Shenandoah National Park seasonal planning guide for Virginia conditions

Mountain wilderness along Virginia's Blue Ridge

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park occupies a remarkable position in the Appalachian Mountains, preserving a continuous corridor of mountain forest that represents one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States. The park's long, narrow configuration reflects both the geography of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the historical circumstances of its creation. Skyline Drive serves as the park's primary access and recreational spine, following the crest of the mountains past numerous overlooks, trailheads, and historic lodges. The park encompasses parts of Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Rappahannock, Madison, Greene, and Albemarle counties, creating an administrative landscape that mirrors the mountainous region itself. Beyond its recreational offerings, the park serves as a critical corridor for wildlife movement and ecological continuity in a region where development has fragmented much of the original forest cover.