Our Virginia Wine Country Trip included an overnight stay in the National Park and travelling the 105 miles of the Sky Line Drive. This was the only part of the trip which was not Tripping in Style but…. It is important to view as many National Parks as possible for their natural beauty. The Sky Line Drive is a great vacation with children as well as adults. The romance is in the beauty of the mountains and the views of the valley.
Shenandoah National Park and Sky Line Drive
We travelled the first 41.7 miles from Front Royal, Virginia stopping at all the look outs. This trip was taken the first week of April 2017. Upon entering the park we travelled in cloudy weather. The road was clear of other traffic which made it a great time for exploring on our time and not in bumper to bumper traffic which can occur during the summer and fall months.
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center is located at Mile Post 5 (1940 feet)
The Dickey Ridge Visitor Center has a Ranger Station, Rest Rooms, Information Center, Exhibits, Movies, and Bookstore with maps, Permits, First Aid and a Picnic Area.
There is a movie and an exhibit to introduce you to the park.
Trail Maps for more extensive hiking can be picked up here.
Fox Hollow Trail
Fox Hollow Trail is accessed from Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. It is 1.2 miles round trip, easy, with a homestead and cemetery to view. Guide Book is available at the Visitor Center.
Signal Knob Overlook (2085 feet) Mile Post 5.7
One of the northernmost overlooks is a must stop for history buffs. Signal Knob rises on Massanutten Mountain across the Shenandoah River, showing even today why it was an important Civil War site used by the Confederate troops to relay signals.
Dickey Hill
Gooney Run Overlook (2085 feet)
Low Gap (1790 feet)
Mile Post 10
Compton Gap (2415 feet)
Jenkins Gap Overlook (2355 feet)
Hog Wallow Flats Overlook (2665 feet)
Mile Post 15
Range View Overlook (2810 feet) Mile Post 17.1
Range View Overlook is reputed to be the best view of the northern section of the park, as well as of the Massanutten and Allegheny Mountains.
Gimlet Ridge Overlook
Hogback Mt. (3474)
Mile Post 20
Hogback Mountain Overlook
Mathews Arm (2710 feet)
Mathews Arm has a campground, sewage, recycle trash and hiking trails.
Traces Trail
Traces Trail is accessed from Mathews Arm and Elk Wallow Area. The trail is 1.7 mile circuit. It is easy . Follow the Blue Blazed Traces.
Rattlesnake Point Overlook (3105 feet)
Mile Post 22
Appalachian Trail Crossing
Mile Post 23
Elks Wallow (2445 feet)
Elks Wallow has a Restroom, Picnic Grounds, Camp Store and Food Services. The Appalachian Trail crosses again at Elks Wallow.
Mile Post 25
Jeremy’s Run Overlook (2410 feet)
Shenandoah’s forests can be seen from the Overlook at Jeremy’s Run.
Pass Mountain Overlook (2460 feet)
Mile Post 30
Thorton Gap Entrance Station (2304 feet)
Access to Thorton Gap Entrance Station is Route 211. There is a Ranger Station and Restrooms located here.
Mary’s Rock
The Tunnel Clearance by Mary’s Rock is 12 feet 8 inches. Basement rocks that underlie the Blue Ridge can be seen in various formations at Mary’s Rock. The rocks have a banded appearance, the result of heat and pressure applied to force their components together a billion years ago. Can also be viewed from Old Rag Mountain, Hogback Mountain and Hazel Mountain Overlooks.
Tunnel Parking Overlook (2770 feet)
Meadow Springs Parking (2510 feet)
Mile Post 35
Pinnacles Overlook (3220 feet)
Jewel Hollow Overlook (3320 feet)
Pinnacles (3350 feet)
The Pinnacles has a Picnic Site and Restrooms.
Little Stony Man Parking
Hemlock Springs Overlook (3380 feet)
Mile Post 40
Thorofare Mountain Overlook (3595 feet)
Thorofare Mountain is the highest point on the Drive at (3680 feet).
Skyland Lodging for one night.
Skyland has lodging, restaurant, gift shop, newspaper stand, Wi Fi area with comfortable seating, reservation office, Amphitheater, Restrooms and the Appalachian Trail crossing here.
This was the only mistake I made on this trip. Whatever was I thinking of booking a bare bones cabin in the woods. It was only for one night and we survived. Next time I’ll book a nice room in the main building.
Check in is 3:00 PM and Check out is 11:00 AM.
Cancel policy is 72 hours prior with a $15.00 transaction fee. After 72 hours there is no refund available.
Skyland has Wi Fi in the lobby. There is no cell service at the hotel.
Dining Room has a Grab and Go for snacks and meals to go.
The main building is very comfortable with lots of seating and work space for lap tops. The gift shop was very attractive and had a lot of gifts native to Shennendoah, books, National Park clothing, and an informative location. I found out we were one week too early for the bears, but I still had my bear bells with me. We stopped for a lite snack and drink in the bar/lounge. Before the dining room opened we found a fireplace and dried out as it was raining now. We sat right by the window overlooking the valley and the rain didn’t matter. The view was great! National Parks are noted for good down to earth food at reasonable prices and the Pollock Dining Room did not disappoint. We relaxed and enjoyed dinner with a view before heading out to our cabins for the night. The rain had stopped and the next day was forecast as sunny. Yes! We did return to the Pollock Dining Room for a delicious full breakfast before heading out for the remaining 60 to 70 miles of the Sky Line Drive.
Pollock Dining Room
Breakfast 7:00 A to 10:00 A
Lunch 12:00 P to 2:30 P
Dinner 5:30 P to 9:00 P
Mountain Tap Room
Open from 2:00 P to 10:00 P
Restaurant does not take reservations
Day 2 of Skyline Drive Shennendoah National Park
We leave Skyland Resort after breakfast and start to drive the remainder of the Skyline Drive at our own pace stopping wherever until we leave the Shenandoah National Park. The sun is out and we are ready.
Stoney Man Trail
Stoney Man Trail is 1.6 mile circuit and is easy and takes about an hour.
White Oak Canyon Parking (3510 feet)
Timberlost Parking
Timber Hollow Overlook (3550 feet)
Mile Post 45
Crescent Rock Overlook (3550 feet)
Hawksbill Gap Parking
Hawksbill Peak Highest in park (4551 feet)
Old Rag Overlook
Basement Rocks can also be seen from Old Rag Mountain. See Mary’s Rock.
Upper Hawksbill Parking (3630 feet)
Spitter Knoll Overlook (3150 feet)
Franklin Cliffs Overlook (3140 feet)
Fishers Gap Overlook (3070 feet)
Mile Post 50
Dark Hallow Falls Parking (3490 feet)
Dark Hallow Falls Trail
Dark Hallow Falls Trail is 1.4 miles round trip but it is steep to see the 70 foot waterfall.
Byrd Visitor’s Center at Big Meadows
The Big Meadow was in full color with the fog overlaying the meadow.
The Byrd Visitor’s Center at Big Meadows Mile Post 51 has a Ranger Station, Restrooms, Camping, Lodging, Gas, Wayside Restaurant, Gift Shop, Information Center, Bookstore, Permits, First Aid and Camp Store.
Byrd Visitor Center has an exhibit on the Work of Civilian Conservation Corp of the 1930’s and 1940’s. This exhibit reflects changes and future plans of the park. There is a movie “Shenandoah the Gift”. The pictures above were part of the exhibit.
After leaving the Byrd Visitor’s Center we rode and stopped at all the overlooks and enjoyed the vistas to the end of the Sky Line Drive.
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Wayside Restaurant
Wayside Restaurant has food available
Big Meadows Restaurant in Spottswood Dining Room
Breakfast from 7:30 A to 10:00 A
Lunch 12:00 P to 2:00 P
Dinner 5:30 P to 9:00 P
New Market Tap Room
2:00 P to 11:00 P
Restaurant does not take reservations,
Big Meadows Lodge
Big Meadows Lodge has rocking chairs on the porch for sitting. In the evening rocking chairs are positioned in the lodge by the stone fire place. You can even watch the sun set through the large picture window.
In the Spring and Summer the Meadow is loaded with wild flowers for viewing.
Story of the Forest Trail
Story of the Forest Trail is 1.8 miles and easy. It starts and ends at the Byrd Visitor Center. Turn right from the front of the center and follow the sidewalk.
Tanners Ridge Overlook (3465 feet)
Milan Gap Parking (3230 feet)
Naked Creek Overlook (3250 feet)
Hazel Top (3812 feet)
Mile Post 55
The Point Overlook (3235 feet)
Bear Fence Mountain Parking (3295 feet)
Lewis Mountain (3441 feet)
Lewis Mountain had Lodging, Camping, Restrooms, Camp Store and Picnic Grounds.
The Oaks Overlook (3125 feet)
Mile Post 60
South River Overlook (2950 feet) at Mile Post 67.2
South River Overlook is best savored at sunrise at the 3,000 foot elevation.
South River
South River has Restrooms and picnic grounds.
Mile Post 65
Swift Run Gap Entrance Station (2365 feet)
Swift River Gap Entrance Station is access by Route 33. There is a Ranger Station here.
High Top Mountain Parking (2637 feet)
Swift Run Overlook (2710 feet)
Bacon Hollow Overlook (2490 feet)
Mile Post 70
Eaton Hollow Overlook (2490 feet)
Simmons Gap (2255 feet)
There is a Ranger Station at Simmons Gap
Loft Mountain Overlook (2450 feet)
Frazier Discovery Trail
The Frazier Discovery Trail is a 1.2 circuit and easy. It takes one hour to walk the trail.
Mile Post 75
Two Mile Run Overlook (2770 feet)
Brown Mountain Overlook (2840 feet)
Ivy Creek Overlook (2885 feet)
Rocky Top Overlook (2840 feet)
Loft Mountain Waystation (3366 feet)
The Loft Mountain Waystation has Restrooms, Restaurant, Camp Store, Camp Grounds, and crosses the Appalachian Trail.
Mile Post 81
Big Run Overlook
Doyles River Overlook (2860 feet)
Browns Gap Parking
Dundo
Dundo’s has Restrooms and a Picnic Site.
Black Rock Summit Parking (2250 feet)
Mile Post 85
Trayfoot Mountain Overlook (2575 feet)
Riprap Parking (2730 feet)
Mile Post 90
Riprap Overlook (2920 feet)
Moormans River Overlook (2975 feet)
Wild Cat Ridge Parking Area (2980 feet)
Crimora Lake Overlook (2975 feet)
Turk Gap Parking (2610 feet)
Mile Post 95
Saw Mill Run Overlook (2195 feet)
McCormick Gap Overlook (2455 feet)
Rockfish Gap South Entrance Station
Rockfish Gap South Entrance Station is accessed from I 64 and Route 250.
Mile Post 105
Mile Post 105 is the end of the Sky Line Drive.
We continue onto Route 64 and head to Keswick Hall for our overnight lodging with a stop at Pippen Hill Farms for lunch.