Past travelers recommend you arrive early (before 8 a.m.) and well-prepared, with water, sunscreen and food, to tackle the lengthy hike.
Both routes take more than six hours on average. If you'd prefer to avoid the portion of rock scrambling, but still want to summit the mountain, head to the Berry Hollow parking lot for a roughly 5.5-mile (round-trip) hike with approximately 1,700 feet in elevation gain. One perk (or drawback) of this route is a section of rock scrambling near the summit of Old Rag Mountain, affording hikers 360-degree views of the surrounding wilderness.
Old Rag Circuit proves the most trafficked trail to the mountain's peak, though potential hikers should keep in mind that this loop covers almost 9.5 miles and more than 2,300 feet in elevation gain. The most popular hike in Shenandoah National Park and one of the most popular hikes in the mid-Atlantic region, summiting Old Rag is strenuous for even experienced hikers. Nature lovers should keep their eyes peeled for the park's residents, ranging from wild turkey and deer to black bears. They also praise the numerous places to pull over and swap drivers, snap photos or enjoy the panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley. Past visitors appreciated the road's 35 mph speed limit, which they say allowed them to enjoy the stunning vistas along the two-lane road safely. Since completing construction in 1939 (the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work relief program during the Great Depression that employed young men to work on environmental projects, built many of the road's amenities), Skyline Drive has been the central fixture of Shenandoah National Park, enabling travelers to take in the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Piedmont Plain to the east. The paved road runs 105 miles and covers the length of Shenandoah National Park, taking about three hours to drive in a single day. Stretching north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Skyline Drive earns its place as one of the most scenic drives in the country. For the most up-to-date road status, call 54 (option 1, option 1) or visit the park's Alerts & Conditions web page. Winter conditions on Skyline Drive may necessitate closures at any time. Please be prepared to show your physical pass.Īll visitors 16 years of age and older are required to pay an entrance fee at Shenandoah National Park. Prior to visiting Old Rag and Whiteoak, visitors are required to print a hard copy of the entrance pass for entry. Cell phone reception in the area is limited. Please purchase your Old Rag Mountain ticket in addition to your entrance pass and print a hard copy of each prior to arriving to the park. Passes are non-transferrable, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced.Īn Old Rag Mountain ticket is now required to hike Old Rag Mountain between March and November. The Individual "Pedestria/Cyclist Pass" is for visitors entering Shenandoah National Park without a private vehicle, for example a visitor hiking into the park from the boundary or riding a bicycle into the park. This pass is only valid for entrance fees at Shenandoah National Park. For more information visit Shenandoah National Park's Fees & Passes web page.Site Passes purchased on are non-refundable and non-transferable.Only purchase this Shenandoah National Park pass if you do not plan to use another pass to cover the entrance fee. Do you already own a pass? If you already hold one of the accepted entrance passes you do not need to purchase any of the passes listed below.Are you visiting more than one park? If you are visiting other federal recreation areas consider purchasing an Interagency Pass (Annual, Senior, Access, Military, etc.) when you arrive at Shenandoah.You may purchase a 7-day pass or annual pass valid at only Shenandoah National Park by selecting from the four choices below. Shenandoah National Park charges an entrance fee.
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