National Parks:
Shenandoah National Park

Luray, Virginia -- Shenandoah National Park lies astride a beautiful section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which form the eastern rampart of the Appalachian Mountains between Pennsylvania and Georgia.

The Shenandoah River flows through the valley to the west, with Massanutten Mountain, 40 miles long, standing between the river's north and south forks. The rolling Piedmont country lies to the east of the park. Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that winds along the crest of the mountains through the length of the park, provides vistas of the spectacular landscape to east and west.

The park holds more than 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Trails may follow a ridge crest, or they may lead to high places with panoramic views or to waterfalls in deep canyons.

Many animals, including deer, black bears, and wild turkeys, flourish among the rich growth of an oak-hickory forest. In season, bushes and wildflowers bloom along the Drive and trails and fill the open spaces. Apple trees, stone foundations, and cemeteries are reminders of the families who once called this place home. Shenandoah National Park has many stories waiting to be told, and a world of beauty that can renew and bring peace to the spirit.

DID YOU KNOW

• The first Civilian Conservation Corps Camps in the National Parks were established at Shenandoah National Park in 1933.
• Rapidan Camp, the summer retreat of Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover from 1929-1933, is located in the park. A National Historic Landmark, it served as the summer "White House" during the Hoover presidency, was the site of many national and international policy meetings, and retains significant rustic architectural and landscape architectural structures and features.
• The park contains over 197,000 acres; 80,000 acres are Congressionally designated Wilderness.
• There are over 200 resident and transient bird species, over 50 species of mammals, 51 reptile and amphibian species, and 30 fish species found in the park.
• The Appalachian Mountains are among the oldest in the world. Within Shenandoah National Park are some of the oldest known rocks, which were formed between 1 and 1.2 billion years ago. These granitic rocks can best be seen at Old Rag Mountain and Mary's Rock Tunnel.

DON'T MISS ATTRACTIONS

• Take a tour of Historic Massanutten Lodge, the summer cottage of Addie Pollock, and learn about the remarkable women and the forces of the early days of Skyland Resort.
• Drive along the 105 mile-long Skyline Drive and stop at some of the 75 overlooks, each offering a place to pause and absorb breathtaking views.
• Walk on a trail. Some short paths lead to waterfalls; the tallest of which is Overall Run at 93 feet. Others lead deep into the woods, where the remains of early settlements can be found.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PRIORITIES

Shenandoah National Park has had much success upgrading park structures and values through the Recreation Fee Demonstration Project. For example, Shenandoah is using funds collected at the entrance stations to enhance the visitors' experience as follows:

• The park has cleared shrubs and trees from overlooks to provide outstanding views of the scenic and historic Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont of Virginia. The park is re-assessing the Vista Management Plan to ensure the long-term maintenance of these vistas.
• The park recently completed a renovation at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. Larger bathroom facilities were constructed for visitor use and a new state-of-the-art interpretive exhibit and film was installed to orient visitors to the park.
• The park is moving into the final phase of the rehabilitation of Rapidan Camp. At the completion of this project, President Hoover's cabin will have been restored and re-furnished to its appearance in 1931. Shenandoah is also restoring the other two remaining cabins, one of which will hold interpretive exhibits; the constructed water features; the rock-edged walkways; and the landscape.

Source: National Park Service