FUN IN THE PARK
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.
This should be your starting point, if you enter the park from the north, for it is just inside mile 4.6 (see pp. [10]-13 for mileposts). Wherever you enter, be sure to stop here sometime before you leave the park. Ranger-naturalists are on hand to orient you and help you get all the information you need on hiking or camping, or whatever you plan to do. A short sequence of color slides will give you a general introduction to the park. The program describes the variety of park attractions—trails, wildlife, wildflowers, geology, and history.
Visitor Activities Program.
During the summer, ranger-naturalists conduct a number of field trips daily to points of interest and give nightly campfire programs at Skyland, Big Meadows, or Lewis Mountain. The entire family can enjoy these park-sponsored activities. In spring and autumn, park naturalists present evening talks at concession lodges. For the “do-it-yourself” visitor, self-guiding nature trails are open throughout the year.
| SOME TRAILS OF SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round Trip | ||||
| Name of Trail | Starts | Miles | Time | Remarks |
| Marys Rock | Mile 31.5 | 3.6 | 3 hrs. | Steady climb for 1.8 miles but easy return. Broad sweep of scenery in every direction. |
| Little Stony Man | Mile 39.1 | 1.5 | 1 hr. | Steep 385-foot climb for 0.6 mile of forest trail. Splendid view of Shenandoah Valley. |
| Stony Man | Mile 41.8 | 1.5 | 2 hrs. | Easy grade. Self-guiding nature trail through the woods; startlingly beautiful vista atop Stony Man profile. |
| Whiteoak Canyon | Mile 42.6 (Conducted walk from Mile 43) | 5 | ½ day | Cool walk through the woods; long pull returning. First of series of six waterfalls at end of trail. |
| Limberlost | Mile 42.6 | 1.5 | 2 hrs. | Easy walk through hemlock forest (first part of Whiteoak trail). |
| Upper Hawksbill | Mile 46.6 | 2 | 1½ hrs. | To summit of Hawksbill Mountain, highest in park. Shady but steady climb. |
| Dark Hollow Falls | Mile 50.5 | 1.5 | 1 hr. | Shady trail; fairly steep climb returning. Falls drop sheerly 50 feet. |
| Big Meadows Swamp | Mile 51.2 (Big Meadows Amphitheater) | 2 | 2 hrs. | No climbing; trail through swamp and woodland. Self-guiding. |
Whiteoak Canyon Falls.
A complete schedule of these free interpretive activities is found in the Visitor Activities Program, available at all park and concession installations in Shenandoah National Park, or by writing to the Park Superintendent, Luray, Va.
Hiking.
The park is a hiker’s paradise, with over 200 miles of foot trails, including a 94-mile link of the famous Appalachian Trail, which extends more than 2,000 miles from Maine to Georgia. The park maintains a series of open shelters along the trails, conveniently spaced a day’s hike apart. Each hiker should bring his own bedroll for use on one of the six spring-covered bunks furnished in most of the shelters. These bunks are occupied on a first-come, first-served basis.
Detailed hikers’ guides and maps of the trail system can be ordered by mail. (See [p. 22], PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT.)
Horseback riding.
There are about 25 miles of scenic horse trails in the park. Horses (and ponies for children) can be rented at hourly rates at Skyland and Big Meadows.
Photography.
A filter is advisable when you are taking panoramic views, for haze is often present without your even noticing it. You will get better definition and more interesting shadows if you take your pictures in the morning or late afternoon, rather than in the flat light of midday.
With a long exposure you can get most dramatic photographs at sunset when the trees and rocks stand out against the western sky in silhouette. Don’t be afraid to go out and shoot black-and-white film in the fog or during a storm; cloud effects often are more striking than ever. If you want good pictures of wildlife, a telephoto lens will help.
Fishing.
The fun of fishing awaits the eager angler along the park streams. There, to try your skill, are native brook trout. At the park entrance stations you can get rules and regulations governing angling and also directions to fishing waters. You will need a Virginia fishing license. A 3-day limit, nonresident trout fishing license is available at all concession units in the park for $3.
Picnicking.
Campers and picnickers come from all over to take advantage of Shenandoah’s superb facilities for 9 months of the year. Fireplaces make it easy to prepare steaks or fish or even pancakes. Your frying pan rests on a grill as steady as your own stove. Choose one of the picnic areas along the drive for your evening meal, and then walk out and watch the sunset. (Picnic grounds are noted on the map, pp. [10]-13.)