Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is a national park in Virginia that runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The landscape consists of forested slopes with hardwood trees, rocky summits, and valleys through which small rivers flow.

The United States Congress established the park in late 1935 after purchasing land that had previously been farmed. Workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps built paths, shelters, and roads in the following years.

The name Shenandoah likely comes from an indigenous language and has been interpreted to mean something like "daughter of the stars" or "river through the spruces". Today rangers lead guided walks and visitors stop at wayside exhibits that explain how people lived in these mountains before the park was created.

Skyline Drive is the main road running through the park and provides access to overlooks, trailheads, and campgrounds. In autumn the changing leaf colors draw many visitors, while in winter some sections may close due to snow.

A section of the Appalachian Trail runs through the park, linking it to a long-distance footpath that extends across multiple states. Wildlife such as black bears and white-tailed deer live in the forests and are sometimes spotted along roads and trails.

Location: Virginia

Inception: December 26, 1935

Operator: National Park Service

Website: https://nps.gov/shen

GPS coordinates: 38.53330,-78.35000

Latest update: December 11, 2025 22:08