_Dickey Ridge Visitor Center._
This should be your starting point, if you enter the park from the
north, for it is just inside mile 4.6 (see pp. 10-13 for mileposts).
Wherever you enter, be sure to stop here sometime before you leave the
park. Ranger-naturalists are on hand to orient you and help you get all
the information you need on hiking or camping, or whatever you plan to
do. A short sequence of color slides will give you a general
introduction to the park. The program describes the variety of park
attractions—trails, wildlife, wildflowers, geology, and history.
_Visitor Activities Program._
During the summer, ranger-naturalists conduct a number of field trips
daily to points of interest and give nightly campfire programs at
Skyland, Big Meadows, or Lewis Mountain. The entire family can enjoy
these park-sponsored activities. In spring and autumn, park naturalists
present evening talks at concession lodges. For the “do-it-yourself”
visitor, self-guiding nature trails are open throughout the year.
SOME TRAILS OF SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
Round Trip
Name of Trail Starts Miles Time Remarks
Marys Rock Mile 31.5 3.6 3 hrs. Steady climb for 1.8 miles but
easy return. Broad sweep of
scenery in every direction.
Little Mile 39.1 1.5 1 hr. Steep 385-foot climb for 0.6 mile
Stony Man of forest trail. Splendid view of
Shenandoah Valley.
Stony Man Mile 41.8 1.5 2 hrs. Easy grade. Self-guiding nature
trail through the woods;
startlingly beautiful vista atop
Stony Man profile.
Whiteoak Mile 42.6 5 ½ day Cool walk through the woods; long
Canyon (Conducted pull returning. First of series of
walk from six waterfalls at end of trail.
Mile 43)
Limberlost Mile 42.6 1.5 2 hrs. Easy walk through hemlock forest
(first part of Whiteoak trail).
Upper Mile 46.6 2 1½ hrs. To summit of Hawksbill Mountain,
Hawksbill highest in park. Shady but steady
climb.
Dark Hollow Mile 50.5 1.5 1 hr. Shady trail; fairly steep climb
Falls returning. Falls drop sheerly 50
feet.
Big Meadows Mile 51.2 2 2 hrs. No climbing; trail through swamp
Swamp (Big Meadows and woodland. Self-guiding.
Amphitheater)
[Illustration: _Whiteoak Canyon Falls._]
A complete schedule of these free interpretive activities is found in
the _Visitor Activities Program_, available at all park and concession
installations in Shenandoah National Park, or by writing to the Park
Superintendent, Luray, Va.
_Hiking._
The park is a hiker’s paradise, with over 200 miles of foot trails,
including a 94-mile link of the famous Appalachian Trail, which extends
more than 2,000 miles from Maine to Georgia. The park maintains a series
of open shelters along the trails, conveniently spaced a day’s hike
apart. Each hiker should bring his own bedroll for use on one of the six
spring-covered bunks furnished in most of the shelters. These bunks are
occupied on a first-come, first-served basis.
Detailed hikers’ guides and maps of the trail system can be ordered by
mail. (See p. 22, PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT.)
_Horseback riding._
There are about 25 miles of scenic horse trails in the park. Horses (and
ponies for children) can be rented at hourly rates at Skyland and Big
Meadows.
_Photography._
A filter is advisable when you are taking panoramic views, for haze is
often present without your even noticing it. You will get better
definition and more interesting shadows if you take your pictures in the
morning or late afternoon, rather than in the flat light of midday.
With a long exposure you can get most dramatic photographs at sunset
when the trees and rocks stand out against the western sky in
silhouette. Don’t be afraid to go out and shoot black-and-white film in
the fog or during a storm; cloud effects often are more striking than
ever. If you want good pictures of wildlife, a telephoto lens will help.
_Fishing._
The fun of fishing awaits the eager angler along the park streams.
There, to try your skill, are native brook trout. At the park entrance
stations you can get rules and regulations governing angling and also
directions to fishing waters. You will need a Virginia fishing license.
A 3-day limit, nonresident trout fishing license is available at all
concession units in the park for $3.
_Picnicking._
Campers and picnickers come from all over to take advantage of
Shenandoah’s superb facilities for 9 months of the year. Fireplaces make
it easy to prepare steaks or fish or even pancakes. Your frying pan
rests on a grill as steady as your own stove. Choose one of the picnic
areas along the drive for your evening meal, and then walk out and watch
the sunset. (Picnic grounds are noted on the map, pp. 10-13.)