{"id":"nps-shen","slug":"shenandoah-national-park","name":"Shenandoah National Park","designation":"National Park","category":"national-park","categoryLabel":"National Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"SHEN","designation":"National Park","sourceId":"nps-shen"}],"states":["VA"],"stateNames":["Virginia"],"location":{"lat":38.49236644,"lon":-78.46907715},"bbox":[-78.8594,38.0336,-78.15,38.9103],"acres":{"value":197533,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds, and black bear, there's so much to explore...and your journey begins right here!","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=38.9103&b_tl_lng=-78.8594&b_br_lat=38.0336&b_br_lng=-78.15","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Shenandoah%20National%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/183B110E-E008-CDD3-EC95F668F6CC3657.jpg","title":"Animal Crossing","alt":"White-tailed bucks sparring in Big Meadows","caption":"Watch for all types of wildlife crossing Skyline Drive.","credit":"NPS Photo / Neal Lewis","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/187E49E6-C473-3B6C-32A5429B5516C17B.jpg","title":"Adventure Awaits","alt":"Visitors stand on a rocky outcrop overlooking the receding mountains.","caption":"There are over 60 peaks with an elevation over 3,000 feet in Shenandoah.","credit":"NPS Photo / Neal Lewis","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/40B4BA96-B7A2-896A-156E0E0E85486CC1.jpg","title":"Recreate Responsibly","alt":"American Black Bear crossing Skyline Drive","caption":"Black bears are opportunistic, meaning they'll do anything for a snack! Properly store and dispose all food items, and share the road!","credit":"NPS Photo | B. Raeburn","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C80B989-1DD8-B71B-0B3A418BF2F78CF0.jpg","title":"Find Yourself in Nature","alt":"Looking up at a poplar stand canopy, which is turning yellow in fall.","caption":"This poplar stand at mile 8 is a popular stop for visitors entering from the north entrance.","credit":"NPS Photo / Katy Cain","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C80B867-1DD8-B71B-0B328321E4420769.jpg","title":"Driving on Skyline Drive","alt":"A road surrounded by fall foliage turns a curve around a small waterfall.","caption":"There are 105 miles to explore on Skyline Drive.","credit":"NPS Photo / Neal Lewis","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/17DBC477-0435-15B7-F8F09620D0A64247.jpg","title":"Wonderful Waterfalls","alt":"A river navigates through an autumn forest.","caption":"Whiteoak Canyon Falls rewards hikers in every season.","credit":"NPS Photo / Brett Raeburn","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Auto and ATV","Scenic Driving","Astronomy","Stargazing","Biking","Road Biking","Camping","Backcountry Camping","Car or Front Country Camping","Group Camping","RV Camping","Climbing","Rock Climbing","Compass and GPS","Geocaching","Fishing","Food","Dining","Picnicking","Hands-On","Citizen Science","Hiking","Horse Trekking","Horseback Riding","Hunting and Gathering","Gathering and Foraging","Junior Ranger Program","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store","Gift Shop and Souvenirs"],"topics":["Arts","Great Depression","Presidents","Schools and Education","Transportation","Roads, Routes and Highways","Ancient Seas","Animals","Birds","Fish","Climate Change","Fire","Forests and Woodlands","Geology","Grasslands","Meadows","Mountains","Night Sky","Rock Landscapes and Features","Scenic Views","Trails","Unique Species","Endangered","Watersheds","Waterfalls","Wilderness"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"30.00","description":"Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Admits the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle."},{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"25.00","description":"Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"15.00","description":"Entry for walk-up or bicycling visitors, when 16 years of age or older (children under 16 are admitted for free). Includes entering the Park by all means other than a private, non-commercial vehicle. A family traveling together shall pay no more than the vehicle fee."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Sedan","cost":"25.00","description":"The total cost is calculated: $25 + $10 per passenger."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Per Person","cost":"10.00","description":"This fee is for commercial use between 1-6 passengers (sedan). The total cost is calculated: $25 for the vehicle + $10 per passenger."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Van","cost":"75.00","description":"Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 7-15 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus","cost":"100.00","description":"Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 16-25 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach","cost":"200.00","description":"Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 26 or more passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers."},{"title":"Entrance - Education/Academic Groups","cost":"0.00","description":"National Park Service regulations allow school groups and other approved national and international academic institutions to obtain a waiver of Park entrance fees, provided that visit is for educational or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities that the group intends to use, support those purposes. Request an academic fee waiver through the education section of our website."},{"title":"Entrance - Non-commercial Groups","cost":"15.00","description":"Fee is calculated per person for anyone 16 years of age or older (children under 16 are admitted for free). Groups will not be charged more than the equivalent commercial group fee."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"55.00","description":"Provides unlimited entry for one year to the pass holder and passengers in the same vehicle, not to exceed 4 total adults. Children under 16 are admitted for free and are not included in this total. Purchase online or at any of our entrance stations."}],"hours":[{"name":"Shenandoah National Park","description":"Shenandoah National Park is always open. However, portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the Park, are periodically closed during inclement weather. Visitors can still enter the Park on foot to hike, even when the Skyline Drive is closed. Campgrounds, services, and facilities have separate hours; please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere on our website.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, west of Washington, D.C. It stretches 105 miles and has four entrances: Front Royal (northern entrance), Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap, and Rockfish Gap (southern entrance to Shenandoah and the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway). The physical address listed is to the administrative offices, not the Park itself. GPS can be unreliable for navigating to the Park, so we encourage you to check out our website for more info.","weatherInfo":"Shenandoah National Park has four very distinct seasons. Spring typically brings mild temperatures, rain, and wildflowers. Summer brings lush green forests, but can be hot and very humid. Fall follows with cooler temperatures and spectacular fall foliage. Winter can bring snow and ice. The park spans roughly 100 miles, which means that weather can vary greatly depending on your location. The mountain is usually 10°F cooler than the valley below. Always check the forecast, dress in layers, and be prepared.","contacts":{"phone":"Emergency: 1-800-732-0911","email":"shen_info@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Dickey Ridge Visitor Center","description":"Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (mile 4.6) is located near Front Royal, Virginia, in the northern part of the Park. It's the ideal place for visitors entering through the Front Royal Entrance Station to find restrooms, information, a bookstore, publications, and maps. Right across Skyline Drive from the visitor center you will find the popular Fox Hollow Trail trailhead.","url":"","lat":38.87172417347,"lon":-78.20465862785},{"name":"Harry F. Byrd Sr. Visitor Center","description":"Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51) is located across from Big Meadows in the center of Shenandoah National Park. Available facilities include: restrooms, information desk, ranger programs, bookstore, publications, maps, and first aid. Within close proximity to countless activities and hikes, it's a great place to start your next trip!","url":"","lat":38.5178703,"lon":-78.4368108}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Mathews Arm Campground","description":"2026 Closing Date: November 1 Mathews Arm Campground (mile 22.1) is the nearest campground for those entering Shenandoah National Park from Front Royal, in the northern section of the Park. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring, and picnic table. Elkwallow Wayside, with camping supplies and food service, is two miles away. Mathews Arm has a combination of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Reservable sites are released in sections.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/mathews-arm-campground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232432","sites":165},{"name":"Big Meadows Campground","description":"2026 Closing Date: November 29 Big Meadows Campground (mile 51.2) is centrally-located in Shenandoah National Park, providing easy access to many of the most popular destinations in the Park, including Big Meadows, Dark Hollow Falls, and Byrd Visitor Center. All sites include a place for a tent or RV, a fire ring, and a picnic table. All sites at Big Meadows Campground are by reservation only.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/big-meadows-campground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232459","sites":221},{"name":"Lewis Mountain Campground","description":"2026 Closing Date: November 22 Lewis Mountain (mile 57.5), the smallest campground in Shenandoah National Park, appeals to those who want a little more privacy while still staying within a close distance to many of the most popular destinations in the Park, including Big Meadows (7 miles away). Lewis Mountain Campground operates on a self-registration, first-come, first-serve basis. There are no reservable sites. Please follow the posted directions to register once arriving at the campground.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/lewis-mountain-campground.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":30},{"name":"Loft Mountain Campground","description":"2026 Closing Date: November 1 Loft Mountain (mile 79.5) sits atop Big Flat Mountain in the southern part of Shenandoah National Park, with outstanding views to east and west. Two waterfalls and the trails into the Big Run Wilderness area are nearby. Loft Mountain has a combination of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Reservable sites are released in sections.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/loft-mountain-campground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232433","sites":207}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"green-springs","km":56},{"slug":"cedar-creek-and-belle-grove-national-historical-park","km":59},{"slug":"big-levels-national-game-refuge","km":78},{"slug":"spruce-knob-seneca-rocks-national-recreation-area","km":83},{"slug":"manassas-national-battlefield-park","km":89},{"slug":"fredericksburg-and-spotsylvania-national-military-park","km":90}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=shen"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.622Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Active Closure","text":"Due to recent wildlife interactions and out of an abundance of caution, the Naked Creek backcountry zone is closed to all recreation until further notice. A camping closure remains in effect for the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Lewis Mountain to Big Meadows, including the Bearfence AT Hut. The AT is still accessible to hikers for day-use only.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/naked-creek-backcountry-zone-closure.htm","updated":"2026-10-14 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-2DC60C7E-23DA-4C5F-915E-5971F1B408F6"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Infrastructure Improvements to Old Rag Trailhead","text":"Effective May 4, Shenandoah National Park will begin infrastructure enhancements at the Old Rag Trailhead main parking lot. We expect to complete work by November 2026. Until then, the main parking lot is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Visitors can access Old Rag Trailhead via existing overflow parking lots. Day-use tickets are still required from March 1 through November 30 in addition to a park entrance fee.","url":null,"updated":"2026-04-22 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-F4AB8754-5847-4FB2-AB55-670DAD3FE1DF"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Shenandoah National Park Moved to Fully Cashless Fee Collection","text":"On July 1, 2025, the park transitioned to a fully cashless system at our fee entrance stations. Only credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments will be accepted.","url":null,"updated":"2026-04-22 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-BC3F8F95-D556-41DE-AD27-7DFB09526C66"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"Parking at Boundary Access Areas","text":"Visitors are reminded to park in designated parking areas when accessing the park via boundary trailheads. Parking in unauthorized locations may result in your vehicle being towed at the owner's expense. Park on the right side of the road approaching Thompson Hollow. Parking is authorized up to the \"No Parking\" sign before a private driveway.","url":null,"updated":"2025-11-20 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-94BF0A56-2B9D-4CB0-B420-8D98104FAB72"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Get Skyline Drive Status Updates","text":"Sign up for Shenandoah Alerts by texting SHENALERTS to 888777. Any time there are closures, re-openings, or other important safety-related alerts, subscribers will receive a notification via text. You may unsubscribe at any time.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/alert-system.htm","updated":"2025-09-29 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-3E4B8C08-23A0-4F40-B290-53BB4959E6CD"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Ticket Required to Hike Old Rag","text":"March 1 - November 30 those wishing to hike Old Rag are required to obtain a day-use ticket before arriving.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm","updated":"2024-01-17 13:20:06.0","id":"nps-C5CE178E-5255-42E2-9F8F-285637B4C84E"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/shenandoah-national-park/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/shenandoah-national-park.geojson"}