4 Essential Stops in SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK [4K]
4 Essential Stops in SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK [4K]
in this video, I talk about my 4 favorite things to do in Shenandoah National Park, VA. This beautiful national park lies in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, about 75 miles west of Washington DC. The park is over a hundred miles long and as you could imagine, there are countless activities to do within this park.
This video was taken in the end of April, so you can really see which trees have leaves and which do not. As we hiked or drove down from Skyline drive, even just 900 feet would be enough to completely transform.
Additional Notes:
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
General:
One of the few national parks on the east coast
Established in 1935
Home to the famous SKYLINE DRIVE which is 105 miles long
Virginial mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains (part of the Appalachian mountain range), just 75 mi outside of Washington DC,
Land acquired through eminent domain. There is a long story there including claims of embellished claims local inbreeding
Parts of the park was used to train troops for WW2
5 campgrounds (some are first come first serve, and others allow reservations when in season)
3 lodges/cabins
9 major waterfalls to hike in and see – tallest one is 91 ft, but there are countless smaller ones along every creek
ROSE RIVER FALLS TRAIL / DARK HOLLOW FALLS:
Start at mile 49.4
Moderate difficulty, 4 mi, 910 ft elevation change
Hike clockwise to go down the rocky side (relatively easy) and then up the gradual fire road
You will also see Dark Hollow falls at the bottom and you can optionally add a quarter mile to hike up that waterfall
Cemetery on the way back
SKYLINE DRIVE
105 miles long, spanning the entire park
More than 75 overlook
Countless overlooks and pull offs to get the best view on the east or west side.
I recommend stopping at these all day to see amazing views, at sunrise, at sunset, and pull over to take a look at the stars at night
HAWKSBILL SUMMIT – start on Skyline drive pull off mile 45.5
1.7 mi round trip – which means you go up 520 ft
Very rapid ascent
Birds nest 2 – you can see Old Rag Mountain on your right
OLD RAG MOUNTAIN
You need to drive out of the park to get here
This does still require the park entrance fee, so be sure to stop and pay, or show them your pass
7.5 hrs (we did it in 6)
2380 ft elevation gain
Very strenuous – includes rock scrambling
9.2 mile circuit
Birds Nest 1 resides here – and you can see Hawksbill from the summit
Also, check out Audible for a better way to listen while you travel to Shenandoah! 2 FREE AUDIOBOOKS: https://amzn.to/2T72vA7
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WHAT GEAR DO I USE?
My camera: https://amzn.to/2VT3gzN
My microphone: https://amzn.to/2VKR4kE
My other camera: https://amzn.to/2BlCcQ4
My tripod: https://amzn.to/2IebL0V
Please comment below with any questions you might have. Thank you all for watching! I appreciate you!
Disclaimer: This video is purely based on my experiences, research, and opinions. You and only you are responsible for your actions. I made this channel to advise viewers and I truly hope to help you all out. I love making these videos and connecting with my viewers!
This channel is monetized via YouTube ads as well as some affiliate links. If a purchase is made after clicking the link, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to the buyer. Thank you all for watching!
#ShenandoahNationalPark #OBRTravel
Exelente lugar para ir un fin de semana!
Fuimos esta pasado fin de smena con mi familia y amigos, hicimos el circuito completo de Old rag.
Recomendado 100% !!
Any tips going solo?
Hiking in a national park is definitely on my bucket list but I am deathly afraid of running into a black bear.
McaFee Knob has my favorite view in the whole park. Gives you a 270 degree view of the mountains
Nice and creative Videos,I can see A lot of thought has been put into the content and editing of the video, This is really my favorite channel.:) .🌴🌴🌴excellent 👍👌👍👌👍 🌴🌴🌴 🌴🌴🌴 🌴🌴🌴 🌴🌴🌴 Scottsville and Gasburg Virginia 2,020
Hey mike! Thanks for the video! I am thinking about doing those same hikes but wondering where to stay to minimize driving to the different hikes.
Have you seen Black Bears in the Park. when we you use to camp in several of the camp and picnic areas we would see black bears frequently. My parents and I also saw a mountain Lion kitten along one of the Overlooks. there are also three different skunk species we saw in the Park, the Spotted skunk, the Striped skunk and the Hognosed skunk. there are lots of deer, and other wildlife in the Park.
Nice video
Native Virginian, and hiked Old Rag over a decade ago, very fun.
Shenandoah is such a gorgeous park.
I hear there is a restaurant somewhere with one wall size window, where you can enjoy the view while you eat. Can you talk about that in one of your videos? I want to go there, but don’t know exactly where that is.
Hey man I live in va beach and I’m planning to go here for the first time next month. I’m in really good shape I work out often but have never hiked seriously. Do you or anyone in the comments have tips on things to bring? Thanks!
The Big Meadows is where most people should go initially – sunrise, sunsets, deer, occasional bear, bathrooms, and there is LTE and 5G signal now up there. Close to Dark Hollows and a lot of overlooks. Kids can run around and play safely.
Recommendations for hikes with a 7 & 9 year old?
Big Schloss is a must. There is a campground near the trail head. It is a pretty long hike over 10 miles and I had aching knees after that hike.
Can you please share the musical that plays in the background?
Whiteoak Canyon Trail is awesome for advanced hikers! You’ll pass by six waterfalls. Did it today in the snow and it was absolutely beautiful.
Great video.
I’ve lived in the valley my whole life. Cool to see others enjoy our area as well. My ancestors was one of the early families to help settle the area. I’m a bit of an amateur historian. So if you ever need some info let me know. My great grandfather was in the CCC as well.
Have you been to Camp Roosevelt?
https://youtu.be/iILRrcGFXhw
This video brought me here, she showed a little of Shenandoah but I needed more of it so I made more research and I found your video, thank so much for showing more about this beautiful place, it seems really enjoyable.
Wait… I was deciding to go to either acadia natoinal park or shenedoah national park… and then both of the videos came on my recommended!
What is the best time of the year to go there?
I love shenandoah i love Skyland resort and all friends there.
Skyline Drive Road Trip in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 🇺🇸
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjxwr8H7NMQ
Hi! What kind of camera are you using for this awesome video?
Mary’s Rock, Stoney Man, Bearfence. And not in the park, but west across the valley (through Luray) and up to the top of that ridge is a trailhead that leads up to a peak, maybe 3 to 4 hours round trip.
Thank you!
deer #1?
i only got 1 day there. i be driving to GA. cant wait to see this park and luray caverns.
I love the trails and thank you so much for sharing
Thanks for this video. Very nice.
I’ve done Hawksbill like 5 times now at various times of the year.. never gets any easier lol not even going back down because it’s just straight downhill switchbacks very rocky/rooty really easy to lose your footing & fall. But that view is priceless!
Shenodah is very crowed although it has some great hikes, I recommend going to GW national forest. Less people and some great hikes.
2
Old Rag Mountain hike – definitely strenuous! You don’t have to leave the park to get there. From the Limberlost parking lot on Skyline Drive, hike down the Old Rag Fire Road (5 miles), then climb Old Rag from the western side. Of course, after climbing Old Rag, you’ll have to hike up Old Rag Fire Road to return to your car (5 miles on an incline).
A couple other notes:
1. Big Meadows campground is crowded and noisy.
2. I prefer Loft Mountain campground – beautiful sunsets from the first-come-first-serve sites and nearby Appalachian Trail.
3. FYI, I arrived at Mathews Arm campground on a Friday evening (May 14, 2021) and grabbed one of the few open sites. By the next morning every camp site in the entire park was taken. So arrive early if you do not have a reservation.
Enjoy!
Easy sub! 👍
Anyone know of any 1/2 mile trails to any falls for older people?
Nice video and description. Thanks a lot for sharing
I am doing a road trip through virginia, and I want to go along the skyline drive, but I feel like doing the full 105 miles (I believe at 35mph is the speed limit, someone correct me if I’m wrong) is a long way to drive that slow, does anyone have any suggestions on what portion of the skyline drive is the best?
I love going in the fall with my family and I love how you added Led Zep as your music,perfect.
Hermoso. Lugar bro. Es Un encuentro con Dios por medio de la naturaleza. I see. All you video
Very good video. The narrator does a good job 👍🏻
very nice video. good overview. Hoover Camp on the Rapidan is another good point of interest. Several trails to Old Rag.perhaps easier is one from Berry hollow out of Syria
I went there thrice.. three time I felt different vibes
To everyone who is reading this, you’re beautiful and an amazing person. Please exercise frequently and eat more fruits/veggies. I wish you all good health, great success, and everlasting happiness!!!!!!!
Wanting to visit but I have never been, my first name is shenandoah also my son. Named after the shenandoah valley. Is there any info. Me and my wife will be coming for our 25 yr anniversary! All help appreciated on lodging and activities.. Thanks from Mississippi
Going in tomorrow staying at KOA
Great video. This is my hometown park. And I’m pretty sure I’ve met you on your visit too. First time seeing the videos and now subscribed. Great job
there are 3 campgrounds, and one group camp site…they all have first come options, and they all have reservation options open at various times of the year. During winter the camps are closed, and skyline is closed pretty often as well but is weather dependent.
I really like the trails you picked and I know it will help.😉
Im in Pennsylvania and gonna drive my motorcycle there and hike . definately gonna do skyline drive