Having filmed and hiked throughout Shenandoah, we’ve developed real affection for this often-overlooked park. It’s the closest wilderness escape for tens of millions of East Coasters, and it punches well above its weight in terms of scenery and trail quality. This guide covers what we know from time on the ground.
5 Quick Things About Shenandoah Hikes
we need to go over a few hiking trail guidance bits of information and safety steps to get you ready for the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park.
Autumn Dawn at Shenandoah National Park. (Shutterstock-Vladimir Grablev)
Entrance fees are $30 per vehicle. If you visit public lands often, spring for the $80 America the Beautiful Pass.
You need bug spray here from spring through fall, or you’ll be miserable. We recommend this one or this one if you’re a DEET person.
Mobile service shouldn’t be relied on in this remote park. Bring a guidebook and/or map to help navigate.
Starting in 2026, the park requires a permit for overnight backcountry camping. You purchase that through the Recreation.gov website.
Boulders, trees, and a view of the Blue Ridge at an overlook on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. (Shutterstock-Jon Bilous)
BLUE: Park hiking Trail
WHITE: Appalachian Trail
YELLOW: Trails where horses are allowed (watch your step!)
Most trails will have a number underneath the blaze. Keep track of these as you pass. Rescue crews will be able to come much faster if you report that number in an emergency.
Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park (Shutterstock/Jon Bilous)
For those hiking Old Rag, you need a day-use ticket as part of a program to control the crowds on this popular trail. This is in effect from March 1 through November 20. Each person in a group needs their own ticket.
Shenandoah has many trails with the “best views” and “coolest waterfalls,” so you really can’t go wrong. Here are some of my top favorites, with a mix of skills and difficulty levels so everyone is included. I’ll also tag the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park for dogs and the best waterfalls.
A winter scene with ice and rime in Shenandoah National Park. (Shutterstock/TempleNick)
Distance: 101 miles (but obviously, you can shorten that to suit your needs) Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous Elevation Gain: 2,147′ (assuming you summit Hawksbill Mountain) Time Required: 54 hours 16 minutes
The view from Mary’s Rock in Shenandoah National Park (Shutterstock/Pierre Leclerc)
The A.T. access points to Shenandoah National Park are at the Rockfish Gap entrance on the south side of the park and Lake Front Royal Junction just outside the park on the northern edge. Day hikers who want to explore part of the park can use this interactive map to see the options.
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club maintains and assists hikers with this part of the park. Reservations for cabins will be made through PATC, not the park.
Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park (Shutterstock/Jon Bilous)
Distance: 3.7 miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 1,210′ Time Required: 3 hours 30 minutes
Instead of having to spend nearly four hours wondering, “Who is Mary?” I can tell you there is no firm answer. She was either a bride who was shown the land she would inherit, a bride who fell off the rocks and died or a child who brought home a bear cub.
This trail is likely going to be busy, and you’ll probably see a lot of dogs. You will follow much of the A.T. as you ascend this rocky climb. Summit views are incredible, and this is one of the best trails in Shenandoah National Park for children to get a taste of tougher hiking.
The trailhead is at Panorama Parking Area, with restrooms and ample parking.
Distance: 1.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate (scrambling required) Elevation Gain: 311′ Time Required: 1 hour
The view of Blackrock Summit in Shenandoah National Park. (Shutterstock/Elyse Clark Tse)
This is one of the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park to see the sunrise. Don’t let that short elevation gain fool you, this is not a great hike for those who are afraid of heights. You’ll start at the Bearfence Parking Area and cross Skyline to start the hike.
You’ll scramble up through blazed rocks with more challenging sections, and there is enough excitement for the expert scrambler to ride closer to the edge with safe spaces for those who don’t want to look down. It is a wonderful way to get your heartbeat going early and get those legs stretched out for longer hikes.
Upper Whiteoak Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes in Shenandoah National Park. (Shutterstock/Steve Lagreca)
Distance: 1.6 miles Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Elevation Gain: 340′ Time Required: 1 hour
Stony Man Trail has its own large parking area, which should be the first indication the trail will be crowded. It’s named for the perceived face of a man in the rocks at the top.
The park says this is an easy trail, but we’ve had plenty of hikers tell us this is more moderate. You’ll be walking on rocks and with light scrambling, but the views at the top across the Shenandoah Valley are worth it. This is another one of the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park to see the sunset, and the hike back in the twilight isn’t too risky.
Things to Do Shenandoah National Park (Shutterstock/Steve Heap)
Distance: 6.5 miles Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous Elevation Gain: 1,400′ Time Required: 7 hours
This is one of the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park in spring to enjoy the cascades, waterfalls, and flowers that line the trail. An autumn trip might be ideal if you want to avoid the worst of the ticks and spiders while blending in the fall foliage of this dense forest trail.
You’ll get to see the upper and lower sides of Doyles River Falls, with a special appearance by Jones Run Falls.
The view from the top of Little Devil’s Stairs, one of the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park. (Shutterstock/Vladimir Grablev)
Distance:.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 910′ Time Required: 4 hours 30
Park at the Fisher’s Gap Parking Area and cue up TLC to go chase waterfalls on Rose River Falls Trail, where you walk along the Rose River and can stick to the rivers that you’re used to seeing on a waterfall trail. You will walk through dirt paths and rocky inclines. No scrambling is required.
When you arrive at the falls, you’ll be treated to a top view 67′ above the water. Of course, this trail is best during spring when the snow is melting or after heavy rain. However, that same rain can make the trails very muddy.
As someone who loves waterfalls, I couldn’t resist not taking the loop and instead finishing the last quarter mile through Dark Hollow Falls, which is an impressive 70″ with places to cool off in the summer. The only sinister park of Dark Hollow Falls Trail is that you have the incline going out. Stretch out those calves before you ascend.
Distance: 4.9 miles Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Elevation Gain: 833′ Time Required: 2 – 3 hours
The view from Hazel Mountain Overlook in Shenandoah National Park. (Shutterstock/Danita Delimont)
This trail starts at the Dickey Ridge entrance, making for a great first hike of the day. The trail weaves through dense forests and meadows while hugging Skyline Drive for a good chunk of the hike to get great views when you’re out of the woods.
The Browntown Valley overlook offers the best views and a great picnic spot. Be sure to use bear-proof containers and trash cans, as bears are seen often in this area.
The lush landscape of the Frazier Discovery Trail in Shenandoah National Park. (Shutterstock/Jon Bilous)
Distance: 2.9 miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 860′ Time Required: 2 hours
Hawksbill Loop tops the list of best hikes in Shenandoah National Park for several reasons. It gives a mix of meadows, rocky trails, vegetation, and views. The trail starts at the Hawkbill Gap Parking Area at Sunrise mile marker 45.5.
As you ascend the tallest spot in the park, you’ll be encouraged by endless vistas before finally reaching the top, where there’s a viewing platform. The jagged edges of rock blend with the scenic green or fall foliage views.
The final stretch to the summit is steep, so be sure to save some energy for the boost. Go earlier in the day to avoid the crowds
Shenandoah National Park offers some of the most liberal access points for dogs in the park system. The Black Rock Summit Trail offers a great starting point for your dog’s tolerance of trekking and heights. In fact, the whole family will love this trail that’s just more than a mile long.
One of many waterfalls on the Browns Gap trail in Shenandoah National Park. (Shutterstock/Kelly vanDellen)
The Rose River Loop is almost four miles long and has some cooling-off spots for Fido in the summer.
However, limitations exist. Dogs are not allowed on the following trails, per NPS:
DOG NOTE: As a responsible dog owner and an owner of two B.A.R.K Rangers, I think it’s important to mention a few things. First, always pick up after your pet and – yes – carry the waste with you until you find a trash can. Second, I avoid taking my dogs during the hot, humid days of summer for their own safety and because of all the ticks. Third, assume that you are the only person who likes your dog. Other people on the trail might be afraid or not like having dogs approach them.
Dark Hollow Falls is ominously beautiful and along one of the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park. (Shutterstock/Billy McDonald)
Hawksbill Loop
Dickey Ridge
Rose River Falls
Browns Gap
Old Rag
Frazier Discovery Trail
Hazel River Falls
Little Devil’s Stairs
Traces Trail
Upper Whiteoak Falls
Blackrock Summit
Stony Main Trail
Bearfence Mountain Summit
Mary’s Rock Trail
Appalachian Trail
Helpful Related Links
Other Things to Do in Shenandoah: 15 EPIC Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park Facts: 12 Surprising Shenandoah National Park Facts
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