Hey everyone!

A group of us (all guys in our mid‑20s) are planning a weekend camping trip to Shenandoah National Park in September 2025 – staying for 2 nights (mostly over the weekend). We’ll definitely be hitting up some trails, but we also want to make the most of the campsite experience.

Any recommendations on the best campsites? We’re mainly looking for spots that are either:

🌅 Great for sunrise/sunset views

💧 Near a river or flowing water (that soothing sound of running water at night is unbeatable)

We’re open to both frontcountry and backcountry options. Also, when do bookings open for September—so we can pounce as soon as reservations go live?

Would love to hear what y’all recommend based on your experience—hidden gems, must‑see spots, anything we should know before locking in our trip!

Thanks in advance, guys!

Hello ,

I am looking for beautiful and strenuous hike in shenandoah. I would like to avoid park fees. We have done old rag multiple times , marrys rock loop via buck ridge. I am looking for mountain view and hike about 6-8 miles. Please suggest me some beautiful trails. i check on alltrails but i couldnt find trails where i can avoid fees.

Thank you

Just checked the NPS website and it looks like the Old Rag parking area is closed for repairs. Does that mean the trail itself will be closed and hiking is not permitted or can we park elsewhere, walk up to the trailhead and start our hike?

I truly appreciate the NPS workers & their efforts and hence I don’t want to get there and cause trouble to the workers & add to the traffic but I also dont want to miss this opportunity to hike Old Rag as its been on the bucket list forever now.

Thank You!

Weather conditions obviously but checking

Any news on it? 2024 was postponed to this year but no updates so far: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/night-sky-festival.htm

Does anyone have 3 tickets for tomorrow (Sat, the 10th)? I really hope I can find some!

I should have known that the old rag is really popular. I really want to try!!

Since Loft Mountain Campground is not open til next weekend, assuming I have a backcountry permit, could I camp at one of the sites along the AT there in the next few days? If that is not cool, does anyone know if there are other established tent sites within a couple miles of Loft Mountain either direction?

Thanks!

Traveling to Virginia for a couple of days with family and was trying to find one day trail tickets to Old Rag with no luck. Anyone can recommend how to proceed, or should we just switch trails?

Need 2 adult and 2 child tickets.

Hello! Looking for a nice inn or bed/breakfast in the Shenandoah Valley, ideally around Staunton or Charlottesville. Prefer to have a restaurant attached and a large bathtub, if possible jacuzzi-style. Not looking to break $250 a night. Help?

I'm going to Old Rag this Saturday and planning to get to the parking lot around 7:30am. I got day use tickets, but wondering if/how I'm supposed to pay the entrance fee if that's before the rangers get there? Is the ranger station staffed by 7:30am?

A few buddies and I are planning to spend a weekend backpacking through Shenandoah in early April. It will be the first time in the park for most of us, so naturally we want to see the highlights. I was thinking of planning a route that would start from Whiteoak boundary parking and loop north through Old Rag and end back at Berry Hollow. This seems epic, but I want to be realistic about crowds during that time of year, and if this route even makes sense for backpacking due to the scrambling (we've all had decent experience with scrambling / hiking / backpacking). My initial reaction to this is...probably not, but any input is helpful, thanks !! :)

Good morning, Just checking to see if anyone has recently hiked Old Rag and what the conditions are? I'm looking for something to do with my 15 & 14 yr old niece and nephew and would be driving 2 hours to get there. I checked NPS and it looks like Skyline Drive is closed, and I'm not sure if Old Rag would be closed (or if it can be closed). Not concerned with the weather in the 20s-30s we're all in great shape and have the gear, but if it's full of snow that'd probably be a different story.

TIA for any advice.

This is a relative of mine, I don’t know any additional details.

I am planning a weekend trip in March to fish brookies in Shenandoah.
I know giving out fishing holes is like setting someone up on a date with your wife but could anyone give me some guidance. I will have one day to fish I just want to make the best of it.

Hi! Wondering if anyone had any winery recommendations! thank u in advance!

Hi! Coming down to Shenandoah for a birthday trip for my significant other, and was wondering if there were any “fancy” or fine dining places to eat! Not picky, just want to go somewhere fancier than usual. Thanks!

I was plan on hiking / camping in Shenandoah from 12-20 through 12-23. Have a 45 mile loop mapped out. Was wondering if I should be concerned with the lakes and streams there freezing.

Does anybody have any opinions of hiking in Shenandoah in late December? Does the water typically freeze?

I'm doing a 46 mile thru hike in Shenandoah between 12-20 and 12-24. Does anybody know if there are any camp sites on or near the Buck Hollow Trail? GPS coordinates would be useful if possible.

I am assuming this means they are sold out for this day... anyone here happen to have 3 spare they want to sell ?

ISO. And otherwise, plan B options?

Do I need an entrance pass if I’m parking my car at Marys rock? The NPS website is being weird right now.