Shenandoah Valley Campground

The Great Outdoors

Shenandoah National Park is long and narrow and covers almost 80,000 acres of woodlands, meadows, and rugged mountains. There are several miles of hiking trails that run parallel to the mountain ridges, sometimes ascending, other times descending into the valley. With hundreds of creeks and brooks that meander down the sides of the mountains, it’s no wonder that this is one of the most prolific waterfall sites on the east coast. Most waterfalls are small with drops of only a few feet, and they tend to dry up as soon as the snowmelt passes. However, there are nine named waterfalls scattered through the park. White Oak Canyon has six waterfalls with swimming pools at the bottom. These falls are popular and can be crowded in summers. A couple of White Oak Canyon’s waterfalls require a few miles of grueling, challenging hikes, and if hikers embark early enough, it’s usually quiet in the mornings.The Old Rag hike is one of the more popular trails. Navigating the summit requires leaping from granite boulder to boulder and inching sideways through narrow openings to proceed. Along with several points on the nine-mile hike are breathtaking vista points revealing panoramic views of the Shenandoah mountains and valleys.Shenandoah Valley is famous for its caverns. Though the caves are nowhere as big as the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, they are equally impressive in their own right. Shenandoah Valley is riddled with caves like swiss cheese, and six are open to visitors to tour, and led by a guide, to explore. Luray Cavern is known for its unusual drapery-like stalagmites. Some formations are so thin that the mineral deposit is translucent.

Exploring the Area

Travel the long, winding scenic byway called the Skyline Drive in a rental motorhome and, along the way, explore the charming Appalachian towns. The byway starts in Front Royal, a small town known as the “Canoe Capital of Virginia,” and terminates in Rockfish, VA, which is the southern entrance to Shenandoah National Park. A portion of the Appalachian Trail passes by this spot, and through-hikers frequently venture off the trail for a quick respite.The valley is home to several farms and vineyards, and an official Shenandoah Wine Trail has been established to help guide visitors toward finding their favorite winery. Rent an Airstream and tour them all in style. Many vineyards have oversized parking capable of accommodating small and medium-sized trailers, and all of the participating wineries have tasting rooms and tours of their grounds.Are you feeling nostalgic for the sixties? Winchester, VA, has one of the last few original drive-in theaters. Roll up in a motorhome rental, hook the speakers into your windows, and enjoy watching classic films under the starry night sky.At the end of a long day of adventuring, kick up your heels outside an RV rental, and enjoy an idyllic evening. Listen to the sound of frogs and crickets as they prepare for the night. The soft, inquisitive hoots of owls in the woods will entice you as the stars twinkle in the night sky.