Shenandoah NP

[cknight]

thinking about hiking the SNP northbound in mid September. Need advise on where to leave car and shuttle info.
Also, what are must do's in this park? I understand there is plenty of food along the trail. Any must stops on where to eat.

[Gambit McCrae]

To Complete the park one would walk from Rockfish Gap to Front Royal. Anyway to hold off until mid October? I think your you will have a much finer experience color wise in October. September will be completely green. Park facilities are still open in October as well:

Facility	Skyline Drive Mile	2018 Opening	2018 Closing	Comments
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center	4.6	April 6	November 25	9:00 - 5:00 daily
Byrd Visitor Center	51	March 23	November 25 (Begining November 30 hours will shift to Friday, Saturday, Sunday only, 9:30-4:00)	9:00 - 5:00 daily

Facility	Skyline Drive Mile	2018 Opening	2018 Closing	Comments
Elkwallow Wayside	24	March 30	November 4	Food, gifts, camping supplies
Skyland	41.7 and 42.5	March 22	November 25	Lodging, food, and gifts
Skyland Stables	41.7 and 42.5	April 6	TBA
Big Meadows Lodge	51.2	May 9	November 4	Lodging, food, and gifts
Big Meadows Wayside	51.2	March 29	November 12	Food, gifts, camping supplies, fuel*.
Lewis Mountain Cabins and Campstore	57.5	March 16	November 25	Lodging, gifts, and camping supplies
Loft Mountain Wayside	79.5	March 29	November 4	Food, gifts, camping supplies.

Facility	Skyline Drive Mile	2018 Opening	2018 Closing	Comments
Mathews Arm	22.2	May 2	October 28	1st come - 1st served
Big Meadows (showers/laundry)	51.2	March 30	November 12	1st come - 1st served and reservations
Lewis Mountain	57.5	March 30	October 28	1st come - 1st served
Loft Mountain (Campstore/showers/laundry)	79.5	May 2	October 28	1st come - 1st served and reservations
Dundo (Group)	83.7	May 2	October 28	Groups only, reservations required

Facility	Skyline Drive Mile	2018 Opening	2018 Closing	Comments
Dickey Ridge	4.7	April 6	November 25	Opening/closing dates tentative and depend on weather
Elkwallow	24.1			Open year round
Pinnacles	36.7			Open year round
Big Meadows	51.2	March 30	November 12	Opening/closing dates tentative and depend on weather
Lewis Mountain	57.5	March 30	October 28	Opens/closes with campground and campstore
South River	62.8			Open year round, no water
Dundo	83.7			Open year round

Back on track to your hike now - One thing that I thought is that all these eateries and dining places were going to be like walking thru mountain crossings at Neel Gap right on the trail, SOME are, most are not. I didn't see a wayside directly on the trail once thru the park, they are off the trail a ways and a hitch or road walk would be needed to get there.

Water: Only spot in the park I had an issue with was from BlackRock hut(Had great flowing water but is a climb down the hill to get to, maybe .5?) to Calf mountain Shelter which was a 13 mile stretch that is dry. Other then that 1 issue I loved the park, saw 3 bears and 1 bluff charged me pretty hard but stopped short by about 10 feet. Stayed at loft mountain campground and used the camp store. If you are a beer enthusiast the park sells alc. at several places such as the campground stores and lodges, not sure about the waysides.

I would say you would be able to get thru the whole park with no resupply but if you did need to jump off somewhere besides the 1400 Skyline Parkway crossings the trail has a convenient exit of the park at swift run gap which would be 45.5 miles for you from Rockfish Gap

I recall all vistas being directly on the trail from Bootens Gap sobo to Rockfish Gap - But 2 vistas I recall in the northern half of the park would be Mary's Rock and Little Stony Man Overlook and Compton Peak, all three of these are off trail but only a short distance. If you are a purist be mindful at Little Stony Man Overlook side trail, I tool the yellow blazed horse trial down the mountain and had to walk the AT back up the mountain, and then back down again to get all the blazes.

Shuttle Driver list is in my signature, I actually hitched thru the southern half of the park with no problem, if you are not comfortable with that you may try mountain home in front royal, or mark "strings", Stanimal, Gary Serra or maybe Homer Witcher. Those are all names I have used in that area. Mike Evans stiffed me my first trip up in that area, never heard from him after setting up shuttle with him. Mark Strings picked up that slack and got me from Swift run to HF

[jimmyjam]

A lot of answers can be found on the park's web site: https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm

You could leave your car at the Visitor Center located at Rockfish Gap. It is in the parking lot ABOVE the parking lot where King's Kettle Corn is located. Park near the park's double wide trailor office. Talk to the ranger inside and tell them your plans. You can also fill out the free required Backcountry Permit there. Resupply in the park can be done (S to N) at Loft Mountain Campground store, Lewis Mountain Campground store, Big Meadows Wayside/campground store, and Elkwallow Wayside.

[Odd Man Out]

At the north end, the Northern VA 4H Center offers free parking, but you need to register and donations are appreciated.

https://goo.gl/maps/mCTWhTW7rvD2

http://www.nova4h.com/facilities/hiker-parking/

[chef4]

One problem with peak leaf season in October is how close the road is to the trail (I believe the road runs along the original AT route, they then moved the trail). You get a lot of vehicle noise, particularly audible are motorcycles with minimal muffling. Mid September should be OK. Best time is just after leaf fall, when you get great open ridge views.

[Crushed Grapes]

Man I'm on the fence about going in September or October. Less people/traffic in Sept, but man the foliage in Oct is great, just much heavier traffic/noise. Either way, SNP is fantastic. Have a great hike!

[MuddyWaters]

Last week oct imo

[Hikingjim]

Man I'm on the fence about going in September or October. Less people/traffic in Sept, but man the foliage in Oct is great, just much heavier traffic/noise. Either way, SNP is fantastic. Have a great hike!

I would go Oct for sure. IMO, it's not the most spectacular section of trail in many parts, and the foliage makes it much more outstanding

[misterblitz]

If you're hiking northbound, you can park your car at the Waynsboro visitor center just south of the park entrance. I left my car there this spring for a southbound hike. It's maybe 1/4 mile to the trail from there.

[Odd Man Out]

I would rather park at the north end, shuttle to the south end, and hike back to the car. Easier to arrange shuttle.

[MuddyWaters]

Park 4h center and hike nobo works great
Several shuttles in front royal