If you are driving to the park, four highways bisect the park. The park’s four entrances are located at:

• Front Royal accessible via I-66 and Route 340  
• Thornton Gap accessible via Route 211
• Swift Run Gap accessible via Route 33
• Rockfish Gap accessible via I-64 and Route 250  (Rockfish Gap is also the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway.)

For maps and more detailed directions, visit Directions and Transportation.

If you are flying, the closest major airports are:

• Washington Dulles International, 56 miles to Front Royal
• Reagan National, 70 miles to Front Royal
• Shenandoah Valley Regional, 27 miles to Swift Run Gap
• Charlottesville-Albemarle, 31 miles to Rockfish Gap

Skyland Resort is the larger of the two properties with 179 rooms. It is located at the highest point on Skyline Drive.(Mile 41.7) and listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Horseback riding is offered daily.

Big Meadows Lodge (Mile 51.2) has 97 guest rooms and offers close proximity to the Harry F. Byrd, SR Visitor Center. Big Meadows Lodge was built in 1939 and recently restored. The Great Room of the chestnut-paneled main lodge is a cozy place to relax and read by the fireplace.

Shenandoah National Park is always open. However, portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the park, are periodically closed during inclement weather and at night during deer hunting season. Visitors can still enter the park on foot to hike even when the Drive is closed. Facilities and services begin operating in April and close down completely in late November. For more information call the park’s recorded information line: 540.999.3500.

Usually, the peak season for fall colors is mid to late October. However, it is dependent on the weather. The fall colors start at the higher altitudes and gradually move down the mountain to the lower elevations.

Wind your way through lush forests. Breathe in fresh mountain air. Relax near a cool cascading waterfall. There's no better way to experience Shenandoah than on its over 500 miles of hiking trails. Pick up trail maps at entrance stations or visitor information centers. Degree of difficulty ranges from an leisurely stroll to a strenuous hike. The Limberlost Trail is also ADA accessible. Try a self-guided trail (guide booklets are at trailheads and information centers), a ranger-led interpretive program or outdoor guided adventure program. See Activities for more information or call 540.999.3500. 

At Shenandoah National Park you can also enjoy these activities. See Activities for full details.

• Horseback riding; pony rides for children
• Bird watching and wildlife viewing
• Photography
• Stargazing and Night Skies Programs
• Junior Ranger Programs
• NPS Park Seminars/activities
• Guided Hiking Programs
• Monthly Tea with the First Ladies: Eleanor Roosevelt and Lou Hoover

Pets are allowed in a limited number of rooms at Skyland Resort. The following pet policies apply:

• $25.00 per pet/per night, non-refundable cleaning fee charged for pet rooms.
• No more than two well-behaved pets per room permitted. Service animals always allowed. Pet owners will be liable for any additional cleaning bills or repairs should they be required.
• Limited rooms available. Please inquire about room at time of booking reservation.
• Pets must be declared at check-in. In consideration of all guests, pets must be attended at all times. Your pet cannot be left alone in your room unless in a portable kennel.
• Pets cannot be tied or left unattended on balconies.
• Pets must be on a leash at all times while in the Park. Check the Park's website for their current policy http://www.nps.gov/shen
• Pets are not permitted in any public building. Service animals always allowed.
• When walking pets on the property, please be considerate of other guests and clean up after your pet.
• Mutt mitts are located inside each room.

Vehicles:

• December through February: $10.00 per private, non-commercial vehicle
• March through November: $15.00 per private, non-commercial vehicle
• Pass is valid for day of purchase and next six days. Includes passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs, vans and converted buses. 

Motorcycles:

• $10.00
• Pass is valid for day of purchase and next six days 

Individual:

• December through February: $5.00 per person 16 years of age or older when entering by means other than a private, non-commercial vehicle.
• March through November: $8.00 per person 16 years of age or older when entering by means other than a private, non-commercial vehicle.
• Pass is valid for the day of purchase and next six days
• Examples include walk-in entries at high-use areas such as Old Rag, Berry Hollow, Weakley Hollow, Lower Whiteoak Canyon, and Little Devils Stairs; bicycles; taxis and limousines providing transportation only; buses carrying passengers not on a pre-packaged tour such as school groups visiting for recreational purposes; and buses or vans registered to non-profit organizations such as churches or schools
• A family traveling together shall pay no more than the vehicle fee.

Commercial Tour:

• $25.00: 1-6 Passengers ($25.00 + $5.00 per passenger)
  $75.00: 7-15  Passengers
  $100.00: 16-25  Passengers
  $200.00:  26+ Passengers
• Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers.
• A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service.
• The entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles that can carry seven or more passengers regardless of the actual number of passengers.
• Possession of a national park passport or the ages of the passengers does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle’s capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver.

• You can make camping reservations at Mathews Arm, Big Meadows and Loft Mountain Campgrounds by calling 877.444.6777 or you can book online at www.Recreation.gov .  Lewis Mountain Campground is first-come, first-served.  Campgrounds are operated by the National Park Service.