The road is open throughout the winter, weather-permitting, and seeing it covered in snow has its own beauty. I suggest following suit during a warm summer evening because the views of Portland are spectacular. Thank you for these wonderful articles! Its expansive views make it a stop-worthy viewpoint in the late-afternoon, but to actually watch the sunset in Shenandoah National Park I recommend driving south on Skyline Drive for a few minutes and checking out the next overlook. You may have a far safer and more enjoyable visit to the park if you stay on either end, or get to the park before sunrise and plan to leave by the late morning. Whether a Skyline Drive overlook or rocky summit, watching the sun climb above or drop below the Blue Ridge Mountains is a major highlight. This overlook also has easy access to the Appalachian Trail. Planning a trip to the Shenandoah National Park? Although theres no wide panoramic view here, its still one of my favorite Shenandoah National Park overlooks. A tiny overlook with a great view of Massanutten Mountain about 10 miles out. It is probably the easiest hike with the most rewarding views. These are the 5 best overlooks on Skyline Drive from my visit that I recommend you check out. You wont have to venture far from your car to access these front-country campgrounds. However, the main point of interest here is Marys Rock Tunnel. You are right that the hike up there is in the woods, but after the rock scramble to the summit, you're well above the trees below. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Sadly, so many of the trees in this area have died. Skyline Drive is the only road through Shenandoah National Park. Click on "Read More" for more details about our privacy policy. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Do not pick them. There is no lifeguard on duty, and often no cell service to call for help. Just remember to download offline content before arriving at the Park, as cell . A short 25 minute drive from the Santa Fe Plaza, the sunset views from Aspen Vista trail are particularly gorgeous (especially when the aspen trees change colors in the fall!) Dickey Ridge Visitor Center View from Dickey Ridge Visitor Center Location: Mile 4.6 Elevation: 1,940 feet Front Royal to Thornton Gap Driving Distance: 31.5 miles Cruising down Blue Ridge Parkway through the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina is one of the most scenic road trips you will ever take in your life. Note that all check-ins are at the nearby Loft Mountain Campground. Spitler Knoll wasnt part of our original post. Read More: Closest airports to Shenandoah National Park. Sunset at Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area is an equally fantastic moment when the birds depart in groups of thousands. 2018 - 2023 Flit Photography | All material presented herein is intended for information purposes only. Some of our favorite Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks on this section include the Afton Overlook (Milepost 0.2), View Shenandoah Valley (MP 2.9), Ravens Roost Overlook (MP 10.7, a great place to catch the sunset), and Twenty Minute Cliff (MP 19.0), whose panorama views are simply spectacular. Theres a lovely view of Shenandoah Valley through a gap in the mountains from this overlook. Deer are everywhere, like squirrels in a city park. 15 min to get on road from Skyline Drive Getting There: From Skyline Drive, turn left onto US-50 E/Royal Gorge Blvd. 1. This is a popular place to see the sunrise. Thanks! Washington. Whats so great about the Brown Mountain Overlook is that, in addition to boasting wonderful views, its also a trailhead. Discover this 33.9-mile point-to-point trail near Sperryville, Virginia. You can swap this link for either choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now: Enjoy the incredible views in Shenandoah! Nearby Attractions: Luray-Hawksbill Greenway Big Meadows Lodge New Market Battlefield State Historical Park Endless Caverns You can see Rockytop on one side and Rocky Mountain and Brown Mountain on the other. There are walk-up and drive-up sites, all including a fire pit with a grate and a picnic table. This is the closest east-facing overlook to Skyland Resort, so is a great sunrise option if youre staying there. Eric Cramer. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. While it's difficult to climb, it is worth the effortfrom the top, you can see, among other things, Bridge Mountain and Rocky Gap Road. Look for the rocks and you should see a trail behind it. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. So, arrive early to claim a spot. Re: Best overlooks for sunrise and sunsets 8 years ago Great view over the valley and Shenandoah river. Scenic Overlook Tower at Laurel Hill State Park. Universal City Overlook. This is also the trailhead for the Brown Mountain Trail. #10. <3. Here you will find the 25 best overlooks in Shenandoah National Park, with photos. This will really help to make the most of my trip. This vantage point is known worldwide and it gives one of the most complete views of the downtown area. If you want to get away from the bustling East Coast cities, the Skyline Drive is a stunning road trip and a convenient escape. This overlook also has easy access to the Appalachian Trail. So, they built the 600-foot tunnel in three months, and it remains a highlight of the drive. Sunset on the Drive. As not all 75 overlooks are worth a stop, weve narrowed down the overlooks most memorable for us. Here are the mile markers and mileposts for the scenic overlooks and other stops on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park: Front Royal Entrance Station - 0.6. You can see Oventop Mountain and Skinner Ridge, with the historic town of Sperryville in between. You can support this website, at no additional cost to you, by using our links to purchase hotel stays, rental cars, travel products and more. The bathrooms were clean and there was a campstore down the road. Leah was born in Virginia and raised just outside of Shenandoah National Park. Great place to stay!The Dyrt camperTaylor K. The Dundo Group Campground is the only one of the five Shenandoah National Park camping areas thats exclusively for groups. Have you done this drive? These cookies do not store any personal information. This means that whenever you buy or book something through those links, we may earn a small commission without any extra cost to you at all! I have seen several beautiful sunsets from Stonyman. If you liked this post about the best overlooks on the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park,please share the love andPin It to your National Parks board! The one here has photos of the same view taken in 1940, 1965 and 1997 so you can easily see the changes in the valley over the years. Especially Charlottesville is a wonderful place to go after visiting Shenandoah National Park. Just skip it!for sunset/sunrise. One of the larger overlooks. Its 3,680 feet. If this mission resonates with you, Id love to hear from you. A patch of grass is shaded by a handful of trees, enticing visitors to linger with friends while lounging on picnic baskets and watching the sunset. The water you can see is actually the Charlottesville Reservoir. If there are signs posted saying to keep out of a certain area, obey them. This a rare west-facing view that doesnt focus on the Shenandoah Valley. So, if youre visiting at peak periods (especially fall weekends), its better to start at the southern Rockfish Gap Entrance and head north. I can confidently say that The Point Overlook in Shenandoah National Park is, by far, my favorite Skyline Drive overlook for sunset watching. THE HERMITAGE There are more overlooks on the west side, which looks over the Shenandoah Valley and the Massanutten Mountain Range beyond, than on the east. Pick up the park map from the entrance station, or download it from the Shenandoah National Park app on your phone. Typically, not packed like the parking lots for the popular hikes; you may even get it all to yourself in the off season. You can take a short path down from the parking lot for even better views. Sunset at Hogback Overlook, by Scott Turnmeyer Hogback mountain is the highest peak in the northern section of the Shenandoah National Park, the section between Front Royal and Thorton Gap. A sap sucking pest plagued the trees a few years ago and destroyed 95% of the parks Eastern Hemlocks. Not all of the views are equal. A mile south of the Brown Mountain Overlook, the Rockytop Overlook offers a stunning panorama of mountains and ridges, and a glimpse of the Shenandoah Valley beyond them. Drive all the way up the hill. One of the best overlooks for sunset views is Jeremy's Run on the north end of the park. It takes less than five minutes to walk and leads to a rocky area with the most amazing views. Third Stop: Phantom Canyon Road Cost: Free Drive Time: Approx. You can stop at each lookout, but it takes time. My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service. With the risk of giving away what may actually be my preferred spot in the entire park, let me tell you exactly what to do there. Skyline Drive: Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap. This does mean that the route heading south tends to be busier than the one heading north. Additionally, it is home to the Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines, two of the best places to soak in views of the skyline. This category only includes cookies that ensure basic functionality and security features of the website. We use cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. With large boulders for climbing right at the edge of the pavement, and the vast eastward views, this is basically the perfect sunrise spot. . Love the ideas. The park is only half a days drive from major cities like New York and Philadelphia. The Skyline Drive speed limit is 35 miles per hour. A great insurance option is Travelex. The same thing is true in reverse for late afternoon. While driving Skyline Drive you are almost guaranteed to spot several white-tailed deer and a couple of black bears, the parks two iconic mammal species. Also, the campground has a trail that leads to a 100-foot waterfall.The Dyrt camperCasey C. When it comes to facilities and services, the Big Meadows Campground has it all. The expansive view includes (from left to right) Hanse Mountain, Powell Mountain, Grindstone Mountain, Smith Mountain, Devils Tanyard and Long Ridge. In the foreground is Gimlet Ridge, Matthews Arm and Overall Run Valley. Climb, ride or drive to these amazing spots to add a bit of 'wow' to your day. It includes admission for one vehicle or four people (for places that charge per person). Pets have to be leashed at all times, they are not allowed on some trails. The stone barrier walls at the overlooks along Skyline Drive are there for a reason. Learn more about who we are and what we do HERE. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. From left to right is Brown Mountain, Two Mile Ridge and Rocky Mount. You must have a backcountry camping permit. This is the first overlook after the Thornton Gap Entrance. The park gets 25% of its annual visitors in the month of October. 1 / 9. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Required fields are marked *. A perfectly posed tree sits in the foreground giving you an ideal focus feature. Theres a short, easy-to-miss trail with a great view. Crescent Rock, which gives the overlook its name, is a cliff which, to be honest, I didnt really notice. The South District extends for 39.3 miles from the Swift Run Gap Entrance Station (Mile 65.7) to the Rockfish Gap Entrance Station (Mile 105). It can be very dangerous, even deadly, to climb over those walls to reach things like cliffs, boulders, and overlooks. In between are Nakedtop and Hershberger Ridge. They also offer cabins if tents arent your style.The Dyrt camperLexa L. The largest campground in Shenandoah National Park, the Loft Mountain Campground has more than 200 individual sites. I've never heard anyone say there was ONE place better than another. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. One of the unique things about Shenandoah National Park is the Skyline Drive. Sawmill Run is in the center and Sawmill Ridge to the right. In general, the eastern-facing overlook are best for the sunrise and the west-facing overlooks are best for the sunset. Toward the eastern edge of Mulholland Drive, you'll come across this roadside lookout with a top-down view of Universal Studios. Overlook Park. You can see Skinner Ridge, Buck Ridge and Hazel Mountain. The rocky summit commands spectacular views down on the Shenandoah Valley and of Skyline Drive to the south. Another strenuous hike, North Peak requires an 11.8 mile trek (or a drive in an all-terrain vehicle drive and partial hike) through pinyon-juniper forest to reach the top of the Red Rock escarpment. The overlook is also the trailhead for the Big Run Loop Trail. Large rocks provide an excellent vantage point. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Only have time for one section of the park? Glad you got to enjoy the sunset at that spot, Bob. I'm Bram, the person behind The National Parks Experience, a blog dedicated to America's national parks and public lands, and sustainable outdoor activities. 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix Dobbins Lookout on South Mountain @zachcooleyphoto Mt. There are two parking lots with large boulders between them. Please comment below with your favorites. This is yet another popular place to see the sunrise. Very large and very open group campground situated on either side of the picnic area road back out. There are four places where you can enter Skyline Drive and, therefore, Shenandoah National Park. A 9- foot-high bronze statue honors Terry Fox, the one-legged runner who was crossing Canada in 1980 to raise cancer research funds when his own cancer . Campfires are no permitted in the backcountry. 2. This post about Shenandoah sunrise spots has another photo taken at the Bearfence Mountain summit: https://www.travel-experience-live.com/where-to-watch-the-sunrise-in-shenandoah-national-park/. Necessary cookies are stored in your internet browser. Though, if you want to include the boulders in your photo composition, get there for sunrise to beat the hordes of rock posing tourists. Obviously, theyre also more popular among people who hate getting up early in the morning! Loved hearing the owl at night! The fall color typically peaks around October 18-25, but this can vary from year to year.. Something to be aware of is that the color can be at its peak along the Skyline Drive but not yet at its best on the hillsides. Im from VA and Skyline Drive is beautiful! Its a lovely view that a little different from those at the other overlooks. Id love to hear your thoughts on the Skyline Drive best stops. Its the longest stretch of the Skyline Drive. Ravens Roost is a remarkable spot for catching spectacular sunset photos. Skyline Drive is the 105-mile-long winding mountaintop road through Shenandoah National Park and, dotting the roadsides, youll find some of the best views on the east coast. Its the start of the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a continuation of the Skyline Drive. If youre planning oncamping in the backcountry, you must have a backcountry camping permit. Like much of the area, Signal Knob played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Thanks for the tip on the Point Overlook. Your email address will not be published. In fact, I wrote a whole blog post about just that. overlooks, services, and other points of interest in Shenandoah National Park, as well as all 400+ sites in the National Park Service system. Which means that the trees you pass on the road may be golden, but then the hills you see in panoramic views from the overlooks are still green. The overlook looks down an open valley with wooded hills on both sides. Exact Location - Pier at the end of Middle Harbor Park. Its no stretch to say that Stony Man is the best sunset spot in Shenandoah National Park. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This overlook has an amazing panoramic view down the length of the Blueridge Mountains, so you can see of the lot of the national park stretching before you. Generally considered an easy route. Skyline Drive is generally open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. Shenandoah National Park was established a year later, in 1935, and officially opened by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936. The Point Overlook has a little secret outcropping thats easily overlooked if you dont read the sign. You can also see Hawksbill Mountain, the highest peak in the national park, to the left. Check Out Our Perks and Open Positions, keep your distance when watching wildlife, The Checklist Every First Time RVer Needs, Everything You Need To Know About Wifi For Your RV, 14 Wilderness Survival Tools You Should Have in The Backcountry, Campers Share Their 6 Favorite Spots for Camping in Georgia, Camping and Skiing This Winter? Carry out all trash, leave nothing behind. Share This: Skyline Drive, part of Shenandoah National Park, runs north-south for 105 miles along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Born and raised in Belgium, Bram Reusen is now based in Portland, Oregon. This drive courses through a more pastoral section of the Blue Ridge. Theyre on the right side of the road if youre driving south and on the left if youre driving north. This 270 degree view is a great spot in the park to watch both sunrises and sunsets. Plan on spending 3 - 3 hours here at Stony Man Summits and Lower Cliffs Hike. The Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive starts at the northern entrance, Front Royal Entrance, at milepost 0.6 and ends at the southern entrance, Rockfish Gap Entrance, at milepost 105.4. If you plan to spending more time in the Shenandoah National Park you may want to consider picking up a book or map on the area. Do not leave your trash anywhere other than in those containers. The view looks down into Thornton Hollow with endless views of the mountains beyond. Youll have the best chance of spotting deer and bears at dawn or dusk, when theyre most active. There are, however, several regulations in place. Most people enter at the Front Royal Entrance. Summit Overlook Park Skyline Drive. If the weather is iffy, you can check the status of the Skyline Drive by calling (540) 999-3500 (option 1, then option 1). At the gap in the wall, there is a short but very narrow and a tad steep trail. 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