Shenandoah National Park: A Washington retreat
Shenandoah National Park is Washington’s own stretch of preserved wilderness, complete with hiking trails, scenery, campsites and rivers for canoeing. Located about 75 miles south of the Capitol, the national park is a favorite getaway for vacationers and camping enthusiasts. It’s an ideal location for a weekend trip or even a day excursion to scramble up a mountain and be home by dinner.
Camping is popular and plentiful, although spaces will reserve quickly in the summer. Some are available on-site while others should be reserved ahead of time. Four campgrounds are available within the park which accommodates RVs as well. Backcountry camping is allowed with a permit.
If camping isn’t your thing, there are cabins available through the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, or there’s the Big Meadows Lodge, Skyland Resort with elevated views, and Lewis Mountain Cabins for a more rustic, private space.
Shenandoah’s 105-mile Skyline Drive takes you to different 75 overlooks and points. You’ll see banks of wildflowers, valleys, deer, waterfalls, mountains and canyons. It takes about four hours to complete the whole drive, factoring in the speed limit of 35 mph and traffic. If you’d like to take a walk through the woods, which is a better way to explore Shenandoah, there are more than 500 miles of trails. A popular one follows the Appalachian trail for 101 miles. The visitor’s center can point you to various trails and maps. Another extremely popular hike is Old Rag, which is a strenuous trip and considered Shenandoah’s most dangerous hike. It is not for the out-of-shape. There’s a rock scramble at some parts, which are difficult and slick if it rained the night before. Most hikers begin early, around 5 or 6am, to avoid the crowds which can slow the hike down.
Cycling is permitted on paved roads but not on trails or off-roads. Horseback riding is another option and you are allowed to take a horse through 180 miles of trails. Maps are available at visitor centers and online.
If you prefer canoeing kayaking, or any kind of swimming, you’d have to visit the waterways right outside the park as there are no navigable waters within the park. Fishing is permitted, but with very strict regulations. Visit the Web site for more information about fishing.
Posted by Rin-rin Yu
