A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Shenandoah National Park vs. Berkshires for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Shenandoah National Park or Berkshires?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenandoah National Park and Berkshires can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Shenandoah National Park or Berkshires?

Shenandoah National Park

One of the most visited destinations in the eastern part of the United States, Shenandoah National Park attracts over a million people each year for its beautiful mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and vibrant colors in the autumn months. Established in 1935, it is the largest fully protected area in the mid-Appalachian region.

Berkshires

The Berkshires are a popular highland destination in the western part of Massachusetts and northwest Connecticut. The region has scenic landscape, hiking, lakes, recreational opportunities and other outdoor experiences. The Berkshires also has an impressive cultural scene with music, arts, museums, and live theaters.

The Berkshires can be a bit expensive to visit if you stay at a luxury resort and take advantage of the award winning restaurants in the area. Alternatively, the experience can be equally rewarding by camping, picnicking, and spending your time hiking and enjoying the beautiful natural setting.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenandoah National Park and Berkshires, we can see that Berkshires is more expensive. And not only is Shenandoah National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shenandoah National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shenandoah National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Berkshires would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkshires than you might in Shenandoah National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenandoah National Park Expensive? and Is Berkshires Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park or Berkshires?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Shenandoah National Park or Berkshires in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Shenandoah National Park as well as Berkshires. The summer months attract visitors to Shenandoah National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Shenandoah National Park is generally a little warmer than Berkshires. Daily temperatures in Shenandoah National Park average around 77°F (25°C), and Berkshires fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

Shenandoah National Park usually gets more rain in July than Berkshires. Shenandoah National Park gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Berkshires receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shenandoah National Park or Berkshires in the Autumn?

Both Berkshires and Shenandoah National Park are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shenandoah National Park this time of year.

Shenandoah National Park is a little warmer than Berkshires in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shenandoah National Park averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Berkshires fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In October, Shenandoah National Park usually receives more rain than Berkshires. Shenandoah National Park gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Berkshires receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Shenandoah National Park or Berkshires in the Winter?

Both Berkshires and Shenandoah National Park during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Shenandoah National Park for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Berkshires can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Shenandoah National Park. In the winter, Shenandoah National Park is much warmer than Berkshires. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shenandoah National Park in January average around 32°F (-0°C), and Berkshires averages at about 22°F (-6°C).

Shenandoah National Park usually gets more rain in January than Berkshires. Shenandoah National Park gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Berkshires receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shenandoah National Park or Berkshires in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenandoah National Park and Berkshires. Many visitors come to Shenandoah National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Shenandoah National Park is generally a little warmer than Berkshires. Daily temperatures in Shenandoah National Park average around 54°F (12°C), and Berkshires fluctuates around 47°F (9°C).

In April, Shenandoah National Park usually receives more rain than Berkshires. Shenandoah National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Berkshires receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Berkshires and Shenandoah National Park