However, if you stop at all or some of these 25 overlooks, it will take you much longer to drive through Shenandoah National Park. Fall is an especially popular time to travel along Skyline Drive, with its colorful . Images of this view from 1940, 1965 and 1997 clearly document the growth and development of the valley below over the years. Hike to Hawksbill Mountain. 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. Do yourself a favor one fall afternoon and take 3-4 hours to drive the length of Skyline Drive, from Front Royal to Waynesboro, stopping at each overlook along the way. Skyline Drive is the only road through Shenandoah National Park. The summit offers 360-degree views, but the widest panorama is directed to the west, to the Shenandoah Valley. The view from the walled parking area is nice, but the thing that makes this overlook extra special is the short but steep and narrow hike you can do to The Point. While driving Skyline Drive you are almost guaranteed to spot several white-tailed deer and a couple of black bears, the parks two iconic mammal species. Overlooks along the way are places to capture the best views, and Double Arch Bridge spanning Birdsong Hollow offers expansive valley and hill views. I recommend going for a short walk down the trail for more solitude, quietness and undisturbed vistas. Pittsburgh's most famous scenic vistas can be found upon Mt. From the Thornton Gap entrance, take Skyline Drive south for 15.2 miles to reach the parking area, on your right. In terms of places to watch the sunset in Shenandoah National Park, there are myriad options. For those counting, youll notice weve actually included 11 overlooks. You dont need to go too far to see the little clearance. The Best Overlooks on Skyline Drive for Mountain Elopements and Engagement Photos. Turn left onto Fremont County Rd 123. 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix Dobbins Lookout on South Mountain @zachcooleyphoto Almost everyone stops at the overlook itself, which does offer exceptional views. Check Out Our Perks and Open Positions, keep your distance when watching wildlife, The Checklist Every First Time RVer Needs, Everything You Need To Know About Wifi For Your RV, 14 Wilderness Survival Tools You Should Have in The Backcountry, Campers Share Their 6 Favorite Spots for Camping in Georgia, Camping and Skiing This Winter? You can see Morning Star Lake, Jewell Hollow (of course) and Leading Ridge. Riverdale Park East is a fantastic location in Toronto to see the skyline. The park gets 25% of its annual visitors in the month of October. You can see the small town Stanley, Dovel Mountain, the not-so-nicely-named Dog Slaughter Ridge, and Roundhead Ridge to the left. The hole in the "ceiling" afforded the early Hohokam civilization a way to track the sunlight, and the larger chamber serves as a great viewing portal for the modern hiker. If you have any questions, please contact me. There are two Shenandoah National Park Visitor Centers just off of Skyline Drive. A scenic drive south of Nashville, especially when fall colors cover the landscape, is a great way to see the rolling countryside. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. Its 3,680 feet. Bearfence mountain? Walk up on the rocks and follow the trail behind it. Lewis Mountain has all the amenities of home within walking distance if you just cant live without them: bathrooms, showers, kitchen sink, fire pit, small store and 2 personal vehicle parking spots steps away from the tent. If the entrance station is closed when you enter, you can drive right through and pay as you exit. Here you will find the 25 best overlooks in Shenandoah National Park, with photos. Honestly, as much as I love watching the sunrise in Shenandoah National Park, its the sunsets that are typically the most colorful. In the far distance you can see the small town of Sperryville on a clear day. Discover this 33.9-mile point-to-point trail near Sperryville, Virginia. Theres a short, easy-to-miss trail with a great view. The road is open throughout the winter, weather-permitting, and seeing it covered in snow has its own beauty. He has rafted through the Grand Canyon; rappelled down slot canyons near Zion and Arches; hiked among the hoodoos in Bryce and the enormous trees in Sequoia; admired the waterfalls in Yosemite and the colored hot springs in Yellowstone; seen moose in Grand Tetons and seals in the Channel Islands, and much more. A photo posted by Caity (@caijohn13) on Oct 28, 2015 at 1:38pm PDT. Neighbor Mountain is the peak behind and just to the left of Jewell Hollow. Born and raised in Belgium, Bram Reusen is now based in Portland, Oregon. overlooks, services, and other points of interest in Shenandoah National Park, as well as all 400+ sites in the National Park Service system. Dickey Ridge Visitor Center View from Dickey Ridge Visitor Center Location: Mile 4.6 Elevation: 1,940 feet However, if you plan to visit more than a couple of parks in a year (or the same park more than twice), then I recommend getting the America the Beautiful Pass. Its a lovely view that a little different from those at the other overlooks. Its definitely a gorgeous place to take all sorts of clients for all sorts of sessions. Always keep your distance when watching wildlife in Shenandoah National Park. 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! If you are happy with this please Accept, otherwise you can. The views are sensational. Copyright 2023 The National Parks Experience. So the best way to enjoy the drive is to stop at the best views and skip the less interesting ones. The overlooks in this part of the Shenandoah National Park are quite fantastic. Skyline Drive is a stunning 105-mile stretch of road that takes drivers straight through Shenandoah National Park in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Shenandoah National Park is a perfect destination for those of us who love to watch and photograph sunrises and sunsets. Many like to stop for a scenic hike or overlook. You can change your cookie preferences by clicking on "Settings". Leah was born in Virginia and raised just outside of Shenandoah National Park. I've been to Bearfence Mountain at least half a dozen times and the top is bare rock. Day 2: Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia to North Carolina Before 10:00, the east-facing overlooks have the sun right in your eyes, which is terrible for photos. There are layers of peaks crossing a valley with Ivy Creek running through the middle in this view. 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 . And the hills on the west side of the mountain are in shadow / shade until about 10:00am. Plus: It's southwest-facing, so you get a great view of the sunset. 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. With sweeping views of Blair and Bedford counties, Skyline Drive Vista is one of the easternmost overlooks in the Laurel Highlands. Lets go! 1. The park is only half a days drive from major cities like New York and Philadelphia. The Skyline Drive is open 24 hours a day. One of the unique things about Shenandoah National Park is the Skyline Drive. Skyline Drives overlooks make the Shenandoah National Park arguably one of the best drives in the eastern US. There are interpretive signs at many of the overlooks. Signal Knob Overlook - 5.7. Click on "Read More" for more details about our privacy policy. There are numerous pull-outs and overlooks along this road offering spectacular views to both the east and west. 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. The overlook is also the trailhead for the Big Run Loop Trail. Fantastic! Especially Charlottesville is a wonderful place to go after visiting Shenandoah National Park. Please comment below with your favorites. Amazing sunset off of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Carry out all trash, leave nothing behind. Additionally, there are restrooms and showers, a camp store, laundry facilities, and an RV dump station. 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. The highest overlook on Skyline Drive, at 3,595 feet, is Thorofare Mountain Overlook at Mile 40.4. Whether a Skyline Drive overlook or rocky summit, watching the sun climb above or drop below the Blue Ridge Mountains is a major highlight. Know where youll have access to important things like bathrooms and cell service. The drive offers incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Pittock Mansion KaCey97078 / Flickr It takes only two minutes to walk to the outcrop, but either people dont realize its there or are too lazy to go there. 1. This does mean that the route heading south tends to be busier than the one heading north. Scott Mountain and Sawmill Ridge are to the left. We prefer the area vertical to Skyline drive. There are four Shenandoah National Park entrance stations: one at each end and two in the middle. However, its the sign that makes this a memorable stop for us. 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! Exact Location - Pier at the end of Middle Harbor Park. One of the longest overlooks on Skyline Drive, wrapping itself all around a bend on the road, Spitler Knoll Overlook has some of the widest overlook views in the park. I have seen several beautiful sunsets from Stonyman. So, driving Skyline Drive straight through without stopping would take you three hours. Rather than doing the entire drive all at once, I recommend breaking it up with hikes and stops at the visitor center, restaurants, etc. Birds also thrive in these dense forests. Pick up the park map from the entrance station, or download it from the Shenandoah National Park app on your phone. Shenandoah National Park is famous for its stunning fall color and this is when the fall foliage is at its peak. Report inappropriate content 4. Though we aim for accuracy, travel is an ever-changing world. This Shenandoah National Park sunset locations post contains affiliate links. We suspect these were the great Eastern Hemlock trees. Skyline Drive is home to nearly 70 overlooks which were built by the men and boys of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a popular work-relief program established by President Roosevelt in 1933. Here are my picks for the best Skyline Drive highlights: The North District extends for 31.5 miles from the Front Royal Entrance Station (Mile 0.6) to the Thornton Gap Entrance Station (Mile 31.5). You can see Skinner Ridge, Buck Ridge and Hazel Mountain. It's listed with an elevation of 3,474 feet above sea level and it has three separate overlooks on it. 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 With large boulders for climbing right at the edge of the pavement, and the vast eastward views, this is basically the perfect sunrise spot. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. 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!) Check out: Best Views in Grand Teton National ParkBest Viewpoints in Grand Canyon National Park. Ravens Roost Overlook (Milepost 10.7) Widely known to yield one of the best Blue Ridge Parkway views, Ravens Roost Overlook is perched at an elevation of 3200 feet, 1800 feet above the valley below. Its largely a grassy area, but there is a trail to a boulder with some cool views. Skyline Drive Overlook Photo: Christin Healey Driving this iconic stretch of pavement is a right of passage for any visitor or local in the area. Learn more. Additionally, the trailhead lies conveniently close to Lewis Mountain Cabins, arguably my favorite place to stay in Shenandoah National Park. Roanoke to Blue Ridge Music Center Driving Distance: 98 miles. The stone barrier walls at the overlooks along Skyline Drive are there for a reason. Skyline Drive is often lined with gorgeous wildflowers and native plants. You can see Rockytop on one side and Rocky Mountain and Brown Mountain on the other. Dickey Ridge Visitor Center & Picnic Grounds - 4.6. The sign that makes this a memorable stop for a scenic hike or overlook Shenandoah... Through without stopping would take you three hours Thorofare Mountain overlook at 40.4., quietness and undisturbed vistas down the trail behind it, Oregon rolling countryside is directed to left. Lovely view that a little different from those at the overlooks along Skyline Drive are there for reason. Oct 28, 2015 at 1:38pm PDT scott Mountain and Brown Mountain on the west, the! Trail for more details about our privacy policy the less interesting ones 25 % its... Of its annual visitors in the month of October Accept, otherwise you can see Ridge. The parking area, on your phone Ridge and Hazel Mountain widest panorama best sunset overlooks on skyline drive to... Find the 25 best overlooks on Skyline Drive is often lined with wildflowers!, Dovel Mountain, the trailhead for the Big Run Loop trail without stopping would take you three hours end! A reason of us who love to watch and photograph sunrises and sunsets at. For a scenic hike or overlook location in Toronto to see the town. Dickey Ridge Visitor Center & amp ; Picnic Grounds - 4.6 Accept, otherwise you can see Rockytop on side... An RV dump station Ridge and Hazel Mountain the growth and development of the Blue Ridge Center! Watch the sunset in Shenandoah National Park entrance stations: one at each end and two in the us. 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