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Blue Ridge, Virginia
Shenandoah and Luray
Skyline Drive runs 105 miles along the Blue Ridge through Shenandoah National Park. Below it, the small town of Luray has huge caverns and a valley on the Shenandoah River.
Photo: Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, Image copyright 2005 by user G. Edward Johnson (user Lorax) and released under t, CC BY-SA 3.0
Shenandoah National Park follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Skyline Drive has more than 70 overlooks, and trails lead to waterfalls and rocky summits. Pull over often.
Luray sits in the valley between the Blue Ridge and Massanutten Mountain. Luray Caverns, found in 1878, is one of the largest caves in the East.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Skyline Drive
105 miles along the Blue Ridge with more than 70 overlooks.
Dark Hollow Falls
A short, steep trail to a 70-foot waterfall near Big Meadows.
Old Rag
A hard, popular hike with a rock scramble. Day-use ticket needed in season.
Big Meadows
An open meadow with deer, a visitor centre and campground.
Shenandoah River State Park
Riverside trails and overlooks near Front Royal.
Hawksbill Mountain
A short, steep hike to the highest point in Shenandoah National Park.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Luray Caverns
Huge caverns with stalactites, pools and the Great Stalacpipe Organ.
Skyline Caverns
A cave known for rare white 'anthodite' formations, in Front Royal.
Skyland and Big Meadows lodges
Lodges and dining along Skyline Drive.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Shenandoah River trips
Canoe, kayak and tube trips on the South Fork of the Shenandoah.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Luray Caverns Tickets
Part of our Shenandoah and Front Royal guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Skyline Drive is a full day by itself.
- A river float or paddle fills the second.
- Big Meadows is good for stars and deer at dusk.
Nearby and worth the drive
The north entrance to Skyline Drive, a river town and caverns.
Gettysburgabout 2 h 30 · Guide ↗The battlefield.
Ready-made trips with Shenandoah and Luray
2 days · Shenandoah and Luray
Skyline Drive and Luray
105 miles of Blue Ridge overlooks, waterfalls and caverns below.
2 days · Front Royal → Shenandoah and Luray
Front Royal and Skyline Drive
The north entrance to Skyline Drive, a river town, and, 40 minutes south, the mid-park overlooks and Luray.
Good to know
- Park pass: Shenandoah charges an entrance fee: nps.gov/shen.
- Old Rag: A day-use ticket is required for Old Rag in the busy season, booked on recreation.gov.
- Tourism: luraypage.com.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, Image copyright 2005 by user G. Edward Johnson (user Lorax) and released under t, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Dark Hollow Falls, ShenandoahNPS, Public domain
Photo: Stony Man in autumn, Shenandoah National Park from Virginia, Public domain
Photo: Old Rag Mountain from Skyline Drive, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Big Meadows in autumn, Cbaile19, CC0
Photo: Rock formations in Luray Caverns, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0