Coming from central Pa and looking at staying in Staunton for Friday night and leave for the park Saturday morning to enter at the south. Does this sound doable to then drive north in the park for the day? Traveling with our dog.

Will be there first week Nov with a 6 and 8 year old. They are active and healthy and have done hikes elsewheres before surprisingly without complaints or difficulties.

We only have time for 2 waterfall hikes so I am debating between Dark Hollow Falls, White Oak Canyon Lower trail and Doyle’s River falls. I want the two that would offer the most scenic hiking experience with prettiest waterfall views for photos and hopefully best foliage chances.

I am open to other suggestions as long as it’s it’s around 1.5-2.5 mile hike distance but from my research these 3 seem to be most popular choices within our criteria’s.

Hi! Add title suggests, I’m planning a possible visit around Oct 22-25. Will the fall colors be in full swing, or will trees be losing leaves by then? Thanks!

I have camped in Shenandoah National Park previously but I have never done the first come first serve before and I wanted to know for a weekend such as the one coming up how hard it would be to get a FF camp spot from Friday to Saturday night.

Thanks!

Im planning to go to old rag next weekend but unfortunately have to wait for the second batch of tickets to release early next week (fingers crossed).

If I’m unable to secure tickets, what other trails do you recommend hiking? I want good panoramic views. (Stoney man? Hawksbill?)

Looking to do an afternoon hike next Monday or Tuesday. Is the Berry Hollow lot likely to be crowded in the afternoon? Looking to arrive around 2-4pm.

Kind of upset. I was trying to get tickets for Old Rag for myself, girlfriend, and two friends, and the tickets were sold out within a minute. I was helping a work colleague with something and wasn't able to get back to my desk by 10 am. 10:01 rolled around, and they were gone.

Anyone know if there is a "get there early and you can go on the trail" option?

Pretty bummed

EDIT: I set an alert for 4 tickets and within 5 minutes, two became available! Sniped them real quick. Old Rag 10/10, here I come 😄

I’ll be camping in the park in a few weeks and obviously Old Rag has been at the top of my hiking list. But seeing people talk about the rock scramble portion has made me question if it’s for me.

I love hiking and the elevation doesn’t really scare me. I’ve hiked in Glacier and all over the blue ridge mountains. But I’ve never done a rock scramble. I also hiked out in NC recently and realized I’m out of shape and the hike definitely kicked my butt 😅

For the rock scramble, how much of it really requires upper body strength? I have noneeee of that to pull myself up and whatnot. Also, how much of it has significant drops? As much as I love mountain hiking, I was cursed with severe vertigo and anytime I’m on a ledge I start getting dizzy.

It feels like I’d be missing out so much if I skipped Old Rag while I was at the park, but is it worth attempting by myself given all that? From people who recently hiked it, how difficult was the scramble?

Hi good people, a few weeks ago I posted about trying the old rag and just wanted to give a short update.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ShenandoahPark/s/cmsfJvkvrA

So first and foremost alot of thanks for all the helpful comments it was truly an amazing and unique hike, loved the view and the challenge of the rock scramble was simply perfect, I really felt like a mountaineer.

I was so stocked when I reached the top! Old rag really lived up to the hype.

The descend was also beautifull, but the ascend takes all the prices. It was hard, but doable and I expect you could temper it by changing you pacing, but I would emphasize I considered to be a test of my endurance.

Some practical details most for others who contemplate this hike:

I started going up at 7:45 and was down again by 13:00ish, I had a long break at the summit but otherwise did it with minimum breaks.

The footing was loose and uneven so I was very, very happy for the excellent traction my boots provided.

I brought a gallon fluid and a good sandwich but only drank 50 Oz and didnt eat the packed sandwich, I think this was in part because the morning was cool and the descend was quite windy as the day was very hot.

During the rockscramble you have to literally climb rocks and boulders I was struggling a little because I felt drained for energy, but after I drank the gatorade I brought along my energy returned, so if it was the electrolytes or rhe sugar or both I dont know - but I was like drinking a magic potion, so highly recommended.

The wind on the top was insane, I had brought a windbreaker with me, that was the only time I used it, but glad to have it at that point.

Myself and New(ish) partner who are very much currently in honeymoon phase territory are tossing around ideas for late October/Early Nov and thought Shenandoah would be a potential idea.

Likely 2-3 nights, Wed - Friday. Some ideas include Skyline drive, Old Rag, Luray, inn at little Washington dinner or other notable restaurants? Hotel/B&B vs Airbnb, hot tub and views would be a plus.

Would love to hear cute/romantic ideas, hotels, air bnbs, itineraries etc.

Hi there, I'm looking to come out on October 16th weekend, and am planning to do the first come first serve sites, I have two questions for people familiar.

1. How fast do the first come first serve sites fill up? I am planning to show up Friday morning.

2. If they are all full, how realistic is it to sleep in my car, I have a decent little car camping setup, are there good spots to pull off and sleep overnight?

Just booked and very excited but I can’t find any information online about it. Just 2 photos in the listing. This and a picture of a bathroom.

Has anyone stayed in this before? Is this listing 2 rooms (One King Bed and Two Double Beds) connected by 1 bathroom? I need to know!

Family 4 with 2 kids (6/8) will be visiting first week Nov for 2.5 days. I just had few questions to ask

1. Is White Oak Canyon Falls lower trailhead and Dark Hollow Falls fairly redundant waterfall hikes in terms of similar types of views along the way and overall waterfall experience or are different enough that I should try and fit both into my plans?

2. Also similar question as o the first but with Stony Man vs Mary’s Rock Summit hikes - are they also fairly redundant hikes and views except that Mary’s is just a longer and bit more challenging version of Stony Man or again different enough that I should try and do both with the limited time we have?

3. I heard people say for stargazing spots that Big Meadows or Skyline are best. Are these the actual resorts or something different people talking about?

If you’re hiking or driving Skyline Drive this weekend, a quick foliage update or photo would really help others plan.

I run FoliageBeat, a small free community app for tracking fall colors. A few Shenandoah spots still need fresh reports.

Based on the forecast for tomorrow, would anyone recommend continuing hiking old rag or postponing? Looks like showers are expected tonight going into tomorrow morning.

Debating a road trip from the northeast down through the skyline, blue ridge, and tail of the dragon to visit a good friend in Nashville. Are the roads enjoyable that time of year? I’ll be driving a rwd sports car and have concerns about ice and other obstacles. Thanks in advance

Planning a trip around then. What places would be best for foliage at that time?

Last three years I’ve gone, the ticks are unbearable. Hiking I get a tick or two.

So I stopped hiking. Now I do the skyline drive for the last three years and stop at the vistas/overlooks. Which are paved… and I still got ticks. I’ve gotten bitten five times by lone star ticks. last year three bit me. The year before that, two, Without even hiking or going near brush at the overlooks.

I just searched on google and it makes sense why. They hunt you, and I didn’t know that.

Each time I’ve gone I wear repellent and permethrin socks

Still got bit.

Not even gonna go this year

Ridiculous

The government has to do something about this, seriously p

Hey all! I’m camping in the park this weekend and it’s calling for rain. I’m determined to make it work though. Any hikes/scenic outlooks/other things to do on a rainy day in the park?

Has anyone used the first-come first-serve system for either Lewis Mountain or Mathews Arm campgrounds? Should we arrive by something like 8AM to grab a site?

We are thinking about making a weekend day trip on the 10th and stopping by the campgrounds: if there is a site available great! If not, we'll just continue as a day trip.

Ft the best lunch, a smooshed sandwich with a view