Shenandoah National Park: A Late Summer Escape
When Shenandoah National Park comes to mind, autumn foliage usually steals the spotlight, right? Well, I visited in late July, offering a slightly different perspective. Get ready for some green!
Scenic Views from Skyline Drive
Shenandoah boasts Skyline Drive, a scenic byway dotted with overlooks perfect for soaking in the views. I drove from north to south, experiencing the park's beauty at my own pace.
Visiting in summer meant warmer weather (a tad humid!), but nothing unbearable (around 85°F). To be honest, after a few overlooks, the views started to feel similar. If you're planning a visit, a single day might be enough to capture the essence of the park. You'll mostly be driving and stopping to admire the scenery along the 105-mile stretch.
Compared to my trip to Yellowstone in mid-September 😅😅😅😅 (which was packed!), Shenandoah felt incredibly peaceful. It's a delightful spot for a family picnic day. Many photo opportunities offer stunning panoramic vistas. Perhaps that's why autumn draws such a crowd – the vibrant colors from above must be incredible!
Hitting the Trails: Stony Man & Beyond
If hiking's your jam, Shenandoah has tons of trails, including connections to the famous Appalachian Trail. I tackled a shorter one, Stony Man, as I had another adventure planned for the next day. Luckily, I snagged some awesome photos 🥴 from the summit. Score!
Several trails also lead to waterfalls – check them out on AllTrails. I skipped the waterfalls this time 😂, having seen plenty before and craving a mountain hike.
I saw many families, even with young kids and older adults, making it to the top. I even helped a few families take photos - it was very cute. There were cool little ponds with tadpoles near the rocky summit, 🥰 a delightful surprise!
When entering the National Park, you can purchase a single-entry pass or use the America the Beautiful Pass. My family are frequent National Park visitors so the annual pass saves us a fortune.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I found Shenandoah incredibly tranquil and a fantastic hiking destination in late summer. The weather was pleasant enough for a comfortable hike without excessive sweating.
Want to see some casual videos I filmed? Check out my YouTube channel. No talking, just pure scenery! 😂 We only vacation once or twice a year, so I mainly record for memories, nothing fancy.
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