Enjoy the best of Shenandoah National Park
There is an incredible range of things to do in Shenandoah National Park, and it’s just one of the many things waiting for you in the Shenandoah Valley. In fact, the Shenandoah Valley is a pretty incredible place to visit year-round. Stay in the heart of the Valley with us, and you can easily enjoy the best of Virginia.
From exploring the many things to do in Shenandoah National Park and driving the exquisite Blue Ridge Parkway to a quiet afternoon antiquing around the Valley or enjoying some of the best restaurants and wineries in Virginia, it’s all at your fingertips when you stay at our top-rated Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley.
Shenandoah National Park is a nature lover’s paradise. With over 200,000 protected acres for plants and animals to thrive, it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular National Parks. From hiking and stargazing to driving the scenic Skyline Drive, there are plenty of things to do in Shenandoah National Park and four seasons in which to do them! Of course, though there are more than enough things to do in Shenandoah National Park to keep you busy for weeks, it’s just one of the incredible things waiting for you in the Shenandoah Valley.
Our top-rated Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley is the place to stay when you want to enjoy it all. We’re located near the entrance to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park and are within easy reach of the first miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, too. Two of America’s best scenic drives are right here – more than reason enough to base your stay at our Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley. While you’re here, though, don’t miss the charming towns of Staunton and Lexington, packed with various things to do themselves.
There’s no better place to stay in Virginia than our Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley. It’s the perfect home base for visiting everything this remarkable part of the world has to offer. Book your room today!
Top Things to do in Shenandoah National Park
Embrace a land of endless natural beauty, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure near Bed and Breakfast in the Shenandoah Valley. There are so many fantastic things to do in Shenandoah National Park. There’s a reason it’s one of the country’s most iconic and coveted places to visit.
Its beauty is not something easily conveyed in text, but one drive on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park or one step on one of the many hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park, and you’ll begin to understand its enduring popularity. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also easy to reach from major cities on the East Coast, including Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Raleigh. As close as it is, the beauty will make you feel like you’re a million miles away in an entirely different world.
Shenandoah National Park was established in 1935. It’s a land surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a place for generation after generation to marvel at and appreciate. Thanks to this preservation work, there are many incredible things to do in Shenandoah National Park. Below, we’ve listed just a few of the most popular things to do in Shenandoah National Park – but within each category, there is so much more to explore at this special place.
- As Shenandoah National Park was established as a National Park, Skyline Drive was the signature attraction. To this day, a scenic drive along Skyline Drive is one of the most popular things to do in Shenandoah National Park, especially when fall foliage is in peak transformation.
- Skyline Drive may be one of the most notable things to do in Shenandoah National Park, but we think hiking is a far better way to experience this sensational place. Hiking in Shenandoah National Park is an endless adventure and one that is equal parts challenging and rewarding.
- While hiking through the Park, enjoy the many spectacular waterfalls you’ll encounter. They are among the Park’s most serene things to see. One of the more popular Shenandoah National Park waterfalls is the Whiteoak Canyon Trail, which features two waterfalls.
- Though we love the thrill of hiking through rugged wilderness, you can also enjoy some of these same views and experiences on horseback. Whether you bring your own horse or work with a local guide, horseback riding is one of the many popular things to do in Shenandoah National Park from spring through fall.
- For the truly adventurous, the steep rock faces of Shenandoah National Park offer an excellent opportunity to go Rock Climbing.
- One of the most underrated things to do at Shenandoah National Park is stargazing. So many people spend their days on the trails or the busy Skyline Drive, and by nightfall, they’ve gone home for the day. Stargazing, however, allows visitors to see the Park in an entirely new way and with hardly anyone around.
- It may sound simple, but one of the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park is to sit back and observe the wildlife. Many people tend to focus on the wildflowers and fall foliage, but look closer; you’ll find the Park teeming with wildlife. The Park is home to over 190 resident and transient bird species and 50+ mammals, including white-tailed deer, black bear, and bobcat.
The Best Hiking in Shenandoah National Park
We can’t say it enough – hiking is truly one of the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park. It’s the best way to experience this park’s sensational beauty in a way fewer people experience. Hiking is an excellent way to connect with and appreciate nature in a far more profound way than you will driving through the park. When hiking in Shenandoah National Park, you’ll experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the park – and the adventures can feel limitless.
When it comes to hiking in Shenandoah National Park, there are 335 trails (and over 500 miles!) to choose from – and that includes 101 unforgettable miles of the famed Appalachian Trail. There’s something for everyone here, including challenging treks that will leave you feeling depleted yet fulfilled and flat and easy hikes that will treat you to the park’s scenic beauty. Wherever your feet take you, it won’t take long to see why hiking is among the most highly rated things to do in Shenandoah National Park.
Quiet afternoons, flowing waterfalls, 360-degree vistas, wildflowers, fall foliage, and peaceful wooded forests – the stunning world of hiking in Shenandoah National Park awaits you! Below, we’ve rounded up a few of the most popular trails for hiking in Shenandoah National Park.
- Hiking the Stony Man Trail is one of the most popular things to do in Shenandoah National Park. It’s considered easy and offers some of the most incredible views of the Shenandoah Valley. If you’re short on time and don’t have time for much hiking in Shenandoah National Park, this is the trail for you. You’ll reach the second-highest point in the park, and the hike is only 1.5 miles.
- If you prefer challenging hikes, you can’t miss the hike to Old Rag. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Shenandoah National Park and is certainly one of the more challenging hikes. You’ll likely encounter crowds here, so it’s an excellent option for midweek. Otherwise, start early and set out on an unforgettable 5.4-mile hike to some of the best panoramic views in the park.
- Another easy trek to consider is the 2.4-mile trail to Compton Peak. You’ll traverse a section of the Appalachian Trail before branching off. The trail is steep, but you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and unique geologic formations formed by ancient lava flows.
- If you want an accessible, wheelchair-friendly trail, head to Limberlost. It’s a flat 1.3-mile trail and the only wheelchair-friendly trail in Shenandoah National Park. It offers a beautiful walk through the woods with plenty of wildlife, streams, and mountain scenery.
- For a little bit of waterfall hiking in Shenandoah National Park, head to Jones Run Falls. This 3.2-mile hike has elevation gains of over 1,000 feet, so it’s not easy but worth it. You’ll see why chasing waterfalls is one of the most popular things to do in Shenandoah National Park! This impressive 42-foot waterfall certainly doesn’t disappoint.
- Enjoy plenty of unique rock formations, breathtaking views, and seasonal wildflowers at the Chimney Rock hike. It’s a 3.4-mile trail that will have you breaking a sweat!
- Fit and experienced hikers will love Riprap-Wildcat Ridge. It comes in at just under 10 miles and has hikes weaving through lush forests and over mountain streams.
- If you’re looking for great hikes to avoid the crowds you’ll find at places like Old Rag, head to Knob Mountain-Jeremy’s Run, which features plenty of gorgeous mountain scenery and one of the most picturesque streams in the park.
- Hazel River Falls is another exceptional waterfall in Shenandoah National Park, and as an added benefit, it’s one of those with far fewer crowds!
- Follow the Fox Hollow Trail and learn about the cultural history of Shenandoah National Park. This trail features historic rock walls and a cemetery and is one of the best places for birdwatching in the park.
The Best Time to Visit Shenandoah National Park
Though any time of year is a beautiful time to visit, there’s little doubt that the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park is fall. October, in particular. Fall foliage peaks in October and throngs of leaf peepers arrive to marvel at the season’s vibrant reds and golds. Witnessing Mother Nature’s colorful explosion is one of the most popular things to do in Shenandoah National Park.
Fall in the Shenandoah Valley is truly spectacular, and one glance around you will tell you why it’s the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park. It’s so beautiful that the extra traffic on Skyline Drive, the overflowing parking lots, and the busy competition for breathtaking views is worth it. To combat some of the busyness, we recommend a weekend day visit, when you’ll often enjoy smaller crowds.
Fall may be the best time to visit Shenandoah Valley – but it’s certainly not the only time to enjoy all the great things to do in Shenandoah National Park! Visit in the spring and summer, and you’ll enjoy vibrant wildflowers like columbine, milkweed, black-eyed Susans, goldenrods, and more, treating you to an entirely different spate of color alongside gushing waterfalls. In winter, the stark landscapes change yet again, bringing an unforgettable sense of tranquility to one of the most beautiful places in the country.
There are plenty of things to do in Shenandoah National Park in each of these seasons – and it will feel like an entirely different park in each.
How to Enjoy Shenandoah National Park Fall Foliage
No sight is more beautiful than the colorful blaze of Shenandoah National Park fall foliage. It’s truly no wonder fall is considered the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park. However, given how busy it is, we recommend you buy your pass online well before your visit so you have more time to enjoy all the things to do in Shenandoah National Park. You’ll still encounter plenty of traffic while viewing Shenandoah National Park Fall Foliage, but a pre-purchased pass will allow you to enter the park through special lanes, reducing your overall wait times.
From our Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley, you’ll enter the park through the southern entrance. It’s about an hour away, making it an easy day trip. Though Shenandoah National Park fall foliage tends to peak in mid to late October, the mild weather in Shenandoah Valley means we enjoy a much longer foliage season than many other parts of the country. The show of color starts in September and sometimes lasts into early November – especially at the lower elevations.
The quickest and easiest way to see Shenandoah National Park fall foliage is by driving Skyline Drive. This 105-mile route is one of the most popular things to do in Shenandoah National Park, especially in the fall. If you want to get up close and personal with Shenandoah National Park fall foliage and enjoy picturesque views few people see, we recommend hiking in Shenandoah National Park. In the fall, one of the best trails to take, especially if you’re limited on how much you can do, is the Stony Man Trail.
The Best of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park
Skyline Drive is a beautiful 105-mile route through the heart of the park and easily the best way to see Shenandoah National Park fall foliage. Once you enter the park through the southern entrance, you can expect the drive to take about 3 hours. That, of course, depends on how many times you stop, the overall flow of traffic through the park, and whether or not you take any side hikes.
Skyline Drive was conceived as the park’s signature attraction when the National Park was first established. It offered visitors an easy way to explore this part of the country and see the best of the best. There are 75 overlooks along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park – so you’ll no doubt have plenty of access to the stunning seasonal beauty of this park.
Though you’re welcome to stop at all 75 overlooks, that will certainly get repetitive. Two of the “best” to stop at are Big Run (mile 81.2) and Range View (mile 17.1). Stop at these on a clear day, and you’ll enjoy views of ridge after ridge, with gorgeous fall colors and the signature blue glow of these stunning mountains.
To say Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park is breathtaking is to understate it – dramatically. You have to see it to believe it – and once you do, you’ll understand why fall is the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park and why this drive itself is one of the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park!
Stay at the Best Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley
We could talk for days about all the fantastic things to do in Shenandoah National Park. From pounding the trails to mountain summits and driving to one scenic overlook after another, a day (or more!) in Shenandoah National Park promises to be an adventure you’ll never forget.
Though, with so many things to do in Shenandoah National Park and the Shenandoah Valley, we recommend you stay for a few days to relax, unwind, and explore further. There’s no better place to stay near the park than our Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley. Whether you’re looking for adventures to share with your sweetheart or a cozy space to curl up and unplug, you’ll find our Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley is the romantic respite you’re looking for.
Our Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley is situated on a tranquil 50-acre parcel of land, nestled between Staunton and Lexington and surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. We’re in the middle of it all, affording guests easy access to the many things to do in Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and so much more. Our central location in the Shenandoah Valley is just part of what makes us one of the best places to stay in Virginia.
While staying at our Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley, our guests are treated to exceptional hospitality, where attention to detail and warmth are at the heart of everything we do. There are only five guest rooms at our Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley, which means you won’t be surrounded by the busy crowds of Shenandoah National Park while here. In each of our guest rooms, you’ll find all the tasteful amenities you crave, including electric fireplaces and luxurious linens and robes. Some rooms also have jacuzzi rubs for those added moments of romantic bliss.
Imagine coming home to a stately manor and sumptuous accommodations after a tiring but exhilarating day, enjoying all the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park! Luckily, we offer massage services – so those tired muscles can relax, leaving you refreshed and ready for another day exploring more of the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park. We also offer a range of packages, like bourbon tastings, picnic packages, and romantic enhancements, all to enhance your stay and make it even more memorable.
Though our Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley offers guests a welcoming place to stay, we also offer more private accommodations at our Shenandoah Valley Cabins. There are five cabins located throughout our property, each offering unique views and experiences, but all with elevated amenities like hot tubs, decks, kitchens, fireplaces, and more. They are an elevated way to enjoy your couple’s getaway, whether you’re here to explore all the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park or not!
Spring, summer, fall, or winter – you’ll never experience a better getaway than at our Bed and Breakfast in Shenandoah Valley. If you’re ready to enjoy all the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park, we’d love to host you. Book your room at our top-rated Bed and Breakfast today!
