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

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

50 Comments

  1. Kelvin Vasquez on June 25, 2022 at 12:59 am

    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% !!

  2. Kevin Aero on June 25, 2022 at 1:00 am

    Any tips going solo?

  3. Sherri Ward on June 25, 2022 at 1:01 am

    Hiking in a national park is definitely on my bucket list but I am deathly afraid of running into a black bear.

  4. Luke Passos on June 25, 2022 at 1:03 am

    McaFee Knob has my favorite view in the whole park. Gives you a 270 degree view of the mountains

  5. One Million Kilometers on June 25, 2022 at 1:06 am

    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

  6. Mario Mata on June 25, 2022 at 1:06 am

    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.

  7. Eric Woody on June 25, 2022 at 1:08 am

    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.

  8. Hugo Sura on June 25, 2022 at 1:09 am

    Nice video

  9. George P. Burdell on June 25, 2022 at 1:11 am

    Native Virginian, and hiked Old Rag over a decade ago, very fun.

    Shenandoah is such a gorgeous park.

  10. Laura Wood on June 25, 2022 at 1:11 am

    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.

  11. Maurice B on June 25, 2022 at 1:13 am

    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!

  12. Bryan Ortiz on June 25, 2022 at 1:13 am

    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.

  13. Frances Keenan on June 25, 2022 at 1:14 am

    Recommendations for hikes with a 7 & 9 year old?

  14. Belsnickel on June 25, 2022 at 1:17 am

    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.

  15. Andy on June 25, 2022 at 1:18 am

    Can you please share the musical that plays in the background?

  16. Bradley Davis on June 25, 2022 at 1:19 am

    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.

  17. Relaxing Videos Northwest on June 25, 2022 at 1:20 am

    Great video.

  18. ShootTheRadio on June 25, 2022 at 1:20 am

    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?

  19. Jairo Ruben Mendo Ibarra on June 25, 2022 at 1:22 am

    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.

  20. Donity on June 25, 2022 at 1:23 am

    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!

  21. fredy melendez on June 25, 2022 at 1:25 am

    What is the best time of the year to go there?

  22. Agustina Kale on June 25, 2022 at 1:25 am

    I love shenandoah i love Skyland resort and all friends there.

  23. Memories of World Traveler on June 25, 2022 at 1:26 am

    Skyline Drive Road Trip in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 🇺🇸
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjxwr8H7NMQ

  24. Timothey Sullivan on June 25, 2022 at 1:27 am

    Hi! What kind of camera are you using for this awesome video?

  25. Nathan Marsh on June 25, 2022 at 1:29 am

    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.

  26. Caroline Sells VA on June 25, 2022 at 1:29 am

    Thank you!

  27. louthewatcher on June 25, 2022 at 1:32 am

    deer #1?

  28. Derek Macdonald on June 25, 2022 at 1:32 am

    i only got 1 day there. i be driving to GA. cant wait to see this park and luray caverns.

  29. Sally Kasper on June 25, 2022 at 1:33 am

    I love the trails and thank you so much for sharing

  30. D M on June 25, 2022 at 1:38 am

    Thanks for this video. Very nice.

  31. Cailin on June 25, 2022 at 1:40 am

    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!

  32. Hunter Makitka on June 25, 2022 at 1:41 am

    Shenodah is very crowed although it has some great hikes, I recommend going to GW national forest. Less people and some great hikes.

  33. Natalin Castelo on June 25, 2022 at 1:42 am

    2

  34. Mike Gallagher on June 25, 2022 at 1:43 am

    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!

  35. Maxlvledc on June 25, 2022 at 1:43 am

    Easy sub! 👍

  36. Joyce Paris on June 25, 2022 at 1:44 am

    Anyone know of any 1/2 mile trails to any falls for older people?

  37. Jenny's Travel Around on June 25, 2022 at 1:45 am

    Nice video and description. Thanks a lot for sharing

  38. Maddie Dudziec on June 25, 2022 at 1:45 am

    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?

  39. Flush the globalists on June 25, 2022 at 1:46 am

    I love going in the fall with my family and I love how you added Led Zep as your music,perfect.

  40. Lester Guzman on June 25, 2022 at 1:47 am

    Hermoso. Lugar bro. Es Un encuentro con Dios por medio de la naturaleza. I see. All you video

  41. Joseph Kendall on June 25, 2022 at 1:48 am

    Very good video. The narrator does a good job 👍🏻

  42. john harris on June 25, 2022 at 1:49 am

    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

  43. Rahul Sharma on June 25, 2022 at 1:50 am

    I went there thrice.. three time I felt different vibes

  44. Beauty On Earth on June 25, 2022 at 1:50 am

    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!!!!!!!

  45. Shenandoah Staser on June 25, 2022 at 1:52 am

    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

  46. Debra Lynn Bailey on June 25, 2022 at 1:53 am

    Going in tomorrow staying at KOA

  47. Jeremy Stoneberger on June 25, 2022 at 1:53 am

    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

  48. Damon Bowe on June 25, 2022 at 1:56 am

    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.

  49. Frances Keenan on June 25, 2022 at 1:57 am

    I really like the trails you picked and I know it will help.😉

  50. Bahama Jim on June 25, 2022 at 1:57 am

    Im in Pennsylvania and gonna drive my motorcycle there and hike . definately gonna do skyline drive

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