Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Shenandoah National Park?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 weeks 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 week enough time in Shenandoah National Park?
One week provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of the national park at your own pace to get out into nature, take in the beautiful scenery, ski down the slopes, and sample the delicious cuisine. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend a week 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.
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.
Snow skiing is the main attraction here in winter, so make sure you spend at least a day on the slopes. You'll find skiing and snowboarding at nearby Massanutten Resort, which is near Harrisonburg, Virginia. It's a family-friendly setting with slopes that are classified as "easiest", "more difficult", and "most difficult".
After you've explored most of Shenandoah National Park, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Shenandoah National Park, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Shenandoah National Park. Plenty of amazing options are available.
With added time, spend another day on the ski slopes. After all, that's one of the main attractions here. You'll probably improve your skills every day, so check out some of the runs you haven't spent much time on yet.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Shenandoah National Park?
With two weeks at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that this national park has to offer, giving you the flexibility spend extra time checking out the hiking, the gorgeous scenery, skiing and snowboarding, and the restaurant scene. You can move at your own pace and take time to relax, too. We have some suggestions of things to do below.
Shenandoah National Park
How to spend 2 weeks in Shenandoah National Park
With 2 weeks in Shenandoah National Park, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the national park has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time skiing on the slopes and hiking. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this national park looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Shenandoah National Park, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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