Its no stretch to say that Stony Man is the best sunset spot in Shenandoah National Park. Id love to hear your thoughts on the Skyline Drive best stops. What you'll see: Head north past The Quarry for an expansive view of the entire Minneapolis skyline, from the new Eleven condominium tower to the Hennepin County Government Center. The park is only half a days drive from major cities like New York and Philadelphia. The stone barrier walls at the overlooks along Skyline Drive are there for a reason. Additionally, the trailhead lies conveniently close to Lewis Mountain Cabins, arguably my favorite place to stay in Shenandoah National Park. Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.. It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the Park on a clear day. So, arrive early to claim a spot. Know what kind of terrain youll be walking on, and dress accordingly. Note that all check-ins are at the nearby Loft Mountain Campground. Reno Scenic Overlook: Ballardini Ranch Trailhead. But youll be surrounded by wilderness. Camping in Georgia can take you to coastal waters, forested plateau, and the peaks of Appalachia, each with their own distinct terrain. Amazing sunset off of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Traveling further south, The Point Overlook (mile 55.5) is a west-facing overlook with a nice view for sunsets. However, you may well have your own favorite. Each of the campsites provides plenty of tent space, a couple picnic tables, fire pit with grills, bear boxes, potable water, a shared vault toilet and parking for up to five vehicles at each site. From here you can get the best view. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Thanks for the tip on the Point Overlook. I've never heard anyone say there was ONE place better than another. This is such a great guide! None came right up to people, but they had no problem grazing near us. The southern tip of Skyline Drive also connects to the famous Blue Ridge Parkway which will take you all the way to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. They also offer cabins if tents arent your style.The Dyrt camperLexa L. The largest campground in Shenandoah National Park, the Loft Mountain Campground has more than 200 individual sites. The view here is a little expansive than the nearby overlooks. Full-Time Campers Find Transformation While Backpacking in Shenandoah NP. Further to the right is the eponymous Rockytopand then glimpses of Shenandoah Valley. Hazel Mountain Overlook Shenandoah National Park/flickr This beautiful vantage point can be accessed via Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park. Because of the great views and the short hike this is a VERY popular hike, and it is great for families. The view looks down into Thornton Hollow with endless views of the mountains beyond. 1. Never approach wildlife, though, and stay in your vehicle. In the distance on a clear day you can see the towns of Stanley and Luray. The rocky summit commands spectacular views down on the Shenandoah Valley and of Skyline Drive to the south. Drive Skyline Drive. However, the viewpoints are best after 10:00 am. We were here a few years ago and missed this secret spot, but got it this time. The curve provides one of the widest, most panoramic views on Skyline Drive. So, if youre visiting at peak periods (especially fall weekends), its better to start at the southern Rockfish Gap Entrance and head north. In addition to driving Skyline Drive, hiking is arguably the most popular thing to do in the park. All of them come with a picnic table and fire grate. We recommend andusethese companies to arrange our travel plans; they make travel planning easy and affordable. Then, the nearest mountain to the right is Mount Marshall Overlook and to the right of that is Hogback Mountain. 2022 Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S. The Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive starts at the northern entrance, Front Royal Entrance, at milepost 0.6 and ends at the southern entrance, Rockfish Gap Entrance, at milepost 105.4. . Golden Gate Overlook has become a super popular photo spot recently, and it's an especially amazing place to capture a picture perfect Golden Gate Bridge sunset! Hey, friend! There is a cluster of large granodiorite rocks in the center of the overlook that make a great vantage point to see the view. This is a lovely leafy overlook with views of the Shenandoah hills beyond the trees. All of these overlooks are in the Central section of the park, but there are definitely great views to be had in the Northern and Southern sections as well! For those counting, youll notice weve actually included 11 overlooks. This viewing area offers a gorgeous view of Purgatory Mountain in Botetourt County and the . #10. In terms of places to watch the sunset in Shenandoah National Park, there are myriad options. This beautiful national scenic byway connects Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina with Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. This is another popular overlook, especially around sunset, so a weekday will definitely be your best bet for having your elopement or engagement photos at this overlook! Its expansive views make it a stop-worthy viewpoint in the late-afternoon, but to actually watch the sunset in Shenandoah National Park I recommend driving south on Skyline Drive for a few minutes and checking out the next overlook. Mt. Some of our favorite Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks on this section include the Afton Overlook (Milepost 0.2), View Shenandoah Valley (MP 2.9), Ravens Roost Overlook (MP 10.7, a great place to catch the sunset), and Twenty Minute Cliff (MP 19.0), whose panorama views are simply spectacular. The view from Hawksbill Mountain is one of the best in the park, with two lookout areas near the summit. Glad you got to enjoy the sunset at that spot, Bob. However, its the sign that makes this a memorable stop for us. Reservations are required and can be made up to one year in advance. This is the highest point in Shenandoah National Park, and the rocky lookout area at the top clears the way for scenic views, with no vegetation to block the vista. Sunset is easy to enjoy for many westward-facing overlooks, though our favorites include Pass Mountain, Pinnacles, Stony Man, Crescent Rock, The Point, Hogback, and Rockytop Overlooks. The Central District starts at milepost 31.5, Thornton Gap Entrance Station, and goes to the Swift Run Gap Entrance Station at milepost 65.7. The central closer peak is Powell Mountain. Universal City Overlook. If you're finishing your day at this end of Skyline Drive, Blackrock makes for a great spot to watch the sunset after a rewarding day in the national park. The recommended distance is 75 feet for deer and most other wildlife, and 150 feet for black bears. Spanning the northern crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it features so many of our region's best hikes, waterfalls, vistas and big trees. Nearby on the right is Loft Mountain. It is 105 miles long and cuts the park in half from north to south. Jewell Hallow Overlook (milepost 36.5, west facing) One of the larger overlooks. Another strenuous hike, North Peak requires an 11.8 mile trek (or a drive in an all-terrain vehicle drive and partial hike) through pinyon-juniper forest to reach the top of the Red Rock escarpment. Going for an adventurous Shenandoah National Park camping trip and backpacking the 105 miles of the A.T. running through the park is super-popular. The hike to the summit of Bearfence Mountain is no longer than 0.4 miles (650 meters). Fall sunsets are especially amazing! Shenandoah isnt the only national park with incredible views. The Skyline Drive in Virginia, runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park. Sunset on the Drive. You will beat the crowds by going early. Mathews Arm is one of the first campgrounds that you will encounter on your drive on Skyline Drive. My personal favorite Skyline Drive overlook is Hogback Overlook (Mile 21), followed by The Point Overlook (mile 55.3) as a close second. The North District starts at the Front Royal Entrance Station, milepost 0.6. Some of our favorite Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks on this section include the Afton Overlook (Milepost 0.2), View Shenandoah Valley (MP 2.9), Ravens Roost Overlook (MP 10.7, a great place to catch . Its also the highest overlook on Skyline Drive. Which is where this guide comes in. Raccoons checked out my site overnight as well, no harm no foul, just cute footprints.The Dyrt camper Caren L. Cozy up around a campfire and listen to nocturnal nature waking up at night in Shenandoahs forests. Thorofare Mountain is straight ahead. While it's difficult to climb, it is worth the effortfrom the top, you can see, among other things, Bridge Mountain and Rocky Gap Road. 1. Mary's Rock via the Pinnacle Picnic Area The hike to Mary's Rock via the Pinnacle Picnic area is accessed just south of the Thornton Gap entrance to Skyline Drive. It is basically an extension of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which terminates at the southern end of the park. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Our favorite viewpoint in the South District is from one of the hiking trails. I have indicated some of the more popular sunrise and sunset overlooks below. 1 / 9. Know how to go to the bathroom in the woods (yes, theres a right way to do this), and how to properly dispose of your waste. Spend the morning enjoying the overlooks along Skyline Drive, the national scenic byway between Front Royal and Luray. Call 434-823-5202 or Book Online. Peaks you can see include Pasture Fence Mountain, Sawlog Ridge and, further back, Bucks Elbow Mountain. Campfires are illegal in Shenandoah National Park except at very specific, designated spots. Deer are everywhere, like squirrels in a city park. Im from VA and Skyline Drive is beautiful! Entrance is valid for 7 consecutive days. They are roughly equidistant and effectively divide the park into three sections the northern, central and southern sections. No time right now to discover the best overlooks on Skyline Drive? Barred owls called all night under the Milky Way. Very large and very open group campground situated on either side of the picnic area road back out. The mountain range you can see on the other side of the valley is the Massanutten Mountain Range, which is part of the George Washington National Forest. If youre interested in more Shenandoah National Park goodness, I suggest checking out these blog posts: Categories National Parks, Photography, Scenic Views, Virginia, Explore Southern Californias Desert Parks On This Epic Road Trip. Drive all the way up the hill. Just skip it!for sunset/sunrise. Read More: Best hikes in Shenandoah National Park. Skyline Drives overlooks make the Shenandoah National Park arguably one of the best drives in the eastern US. The mountains were also used for livestock and small homesteads before thecreation of the national park displaced the homesteaders and forced them down into the valley. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. If youre only going to stop at one overlook on Skyline Drive, Jewell Hollow is a great option. Copyright 2023 The National Parks Experience. One of my favorites in the park! The scenic highway is open year-round, providing access to vast wilderness with overlooks, trails, and campgrounds, just off the road. Turn left onto Phantom Canyon Rd. This category only includes cookies that ensure basic functionality and security features of the website. With the exception of Old Rage (see hiking below), all attractions, points of interest, trailheads and visitor centers are on Skyline Drive. This is a popular trail for road biking and scenic driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Love the ideas. Hike to Dickey Ridge. This is only spot in Shenandoah National Park that, I think, qualifies as one of the best places to watch both the sunrise and sunset in Shenandoah National Park. The Point is the best overlook off of Skyline Drive to watch the sun set behind the Blue Ridge Mountains. Mileposts line the entire length of Skyline Drive, from MP 0 in Front Royal in the north to MP 105 at the parks southern end, which incidentally is where the phenomenal Blue Ridge Parkway begins. From the Thornton Gap entrance, take Skyline Drive south for 15.2 miles to reach the parking area, on your right. Skyline Drive campers can choose from more than 200 campsites. Sunset at Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area is an equally fantastic moment when the birds depart in groups of thousands. I love that youre including LNT principles in your content! Regular Tour: Front Royal Entrance Station, 17157 Skyline Dr, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA Reverse Tour: 130 Afton Cir, Afton, VA 22920 What You'll See Preview the Tour Stop 4 : Shenandoah Valley Overlook Stop 6 : Dickey Ridge Visitor Center Stop 9 : Skyline Drive Stop 16 : The Appalachian Trail Stop 26 - Crescent Rock Overlook Tour FAQs Its a nice contrast to many of the more open panoramic views, while not being blocked all together as some of the viewpoints are. As an elopement photographer, she has a renewed appreciation for the beauty and versatility of the park and all of its gorgeous trails and overlooks. That being said, the park is also beautiful in spring and summer. A short 25 minute drive from the Santa Fe Plaza, the sunset views from Aspen Vista trail are particularly gorgeous (especially when the aspen trees change colors in the fall!) The maximum number of nights at one backcountry campsite is 2, the maximum number of consecutive nights camping in the backcountry is allowed is 14. A scenic drive south of Nashville, especially when fall colors cover the landscape, is a great way to see the rolling countryside. Find the best Scenic Views near you on Yelp - see all Scenic Views open now.Explore other popular activities near you from over 7 million businesses with over 142 million reviews and opinions from Yelpers. It also happens to be the only road that cuts through the park and, along the way, fantastic vistas from its 70 or so overlook points provide cascading views from the mountain range. THE HERMITAGE Just a short drive from downtown Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Ski Basin offers some of the best views in the area, and is a perfect place for catching a stunning New Mexico sunset. Overlook Park. You wont have to venture far from your car to access these front-country campgrounds. It concludes at milepost 31.5, the Thornton Gap Entrance Station. Crescent Rock, which gives the overlook its name, is a cliff which, to be honest, I didnt really notice. The area has been cultivated for centuries before Europeans moved in, Native Americans grew beans, squash and corn in the river valley. Your email address will not be published. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Explore. What an awesome view! One of the great perks of camping in Shenandoah National Park is that youll always be near an epic sunrise or sunset spot. If youre planning oncamping in the backcountry, you must have a backcountry camping permit. Only have time for one section of the park? The summit offers 360-degree views, but the widest panorama is directed to the west, to the Shenandoah Valley. However, the main point of interest here is Marys Rock Tunnel. Big Meadows Lodge and Skyland Resort are both fantastic Skyline Drive lodging options if youre looking for a more comfortable place to sleep than a campground, of which there are several in the park. Trails, fishing, canoes, bikes onsite! Golden Gate Overlook. The South District starts at milepost 65.7, the Swift Run Gap Entrance Station, and ends at milepost 105, Rockfish Gap Entrance Station. Plus: It's southwest-facing, so you get a great view of the sunset. If you have questions on our experiences, feel free to ask us! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Location: 3045 Ridgway Parkway, Minneapolis. Its a little off to the right where theres a mound of rocks. Its situated right across from Big Meadows, its large windows offering great views of this huge grassland. In fact, I wrote a whole blog post about just that. Or the hills may be stunning swathes of gold while the trees along the drive are past their prime. Ill definitely be saving this for when Im out there! 1. The first thing to do when visiting any national park is swinging by one of its visitor centers. A sap sucking pest plagued the trees a few years ago and destroyed 95% of the parks Eastern Hemlocks. With the Viaduct in place, the Blue Ridge Parkway was finally complete. 15 min to get on road from Skyline Drive Getting There: From Skyline Drive, turn left onto US-50 E/Royal Gorge Blvd. The Homeplace, a southern-style family restaurant in Roanoke (mile 120) The Pine Tavern Restaurant in Floyd (mile 160) TIP: If you skip the Skyline drive then you could consider adding Natural Bridge in Virginia to your itinerary! JoAnn R Freund says . The one here has photos of the same view taken in 1940, 1965 and 1997 so you can easily see the changes in the valley over the years. Stay on the trails and paved or gravel surfaces. If you liked this post about the best overlooks on the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park,please share the love andPin It to your National Parks board! The drive begins at Milepost 0 in Front Royal, Virginia and ends at Milepost 105 near the end of the . Location: 164 NM-116, Bosque, NM 87006, USA Open: 24/7 Map photo by John Fowler ( CC BY 2.0) modified 3 Bosque Peak Climb high up to witness epic scenery Good for: Photo Budget Adventure 1 Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota) BlueBarronPhoto / Getty Images Voyageurs National Park in. I recommend getting out and walking the length of the overlook, as the view changes along its length. This is soooooo helpful!! 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix Dobbins Lookout on South Mountain @zachcooleyphoto Exact Location - Pier at the end of Middle Harbor Park. Most people enter at the Front Royal Entrance. Born and raised in Belgium, Bram Reusen is now based in Portland, Oregon. (26mm, 4sec, F/16, ISO 100, facing North-Northwest) The Point Overlook is one of 72 overlooks for people to enjoy the beauty of Shenandoah National Park . Shenandoah National Park is a narrow strip spilling down the sides of a stretch of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Front Royal in the north (Mile 0) to the Rock Fish Gap Entrance in the south (Mile 105). Weaver Mountain is on the left and Loft Mountain on the right, with Flattop and Brokenback Mountain further afield. Lets go! Thank you for these wonderful articles! Bookmark or pin this guide so you can find us later. Mt. I recommend going for a short walk down the trail for more solitude, quietness and undisturbed vistas. Here's What to Put on Your Packing List, Front Royal Entrance Station at mile 0 (near I-66 and off Route 340), Thornton Gap Entrance Station at mile 31.5 (off Route 211), Swift Run Gap Entrance Station at mile 65.7 (off Route 33), Rockfish Gap Entrance Station at mile 105 (off I-64 and Route 250), Expansive panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley, including a section of Skyline Drive, Fun woodland hike to the highest summit in Shenandoah National Park, amazing views, Difficult hike down from Skyline Drive and back up, passing by several large waterfalls and numerous cascades, Most difficult and dangerous, yet most popular, hike and rock scramble in Shenandoah National Park to a barren summit offering superb views, Short but steep hike to the parks most visited waterfall, near Big Meadows, Fun rock scramble to a fantastic 360-degree vista, Delightful woodland loop hike to a scenic rocky outcrop, One of the best waterfall hikes in Shenandoah National Park, passing the Upper and Lower Doyles River Falls and Jones Run Falls, Easy walk on a well-trodden trail to a talus slope and boulder-strewn summit providing great views, Range View Overlook (Skyline Drive Mile 17), Buck Hollow Overlook (Skyline Drive Mile 32.8), Thorofare Mountain Overlook (Skyline Drive Mile 40.5), The Point Overlook (Skyline Drive Mile 55.5), Bearfence Mountain Summit (Skyline Drive Mile 56.4), Open from late-March through mid-November, First come, first served and reservations, Open from late-March through late-October. This is the only of these Skyline Drive overlooks for sunrise that faces west. Its the start of the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a continuation of the Skyline Drive. This post about Shenandoah sunrise spots has another photo taken at the Bearfence Mountain summit: https://www.travel-experience-live.com/where-to-watch-the-sunrise-in-shenandoah-national-park/. Where ever you are you are sure to enjoy both. Before 10:00, the east-facing overlooks have the sun right in your eyes, which is terrible for photos. The national park was created with the intention of building a road running the length of the mountain ridge, so that people could enjoy the park by driving through it. The elevation at Point Overlook is 3,235 ft. While sunrises are definitely gorgeous and quiet, particularly if its a cool morning and a blanket of mist lingers in the valleys, the sunsets in Shenandoah National Park tend to be warmer and all kinds of gold and orange. Scenic Overlook Tower at Laurel Hill State Park. If this mission resonates with you, Id love to hear from you. This paved tour of Shenandoah National Park is just the beginning. From this scenic drive, visitors can stop at the overlooks, take their pick from 500 miles of hiking trails, visit historic sites, and pop into several . Nonetheless, its an expansive view of the valley beyond. 2. Montfair Resort. Without a doubt, this is the best thing to do in Shenandoah National Park. You can see Oventop Mountain and Skinner Ridge, with the historic town of Sperryville in between. Spitler Knoll Overlook gives some serious Maria running through the field at the beginning of The Sound of Music vibes, with a rolling grassy field backed by gorgeous mountain views. You can support this website, at no additional cost to you, by using our links to purchase hotel stays, rental cars, travel products and more. Re: Best overlooks for sunrise and sunsets 8 years ago Overlook Park is absolutely lovely, especially on a crisp fall day. Explore More. The park is broken up into three districts: North District, Central District and South District. Crimora Lake is in the center, though its hidden behind the hills. Located near Southwest Reno, this trail is open to hikers, bikers, and runners. Learn more about who we are and what we do HERE. There are lovely views over Shenandoah Valley. The South District extends for 39.3 miles from the Swift Run Gap Entrance Station (Mile 65.7) to the Rockfish Gap Entrance Station (Mile 105). Although theres no wide panoramic view here, its still one of my favorite Shenandoah National Park overlooks. <3. So, driving Skyline Drive straight through without stopping would take you three hours. Skyline drive is beautiful but it definitely helps to know where to go. Honestly, as much as I love watching the sunrise in Shenandoah National Park, its the sunsets that are typically the most colorful. It is the longest stretch of the Skyline Drive. Most of the parks stunning waterfalls are seasonal and best in spring. Which means that the trees you pass on the road may be golden, but then the hills you see in panoramic views from the overlooks are still green. The views here change depending on which direction you look. Birds also thrive in these dense forests. The area to the east is called the Virginia Piedmont (literally foothills), and the views have more woods and less agricultural and developed areas. Sites are $15 per night. You can swap this link for either choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now: Enjoy the incredible views in Shenandoah! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This means that whenever you buy or book something through those links, we may earn a small commission without any extra cost to you at all! Planning a trip to the Shenandoah National Park? It has gorgeous boulders, wild grassy areas, and lots of space to move around (unlike some of the overlooks where there is really only one spot to stand.). Skyline Drive is the only road through Shenandoah National Park. It can be very dangerous, even deadly, to climb over those walls to reach things like cliffs, boulders, and overlooks. Your email address will not be published. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. You can stop at each lookout, but it takes time. Here is where the drive meets up with another favorite, the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are bear-safe trash and recycling receptacles at the waysides, visitor centers, and picnic grounds along Skyline Drive. Fall is the most popular time to travel along Skyline Drive, with its colorful foliage from late September to mid-November. Shenandoah National Park camping allows you to experience and get to know these ancient mountainsone of the oldest ranges on Earthmuch more intimately. Ranger programs are held here on a regular basis, while backcountry permits, maps, and other publications are available as well. The National Parks Experience is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The Parkway officially opened on September 11, 1987exactly 52 after construction began. The overlook looks down an open valley with wooded hills on both sides. Carry out all trash, leave nothing behind. This trail is great for road biking and scenic driving, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Leah was born in Virginia and raised just outside of Shenandoah National Park. You can see Signal Knob, the northernmost peak of the Massanutten Mountains, from the overlook. Choose the right campsite, camping preferably occurs at pre-existing campsites. The markers are small posts and somewhat easy to miss. Spitler Knoll wasnt part of our original post. This is a large overlook with two parking areas, so you should have no problems finding a space to park. The main thing to be aware of is that Marys Rock Tunnel (Mile 32.2) has a maximum clearance of 12 8. You can take a short path down from the parking lot for even better views. Tabor Tom Hilton / Flickr Mt Tabor is a beautiful natural area to enjoy, and once you reach its top, you have a wonderful view of downtown in the distance and the surrounding neighborhoods. Leaving Roanoke, first visit Roanoke Mountain, milepost 120.4, with its fun trail network and vast picnic area, then stop at Roanoke Valley Overlook, milepost 129.6, allowing a panorama of the populated valley below. See the orange, red, and yellow trees magnified into even greater brilliance. Pittsburgh's most famous scenic vistas can be found upon Mt. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Thanks! You can see Morning Star Lake, Jewell Hollow (of course) and Leading Ridge. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more). I suggest following suit during a warm summer evening because the views of Portland are spectacular. Subject Focus: Sunset, Landscape Popularity: High Mile Maker: 55.5 on Skyline Drive . For a list of all overlooks and their mile-markers, visit Skyline Drive Overlooks here. I recommend getting a map at one of the entrance stations and marking all of the overlooks you want to see. Beyond is a really lovely view of Shenandoah Valley with the Blue Ridge foothills hills around it. If your vehicle is taller, you can still drive the southern and northern sections of the Skyline Drive, but would need to turn back when you get to the tunnel. However, there are still plenty of overlooks in this section of the Shenandoah National Park that are worth a stop.

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