It feels like an achievement to finally drive the entire Skyline Drive after many years of only going a portion of it with the aim for hiking or camping in Shenandoah. It's $30 for a car. Well worth it. The sunset we saw there was outstanding. Be on the lookout for deer. We encountered many (maybe upwards of a dozen) including on the road itself. read more

Due to the COVID-19 virus spreading and trying to practice social distancing, my husband and I decided to do the Skyline Drive. We wanted to be outside in nature but not necessarily be close to a lot of people. The Skyline Drive was perfect because it's basically a long scenic drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The actual drive is located inside the Shenandoah National Park. There's different entrances to this park but the Front Royal entrance was the closest to us. There is a fee to enter the state park but I think due to everything going on right now and basically all the facilities(bathrooms, visitor centers, gift shops, etc.) being closed, the fee was waived today. The drive is about 100 miles long through the park. What I loved most about the Skyline Drive was all of the breathtaking scenic overlooks that you can stop at. Also, you might get the chance to see a bear or deer on your drive, although I didn't see any this time. I had such a great time today and would definitely recommend this drive to anyone who is looking for something to do during these difficult times. read more

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We had a blast! For $30, we got access to Skyline Drive for a week. Our vacation was several days long, so we broke the 100+ miles up into 3 trips, based on the different access points. Our trip was in the fall, a bit before the foliage had completely changed, and it was surprisingly less crowded than we anticipated. The pull-offs were nice and convenient, and we enjoyed the placards telling us more about the park. Some of the pull-offs were located on curves, and the traffic flow was really unclear, so sometimes it felt a bit unsafe pulling in and out (partly because some people were speeding on the drive). Other than that, I'm not sure we would have changed a single thing! There were several rest stops for bathrooms and souvenirs and food, which we appreciated. Overall, worth doing at least once! Enjoy the views :-D read more

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Featuring scenic views of the Shenandoah National Park with lots of lookout points along the way, Skyline Drive is your best option to take it all in. Skyline Drive highlights: * 105 miles of driving bliss * 75 Lookout spots * 500 miles of trails The Visitor Center has: 1. Restrooms 2. Gift shop 3. Exhibit showcasing the unique vegetation/wildlife you'll encounter throughout the seasons Want a guided tour? To schedule a date/time, contact the Visitor Center. read more

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Beautiful. You can't go wrong when your "business" is nature. Employees are friendly, helpful and professional.

I took the entrance off HWY 33 up to Hwy 211 exit. It was beautiful and scenic. Make sure you have what you need. Most people picnic as there's is limited food stops. The best area in my opinion was from the sky land lodge to the next entrance/exit 211. You literally feel like you are driving in the sky. Make sure you have gas and be prepared for backups to get into the parkway. It takes about 45 minutes to get through the gate. read more

The Skyline Drive is a STUNNING 105 mile drive which passes directly through Shenandoah National Park and one I believe every person who lives in the northeastern corridor of the country should take at least once in their lifetime! The scenic drive with dozens and dozens of overpasses and hiking trails, at all varying ranges of elevation and experience levels passes over the Blue Ridge Mountains. It also, at Rock Fish Gap, drops you off to continue onto the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and then, if continued until the very end drops you off at the foot of The Smokies in Tennessee! Way cool! Nature's perfect path! My biggest and best piece of advice is DO NOT drive at night. There are often no guard rails and there are very curvy roads, not to mention wildlife. The roads of course are especially dangerous in ice, rain or on wet leaves. Plan accordingly! There are resorts within the park. They are of course more pricey than smaller motels just off the drive, but for the sake of convenience and safety, are sometimes your best bet. Book in advance. They fill up! You will want to stay for a sunset or sunrise. It's magical! Just make sure you're off the roads before it's pitch black. Absolutely make sure you allot time for stopping at vistas. It will definitely take longer than you expect. Keep your eyes open for black bears, deer and fox. Also look out for people checking this off their bucket lists, motorcycle backpackers and thru-hikers as The Appalachian intersects with Shenandoah. I do believe tent camping directly off the drive is prohibited. We did however see a few doing this. You will absolutely lose reception so taking an old school map isn't a bad idea although the drive is fairly easy to follow. Definitely check road and exit closures at the park entrance though! You could have to backtrack miles upon miles if your exit is closed. Pack snacks and lots of water. Picnicking is fun on the drive too! Entrance fee is $20 or free if you have an Annual National Park Pass which is $80. National Park 2017 Fee-Free Days: January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day February 20: Presidents' Day April 15-16 & 22-23: Weekends of National Park Week August 25: National Park Service Birthday September 30: National Public Lands Day November 11-12: Veterans Day Weekend read more

Gorgeous views of sweeping landscapes. You definitely feel the elevation but the views in any part of the day are spectacular and worth it. The weather called for thunderstorms, but in the mountain we got spots of heavy fog and a few sprinkles, that was about it. The roadways and overlooks are well taken care of but I expect nothing less of the National Park Service. The drive is a total of 105 miles winding from North Carolina to Front Royal Virginia. There are campgrounds, restaurants, and even a gas station along the drive at various points. The admission fee is currently $25 for private vehicles and your admission receipt is good for 7 days, so that's a win. Annual passes are available for more frequent visitors at only $50 per person. If you are a photo op and Sunday drive kind of tourist, make this a stop a priority. read more

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Skyline Drive is a 109-mile road that runs the entire length of the National Park Service's Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, generally along the ridge of the mountains. This was my first time to visit Skyline Drive. We drove southbound from the northern most approach of Route 66 Front Royal. We stopped at about 15 of the scenic overlooks to enjoy the views, which are all quite impressive and beautiful. After about a 25 mile drive down we got off at the exit to visit to Luray Caverns. It was a very nice day and drive to enjoy the views and vistas along the way. read more

Skyline Drive - View from Skyline drive - Parks Near Me - Front Royal, Virginia

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I had a lot of fun coming here for a Sunday drive. I always like getting out and enjoying crisp, fall weather, but this was definitely not the case. This day was nearly 80 degrees with partly cloudy skies. I enjoyed every last bit of it even though it felt more like the tail end of summer in late October. For $20 one time entry, you can drive the entire 105 mile stretch of Skyline Drive while viewing it sweeping vistas and pitstops along the way to take photos or have a picnic. A yearly membership is $40 and probably worth the investment if you plan on frequenting this national park more than once. I drove about 30 miles on the road before turning back to go through the original entrance I came through. It was fairly busy, but not busy to the point where it would hinder my enjoyment or prevent me from driving leisurely. Unfortunately, I did not take the time to hike. All I did was some drive. If time is allotted, definitely take the time to take a hike or walk. There are plenty of opportunities for you to do so and that should be taken advantage of. Worth the money and the visit regardless of what time of year! read more

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Can't say enough good things about this drive! Made the trip up here from Florida, and was not disappointed. So many great views, even saw a mama bear and her cubs! Paid $30 to get in to the park, probably the best money I've ever spent. read more

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Awesome place if you plan on driving the whole thing just make sure you know it's a 3 to 4 hour drive one way.

I feel a sense of tranquility when I pull up to Shenandoah Park. This place is beyond beautiful, amazing views and awesome hiking trails! The yearly fee is well worth it if you plan on coming here several times/year. I purchased it and take full advantage :) read more

Skyline Drive - Amazing views :) - Parks Near Me - Front Royal, Virginia

If you love the Blue Ridge Mountains you will love this drive. It's clean and well maintained. It's about 109 miles from the North end @ Front Royal to the Southern end @ Rockfish Gap. Lot's of pull over viewing areas along the way. Several exit/entrance areas if you don't want to drive the entire route and 75 overlooks along the entire 109 mile route which is easy to navigate with 1 mile interval road markers. The only place to get gas enroute is the Wayside Station @ Big Meadows. It will cost you $20 for a pass unless you are an active duty Veteran and then it's FREE. Also, if you are 62, you can get a lifetime National Park Pass for $10 bucks. I like this Park mainly for the variety of hiking trails, camping sites and waterfalls. At Skyland there are sleeping accommodations and a restaurant that overlooks the valley. Even on Labor Day weekend it wasn't all that crowded. Props to Franklin D. Roosevelt who conceived the idea of a Public Works project during the depression that put millions of Americans to work to build Skyland Drive in this Park. Skyland Drive becomes the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Southern end at Rockfish Gap Virginia just South of I-64 and continues 469 miles into North Carolina. The highest elevation point being Mount Mitchell @ 6,684 feet. read more

I have driven on Skyline Drive many times and it is such a gorgeous Drive I'm on the road as well maintained from everything is just gorgeous and it doesn't matter what time of year you go read more

So incredibly beautiful! I love the Blue Ridge Mountains! Nice vistas along the way. Seeing the Red buds was a treat for us.

It's a $20 admission fee but totally worth coming at least once; the ticket is good for one week! There are lots of overlooks (I believe around 75?) to stop and gaze at the mountains, rivers/lakes, and breathtaking views of the sunset (my favorite spot is in the Big Meadows area!). Many clean bathrooms and picnic areas along the 105 mile drive. If you have time, I recommend hiking to see waterfalls! I've only hiked to the Dark Hollow Falls which is really pretty. It was a fun hike going to the falls (all down hill and we saw a black bear cub!!!) but parts of the hike back to the car had steep inclines so it was a little tiring. Our hike took about two hours (it's about 1.4 miles round-trip) since we made many stops along the way so my mom could catch her breath. Not the easiest hike, but also not the most challenging one! Bring your camera to capture some gorgeous pictures! read more

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Beautiful breath taking place. A must bring snacks and water but other than that they have bathrooms and pinic areas. Wear comfy shoes definitely lot of hiking land. read more

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Gorgeous anytime of year, Shenandoah's Sky Line Drive is most impressive during late October when the leaves are at their peak glory. Truth be told, I'm spoiled with my leaf peeping expectations having grown up in New England (sorry, it just doesn't get better than that!), but my fellow displaced-New Englander husband and I come here every year to see the best that this area has to offer. There are plenty of "rest areas" along the way if you need to refill your water or go to the loo, and there is no shortage of look-out points where you can pull over and take in the breathtaking vistas (or, you know, snap a selfie). We've also done some camping here in the summer months, and have found it to be a wonderful place for moderate hiking and camping. It's a little hefty in terms of entrance fees ($20!!!!), but the ticket is good for 7 days of use. read more

Few spots in the USA are prettier than this stretch of parkway. Gorgeous scenery, roads are in amazing shape. Take the family and a picnic--you won't be sorry! read more

There is an entrance fee that allows entering and re-entering up to a week. You can also buy an annual pass. The visitor center is only a 5 minutes drive from the Front Royal entrance. You can get your NPS cancellation stamp here. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour. Drive slowly to take in all the beauty. Make sure to switch into low gear when flinging downhill. (As a city girl, I had my first experience switching gears on this drive. Would have burned through my break pads if I hadn't learned.) There are many overlooks to get off at. I saw two bald eagles and a vulture. There was a park ranger that made all the cars stop because a group of bears had crossed the road sometime earlier. I got off at the first exit because I was heading to Luray. I was in the path for a good 3 hours! read more

Skyline Drive - Parks Near Me - Front Royal, Virginia

I enjoy taking a day and driving down here. Fall is the best time to go, lots of deer and leaves to see. The downside is that because everyone wants to drive thru (me included) its one of the most air polluted parks in the country. But it is still worth seeing whats off the road. Ive taken the short hikes and they were quite pleasant. Be sure to stop at the visitors center and get some hiking maps! read more

Skyline Drive - Parks Near Me - Front Royal, Virginia

Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park in Front Royal to Luray, Virginia is a wonder of this world. I highly recommend it, pack a picnic. Spectacular views, walking and hiking trails are amazing. Fall leaf peeping is breathtaking, with the foliage. This park is maintained to the highest standards and the Department of Interior does an excellent job. read more

Skyline Drive - Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park. Virginia - Parks Near Me - Front Royal, Virginia

As a Virginia born woman I love that we have this gem here. There's not enough space to capture all there is to experience here! Along the drive I highly recommend you stop at the ranger stations, they offer some "must see" info for you as well as give you opportunities to learn how the parks surrounding came to be! It really makes you appreciate the efforts that were put in decades ago with us, today, in mind. How beautiful! We decided to go to see the fall colors and stayed at Massanutten and the entrance to Skyline Drive was only a 15 min away! The farther north we got the more crowded it seemed to get, we exited at Luray. There's something for everyone, the spectator who wants to sit and enjoy the ride, the active one who wants to get out and hike to waterfalls or peaks, and the photographer who wants to capture raw nature in its glory! Such a beautiful and peaceful place! Bon voyage! read more

Skyline Drive - A tiny hike away from the crowds at the overlooks - Parks Near Me - Front Royal, Virginia

I will always give this place , which is a national treasure 5 stars because it's fantastic. It's cheap to get in through the gate , I buy a yearly pass and even if only used twice it's worth the money. SNP is always clean and everyone that works here is friendly. read more

The Skyline Drive is perfect for all kinds of adventures, from roadside sight-seeing to hikes and picnics. Like so many parks, this one was part of the drive to find ways to employ people during the depression. The craftsmanship in some of the old stonework along the drive is exceptional and the variety of paths for hikes offers something for everyone. read more

Currently hiking the main day trails with only 8 to go since last September. My favorite trail is Mary's Rock North. It's moderate to challenging. You ascend over 1200ft in 1.7 miles on a rugged rock trail. Do not wear your trail boots due to balance unless it's raining. The trip is well worth it. I spent 4 hours and did not pass one person. The trails are super busy in fall though! read more

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The 105 mile drive runs along the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park. Accordingly, it is one of the more unique scenic drives in the country because you usually cannot drive along the crest of mountains. Naturally, it provides amazing views of the valley through the 75 lookout points along the road. The Skyline Drive is definitely one of the things you need to do to experience the beauty of the park. Although I highly recommend hiking to fully take in the magnificence of the valley, driving the Skyline Drive obviously provides an opportunity to see the park in the comfort of your car without the physical strain of a hike. The north entrance starts at Front Royal near Routes 66 and 340. It is the official beginning of the Drive as the mile markers go from 0 to 105 from north to south. There are additional entrance points along the road at Thornton Gap at Rt. 211 and Swift Run Gap at Rt. 33. The south entrance is at Rockfish Gap at Routes 64 and 250. It is also the north entrance for the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Shenandoah National Park and 469 miles if you really want an extended scenic drive. The speed limit on Skyline Drive is 35 miles per hour. Consequently, it will take approximately 3 hours to drive if you do not stop. Obviously, you will want to stop at the lookout points. However, not all of the lookout points are created equal. I categorize them as ones you definitely want to get out of your car to photograph and take in the landscape to enjoy, others that you want to drive into and roll down your windows to take a photograph, and ones that are not great but you can drive in and take a quick look while you keep on driving to immediately rejoin the road. In my opinion, there are approximately ten lookout points you need to get out of your car for. It is fun at first to stop at all of them but you eventually get tired and just want to view the lookout points quicker to efficiently drive through Skyline Drive. Outside of the lookout points, the drive is curvy but can be boring because there are a lot of trees that cover up the views of the valley below. Accordingly, the drive is probably much prettier in the fall when the leaves change colors. Even the less exciting parts of the drive with trees will be picturesque with the portrait of colors. I began the drive at 1 PM. I decided to do a couple of short hikes so I ultimately chose to split the drive into two days. On the first day, I exited the park at the mile 65 marker, which is at the Swift Run Gap at Rt. 33. On the second day, I connected back at the Drive at Thornton Gap at Rt. 211 after a hike to drive south and eventually see the remaining road from the mile 65 marker to the 105 mile marker. In my opinion, the first 65 miles in the north part of the Drive is more scenic. My favorite lookout post is at the 49 mile marker: Franklin Cliffs. A lot of great hikes are also close to the Skyland Resort, around the 42 mile marker. If you do not have time to complete the total drive, I would definitely focus on the first 65 miles in the north. While the remaining drive from mile 65 to 105 in the south is not as scenic, there are still beautiful lookout points. In addition, completing the full drive is part of the to-do list for Shenandoah National Park. If you are planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me for my itinerary. You can also find the electronic copy through the link my profile. read more

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Best way to play hooky on a work day during the fall. It's located just under two hours from our nation's capital and it's the best drive you can take in the state of Virginia. Sky Line Drive, a 105 mile trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains, is filled with bursts of fall and amazing views from all sides. This Monday we took off work and headed out west to Sky Line Drive, the directions couldn't be easier, just head west on 66 until you see signs for the park and Front Royal. Make a left off the exit and a right at the light. Take that for several miles and you'll see signs for the park. It's $15 for a 7 day pass and it's worth every penny. The sites are AMAZING from the drive. There are over 20 overlook stop points where you can pull over the car and get out to take a pictures. BUG ALERT! There are thousands of Ladybugs in the fall and they will start to land on you as soon as you step out of the car. You'll also hear them ping off the windshield as you drive through the park. To do the whole drive it will take about 3 hours non-stop but trust me you'll want to stop to take photos. The sites are breath taking and photo worthy. read more

I love it. I love it every single time I go. Most times I do see a bear. Most times.....Not every time. Good camping. Great scenery. Fun for the entire family. Something to always remember you've done. Take pictures. Leave nothing behind. read more

Tons of trails and plenty of overlooks. Winding and narrow roads with a $20 entrance fee good for 7 days. Lodging and a few restaurants on the route. Drove about half through the north end. It was a majestic natural wonder for hikers and road trippers. Dogs are plentiful and welcomed in most areas. read more

Skyline Drive - Parks Near Me - Front Royal, Virginia

After a day at Luray Caverns, my boyfriend and I decided to hop on Skyline Drive at the Thornton Gap entrance, right down the road from the Caverns, and drive north to Front Royal entrance. While we did not have much traffic going in the direction we were headed, there was a steady stream of traffic going south. We started the 30 or so mile drive from Thornton Gap to Front Royal around 5:45pm so we were fighting daylight for the last leg of the drive. We did manage to have enough daylight to stop at several of the overlooks (there are 75 along the whole route of Skyline Drive), all of which offered breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The fall foliage was incredible-lots of reds, oranges, and yellows. I believe we probably came the last weekend of the peak season since many of the trees were quickly becoming bare. Be advised the speed limit is 35 mph and the park police were out in full force! The cost of entry is $20, collected at any one of the four entry points along the route, which is 105 miles if you drive it in its entirety. The pass is valid for 6 days. Being that Skyline Drive runs through Shenandoah National Park, there are multiple spots for picnics, hiking, fishing, and camping. I'd definitely suggest driving at least a portion of Skyline Drive regardless of the season as the spectacular views afforded from the overlooks are present all year! read more

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Whether you're looking for a quick place to picnic, traverse some hiking trails (beginners to intermediate), or just to drive through and take in the scenic view...THIS is the place! Skyline Drive has be a staple to our family and extended family for generations. read more

Skyline Drive - Gorgeous Walking Bridge with Breathtaking Views - Not far from Picnic & Parking Areas - Parks Near Me - Front Royal, Virginia

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Everyone knows i love the outdoors, and this place is no different! My family has lived near by for over 10 years and i finally made it here! Gorgeous! 105 miles long, 75 pullouts, over 500 miles of hiking trails! Wow! Open year round! We went during christmas vacation on lovely 70 degree day! The temps definitely ranged from balmy to chilly depending where you got out of the car! The altitude ranges from 0 to over 3000 so definitely bring layers! Tons of places to stop and enjoy the views, plenty of hiking trails (we didn't get to do any, but they were there) We did see 1 bear and we had our bear spray with us! Would be nice to enjoy the park in a more agreeable season, but we enjoyed what we did see! read more

This was a fantastic drive with scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains with many overlook possibilities where one can pull over and take photos. Noticed that there were many trails and camping possibilities as well. read more

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Gorgeous drive! We took this route on our way home through Virginia. It was much more exciting than traveling via interstate. It was the last week in March so there was still a lot of snow. Many things weren't open but the views were worth it. There were many overlooks to pull over and take in the incredible scenery. It's only $15 for a 7 day pass and that includes a map with information. read more

Decided to take the scenic route home after a 4 day trip to Massanutten Resorts. I have to say that though we started out on the opposite direction home in the park that the first few places we stopped to see the view were beautiful. However the novelty does wear off after about the 7th time you get out to take photos. All in all I had a good time. I cant see myself going (for me) again, but I wouldn't mind taking the kids. Definitely worth the trip, but it's probably not gonna be a family tradition..lol read more

Still a 10/10 drive. We got an early start and entered from Rockfish Gap and drove north to Front Royal, and once again it was the best decision ever, we were pretty much the only car going north compared to the bumper to bumper traffic that were heading south. Pack a cooler with food and drinks if you are hitting skyline drive at the peak seasons...to avoid the crowds at the rest stops with the restaurants. There are so many overlooks and picnic areas to choose from to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Would also highly recommend that you get an early start, the line at the enterances can put a damper on enjoying skyline drive...105 miles to drive skyline at 35 miles an hour...it's an all day affair read more

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The views are beautiful but the price for people to get in is absurd. Especially for the people who live here. We don't even get a discount and this is our town that we've lived in born and raised. read more

Just in one word ...... An awesome ride