years, an ancient sea flooded around the park area were the Monacans the area that is now the Appalachian Moun- and the Manahoacs, who lived in the region tains. Layers of water-borne sediments ac- just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. These cumulated on the ocean floor, followed by were the tribes that explorer John Lederer, limestone sediments composed of fossil- a German physician and scholar, encountered Clockwise from top: Visitors try out Skyline Drive at its opening on Oct. 23, 1932; President Roosevelt visits the CCC camp in 1933; a CCC work crew aboard NPS truck gets ready to head out ized marine animals and shells. The weight on his journey to the Blue Ridge Mountains for the day; Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover sit on porch at Rapidan Camp; the first car on Skyline and resultant heat caused by the sediments in 1669. Drive pays at the North Entrance.

34 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 35 HISTORY & CULTURE HISTORY & CULTURE

Around 1650, the tribes began suffer- most of whom lived in the lower Shenandoah Shenandoah’s camps to bolster public con- SHENANDOAH TODAY ing from new diseases, including smallpox, Valley. By 1800, many small industries— fidence in his “New Deal.” In the intervening decades, the forest measles and tuberculosis, introduced by such as tanneries and cider presses—were grew and wildlife began to proliferate. French and Dutch fur traders and early Tide- established. Mills, fueled by the resources SKYLINE DRIVE After more than 8,000 years of human water pioneers. It is estimated that 2,000 of the area’s mountains, provided work The construction of Skyline Drive started use, Shenandoah was returned to its Monacans and Manahoacs lived in the re- and markets for goods. Absentee landlords on July 18, 1931, before the park was es- more natural state and has become gion, but by 1730 most of them had died or and corporations that had been formed to tablished. It was initiated as a drought-relief one of the most beautiful areas in the moved away. extract mineral deposits and timber im- measure by President Herbert Hoover who National Park System. In September It is possible that Lederer was not the first pacted the natural resources. Bison, elk and had a fishing camp in the area. The road 1997, Skyline Drive Historic District was European explorer to visit the Blue Ridge wolves were extirpated and deer, bear and was first built by contractors who hired lo- listed in the National Register of Historic Mountains. Captain John Smith explored turkey became rare. cal farmers who needed work away from Places. More than 300 buildings and the Rappahannock River in 1608 and may The demands on the land began to take a the farm because of crop failures. In 1934, structures along Skyline Drive are listed have reached what is now Shenandoah Na- toll. During the late 19th century and the be- part of Skyline Drive opened temporarily to in the Register as representative of the tional Park, but Lederer was the first to leave ginning of the 20th, the fortunes of the peo- eager and curious visitors. “best of the 1930s.” a written account of his journey. With the ple of the Blue Ridge steadily declined. The road was essentially finished on In 2008, Skyline Drive was desig- help of native guides, Lederer reached the Chestnut blight arrived in 1904, August 29, 1939, during the Roosevelt ad- nated a National Historic Landmark. It crest of the mountains on March 18, 1669, carried into the United States by ministration. Most of the picnic grounds, also has the distinction of being one of and then spent six days hiking through the imported Chinese chestnut trees. With the comfort stations, overlooks and landscap- the most popular scenic byways in the snow, “hoping to find some passage through death of the chestnut in much of the east ing were built by the CCC. The cost of country. With your assistance, the NPS the Mountains.” He described steep slopes, over the next 30 years, a prime source of in- building this roadway was approximately can protect and preserve the cultural and thick brambles and a forest teeming with come rapidly vanished. About half the peo- $5 million at the time. natural resources of the park. wild game. ple had moved off the Blue Ridge by 1925, just as plans began to establish a national EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS park here. Severe drought and a widespread In 1716, Governor Alexander epidemic of hog cholera furthered the eco- Spotswood led a well-supplied party of nomic plight of a rural population, moving 63 men from Germanna, near present-day into the Great Depression. Fredericksburg, Virginia, across the moun- tains to the Shenandoah River and back. THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS Spotswood was eager to encourage settle- In 1933, more than two years before the e Fun ment in the area before the French arrived to park was formally established, two Civilian Doesn’t End at Railroad scenic excursions, world begin their own settlements. He initiated a Conservation Corps (CCC) camps were class trout streams and mountain Milepost 469 biking on the famous Tsali trails. generous land grant program that exempted set up to help build visitor amenities. The We’re home to the Cherokee Milepost 469 is where the settlers from taxes and attracted thousands CCC was one of the public works programs Indian Reservation and the Parkway ends and the Smokies North Carolina half of the Great into the area. Germans from Pennsylvania, that Roosevelt created within months of begin. And Bryson City, NC Smoky Mountains National Park. as well as the English and Scotch-Irish from taking office. In 1933, the first two CCC delivers the complete Smoky Above all, you’ll love the Mountains experience. small town charm of Bryson City. Virginia’s Tidewater region, began settling in camps located in national parks were estab- Enjoy ra ing and kayaking the Shenandoah Valley. lished at Skyland and Big Meadows. Con- on the Nantahala River, boating and  shing on Fontana Lake, Have a Big Vacation gress took advantage of the future park's Great Smoky Mountains in a Small Town USING THE LAND proximity to Washington, D.C., and used GreatSmokies.com The settlers moved into a forest rich with it to demonstrate Roosevelt’s Depression The Travel Guide to Bryson City, Cherokee, Nantahala Gorge, Fontana Lake chestnut trees and wild game. By 1790, cures. In August 1933, the president took and the Great Smoky Mountains. On your computer. On your smartphone. 800-867-9246 there were about 67,000 people in the area, a highly publicized whirlwind tour through

36 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 37 PLAN YOUR VISIT LODGING & DINING LODGING & DINING Shutterstock Shenandoah invites visitors to enjoy an tresses and soft goods. Limited Wi-Fi is array of lodging and dining options. From available in the public areas at Skyland and the comfortable accommodations at Sky- Big Meadows. The dining rooms in Sky- land to the trailside huts along the Appa- land and Big Meadows were refurbished lachian Trail, there is a place for all tastes. as well. Chefs at all of the restaurants in Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge hold the park worked on updating the menus events throughout the season, including incorporating ingredients sourced from lo- Virginia wine tastings, culinary events, cal farms and suppliers. night sky programs and twilight hikes. Skyland (Mile 41.7) offers accom- In addition, the 19th annual Apple modations with the ambiance of the Butter Celebration on September 14, past century reflected in its rustic cab- 2019 is held at Skyland from 11 a.m. to ins. There are 178 guest rooms, some 5 p.m. The event features live entertain- of which have limited accessibility for ment, themed food, activities for kids, those with disabilities. There is a grab- wine tasting for adults, and crafters and and-go food counter, a gift shop, ranger artisans. National Park Rangers and NPS programs, horseback-riding, wine-tasting partners also attend, on hand to answer and culinary events. There are TVs in Big Meadows Lodge offers rooms in the historic lodge, rustic cabins and traditional buildings. any questions about Shenandoah and the preferred and premium rooms, and their respective roles in contributing to some traditional rooms. Skyland is a pet- Lewis Mountain Cabins - (Mile 57.5) backcountry cabins in the backcoun- the national park experience. Mark your friendly facility that is open early April to welcome you with furnished bedrooms, try. Each cabin has a table and fireplace, calendars! late November. but no refrigeration. Guests must bring bunks for eight to 12 people, a nearby There are numerous other activities The Skyland dining room serves fried their own cooking utensils and cooler spring and a pit toilet. The cabins are lo- at the park to choose from, too. Among chicken, pan-seared trout, roasted turkey, for food. Units have private baths, lights, cated at Range View (Mile 22.1), Corbin them are wine-whiskey shuttle and bas- as well as other regional dishes and their heat, towels and linen and there is a camp (Mile 37.9), Rock Spring (Mile 48.1), ket making workshops. And, whether signature blackberry ice cream pie. store that sells basic food items. Lewis is ­Pocosin (Mile 59.5), Doyles River you are a novice or a veteran, anyone with Big Meadows Lodge - (Mile 51) is a pet-friendly facility. The cabins are open (Mile 81.1) and Jones Mountain. These a sense of adventure would probably en- named for the large meadow near the re- from mid-March though late November. cabins are kept locked, so you must ob- joy the rock climbing/rappelling programs sort. There are 27 rooms in the historic Eight trailside huts along the Appala- tain a key from PATC by mail prior to your and guided hikes led by the Shenandoah lodge and 72 rooms in both rustic cabins chian Trail at intervals of eight to 14 miles visit. Reservations can by made by con- mountain guides. and traditional-style buildings, some with are open to long-distance hikers who pos- tacting PATC, 118 Park Street SE, Vienna, For a full event schedule and to make suites and some with TVs. Big Meadows sess a valid backcountry camping permit VA 22180; (703) 242-0315 or patc.net. lodging reservations, call (877) 247-9261 is a pet-friendly facility. Ranger programs for three or more nights. These huts are Waysides (BLD) along Skyline Drive or visit goshenandoah.com. All Dela- are available at nearby Byrd Visitor Center operated by the Potomac Appalachian Trail feature lunch counters, snack bars, stores ware North facilities accept American Ex- and vehicle fuel is available at Big Mead- Club (PATC). They are located at Gravel and souvenirs. Elkwallow Wayside press, MasterCard, VISA and Discover. All ows Wayside. There is also entertain- Springs (Mile 17.6), Pass Mountain (Mile 24.1) is open early April to early No- public areas and lodging accommodations ment on some nights. Opens mid-May. (Mile 31.6), Byrds Nest #3 (Mile 33.9), vember. Big Meadows Wayside (Mile 51.2) are smoke-free environments. Like the Skyland dining room (BLD), Big Rock Spring (Mile 48.1), Bearfence is open late March through mid-November In 2016 and continuing into 2018, all Meadows offers regional dishes, such as (Mile 56.8), Hightop (Mile 68.6), Pinefield and includes to go food and sit-down din- of the 285 rooms throughout each lodge fried chicken, trout, ribs and blackberry (Mile 75.2) and Blackrock (Mile 87.2) ing. Loft Mountain Wayside (Mile 79.5) is received upgrades, including new mat- ice cream pie. The PATC operates six fully enclosed open mid-April to early November.

38 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 39 PLAN YOUR VISIT NATURE & WILDLIFE NATURE & WILDLIFE iStock

Shenandoah boasts more species of nests. May brings azaleas, golden ragwort, plants than all the countries of Europe violets and marsh marigold. From June to combined! Over the past seven decades, August, there is a vivid succession of black- Shenandoah has seen the return of many eyed Susans, delicate Queen Anne’s trees, flowers and animals native to the lace, asters, mountain laurel and evening area. As the earth reclaims what had been primrose. Changing colors of the leaves in temporarily fashioned into farmland, the for- the fall compete with asters, harebell and est gains an ever-increasing foothold. goldenrod. A wildlife and plant observation log Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is kept at the Byrd Visitor Center desk. is a native plant species that stands from We encourage you to add your sightings one to three feet in height. With clusters of to the list. orange flowers on the top, it is great sub- ject matter for photography. The plant often FLOWERS grows along Skyline Drive. Other native There are more than 1,100 species of flow- plants that can be found in the park include ering plants in Shenandoah, including 18 vari- the following: eties of orchids. The march of flowers begins Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) is a with the arrival of spring, when longer days blue, bell-like flower that blooms in the latter and warmer temperatures breed bloodroot half of the summer. It grows in dry grass- and hepatica. In April, the trillium, dogwood lands, on cliffs and in shallow soil. and violets bloom, while birds court and build Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) gets its name from the red sap contained in the stout rhizomes (root-like stalks). Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) is FUN FACTS also known as cowslip. This showy yellow flower grows in masses in slow, seepy ar- Clockwise from top left: Black-throated blue warblers arrive at the park in spring; native brook trout populate park streams; a migrating monarch butterfly stops in Shenandoah on its way to Mexico. Q. WHEN WILL THE eas in the spring. FALL LEAVES IN THE PARK PEAK IN TREES as red oak, ash and basswood flourish By 1904, a fungus, Endothia para- COLOR? Shenandoah nurtures about 100 species along the streams. sitica, found its way to the United States. A. The peak season for fall of trees, 47 species of ferns and mosses, The American chestnut (Castanea Quickly spread by insects and wind, it en- colors is usually mid-to-late and hundreds of different fungi. This re- dentata) accounted for about a quarter tered the bark of the tree, caused redden- October; however, it is dependent on gion was once dominated by the American of all the trees in Shenandoah when Eu- ing and splitting, and ultimately death. This the weather. The fall colors start at the chestnut and a variety of oak trees. Today, ropeans first arrived here. It was a valu- chestnut blight affected the entire range higher altitudes and move down the mountain to the lower elevations over oak and hickory are dominant in the park. able, fast-growing tree, with an average of chestnuts in America, and by the early time. The black locust is generally the first height of about 80 feet, and a trunk with a 1930s, the trees were almost extinct. Re- tree to grow in fields and meadows. Pitch diameter of three to four feet. Durable and mains of this once-beautiful tree can be For answers to all your questions, pine, Virginia pine and scrub oak dot straight-grained, its wood was popular found in the park today. Sprouts grow from go to OhRanger.com the dry slopes of the southern section for constructing homes and its nuts were old stumps to even produce a few chest- of the park, while cove hardwoods such eaten by squirrels, turkey and people. nuts before succumbing to the blight.

40 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 41 NATURE & WILDLIFE NATURE & WILDLIFE

WATCHABLE WILDLIFE SEASONAL CALENDAR

1 2 3 1 2

4 5 6 3 4 1 BLACK BEAR (Ursus americanus) 4 RACCOON (Procyon lotor) 1 SPRING Spring is the time for blooming wild- 3 FALL Goldenrod is a harbinger of autumn, Bears like to feed on juicy plant parts, in- Raccoons are highly intelligent, adaptable flowers and migrating birds. Look for hepatica, when leaves turn and the migratory birds fly sect larvae, fruits, nuts, acorns and animals. They are nocturnal and generally bloodroot, blue-eyed grass, golden ragwort and south. White snakeroots, asters, gentians and occasionally meat. To survive the seen in the early morning or late evening in trillium in the woodlands during April and May. goldenrod bloom as the colorful fall display of scar­city of food in winter, bears cut their wooded areas. Raccoons are omnivorous, Pink azaleas usually bloom in mid-May to early leaves begins in late September and reaches its metabolic rates in half. They don’t usu- feeding primarily on small mammals, fruits, June, while mountain laurel blossoms mid- to peak in mid- to late October. Migratory birds ally hibernate but do sleep a lot. • Weight nuts, fish and insects. • Weight 10–30 lbs late June in the park’s higher elevations. The travel south to their winter nesting grounds in 200–585 lbs • Length 4.5–6.5 ft • Less • Length 2–3 ft • Active year-round. peak of the bird migration is in late April and the southern United States, Mexico, the Carib- active in winter. early May, when birds come to nest and breed bean, Central America and South America. For 5 TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) in the Blue Ridge Mountains. When Canada protection from predatory birds, songbirds fly in 2 BOBCAT warblers, scarlet tanagers, wood thrushes groups at night. They then rest and forage dur- (Lynx rufus) Of all the birds soaring in the air, the most Bobcats usually avoid humans, so see- and black-throated blue warblers arrive, they ing the day. Hawks migrate by day; their peak impressive may be the turkey vulture. ing one is a rare treat. Remaining active fill the forests with trilling and songs. Butter- migration through the park is in mid-September. These scavengers are most often found during the day, bobcats normally prey flies you may see in the spring include the foraging for carrion above open country, on smaller animals, such as rabbits and spring azure and the eastern tiger swallowtail. 4 WINTER Winter in Shenandoah is cold and especially within a few miles of the rocky mice. In spring, bobcats give birth to be- quiet as life slows down, but as you explore the or wooded areas that they use for nest- tween one and seven kittens. • Weight 2 SUMMER Summer is a busy time in Shenan- park you will find that it is full of life. It is important ing. • Weight 3.5–5 lbs • Length 24–28 in 10–25 lbs • Length 3.5 ft (including tail) doah, as plants, flowers and animals raise to keep your eyes and ears open for signs of ani- • Wingspan 6 ft • Active year-round. • Active year-round. their young. The blossoms of fairy candles are mals. You may hear the hoot of the owl, the caw seen in the forest in July, and Turk’s cap lilies of the raven or the gobble of the wild turkey, all 3 GROUNDHOG (Marmota monax) 6 WHITE-TAILED DEER and evening primroses bloom in open areas. of which are year-round residents of the park. The Also known as a woodchuck, the ground- (Odocoileus virginianus) In August, false foxgloves are found in groves chickadee, downy woodpecker, titmouse and hog’s short, powerful limbs and curved, thick White-tailed deer are commonly seen along of oak trees. Look for black-eyed Susans as other small birds flock together during winter to claws are well adapted for digging. They live Skyline Drive grazing on green plants and well. By July, the fledglings must learn to fly forage and for protection. Some northern birds, in burrows with two to five entrances, which woody vegetation. Their four-part stomach and leave the nest. You’ll see chestnut-sided such as the white-throated sparrow, hermit are their primary means of escape from pred- allows them to consume food that other warblers, indigo buntings, phoebes, gray thrush and purple finch, also winter in the park. ators. Herbivorous, groundhogs primarily eat mammals cannot. Deer can be active at any catbirds and goldfinches nesting here. But- Animals? Look for tracks in the snow from tur- wild grasses. • Weight 5–8.5 lbs • Size 1.5– time of the night or day. • Weight 90–310 terflies include the monarch and the great keys, deer and bobcats. Against the white snow, 2.5 ft • Inactive in winter. lbs • Length 6–7 ft • Active year-round. spangled fritillary. it is sometimes actually easier to spot wildlife.

42 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | | SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 43 PLAN YOUR VISIT PHOTOGRAPHY

For millennia, we’ve looked towards the tion. Next, set your white balance to daylight heavens and contemplated what’s beyond settings (5500k) and turn on your mirror lock our orbit and universe. More recently, star- to avoid mirror shake. Wait until the moon is gazing has become increasingly difficult for out, too, as it’ll illuminate and add detail to millions of people living in developed areas. If your foreground. Make sure that it’s behind you live in a populated area east of the Missis- you. To capture star trails: sippi or along the Pacific coast, odds are that • Set your ISO at 200 to reduce digital noise. you can count the number of stars you see • Compose your image, making sure you on your hands. National and state parks—re- have interesting features in the foreground. mote and minimally developed—not only pro- • Choose your focal length. The longer the tect our land, but also our dark skies which focal length, the quicker your star trails will are ideal for astrophotography. start to form. There are two primary types of astropho- • Set your camera to manual mode so that tography shots that yield different, but stel- you can select your shutter speed and lar compositions. A long exposure setting aperture. will show stars trailing across the sky, while • Set your aperture between f/2.8 and f/4 for a shorter exposure will show pinpoints of best results. light—objects that a camera can capture that • Select “bulb mode” as your shutter speed. the unaided eye cannot. Both require a cam- • Use your cable release or remote to open era with interchangeable lenses and manual the shutter or set your timer for two to controls to set aperture, ISO, and exposure four minutes. AD settings. Here’s what you’ll need to start: Check your results. If your picture is too • A sturdy tripod: Simply put, a shaky tri- dark, increase the exposure time. If your trails pod will yield blurry photos. are to short, increase the exposure time. • A cable release or remote control or in- Keep playing around with your settings to get tervalometer: You’ll want to avoid touch- the results you desire. To learn how to take ing your camera to minimize shake. The photos of the milky way and millions of points addition of an intervalometer will allow you of light, visit ohranger.com/brightskies. to take sequential long exposures. • Batteries: Your aperture may be open for several hours, so it’s important to have

multiple fresh and fully charged batteries. Shutterstock • A wide lens: Use the fastest, widest lens available. • A head lamp: It’ll be useful to set up your equipment and illuminate your foreground. Check the cloud cover; if there’s too much wait until you have a clearer night. Before you start, set your focus to infinity and turn Photographing the night sky is as close as many off your autofocus and high ISO noise reduc- of us will get to exploring space.

44 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | PLAN YOUR VISIT JUST FOR KIDS

EARTHCACHING visitor center or gift shop, complete the ac- The EarthCache program combines ex- tivities inside, and earn a Junior Ranger patch ploring selected trails and learning about or badge. Check at a visitor center for Junior the history and geology of the park. It is an Ranger Program schedules and locations. Ex- educational experience that combines mod- plorer Ranger Activity books (ages 13 and up) ern technology­­ using GPS with an outdoor are also available for free at visitor centers on adventure. a first-come, first-served basis. There are free This family-friendly activity is fun for all downloads of all activities at nps.gov/shen/ ages and skill levels. EarthCaching is a “vir- learn/kidsyouth/index.htm. tual” hunt that contains no physical hidden WebRanger teaches you how to care for container or cache. EarthCaching is a hunt for your national parks and the world around the Earth’s natural and geological features as you. Visit nps.gov/webrangers and take the the “treasure.” Instead of leaving or removing WebRanger pledge. Print and sign your We- anything, EarthCachers document observa- bRanger membership card. Finish the activi- tions, answer questions and then report find- ties in a “ranger station” for an award. ings on the EarthCache website. A FAMILY AFFAIR BECOME A JUNIOR, EXPLORER Ranger-led programs are ideal for RANGE OR WEBRANGER families to learn about the park together. Pick up a complimentary Junior Ranger Walks, talks and evening programs are of- Explorer Notebook (ages 7–12) at any fered spring through fall. NPS

Cherokee is a sovereign nation with its own beliefs, art, and over eleven thousand years of culture to explore. You’d better make your stay overnight. Legendary vacations start right here: Take a ranger-led program to get an insider’s view of Shenandoah. VisitCherokeeNC.com | 800.438.1601 46 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | VisitCherokeeNC.com VisitCherokeeNC.com

VisitCherokeeNC.com VisitCherokeeNC.com PLAN YOUR VISIT IF YOU ONLY HAVE A DAY

Driving Skyline Drive is the perfect way across the Shenandoah River, showing to acquaint yourself with Shenandoah. The even today why it was an important Civil road curves along the entire length of the War site used by the Confederate troops park and mileposts help locate park facili- to relay signals. ties, services and areas of interest. Range View Overlook (Mile 17.1), at 2,800 feet, is reputed to be the best view DRIVE FOR A WHILE of the northern section of the park, as Driving from one of the four entrances well as of the Massanutten and Allegheny to the next exit takes about an hour. At mountains. Driving at dawn, stop at South most developed areas along Skyline Drive River Overlook (Mile 62.7) to savor the are interpretive signs and bulletin boards sunrise at this 3,000-foot elevation. with information. Several trails are eas- The historic Big Meadows Lodge ily reachable from Skyline Drive. See the (Mile 51) is also worth a stop. Take time to “Walking & Hiking” chapter for more explore the property or enjoy a meal in the information. rustic setting of the lodge’s dining room.

SCENIC OVERLOOKS RANGER-LED TOURS There are 75 scenic overlooks along You might also want to join one of the Skyline Drive. One of the northernmost park’s many ranger programs, hikes, ones, Signal Knob Overlook (Mile 5.7), walks or talks. Topics include history, ani- is a must-stop for history buffs. Signal mals, tours of historic park structures and Knob rises on Massanutten Mountain hikes along the Appalachian Trail. NPS

Shenandoah is best known for Skyline Drive but it's also home to dozens of stunning waterfalls.

48 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | www.nalgene.com For more inspiration, follow us here @nalgeneusa AD