Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is an ideal place for hiking, with beautiful views out over the Blue Ridge Mountains and interesting history to discover on over 500 miles of trails. In fact, it’s such a great destination for outdoor activity that we built one of our favorite hiking trips for women around it: Hiking Through History in Shenandoah National Park. To understand why you should add this park to your adventure bucket list, here’s a guide to the best hiking in Shenandoah National Park.
Why Hike in Shenandoah National Park?
With so many great hiking destinations around the world, you might be wondering what makes Shenandoah stand out. Here are some reasons to hike in the national park:
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Lots of trails to choose from. Because Shenandoah National Park is home to over 500 miles of trails, there are lots of different hikes to attempt. You can try a vigorous summit hike for epic views, opt for an easy hike with limited elevation gain, go for a gentle stroll through the forest, or choose another trail that matches your ability level.
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Plenty of gorgeous views. Hikes are a lot more fun when you’re rewarded for your efforts with nice scenery, which is the case on most trails in Shenandoah National Park. Whether you’re looking for 360-degree views from the summit of a mountain, pretty waterfalls in the forest, or picture-worthy fall foliage, you’ll have the chance to appreciate the national park’s natural beauty while hiking.
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Interesting history along the way. As you explore Shenandoah National Park, you’ll have the chance to learn about its interesting history, visiting various historical landmarks that represent different eras in time. More on that below!
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A taste of the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail is one of the most famous thru hikes in the US, and 101 miles of it runs through Shenandoah National Park. So if you’ve always been interested in trekking the AT, you can try out a piece of it while hiking in Shenandoah.
History and Culture of Shenandoah National Park
Long before the land that is now Shenandoah National Park became a park, it was home to various Native American peoples, who passed through during their seasonal migrations to hunt or find the materials they needed to make tools. When European immigrants arrived hundreds of years later, they settled in the area for much the same reasons.
During the Civil War era, troops used the Blue Ridge Mountains as protection and several significant battles took place in the Shenandoah Valley. Later, as the Industrial Revolution took off, Americans traveled to this part of Virginia to find respite in its pristine nature. It wasn’t until 1935 that the park was established, during which time many families who lived in the area were displaced so the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) volunteers could restore the park to its natural state. The CCC was responsible for building a lot of infrastructure in Shenandoah between 1933-1942, including the skyline drive that runs through the park. In 1976, much of Shenandoah was designated as protected wilderness, creating a slice of untouched nature for people to explore.
When hiking through Shenandoah National Park, you have the unique opportunity to discover some of this history up close. Like visiting the Byrd Visitor Center to learn more about the park and see the “Negro Area” sign that used to be found on Lewis Mountain, a reminder of a particularly painful piece of the park’s history. Or hiking to Rapidan Camp, a National Historic Landmark that was President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover’s vacation cabin during their time in office. This was also the site where the president held historically significant meetings to navigate the Great Depression, and now you can see it for yourself!
Best Hiking Trails in Shenandoah National Park
With so many different trails in the park it’s hard to choose the best, but here are some of our favorite trails in Shenandoah National Park.
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Rose River Falls. On Day 3 of the Hiking Through History in Shenandoah National Park , you’ll attempt the Rose River Falls hike, a 4-mile loop through protected wilderness complete with a 67-foot waterfall and beautiful forest views.
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Hawksbill Summit. Hawksbill Mountain is the highest peak in the park at 4,049 feet, and you can hike to its summit for some of the best views around. There are three ways to reach the top: hike a long loop, start from the Lower Hawksbill Trail, or take a quick hike from the Upper Hawksbill Trail.
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Stony Man Nature Trail. The Stony Man Loop is a scenic, 1.6-mile hike to Stony Man summit, another picturesque viewpoint. It’s one of the most achievable hikes in the park but delivers great views, offering some of the bang for your hiking buck.
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Rapidan Camp. For a dose of local history, hike to the Rapidan Camp. This 4.5-mile hike on the Rapidan Trail takes you to the summer residence of President and First Lady Hoover, which has been converted into a museum of sorts complete with exhibits about the site’s significance.
Hiking Trips for Women in Shenandoah National Park
Hiking trips for women provide a great opportunity to spend time with fellow outdoor adventurers while sharing an unforgettable experience, and Shenandoah National Park is the perfect place for just that. On our Hiking Through History in Shenandoah National Park excursion, spend 5-nights/6-days hiking in the national park, then return each night to a comfortable home base in a mountain lodge. With a curated itinerary like this one, you get to experience the best hiking in Shenandoah National Park, plus fun extras like learning about the park’s history and visiting the Luray Caverns.
