Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Shenandoah National Park?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Shenandoah National Park?

Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 5 days in Shenandoah National Park during their visit. After all, the breathtaking national park has plenty to explore such as the hiking, the gorgeous scenery, and skiing and snowboarding.

Shenandoah National Park runs along the Blue Ridge Mountains through the state of Virginia. The main corridor is the beautiful Skyline Drive, which passes by viewpoints and scenic spots. There are also miles of hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, and iconic views.

Do you have one or two days to visit Shenandoah National Park? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Shenandoah National Park?

One day is generally not enough time to experience everything in Shenandoah National Park. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to get out into nature, take in the beautiful scenery, ski down the slopes, and sample the delicious cuisine. To genuinely appreciate the highlights, a more lengthy visit is recommended. Many travelers opt for at least 3 or as many as 5 days to experience the outdoors here. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in Shenandoah National Park

When visiting Shenandoah National Park, you absolutely can't miss Skyline Drive as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.

Shenandoah National Park is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Skyline drive passes by breathtaking views and wonderful lookout points. There are also miles of trails that let you explore the natural beauty of the area.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Shenandoah National Park?

With only a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to explore the outdoors and scenery. To fully embrace Shenandoah National Park, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to at least 3 or as many as 5 days to experience Skyline Drive as well as get out into nature, take in the beautiful scenery, ski down the slopes, and sample the delicious cuisine. However, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your time.

Shenandoah National Park

How to spend 2 days in Shenandoah National Park

With a weekend (two to three days) in Shenandoah National Park, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the national park has to offer.

Known for it's hiking, Shenandoah National Park sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. There are more than 500 miles of trails in the park that pass through varied landscapes and take you to beautiful viewpoints. Visitors range from weekend visitors to long term hikers who come to experience the breathtaking beauty and serene setting.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. There are several restaurants along skyline drive where you can pick up a casual meal like fried chicken, burgers, or pasta.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Shenandoah National Park, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

• Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Shenandoah National Park?
• Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Shenandoah National Park?
• Is Shenandoah National Park Worth Visiting?
• Shenandoah National Park Travel Costs