Rockfish Gap (I-64) → Front Royal (US 522)
Shenandoah National Park (Rockfish Gap to Front Royal)
105 mi · 6-9 days · Moderate
One hundred-plus miles of well-graded trail weaving across Skyline Drive. Shenandoah is the gentlest long stretch in Virginia: consistent grades, frequent water, and waysides where you can buy a meal without leaving the park.
Camp stores at Loft Mountain, Lewis Mountain, and Big Meadows make this the easiest section in the state to resupply without a town stop.
Overnight backcountry use requires a permit, and the park has specific rules on where you may camp and how food must be stored.
Waypoints
| Name | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Loft Mountain Wayside & Camp Store | Resupply | On-trail camp store and campground in the south district of Shenandoah National Park.Seasonal operation. Confirm opening dates with the park before relying on it. |
| Big Meadows | Lodging | Lodge, campground, wayside, and camp store at Skyline Drive milepost 51.Seasonal; reservations recommended. Verify current operating dates. |
| Thornton Gap (US 211) | Road crossing | Park entrance station and crossing giving access to Luray and Sperryville. |
Highlights
- Waysides and camp stores on trail
- Big Meadows
- Frequent Skyline Drive access
- Gentle graded tread
Road crossings
- Skyline Drive at many mileposts
- US 33 Swift Run Gap
- US 211 Thornton Gap
- US 522 Front Royal
Resupply
- Loft Mountain Wayside
- Big Meadows
- Elkwallow
- Front Royal — full resupply
- Luray — full resupply
Nearby towns
- Waynesboro
- Elkton
- Luray
- Sperryville
- Front Royal
Planning details
- Elevation gain
- Not yet verified
- Parking and access
- Numerous Skyline Drive parking areas by milepost. Park entrance fee applies and overnight parking requires registration.
- Shuttles
- Shuttles operate from Waynesboro, Luray, and Front Royal.
- Terrain
- Graded switchbacks, modest rocky sections, and frequent road crossings.
- Wildlife
- Shenandoah has one of the highest black bear densities in the eastern US. Food storage rules are strictly enforced.
- Seasons
- Skyline Drive closes for ice and snow. October weekends are extremely crowded. Water is generally reliable.
- Regulations
- A backcountry permit reserved through Recreation.gov is required for all overnight trips and carries a fee ($6 per reservation plus $9 per person at the last check), separate from park entrance. Groups are capped at 10, no more than two consecutive nights in one campsite, and campfires are allowed only in park-built fireplaces at huts and day-use shelters. Camping must also meet park setbacks: 10 yards from water, 20 yards from trails, 100 yards from huts, and a quarter mile from paved roads, park boundaries, and facilities. Dogs are permitted on most of the AT here but not on all park trails.
- Emergency
- Park dispatch and frequent road access make this the most rescuable section in Virginia.