If you’re into too many outdoor sports to list, then there’s only one place for you to get a good fix: Shenandoah National Park. One of the 58 national parks within the United States, this park is located throughout a portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains that extends into the state of Virginia. The entirety of the park is comprised of just under 200,000 acres of land. One of the best aspects of the park is the ability to partake in a wide range of things to do and sights to see, and accommodation for all ages and experience levels.
When visiting any national park, one of the premier activities to engage in is hiking. The Shenandoah National Park contains over 500 miles of hiking trails, providing options for any experience level, from beginning to expert. Hiking experts should take a look at the Old Rag Mountain hike, which is one of the more popular and demanding hikes in the park. Beginners and intermediate hikers will want to take advantage of the 1.3 mile scenic Limberlost trail.
Anyone that has any interest at all in the local wildlife should attend the Birds of Prey program that can be found at the Big Meadows Amphitheater. This program is acceptable for children and parents alike and features all types of birds of prey flying around their natural habitats. Birds of prey, also known as raptors, include such birds as vultures, eagles, falcons and hawks, as well as owls. If you want more information about the Shenandoah National park, traveling to the Byrd Visitor Center will provide you with programs, information and videos about the complete history of the park.
To get the best views in the park, taking the Skyline Drive will provide you with everything you need. This 105 mile byway extends along the length of the park and provides panoramic views of the park the whole way through. It’s recommended for all visitors to the park to take a look inside the historic Rapidan Camp. This camp, built in 1929, was the actual summer retreat for President Hoover during the years of his administration. The camp consists of 13 buildings amongst sprawling scenery.
Check out this beautiful video offering a glimpse of all that awaits at Shenandoah National Park, and start planning your visit today!
Images via D&S McSpadden, westher
