Shenandoah National Park Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
195,000 acres in Virginia (US) maintained by the National Park Service
About Shenandoah National Park
The oldest rocks in the Blue Ridge Mountains were created over a billion years ago as magma deep within the earth's crust moved upward. Over eons it cooled, fractured, and was joined by younger metamorphic rocks formed from sedimentary deposits. All were altered and eroded to shape today's granite peaks and sylvan hollows. Around 8,000-9,000 years ago, but seconds in geologic time, the first traces of humans were recorded on the land that would become the park. Native Americans seasonally visited the area to hunt, to gather nuts and berries, and to find sources for and to make their stone tools. Europeans first experienced the beauty of these mountains less than 300 years ago. First came hunters and trappers, and soon after 1750 the first settlers moved into the lower hollows near springs
Top Attractions in Shenandoah National Park
Explore the best things to see and do in Shenandoah National Park:
- ★Bearfence Trail
- ★Blackrock Summit Trail
- ★Compton Peak Trail
- ★Dark Hollow Falls Trail
- ★Fox Hollow Trail
- ★Frazier Discovery Trail
- ★Limberlost Trail
- ★Little Stony Man Trail
Where to Eat in Shenandoah National Park
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Big Meadows Lodge
- 🍴Big Meadows Wayside
- 🍴Elkwallow
- 🍴Loft Mountain Wayside
- 🍴Skyland
Where to Stay in Shenandoah National Park
- 🏨Big Meadows Campground
- 🏨Big Meadows Lodge
- 🏨Lewis Mountain
- 🏨Lewis Mountain Cabins
- 🏨Loft Mountain Campground
- 🏨Mathews Arm Campground
Shenandoah National Park Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: