Shenandoah National Park is 105 miles long, stretching from Front Royal City, north east of Virginia to City of Waynesboro, south west of Virginia. It covers a land area of 200,000 acres in which 40% are designated as wilderness and protected as part of National Wilderness Preservation System. The park was authorized in 1926 and fully established by end 1935. Long before it was established, people came to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virgina for rest and recreation. Shenandoah started as a patchwork of forests, fields, orchards and home-sites, and was formed from over 1000 privately owned tracts of land, where residents in 500 houses from 8 counties worked the land and farmed in the mountainous terrain for a living. Commonwealth of Virginia slowly acquired the land through eminent domain and gave it to Federal Government with a condition that the place would be designated a national park. Though strongly opposed to loosing their homes and communities, the residents were displaced against their wills as some were removed by force and some after the property were acquired were allowed to stay and live in the park until gradually died. The lost communities and homes were a price paid for one of the country's most beautiful national park and scenic roadway.
There are 4 entrance and exists to the park. It takes about an hour from one exist to another. At each entrance station, visitors will sometimes greeted with a Ranger who, when collecting the entry fee, would provide each car with a map.
Fun begins when you enter the park and drive on the Skyline Drive. Skyline Drive is route to all places of interests.
Skyline Drive is a scenic roadway that takes you through the park.
Meander along the Skyline Drive.
Quiet wooded hollows.
The pristine wood and floral .
The Skyline Drive follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and runs through the entire length of the park for 105 miles.
Scenic Skyline Drive is the most prominent feature of the park.
Skyline Drive was known as and called as "Your Road to The Top".
From the beginning, National Park planners capitalizing on the new popularity of motor cars, called for Shenandoah's "Greatest Single Feature" to be a sky-line drive on which motorists could enjoy a leisurely drive through the Blue Mountain Ridge and where they could experience the awe and inspiration of magnificent views.
Construction of Skyline Drive was begun even before the Congress established the National Park.
Shenandoah National Park is a perfect getaway and unbelievable, it is only 75 miles away from bustling Capital of USA, DC Washington.
Dickey Hills.
Shenandoah Park is an escape to relaxation, recreation and re-creation.
1390 ft Shenandoah Valley overlook.
Beautiful vista at Dickey Ridge Visitors Center where you stop to see films and exhibits about the park's stories or receive information and advises.
The bikers at Visitor Center, in their most outstanding attire, that most probably keep them warm and comfortable while driving. The denim material sewed and joined with the leather pants looks like they are wearing a little short.
Skyline Drive is the first national park service road, east of Mississippi River and has been designated as a national scenic Byway.
The mountains form a distinct highland rising to an elevation as high as 4000 ft.
Gazing across the horizon from the peaks of Shenandoah National Park.
Skyline Drive is a narrow mountain road with beautiful vistas and wild flowers along the shoulders.
Take a leisure drive at Skyline Drive and pull off at overlooks to see the views.
There are altogether 75 overlooks along the drive way.
Feeding wildlife is illegal and unsafe. Visitors are advised not to become a party to their destruction. Enjoy watching them from a distance.
Stand high, look far and take in the vastness of our world.
Shenandoah Park was designed to give millions the opportunity to travel on top.
The scenic Skyline Drive is our portal to a multitude of experiences.
Crisp fall days bring brilliant leaf colors peaking between 10th to 25th of October.
A thrilling sight.
Falls is the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park.
On the east of Shenandoah National park are the rolling hills of Virginia Piedmont while on the west is the long and narrow valley with broad Shenandoah River.
The park encompasses part of Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.
The highest peak is Mt Hawksbill at a height of 4000 ft.
Mt Marshall and Mt Hogsback are among some of the famous.
Discover the rich natural and cultural stories hidden in the forests and hollows of Shenandoah.
There are in total 800km of trails within the park including the 162 km long Appalachian Trail
The park is a sanctuary preserving plants, animals and historic objects. Visitors are advised not to harm or collect what they find as this is the home of fawns and other wild animals in their natural habitat.
It is every body's responsibility to ensure that future generations can enjoy Shenandoah National Park.
Skyland site is a wonderful place to enjoy and picnic with family.
Rocks exposed int he park are some of the oldest in Virginia dating back to over billion years in age.
We are at 3630 ft Old Rag Overlook.
A spectacular view of fall colors around Spitler Hill.
Beautiful vista from the overlooks at Spitler Knoll, Franklin cliff and Fishers Gap.
Beautiful vistas from Old Rag Overlook.
Old Rag Mountain offers most breathtaking views in its fall foliage.
A look of The 3400 ft Hughess River Gap at Stony man.
Little Stony Man Parking.
Marys Rock Tunnel was built in 1932 on Skyline Drive. It cut through 600 feet of mountain and the clearance is 12ft 8 inches.
Driving on Skyline Drive in dusk.
Ending of the Skyline Drive is still thrilling.
Farmer selling their grown products and also some hand-made crafts at this little wooden hut.
An by the hut, boxes of various kinds of apples are in sales !
Small town by Shenandoah Park.
Always include the Skyline Drive for a portion of your route, if you happen to passing by this region. It is such a wonderful roadway.
A car carrying an interesting advertisement at the wide screen, along the highway.
On the way back to DC Washington.
