The Ultimate Guide to Shenandoah National Park

Some tips for visiting Shenandoah National Park:

-For the most part, Shenandoah is pretty pet-friendly. The most popular trails allow dogs, as do some campgrounds and lodges. Just remember to keep your pooch on a 6-foot leash and to clean up after them! -Shenandoah National Park marks one end of the famed Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects it to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The BRP is one of the most visited NPS sites, and the nearly-500-mile route is loaded with awesome views and tons of things to see and do. -Fall, specifically October, is the most crowded season in the park, thanks to the stunning foliage. If you're visiting in autumn, beat the crowds by arriving early, parking wherever you can, and hiking a trail or two. Most people will want to drive Skyline Drive, but the trails offer views that are just as stunning. -About 40% of the park is wilderness, with no roads or trails. Backcountry camping is allowed with a permit!

Stony Man Mountain is a great hike for those looking to hike up one of the park's famed peaks, but aren't quite ready for anything too wild. The loop is less than 2 miles, and the elevation gain is only a few hundred feet. Plus, the views of the valley and the town of Luray are breathtaking!

For world-class dining and lodging, stay at The Inn at Little Washington. Set in the tiny and adorable town of Washington, VA, the historic boutique hotel features 18 rooms, all impeccably and uniquely furnished. Plus, the onsite restaurant is incredibly well-reviewed... people drive hours from Washington, D.C. to come have an unforgettable and incredibly opulent meal.

Everything about this place is whimsical, yet elegant (for example, they have an appointed "Cheese Wiz" who brings an insanely curated cheese cart around to every table... seriously, how do I get that job?) And if you're working with a generous budget, you have to stay in the Gamekeeper's Cottage. It's like something out of a fairytale.

Another cool feature of the park is hidden below the ground: the area hides several caves below the surface! Just outside the park, you'll find Luray Caverns, which has something you won't find at any other cave-- the Great Stalacpipe Organ. The console may look like any other organ, but it actually makes noise by striking the ancient stalactites in the cave. They also have a Wishing Well, which, though it looks shallow, is actually 7 feet deep. It's tradition to toss coins into it for good luck... and even if you don't believe in the magical powers of the Wishing Well, you'll at least earn yourself a bit of good karma, since all the money tossed into the well is donated to charity.

President Herbert Hoover used to vacation in Shenandoah (which, why don't more Presidents vacation here? It's gorgeous, and it's only 75 miles from DC!) He bought the land (knowing it would become a part of the National Park, which was being planned at the time) and had Rapidan Camp built as a summer home, where he and his wife could entertain politicians and foreign dignitaries, hold official White House meetings, or generally just chill out.

He donated it to Shenandoah National Park, although it was occasionally used by Presidents on and off for a few more years (Jimmy Carter was the last to stay there). President Franklng D. Roosevelt found the terrain to difficult to navigate, though, and had Camp David built in Maryland for his vacations, and it gradually became the Presidential retreat of choice. The NPS has maintained 3 of the 13 Rapidan Camp buildings, restoring them to their former glory and turning them into museums. You can visit them on ranger-led tours-- it's not hard to see why Hoover loved Shenandoah so much!

There are two main hikes around Hawksbill Mountain. One is easier, along Lower Hawksbill, while the other follows the Appalachian Trail for a ways before hitting the summit. They're both great workouts, and both offer panoramic views of the park!

The climb up Old Rag Mountain is one of Shenandoah National Park's most iconic hikes. It can take anywhere from 5-8 hours to complete, based on how many stops you make and how experienced you are. The upper portion of the trail features some mildly intense rock scrambling, but the sweeping views of the Shenandoah Valley are utterly spellbinding and absolutely worth the effort.