Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park is an American national park that encompasses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The park is long and narrow, with the Shenandoah River and its broad valley to the west, and the rolling hills of the Virginia Piedmont to the east. Skyline Drive is the main park road, generally traversing near the ridgeline of the mountains. Almost 40% of the land area—79,579 acres (124.3 sq mi; 322.0 km2)—has been designated as wilderness and is protected as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The highest peak is Hawksbill Mountain at 4,051 feet.

Shenandoah National Park campgrounds are open seasonally, from early spring until late fall. Reservations are highly recommended on weekends and holidays. Many sites can be reserved 6 months ahead of time. A free backcountry camping permit is required to camp in Shenandoah’s backcountry.