Shenandoah National Park July 23, 2026

Today was my last day to explore the park. Some interesting bits of information I have learned are:

The Skyline Road is 105 miles in length and runs from north to south on top of the Blue Ridge Mountain ridge line. There are 75 scenic overlooks along Skyline Road. The views from the overlooks are just stunning!

Long before there was a national park in this area, people would come here to go “Tramping”. This activity is currently referred to as going for a hike. Different words for different times….. but it’s still doing the same thing. Get out into the woods, walk around and see what wonders Mother Nature can show you!

When I left the campground this morning, I headed north along Skyline Road. I stopped at Franklin Cliffs Overlook.

I drove to the Upper Hawksbill trailhead. From there I hiked up to the Hawksbill Viewing Platform. This is the highest point of elevation in the park. 4051 feet above sea level.

Birds Nest 2 Shelter. Strictly a day use building only

While looking to the west, you are looking at the Shenandoah Valley, if you continue to look further west you can see the Massanutten Mountains. The mountain runs for 50 miles parallel to the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you really look way off in the distance you can just make out the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia

After leaving the Hawksbill area I continued to head north until I reached the Skyland area.

The Skyland area was the original centerpiece of the new Shenandoah National Park. The Skyland Resort ( originally known as the Stony Man Camp ) had been in operation since the late 1890’s. The owner/promoters of the resort played a huge role in the decision to bring the proposed National Park in Virginia.