A short drive transforms a pastoral valley into a 300-square-mile wilderness playground in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park. Nine miles from Luray Caverns, the central entrance to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park is located at Thornton Gap. Along the central section of Skyline Drive, between U.S. 211 and U.S. 33, are the main visitor facilities and the park's highest elevations. One hundred and five miles of serpentine highway wind along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, among 60 mountain peaks and 75 overlooks affording breathtaking views. The intrepid traveler can enjoy miles of hiking trails that encounter pristine waterfalls and ascend to ancient granite summits. The forested hills, hollows and slopes are home to a large population of North American black bear, while flowered meadows attract grazing Virginia whitetail deer. Shenandoah is a sanctuary for more than 100 varieties of trees, 1,100 flowering plants, 200 species of birds and 43 species of mammals.

 

A short drive transforms a pastoral valley into a 300-square-mile wilderness playground in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park. Nine miles from Luray Caverns, the central entrance to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park is located at Thornton Gap. Along the central section of Skyline Drive, between U.S. 211 and U.S. 33, are the main visitor facilities and the park's highest elevations. One hundred and five miles of serpentine highway wind along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, among 60 mountain peaks and 75 overlooks affording breathtaking views. The intrepid traveler can enjoy miles of hiking trails that encounter pristine waterfalls and ascend to ancient granite summits. The forested hills, hollows and slopes are home to a large population of North American black bear, while flowered meadows attract grazing Virginia whitetail deer. Shenandoah is a sanctuary for more than 100 varieties of trees, 1,100 flowering plants, 200 species of birds and 43 species of mammals.