A hundred miles of Skyline Drive, waterfall hollows and easy access from the East Coast.
Reservations · Moderate
Secure Old Rag Tickets and Skyline Drive Entrance Information
Shenandoah National Park requires a standard entrance fee or pass. A separate, specific ticket is required for hiking Old Rag Mountain during the peak season to manage trail volume; these must be obtained via Recreation.gov. In-park lodging at Skyland or Big Meadows should be booked well in advance through the official concessionaire, especially for October foliage.
Check official reservation infoFly in · nearest airport
Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport · 1 h 3 min drive
Partner link · Aviasales
Checks availability with the partner directly — not a confirmed booking on our end.
RV Park
Best for: RV travelers
Membership for overnight RV stays at farms, wineries and other unique spots along your route.
Campground
Best for: Tent camping
Private campgrounds, cabins and glamping just outside the park, often with availability when park sites sell out.
RV Park
Best for: RV travelers
Book RV parks and campgrounds online with full hookups near the park.
Vrbo
Expedia
Photos are illustrative, not actual listings. Opens Vrbo's or Expedia's own search. Minialife may earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Traveling by RV near Shenandoah National Park?
Harvest Hosts membership: 5,000+ unique RV stops. Minialife readers get 20% off the first year.
Partner link · Harvest Hosts
Minialife may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Checks availability with the partner directly — not a confirmed booking on our end.
Class C Motorhome — Sleeps 4
From $245 / day
Sprinter Adventure Van
From $189 / day
Car rental · Car rentals at CHO
Est. from $45/day · estimate
Partner link · Aviasales
Partner link · EconomyBookings
Partner link · QEEQ
Partner link · BikesBooking
Partner link · Klook
Partner link · Tiqets
Partner links via Travelpayouts. Prices are estimates; the partner's site shows live prices. Minialife may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
A little structure. Plenty of freedom.
Suggested: 9 AM from Charlottesville
Rockfish Gap Entrance
Begin your journey at the southern end of the park and stop at the first few overlooks for valley views.
Byrd Visitor Center
Explore the history of the park's creation and check current mountain weather forecasts at Big Meadows.
Allow 2 to 3 hours including stops on the winding drive; conditions vary
Skyline Drive has a strictly enforced speed limit of 35 mph to protect wildlife and visitors.
Suggested: 8 AM from Big Meadows
Dark Hollow Falls
Hike down to the park’s most famous waterfall; remember the return trip is a steep uphill climb.
Stony Man Trail
Follow the Appalachian Trail section to a rocky outcrop offering views of the Shenandoah Valley and Luray.
Allow 1 hour for transit between central trailheads; conditions vary
Parking lots for popular trails like Dark Hollow Falls often reach capacity by mid-morning.
Suggested: 8:30 AM from Skyland
Hawksbill Summit
Reach the highest point in the park for a 360-degree view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Limberlost Trail
Walk the accessible circuit through greenstone forests and mountain laurel thickets.
Allow 1.5 hours to traverse toward the Thornton Gap exit; conditions vary
Fog can significantly reduce visibility and slow travel times on the ridge without warning.
Pick up your vehicle at Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (CHO); stock up on groceries in Charlottesville or Elkton before entering through Swift Run or Rockfish Gap.
Cars are ideal for the tight curves of Skyline Drive; RVs must check clearance for Marys Rock Tunnel (12'8") and verify campground length limits.
Little Stony Man Overlook for sunset views over the Page Valley, depending on mountain haze.
From Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport
1 h 3 min
about 34 miles by car · times vary with traffic and road closures
Airport-to-destination drive; sightseeing stops are separate markers.
Stays near the end of your drive
Use designated paved pull-outs for all sightseeing; stopping in the travel lane is prohibited and dangerous on curves. Trailhead lots are small and do not accommodate oversized vehicles or RVs effectively.
Cell service is intermittent along Skyline Drive and typically fails in the hollows near waterfalls. A physical park map from the entrance station is essential for navigating trail junctions.
Fuel is only available at Big Meadows (Mile 51) and seasonally at other locations; confirm current hours before heading to the north or south ends. Gateway towns like Luray and Front Royal offer full services.
October brings heavy traffic and full parking lots; midweek visits are suggested to avoid the longest delays. Spring wildflower blooms vary by elevation, starting in the valleys and moving up the ridge.
Skyline Drive may close due to snow, ice, or high winds at any time during the winter months. Check the official NPS automated road phone line or website before attempting a winter visit.
Full day
The most exciting summit in the Mid-Atlantic — permit required.
2 hrs
Closest waterfall to Skyline Drive and worth every step back up.
Full day
In late October this is the best color drive on the East Coast.
