All About Hiking - Start Here!
With over 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah National Park, chances are high that you'll be lacing up your hiking boots at some point on your next trip here.
Pets allowed
National Park · VA
Things to do in Shenandoah
The National Park Service lists 49 things to do at Shenandoah National Park. 47 have no extra fee, 47 need no reservation, and 39 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Appalachian Trail - Tanners Ridge Road
MILE 52.8 | A fairly level hike that takes you through a former homestead on the famous Appalachian Trail.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Bearfence Rock Scramble
MILE 56.4 | Pets are not allowed on this hike. An exhilarating rock scramble leads to a magnificent 360-degree view of the Virginia Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Bearfence Viewpoint
MILE 56.4 | Pets are not allowed on this hike. This route takes you to a 180-degree view of the Shenandoah Valley without a rock scramble.
1 Hour Year-round
Blackrock Summit
Blackrock Parking Area (mile 84.4) | A short hike to a viewpoint on top of a rocky talus slope with incredible views of the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Mountain, and beyond.
1 Hour Year-round Pets allowed
Browns Gap
Browns Gap Parking Area (mile 83) | This circuit hike leads you to Upper and Lower Doyles River Falls, as well as Jones Run Falls.
7-8 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
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Cedar Run - Whiteoak Circuit
Hawksbill Gap Parking Area (mile 45.6) | This hike is very challenging, although those who do it are rewarded with exceptional cascades and waterfalls. You will also hike through the Shenandoah Wilderness along the Cedar Run Trail.
6-7 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Chimney Rock
Riprap Parking Area (mile 90) | An out-and-back hike into the Shenandoah Wilderness ending at Chimney Rock, an excellent viewpoint with some very interesting geological features.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Compton Peak
Compton Gap Parking Area (mile 10.4) | A hike through the forest along the Appalachian Trail to a western view and a great look at columnar jointing, an exciting geologic feature.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Dark Hollow Falls
Dark Hollow Falls Parking Area (mile 50.7) | Pets are not allowed on this hike. This hike follows a stream to a beautiful waterfall, and is one of the Park’s most traveled trails. The trail is short, but very steep and rocky and the return hike is challenging!
1-2 Hours Year-round
Doyles River Falls
Doyles River Parking Area (mile 81.1) | This beautiful trek takes you along cool, clear mountain streams to two unique waterfalls.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Fort Windham Rocks
Compton Gap Parking Area (mile 10.4) | A short hike along the Appalachian Trail that leads to an interesting geologic feature.
1 Hour Year-round Pets allowed
Fox Hollow Trail
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (Mile 4.6) | Pets are not allowed on this hike. Discover the cultural history of Shenandoah National Park as you pass by historic rock walls, a cemetery, and periwinkles planted by former residents.
1 Hour Year-round
Frazier Discovery Trail
Loft Mountain Wayside (mile 79.5) | Pets are not allowed on this hike. This hike features several picturesque overlooks as it passes through woodlands of varying ages on Loft Mountain.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Go Birdwatching in Shenandoah
Birdwatching is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy, and Shenandoah provides the perfect habitat to spot a variety of different species, including those colorful, neotropical migratory birds!
Year-round Pets allowed
Hawksbill Loop
Hawksbill Gap Parking Area (mile 45.5) | A circuit hike to Shenandoah’s highest peak. The viewing platform on top of Hawksbill offers a magnificent 360-degree view of the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Virginia Piedmont.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Hawksbill Summit
Hawksbill Gap Parking Area (mile 45.5) | A shorter, yet steeper route to Shenandoah’s highest peak. The viewing platform on top of Hawksbill offers a magnificent 360-degree panoramic view of the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Virginia…
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Hawksbill Summit via Upper Hawksbill
MILE 46.5 | A hike to the top of Shenandoah’s highest peak, offering 360-degree views of the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Virginia Piedmont.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Hazel River Falls
Meadow Spring Parking Area (mile 33.5) | A trail that leads you into the Shenandoah Wilderness to an exceptional waterfall.
5-6 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Hightop Summit
Hightop Mountain Parking Area (mile 66.7) | Wind your way up a ridge on this hike to a rocky viewpoint that stands at 3,296 feet.
3-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Jones Run Falls
Jones Run Parking Area (mile 84.1) | This hike takes you over a mountain stream, through the forest, and beside a 42’ waterfall.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Knob Mountain - Jeremys Run
Elkwallow Wayside (mile 24) | This hike goes around a beautiful area of the Park featuring one of the most picturesque streams in Shenandoah. The majority of this hike is in the Shenandoah Wilderness.
7-8 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Lands Run Falls
MILE 9.2 | A short hike down a fire road to a series of cascades that descend about 80 feet into a gorge. Note that it may not have water in dry seasons.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Lewis Falls Trail
MILE 51.2 | Leaving from Big Meadows amphitheater, this hike leads to an observation point over a beautiful 81’ waterfall.
4-5 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Limberlost
Limberlost Parking Area (mile 43) | An ADA accessible path through the forest with mountain laurel in the springtime and an example of a columnar jointing geological feature.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Little Devils Stairs Loop
MILE 19.4 | A journey into a rocky gorge with some very rewarding, yet steep, sections along a stream.
8-9 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Marys Rock From Meadow Spring
MILE 33.5 | This alternate route to Marys Rock Summit offers an easier and shorter trek to the same incredible westward views of the Shenandoah Valley.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Marys Rock Summit
MILE 31.6 | Many legends surround the name of this hike, but there is no denying the beautiful westward views that it provides of the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain.
3-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Mill Prong - Laurel Prong Loop
MILE 52.8 | A circuit hike to Camp Rapidan, the rustic getaway of President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover. Today, this restful spot features exhibits on the First Couple and their perspectives.
7-8 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Millers Head
MILE 42.5 | From the Skyland amphitheater, take this hike to a spectacular viewpoint at the site of a former fire tower.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Nicholson Hollow
PARK BOUNDARY | An alternate option for visitors with pets who still wish to hike from the Old Rag parking area.
6-7 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Old Rag Circuit
PARK BOUNDARY | Visitors must obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance of this hike. Pets are not allowed. Old Rag is a popular, very strenuous hike with sweeping views and several scrambles across large rocks.
7-8 Hours Year-round Reservation required Fee applies
Old Rag Summit via Berry Hollow
Berry Hollow Parking Area (Park Boundary) | Visitors must obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance of this hike. Pets are not allowed. Old Rag is a popular, strenuous hike with sweeping views.
6-7 Hours Year-round Reservation required Fee applies
Overall Run Falls
MILE 22.2 | A hike into federally designated Wilderness to a view of the highest waterfall in the Park at 93 feet. Unless rain is plentiful, Overall Run Falls may have minimal to no water flow.
4-5 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Pass Mountain Loop
MILE 31.6 | A hike along the Appalachian Trail to a shelter. Be on the lookout for wildflowers and birds through the fairly open woods along the trail!
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Rapidan Camp
MILE 52.8 | A hike, featuring three stream crossings, to the rustic getaway of President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover. Today, this restful spot features exhibits on the First Couple and their perspectives.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Riprap - Wildcat Ridge
MILE 90 or 92.1 | This loop can be hiked from Riprap Parking or Wildcat Ridge Parking. It takes you through the forests of the Shenandoah Wilderness and over several stream crossings, while offering beautiful views of the hollows and valley to the west and…
8-9 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Rose River Falls
MILE 49.4 | A hike to a dazzling 67' waterfall. For most of this hike, you’ll be on a beautiful trail in the Shenandoah Wilderness.
4-5 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Snead Farm Loop
MILE 5.1 | Hike through old apple orchards and farmlands to an historic barn on the former Snead homesite.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
South River Falls
MILE 62.7 | From the South River Picnic Grounds, this route is a circuit hike that takes you to an observation point overlooking an 83’ waterfall. A great hike for wildflower and bird enthusiasts, alike!
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
South River Falls Observation Point
MILE 62.7 | From the South River Picnic Grounds, this hike leads you through a verdant forest alive with a wide variety of plant and animal life to a stone-walled observation point overlooking an 83’ waterfall.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Stargaze in Shenandoah
Shenandoah National Park has distinctly accessible night skies that make stargazing and astrophotography a fun and insightful activity for all ages.
Pets allowed
Stony Man
MILE 41.7 | Pets are not allowed on this hike. This enjoyable hike brings you to an outstanding view of the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Mountain, and beyond.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Story of the Forest
MILE 51 | Pets are not allowed on this hike. An easier stroll through the woods that passes next to the Big Meadows Air Quality Station, an important place for scientists and researchers to learn about air quality in Shenandoah.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Sugarloaf Loop
MILE 22 | Follow the trail to a viewpoint. In the early summer, the showy white flowers of mountain laurel bloom in abundance here.
6-7 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Traces Trail
MILE 22.2 | A hike that follows a trail around Mathews Arm Campground. Along the way, you’ll see traces left behind by former residents of the area.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Turk Mountain
MILE 94.1 | A hike to the 2,981’ summit of Turk Mountain, located in the Shenandoah Wilderness, that provides a wonderful view to the west.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Whiteoak Falls (Lower)
PARK BOUNDARY | An easier hike to the base of the lower falls in Whiteoak Canyon. Note that a Park entrance fee is still required.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Whiteoak Falls (Upper)
MILE 42.6 | This challenging hike to cascades and waterfalls has been popular since the early days of Skyland Resort. This particular hike goes to the upper falls before returning.
3-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Shenandoah. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Shenandoah National Park — things to do on nps.gov