Shenandoah National Park lies in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, just 75 miles from Washington, D.C. The park is filled with beautiful waterfalls, fields of wildflowers, amazing vistas, and wooden hollows. This national park stretches for about 105 miles from its northern entrance which is at Front Royal to its southern entrance which is near Waynesboro.
There are four entrance stations to reach Shenandoah National Park and only one has a physical address. Skyline Drive is the main road that runs to the full extent of Shenandoah National Park. From Skyline Drive you can go to the campgrounds, dining, lodging, gift shops, and most of the hiking trails. There are a few trails that start at the Park boundary like Whiteoak Canyon and Old Rag Mountain. It is one of the best national parks for bike rides in summer.
Entrances and how to reach the Shenandoah National Park?
Front Royal (North Entrance)
Near Front Royal, Virginia, off of Route 340.
21073 Skyline Drive, Front Royal, Virginia 22630
Rockfish Gap (South Entrance)
A few miles east of Waynesboro, Virginia off of Highway 250.
282 Skyline Drive, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980
East of Luray, Virginia, and west of Sperryville, Virginia. Off of Highway 211
31339 Skyline Drive, Luray, Virginia 22835
Swift Run Gap
East of Elkton, Virginia off of US 33.
22591 Spotswood Trail, Elkton, Virginia 22827
Driving From Richmond, Virginia
To Rockfish Gap Entrance Station (South Entrance)
You will have to travel west on I-64 to exit 99 and follow the signs to reach Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive.
To Swift Run Gap Entrance Station
You will have to travel west on I-64 to Charlottesville, Virginia. Then take the exit to US-29 North. Take left onto US-33 West and follow 14 miles to reach Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive.
Driving From Washington, D.C. Metro Area
To Front Royal Entrance Station (North Entrance)
You will have to travel west on I-66 to Front Royal, Virginia. Take the exit to Route 340 South, and follow signs to reach Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive.
To Thornton Gap Entrance Station
You will have to travel west on I-66 to exit 43A. Then you will have to take US-29 South to Warrenton, Virginia. Take US-211 West to reach Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive.
Driving From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
To Front Royal Entrance Station (North Entrance)
You will have to travel east on I-76 to exit 161. Then you will have to take I-70 East to US-522 South and follow VA-37 South to I-81 South. Follow I-81 South to I-66 East. Take I-66 East to Front Royal, Virginia, and follow signs to reach Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive.
Airports that are near Shenandoah National Park
Washington Dulles International (IAD)
It takes 56 miles east of Front Royal Entrance Station.
Reagan National (DCA)
It takes 70 miles east of Front Royal Entrance Station.
Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD)
It takes 27 miles west of Swift Run Gap Entrance Station.
Charlottesville-Albemarle (CHO)
It takes 31 miles east of Rockfish Gap Entrance Station.
Closest Airports to Shenandoah National Park
Charlottesville has the closest airport to Shenandoah National Park (CHO). There are, however, more advantageous ways to reach Shenandoah National Park. From nearby airports, there is no direct route to Shenandoah National Park. You can, however, walk to Alexandria, take the train to Culpeper Amtrak Station, then take a taxi to Shenandoah National Park from King St-Old Town, Yellow/Blue Line Center Platform. A different option is to take the bus to Culpeper, Virginia, and then a taxi to Shenandoah National Park.
Free entry for US Military Veterans
Shenandoah National Park and most other federal recreation areas now offer FREE admission to veterans and active US military members!
By showing your valid US military ID at the entrance, active military personnel can get a free Military pass. Veterans cannot obtain a pass designed just for them. Veterans now have access to free admission to federal parks, though. Where entrance fees are charged, veterans must show one of the following forms of identification:
- Identification Card from the Department of Defense (CAC Card)
- Veterans Identification Card for Health (VHIC)
- ID card for veterans
- on a state-issued US driver’s licence or identification card that reads “Veterans”