Hello Everyone, I just discovered that a pass is needed to hike the old rag mountain loop which is really disappointing.

If anyone has 4-5 tickets willing to sell (11/2) it would be greatly appreciated as i wanted to hike this trail since forever.

Hi all. I can't get a permit for Old Rag so I decided to create a custom loop. Hoping to set up camp between mile 14 and mile 16. Was wondering if any one is familiar with this part of Nicholson Hollow and Hanna run trails. Appreciate your feedback!

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/shenandoah-national-park-loop-c644730

I'm hiking the Shenandoah loop (26 mile loop). Are there campsites along the Corbon Hollow trail? I'd want to setup camp at around mile 16.

What are your fav scenic hikes that allow dogs? Looking for some easy to moderate trails with nice views (waterfalls, cliffy overlooks, park overlooks, some scrambling okay).

TIA

I’ll be doing mostly overlooks, and possibly some hikes but no more than a 4 mile hike. Should I be concerned about bear interaction while on the hikes?

I’m planning a trip and noticed that mileages on Alltrails are generally a good bit lower than the website says they are (20% difference sometimes).

In your experience which one is more accurate?

Looking to buy 3 old rag passes on Monday, 10/14!!! Thanks in advance <3

HI all! In November I have the opportunity to visit this beautiful area. Due to travel time it seems I would only have 10 daylight hours here. I would be staying in Staunton, VA. I've seen suggestions for Buck Hollow, Gooney, and Blackrock, to name a few. Based on the time and how slow some of these roads are because of the mountains, any suggestions south of Elkton, VA (no more than an hour drive) for Sunrise/Sunset, waterfalls, overlooks, a quick hike or quaint towns? In addition, anything in the George Washington & Jefferson Natural Forest is appreciated as well. Please advise me if any of the suggestions require the car fee so I can prepare. Is AllTrails app pretty accurate in this area? Or is there a better app?

Lastly, anyone know if the Natural Bridge State Park is open?

Thanks in Advance!

Coming down with my parents the weekend of October 24. Was wondering how the colors are right now on skyline drive and how they might look in two weeks.

I know this may be a long shot, but I lost a gold bracelet on Old Rag somewhere near the ridge line to the Fire trail. If anyone can find it and return it I will be glad to pay you a reward for your troubles. Thank you

Hi all! First Reddit post because I need help ahaha. I’m taking my family (me, husband, and our 2 year old) camping in Shenandoah at the end of this month. The 28th through the 1st, to be specific. I’ve found a pop up camper for us to rent (tent with a toddler sounds miserable), however, I’m looking for a nice site that has a beautiful view for us to enjoy. Because we’re taking our toddler, we’ll likely be at the campsite longer than we normally would be, so I’d like for it to be nice. Does anyone have suggestions? Thank you in advance!

Hi all,

I am visiting Shenandoah national park from Oct 20th to 22nd. I am visiting with my parents who are old and won't be able to go on trails.

I wanted to know about spots such as Luray Caverns, that are tourist attractions and are around the park. Any nearby towns, well known farmers markets, etc, that I must visit.

Also, spots in the park where I don't need to go on a very long trail to reach a certain point, any sunrise or sunset points that you would recommend.

Thanks in advance!

Heading there early or mid October. What are the best spots to camp in the park and why (proximity/view/etc.)? What should I expect re: temp/weather? Will have dogs with.

TIA

A few weeks ago, I decided to hike from Bootens Gap to Bear Church Rock based on the description I saw in the 50 Must-Do Hikes for Everyone book. It was billed as "the easiest 9 mountain miles you could ask for." I come out to the park a lot, and enjoy flipping through these books to discover new routes. Stats were supposed to be 9.3 mi round trip and 800ft of gain. Sounded pretty good after a couple days of hard hiking. A good one to do before I drove home.

Well, friends, it was not the easiest 9 miles I've done in the park. In fact, I didn't make it to Bear Church Rock and turned back early because it was clearly longer than advertised. All told, my Garmin says I went about 11 miles and did 2,300 ft of gain. And that's without finishing the hike.

Has anyone else done this hike? What the hell? I looked this guide book up later expecting to see others complaining about inaccurate information, but no. Great reviews from what I can see.

I have the lifetime pass and will be heading up there this weekend with a group of 6.

I know I can bring a vehicle full of people as long as it is less that 15 passenger, non commercial, on and on.

But only 3 additional people if the place charges by the person.

With Old Rag can I get my entire group in with me since we are carpooling? Or do we need to pay for two people?

We already have the day passes for the hike 🙌

Thanks!

Looking at possibly hiking and doing an overnight on this trail in the next couple of weeks. Wondering how the water situation looks right now. I've seen it high, and I've seen it really low. Is there anything going on now, end of summer?? Thanks!

I live near the southern end of the park, and have done loads of day hikes but no overnights. Friends will be visiting in late September (or, possibly, late October), and we're hoping to do a three day/two night backpacking trip in the park. Okay to travel up north for something good, and we can come with two cars so a trip involving a shuttle is fine.

Total distance in the 20-25 mileage range is probably about right; having options to add something "extra" to a core route on the shorter end would be nice in the case my friends are feeling good. And it would be nice, of course, to do something with great campsites including, of course, accessible water.

Last thing: likely to do the trip midweek, so hopefully routes/sites that might be popular on the weekend will be less crowded when we're there.

Much appreciated!

https://preview.redd.it/573boaoo5ikd1.jpg?width=384&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2bff09361c2f609a5b7ce7bda4c00cfd69b05274

My friend and I were walking at Miller's Head last month at dusk when all of sudden, he jumped and screamed. A footstep away was a venomous Crotalis horridus. It did not rattle; it merely turned into the brush and slowly slithered away.

Can anyone recommend a good waterfall hike in the Afton or Staunton area? We'll be hiking with a dog who is new to hiking in the mountains and a couple of kids.

Looking to go camping at big meadows in late September/ early October. The people I’d be going with are still fairly new to camping so I’m a bit nervous with how they’ll do in cold nights. (They’ve done summer camping in the past) Anyone familiar with what the temperatures would be like that time of year or have any advice?

Anywhere I'll be able to pick blueberries this weekend? Open to any trails

I am coming from Maryland to Shenandoah on Saturday and was wondering if there are any good antique stores/ flea markets to go to while i am around the park?

Looking for an area to swim with my toddler and kindergartner. Is there a good place?

I wanted to share a recent experience that reminded me of how good people can be. I went hiking in Shenandoah National Park, and like any other trip, we parked our car. While getting out, I accidentally hit the car next to us with my door. I was sitting in the passenger seat and was too excited about the hike to notice.

After a great day on the trails, we returned to find a note on our car. It had the other driver’s contact details and a request to call them. Once I got home the next day, I called and apologized, explaining that I am a student who isn’t earning yet.

To my surprise, the person on the other end was incredibly understanding. He said all he wanted was for me to acknowledge what happened and to apologize. He emphasized that people are more important than money and advised me to always own up to my actions rather than running away. His kindness and understanding truly blew me away.

This experience has restored my faith in humanity. I’m curious, what would you do if someone accidentally hit your car? Have you had similar encounters? Feel free to share your stories!

We will be staying in Harrisonburg due to my hotel rewards card, no issue driving out an hour or so to hike. We won't be camping, unfortunately.

We're definitely doing the Old Rag Mountain Loop, but not sure what else to do during our limited time. We are experienced hikers who enjoy being out there, what else is a must at Shenandoah?

We're also interested in other attractions - is it worth going north to the National Forest or should we stick to Shenandoah with our limited time? We see wineries and caves as well around, what are your favorites? Any magical small towns worth visiting? Interesting and/or delicious restaurants in the area?

Getting in Thursday morning and will be there Friday all day as well, was planning on Old Rag but looks like rain :/ . Any good ideas for a plan b? Was thinking caves for one of the days but idk about the other

How early should I plan to get to old rag mountain in October time so that I can reliably get a parking spot? Trying to decide if I need to camp or can drive in the morning of

Hey everyone,

over the summer me and some of my buddies have been frequently driving over to some of the popular shenandoah spots for the stars/sunrise/sunset. we’ve been to a bunch of outlooks on skyline drive and done the hawksbill mountain trail and the stony man trail

for our next trip we’re trying to find a short-hike trail (<45 mins) that, from the top, we face the sunrise in the east. all the other spots we’ve been to (listed above) face the west. any recs?

Hi everyone! Do the campgrounds have firewood and how much are bundles? Or should I stock up in one of the towns before entering the park?