Shenandoah National Park is a long, narrow strip that follows 105 miles of Skyline Drive through the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. There are viewpoints and hikes at pullouts every mile or two. Ask at the ranger station for detailed maps of the area you are in. Because of pollution, the views can range from stunning to hazy forms, and this varies from day to day. The Appalachian Trail runs through the park, and crosses the road many times. It’s very easy to hike along a short section of the trail and then double back or use a side trail.
One of the best parts of the park is Rapidan, President Herbert Hoover’s summer retreat. The area has been restored, and is either accessible by ranger-led guided tours, or a beautiful 2.2 mile one way hike that follows a stream for part of the hike. There is a small museum in one of the cabins, and the presidential cabin is only open on the tour or if a volunteer at the bottom takes you through.
You can keep going from the south end on the Blue Ridge Parkway for 469 miles to North Carolina and Smoky Mountains National Park, as there really isn’t much of a difference between how the two parks are set up. Probably the biggest difference is dogs – Shenandoah allows dogs on most trails, but not 9 of the most popular, while Blue Ridge has no restrictions on dogs on trails (except for on leash, of course).
