My wife and I have driven the entire length of Shenandoah National Park a handful of times now—every curve, every overlook, every foggy sunrise—and I keep coming back to one stretch: Section 2, from Thornton Gap (Luray) to Swift Run Gap (Elkton). It’s where the park reaches its highest elevations and serves up the best views. Both in-park hotels sit along this stretch too, but there are plenty of camping options scattered throughout if that’s more your style.

A weeklong entrance pass runs $25 and gives you in-and-out access—so you can really settle in and take your time.

Hikes We’ve Done and Loved

Most of our hikes cluster around the northern half of the park, mostly Sections 1 and 2. We’ve pieced a few of these together in one day and they’re all relatively short, rewarding, and not too crowded:

• Little Hogback Mountain (0.8 mi out & back): Quiet, easy trail with a real “bear might appear” kind of vibe. Great view.
• Little Stony Man (1.2 mi): Gradual uphill, narrow in spots, ends at a rocky overlook with a fantastic view.
• Stony Man (1.5 mi): Just up the road. A wide, slightly easier trail with a more open summit.
• Upper Hawksbill Trail (2.1 mi): Steeper but wider. One of the park’s highest points with a safe, walled overlook and a cool directional compass at the top.
• Bearfence (1 mi): Short but scrambly. Definitely the most challenging hike we’ve done here. Go clockwise—it’s easier. Views are incredible.
• Kaylors Knob (3.5 mi, outside the park): We got caught in a storm, but it’s supposedly lovely and not too steep.

Other Trails We’ve Saved for Next Time

• South Mount Marshall (1.7 mi)
• Lower White Oak Falls (2.9 mi)
• Agrow Cabin via Eaton Hollow Trail (1.9 mi)
• Blackrock Summit (1.1 mi loop)

Where to Stay in the Park

While we haven’t stayed overnight in the park yet, Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge are well-placed, especially if you’re hiking around Stony Man. We did have a solid lunch at Pollock Dining Room in Skyland—definitely worth stopping in for a meal even if you’re not staying. The views are stunning.

Where to Eat & Drink Nearby (North to South)

Even if you’re just day-tripping into the park, there are lots of fun food stops close to the entrances. And I have some favorites along I-81 if you spend a few days in the area:

• Hopscotch Coffee & Records (Winchester): A fun combo spot with good coffee.
• Bro Bears Drive-Thru (Winchester): Coffee shack with super-sweet, over-the-top drinks.
• Red Truck Bakery (Marshall/Warrenton): Great cinnamon roll.
• Vibrissa Beer (Front Royal): Brewpub with a standout burger.
• Woodstock Brewhouse (Woodstock): Great beer and surprisingly good food.
• Broad Porch Coffee (Luray): Worth a coffee stop.
• The Inn at Little Washington: Michelin-starred, reservation-required, special occasion type of place.
• Central Coffee Roasters (Sperryville): Bought beans on a whim years ago—still dream about them.
• Peep’s Frozen Custard (New Market): Classic frozen custard stand.
• Maybelle’s Market (Dyke): Gas station turkey sandwich hits different. Fantastic candy selection.
• The Little Grill (Harrisonburg): Good southwestern-style breakfast.
• Magpie Diner (Harrisonburg): Another great breakfast spot.
• Pale Fire Brewing (Harrisonburg/Basye): Solid beers in both locations.
• Devils Backbone (Roseland): Big brewpub with on-site camping.

Quick Detour: Staunton

This small town just south of the park is worth a night or at least a long afternoon. We spent two nights there back in 2019 and loved it:

• The Shack – cozy and upscale
• Crucible Coffee – great coffee
• Redbeard Brewing
• The Split Banana Co – fantastic gelato
• Reunion Bakery & Espresso – maybe the best thing we ate all trip
• Wrights Dairy-Rite – a classic diner throwback

Random Extras (Totally Worth It)

• Luray Caverns – Cool for a one-time visit. The “singing” stalactites are neat.
• Route 11 Chips – You can watch chips being made and grab a bunch of free samples.
• Bryce Resort – Scenic chairlift rides, winter skiing, and a pretty chill vibe year-round.

Whether you’re weaving together a series of short hikes, chasing waterfalls, or just sipping your way from coffee shop to brewery, Shenandoah and its neighboring towns offer that perfect mix of natural beauty, roadside oddities, and genuinely good food. And with that week-long park pass, there’s no rush—just keep pulling over.

Planning your next road trip? Here are my favorite stops in Maine, a shore town in New Jersey, more than just history in Williamsburg, VA, and where to stop along I-81 when you leave Shenandoah.

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