Shenandoah National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

Welcome to the Shenandoah National Park Tour

Take a scenic drive through Virginia’s verdant wilderness with this self-guided tour. Stop to snap photos from breathtaking overlooks along Skyline Drive. Hike portions of the famous Appalachian Trail. Find out how this wild, remote place isn’t entirely what it seems. Plus, learn the history of Shenandoah National Park’s earliest inhabitants, from the Six Nations to the Iroquois Wars and beyond. This easy, picturesque drive is one you won’t soon forget!

About the Tour

Your tour of Shenandoah National Park begins at the northern end of the park, just outside Front Royal. From here, you’ll proceed south onto Skyline Drive and get your first good look at the Shenandoah Valley. The first trail you’ll reach is the Fox Hollow Trail, a great beginner hike with an intriguing history.

After passing the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, you’ll arrive at the Signal Knob Overlook, offering not just some incredible views but also a glimpse into Appalachia’s Civil War history. As you continue south past a few more great overlook points, you’ll hear about Shenandoah’s tribes dating all the way back to the Ice Age!

Then you’ll get your first good look at the famous Appalachian Trail, where the nation’s most hardcore hikers test their mettle. Continuing, you’ll learn about the Iroquois Confederacy, the Iroquois Wars, and what happened when Europeans arrived in Shenandoah. After that, you’ll reach the Stony Man Mountain Trail, a perfect spot for inexperienced hikers or families to get in some steps. That’s followed closely by the Limberlost Trail, featuring educational brochures for younger travelers.

Up next is Crescent Rock Overlook, a phenomenal sunset spot. But don’t worry if the sun’s not set as you reach it—the views are still spectacular!

As you drive toward the next pair of great overlooks, you’ll hear how the park actually came to be, including how the Great Depression played an important role. At the Point Overlook, up next, you’ll find out all about the rich history of the deceptively humble town of Elkton. Then it’s on to the Bearfence Mountain Trail for the more adventurous and experienced hikers.

Beyond that is the South River Falls Trail, offering up-close views of a stunning 83-foot waterfall. Continuing on past another few overlooks where you’ll definitely want to snap some photos, you’ll get more details about the land’s history, including what made it so valuable during the Civil War. Then you’ll arrive at the Blackrock Summit Trail, offering the chance to hike just a small portion of the Appalachian Trail to see the fuss. You won’t be disappointed!

After a picture-perfect overlook of Crimora Lake, you’ll come to Calf Mountain Overlook, another beautiful spot to catch the sunset. Your tour will conclude just past here, at Rockfish Gap.

Starting Point Addresses:

Regular Tour: Front Royal Entrance Station, 17157 Skyline Dr, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA

Reverse Tour: 130 Afton Cir, Afton, VA 22920