View from Skyline Drive Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Shenandoah Valley lies to the west and the Piedmont region of Virginia lies to the east. The views in both directions from the top of the ridge are beautiful-- especially in the fall when the leaves have turned colors.
Because the park is less than 100 miles from Washington DC and the heavily populated regions of Virginia, the traffic, especially on fall weekend can be quite high.
Skyline Drive
Along the Skyline Drive
Along the Skyline Drive
Along the Skyline Drive
Along the Skyline Drive
Most people see the Shenandoah National Park by driving along the Skyline Drive. The views from the numerous turn outs off the Skyline Drive are wonderful. The keys to enjoying the drive are take your time and stop at all the turnoffs and enjoy the view.
About Mary's Rock Tunnel
Mary's Rock Tunnel
Near Mary's Rock
There is only one tunnel on the Skyline Drive, at Mary's Rock. The tunnel is 700 feet long. The area around the tunnel is worth exploring.
The lodge at Big Meadows is worth stopping at. The large open meadows is pretty and provides some nice easy walks.
Big Meadows
Hike to South River Falls
Stream along the South River Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park 2006
Along the South River Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park 2006
South River Falls Shenandoah National Park 2006
Almost every turnout on the Skyline Drive leads to an interesting hike of some kind. We found the like to South River Falls especially nice. Parking for the falls is at mile 62.8. The hike is 2.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 850 feet. It's a fairly easy hike. The waterfall is 83 feet high and is the third highest in the Shenandoah National Park. When we were there in the fall of 2006 there wasn't much water in the falls. But it was still well worth the hike.