National Park · VA
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah is quietest in January and February and busiest in October.
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds, and black bear, there's so much to explore...and your journey begins right here!
1.7M recreation visits a year on average (2023–2025)
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Pick a month to visit Shenandoah
This week
7-day forecast
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 19 | Clear | 54°F | 39°F | 0% |
| Tue 20 | Clear | 58°F | 42°F | 1% |
| Wed 21 | Overcast | 57°F | 36°F | 0% |
| Thu 22 | Overcast | 60°F | 36°F | 0% |
| Fri 23 | Clear | 58°F | 38°F | 0% |
| Sat 24 | Clear | 53°F | 35°F | 0% |
| Sun 25 | Overcast | 56°F | 34°F | 1% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
Weather
Monthly climate normals
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F | 19°F | — |
| February | 38°F | 22°F | — |
| March | 44°F | 27°F | — |
| April | 57°F | 37°F | — |
| May | 64°F | 46°F | — |
| June | 70°F | 54°F | — |
| July | 75°F | 59°F | — |
| August | 73°F | 58°F | — |
| September | 69°F | 52°F | — |
| October | 58°F | 42°F | — |
| November | 48°F | 32°F | — |
| December | 40°F | 24°F | — |
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, BIG MEADOWS, VA US
Know before you go
Fees & hours
- Entrance fee
- $30 — Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Admits the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle.
- Hours
- Shenandoah National Park is always open. However, portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the Park, are periodically closed during inclement weather. Visitors can still enter the Park on foot to hike, even when the Skyline Drive is closed. Campgrounds, services, and facilities have separate hours; please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere on our website.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Information
Ticket Required to Hike Old Rag
March 1 - November 30 those wishing to hike Old Rag are required to obtain a day-use ticket before arriving.
Details on nps.gov → - Information
Get Skyline Drive Status Updates
Sign up for Shenandoah Alerts by texting SHENALERTS to 888777. Any time there are closures, re-openings, or other important safety-related alerts, subscribers will receive a notification via text. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Details on nps.gov → - Caution
Parking at Boundary Access Areas
Visitors are reminded to park in designated parking areas when accessing the park via boundary trailheads. Parking in unauthorized locations may result in your vehicle being towed at the owner's expense. Park on the right side of the road approaching Thompson Hollow. Parking is authorized up to the "No Parking" sign before a private driveway.
- Information
Shenandoah National Park Moved to Fully Cashless Fee Collection
On July 1, 2025, the park transitioned to a fully cashless system at our fee entrance stations. Only credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments will be accepted.
- Information
Infrastructure Improvements to Old Rag Trailhead
Effective May 4, Shenandoah National Park will begin infrastructure enhancements at the Old Rag Trailhead main parking lot. We expect to complete work by November 2026. Until then, the main parking lot is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Visitors can access Old Rag Trailhead via existing overflow parking lots. Day-use tickets are still required from March 1 through November 30 in addition to a park entrance fee.
- Caution
Emergency Phone Line Unavailable
Shenandoah National Park Emergency Phone number (1-800-732-0911) is currently unavailable. For all emergencies, Park visitors can dial 911.
- Caution
Power Outages
Due to the impacts associated with the remnants of Hurricane Isaias, we are currently experiencing power outages at the Big Meadows Developed Area. As the day progresses, we may also experience outages in other areas of the Park, but for now, Big Meadows has the most impacts. Lodging guests with reservations should contact our Concessioner, Delaware North Parks and Resorts if they have specific questions. Also, be aware that trees may be downed on the road, so caution is strongly advised while traveling.
- Park Closure
Active Closure
Due to recent wildlife interactions and out of an abundance of caution, the Naked Creek backcountry zone is closed to all recreation until further notice. A camping closure remains in effect for the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Lewis Mountain to Big Meadows, including the Bearfence AT Hut. The AT is still accessible to hikers for day-use only.
Details on nps.gov →
Source: NPS Data API
FAQ
Shenandoah questions
When is the best time to visit Shenandoah?
Shenandoah is least crowded in January, February, and December. October is the busiest month, so visiting outside it means thinner crowds and easier parking.
How much does it cost to visit Shenandoah?
Entrance to Shenandoah costs $30 (Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Admits the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle.).
When is Shenandoah busiest?
Shenandoah is busiest in October, when crowds rate 10/10 (peak). Expect full parking lots and longer waits; arrive early or choose a quieter month.
How crowded is Shenandoah during holidays and fee-free days?
Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July) and official NPS fee-free days typically bring peak crowd conditions to Shenandoah. Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM to secure parking and avoid peak trail congestion.