Just 2 hours from our starting point in Maryland, Shenandoah National Park has waterfalls, tremendous views, bears, birds and deer. Spanning over 105 miles from end to end, Shenandoah’s main feature, Skyline Drive takes you along the Blue Ridge Mountains at a leisurely pace, with many pull outs, so you can enjoy it all.
We started our trip in Accokeek Maryland to visit with Cassy’s family and celebrate her brother’s graduation from plumbing school at Olive Garden.
🎉 Congratulations Chris! 🎉 Who graduated from a 5 year plumbing school apprenticeship program, taking night classes, and working in the day, they paid him a decent wage during the program, and offered him a full time job upon graduation. No debt. Union Benefits. What a concept.
North Entrance in Front Royal, Virginia
Our first stop at Shenandoah National Park is the North Entrance Welcome Sign. No trip into a National Park can be complete without a picture near one. We also picked up two more kids from my Wife’s sister in Accokeek Maryland. Hope we don’t lose any!
After driving through the North Entrance, you find yourself at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center at mile marker 5. The smaller of the park’s two Visitor Centers, is great way to get acclimated to the mark. We secure our Jr. Ranger booklets and often pepper the ranger on duty with questions like:
- What’s the best hikes for kids in the park?
- Where are the waterfalls?
- What Ranger Programs are a can’t miss?
- Where is our campground?
Turns out, there’s a lot to see and do. And your journey may be different. This post is going to focus on the activities our group personally experienced.
Hiking in Shenandoah with Kids
Between my wife , her sister and I we have four boys. Aged 4, 6, 7, and 10 — we have our hands full. Fortunately, there are many short hikes that are great for kids young and old.
Trail Names
The first order of business when Hiking with Kids is to come up with your Trail name. Hikers take on “Trail Names” that they get on the trail. All Appalachian Trail Hikers have a trail name. Our Junior Rangers hikers also took on trail names. Without further ado, I would like to introduce you to:
- “My Trail Name is” – Lincoln
- “Bird Whisperer” – Liam
- “Nature Seeker” – Lucas
- “Baby Shark” – Madison
- “Topher” aka “Call me Daddy” Christopher
- “Pink Yak” – Cassy
- “Camper Man” – Austin, The Author
Trail Safety
Next order of business: trail safety. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Lather up the sunscreen and, if needed bug spray. Another good rule is to make sure you can always see an adult on the trail. If you can’t you’ve ventured too far ahead or behind.
Bears, bears, bears – oh my! Educate on bear safety. Here using your “outdoor voices” is encouraged. A loud rambunctious bunch of kids, noisily chatting along the trail, will actually benefit you as it scares away bears (and all other wildlife) you may “surprise” on the trail.
After every hike, STRETCH! This is critical to avoid any “cramps” that will wake you up (and everyone else in the camper) in the middle of the night.
Best Hikes for Kids in Shenandoah
Listed in order of mile marker running from North to South in the park.
1. Fox Hollow Trail
Trail head located across the street from the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (mile marker 5), this short 1.2 mile hike gives you your first taste of the park. Hike on land once owned by the Fox family who still reside there, buried in a cemetery, on the land. They cleared the stones on the land, evidenced by the many piles that reside on the side of the path.
This trail is part of the kids in parks TRACK trail program. At the parking lot you can pick up a trail activity guide or download the brochure here.
Along Fox Hollow Trail, the green stones covered with Lichen are relics of a volcanic past millions of years ago. From left to right, that’s Baby Shark, Nature Seeker, Bird Whisperer and My Trail Name is.
2. Limberlost Trail
Trek on a gentle, accessible hike to learn about the geology and nature. Located after mile marker 40 and about 1.3 mile circuit total. This trail is also part of the TRACK trail program. At the parking lot you can pick up a trail activity guide or download the brochure here.
We raced some pretty ominous looking clouds, but had time to stop to enjoy a really cool rock outcropping. Junior Rangers, ahoy!
3. Stony Man Trail
Located at mile marker 39, Stony Man Trail has many features: an abandon copper mine from the 1800s, highest view points in the park, and many flora along the way. We attended the guided ranger program here. See “Ranger Programs” below.
4. Dark Hollow Falls
Located at mile marker 50, Dark Hollow Falls is one of the easiest and most beautiful waterfalls in the park. A 1.4 mile round trip down hill hike along a creek, past sitting rocks and blooming mountain laurel that drains from Big Meadows, at the bottom of the trail you encounter 63 ft falls.
Our troupe pictured, with a group wild men seen in the background swimming at the top of the falls.
5. Big Meadows Walk
Located at mile marker 51, Big Meadows Walk is across the street from the Byrd Visitor Center (the second of the two Visitor Centers in the park) located near Big Meadows Campground. Here, the kids can roam free to choose any path they desire from the myriad of game trails that run through the meadow.
Baby Shark and Nature Seeker choose their own adventure.
6. Bearfence Mountain Trail – Father’s Day Hike
Located at mile marker 57, Bearfence Mountain is the most challenging hike with Kids. Luckily, we had both Justin and Topher on a rare father’s day hike. Rock climbing skills are a pre-requisite for the hike. We often found ourselves, lifting kids up and down the rocks. And implementing new safety procedures hovering above and below the children. Only a few tears and lots of sweat…no injuries.
Tricky as it is, you are rewarded with breathtaking views at many points along the summit.
7. Blackrock Summit
About 1-mile circuit hike starting at mile marker 85 off Skyline Drive. Bouldering and excellent views with a short walk along the Appalachian Trail. Pictured below, you can see the white “trail blaze” painted on the rock for both the Appalachian Trail and Blackrock Summit trail.
Recommended Adult Hike – Lewis Falls
Topher and I snuck away one afternoon for an “Adult” hike to Lewis Falls. This 3.7 mile circuit leaves from the Big Meadows Campground (mile marker 51) and is not for Kids. With very tricky footing and 60 foot cliffs that you hang over (with no guard rails), this also offers some of the best views.
Just as I hiked past a tree leaning over the water, a black snake (not pictured) dropped down out of a tree and made me jump out of my shoes.
Ultimate Hike – Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail runs 2,190 miles from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine. In Shenandoah, the trail runs right through the center of the park. There are several hikes in the park, that use the trail as an access point.
The Appalachian Trail runs through both Shenandoah National Park and Great Smokey Mountains National Park the second stop on our 2024 Summer Sibling Trip.
Through hikers (hikers going from the start to the finish of the trail) often take up to 6 months to complete their journey hiking 12-15 miles per day, in a true test of physical and mental endurance.
We encountered several through hikers, relaxing for the evening, when we accessed the trail from the Big Meadows Campground for our leisurely sunset hike.
Sunset Hike along the AT. One day the Camper Man might trade in his camper for a rustic hike along the Appalachian Trail. We shall see.
Plants and Wildlife
Flora and Fauna are abundant in Shenandoah. Among wildlife, Deer and Birds are the most prevalent. We discover many species of birds with our Bird Whisperer on hand. Fortunately, we encountered no Bears, however they are known to roam the park. Wildflowers, mountain laurel, numerous trees and plants shower the park with life, color and enrich the natural experience.
Ranger Programs
Shenandoah has many ranger programs offered at different times. You receive a guide at the entrance of the park of the various programs times dates and locations. The three we absolutely recommend for Kids are:
- Stony Man Hike with a Ranger – learn about geology, nature and history along the Stony Man trail, the abandon copper mine from 1800s.
- Big Meadows Star Party – hosted at 9:30 pm at night, this event takes place in the meadows. The Ranger goes over the myths, history and astronomy behind the various constellations in the night sky.
- Junior Ranger program – at every National Park in the United States, you can opt to complete a activity book. After completion, a real ranger reviews your work and awards you with a Jr. Ranger Badge. We have 30+ badges from our travels, these are very exciting to collect!
Camping
There are five campgrounds in the park. Centrally located within Shenandoah National Park at mile marker 51, we chose Big Meadows Campground to park the King Bird Winnie.
Big Meadows Campground
Reservations – $30 per night. Recommend reserving 6 months in advance.
Services – Small grocery store, Wayside Grill, Lodge with Taproom, Laundry and Showers. The showers cost $5 per shower, payable in quarters. Sewage dump site and water refill station. Note: Nowhere in the park are electricity services for Campers.
Upon arrival we are greeted by a deer resting on our campsite. A warm welcome to this nature filled park.
What does “Shenandoah” really mean? “Shenandoah” is derived from native American languages, most likely the Algonquin “schind-han-do-wi.” Many translations have been proposed, but the most enticing is “Beautiful Daughter of the Stars.”
With the park encompassing all of what Mother Nature has to offer, Shenandoah is her truly beautiful daughter. Check out our next post where we head off to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Claytor Lake!
