In June of 2024 we went on a camping trip to Shenandoah National Park. This was our first trip there. And there was so much to see and do.

We camped at the Loft Mountain Campgrounds, which I really enjoyed. The campground had a nice combination of foliage and openness. We were often surrounded by wildlife. From the birds constantly flitting about in the bushes surrounding our campsite, to the rabbits along that walkways and the deer that would just stroll right through the middle of camp without giving you a second thought.

Scenic vistas abound

If you like scenic vistas this park has so much to offer. And there are a ton of them that are easily accessible. Drive down the 100 mile long Skyline Drive. Pull over at any number of the seemingly never ending overlooks. Step out of your car and look over the vast landscape in front of you. Often you can see beautiful valleys. Small towns dot the scenery. Rows upon rows of mountains off in the distance. It is a very different landscape than we see back home.

There are also more trails to hike than I could count. Many of them taking you out to beautiful overlooks. Unfortunately when we visited it was in the middle of a relentless heatwave. So, we didn’t get to partake of as many of the hiking opportunities as we would have liked. Including the most popular hike in the park, Old Rag.

Old Rag is such a popular hike that you have to buy a pass with a scheduled day to go for your hike. And we planned it for the Friday near the end of our trip. Unfortunately, that ended up being the hottest day of the heatwave. So, we wisely decided to opt for some shorter hikes that day. And during our hike we came across an experienced guide that was leading a rock climbing trip. He confirmed that we would not want to be out on that mountain on the exposed rock in this heat.

Hiking options are everywhere

There are so many trails. I bought maps to be prepared for this trip. But looking at them was over whelming. So many trails to choose from. Many of the trails intersected with other trails in the park. THis created a mesh of different route options.

Luckily I had also bought a guide book that had pre planned routes to take. So we used the guide book and followed some of the routes. Due to the heat we stayed with mostly easy or moderate routes.

But we still got to see some great views from places like Sony Man and Little Stony Man.

Whenever I take a trip it gives me an extra sense of joy and wonder to be able to step onto the Appalachian Trail. And the Appalachian Trail runs straight through the heart of this park for miles and miles. There are many different places where the trail appears and you can hike a little bit of it just to feel what it is like to be on the Appalachian Trail.

This year I have a friend who is in the process of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail from north to south and in a few short weeks they well arrive here and be tracing these trails with heir feet. That is an experience on a whole different level. Almost a sacred experience. So I feel really special to be able to touch that trail and see the trail markings that guide the travelers making that trek.

An abundance of nature

If you just love to be out in nature this park ahs it all. Think about what you love about nature and this park has it.

Mountains to climb or look at off in the distance. Check. Waterfalls. Check. (Although I didn’t get a chance to see any on this trip) Wildlife. Check. Flower. They are popping everywhere including a huge meadow full of them. Beautiful rock formations like something out of The Lord Of The Rings. Check.

Love trees. They are everywhere. So many different varieties. In all different shapes and sizes. Solitary trees perched on a scenic overlook. A small grove in the middle of an expansive meadow. Forests so full that you can’t distinguish one tree from the next.

If you are looking for a fun adventure with an abundance of nature viewing options you cannot go wrong with Shenandoah National Park.

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