The US has some incredible national parks, and Shenandoah National Park is one of them. Just a 1.5-hour drive from Washington DC, Shenandoah has over 200,000 acres of wildlife and spectacular scenery. The park extends across Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, with the famous Skyline Drive cutting through the middle. Shenandoah National Park has tons of wildlife, including black bears. It also has dramatic mountains, and Old Rag Mountain and Hawksbill Mountain offer some of the best hikes in Shenandoah.
What are the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park besides summit hikes, though? Shenandoah has over 500 miles of hiking trails to explore, so you are not short of options.
Top Hikes in Shenandoah National Park
From waterfall hikes to rock climbing, we’ve picked the absolute best hikes in Shenandoah National Park. These hiking trails are sure to get you feeling inspired.
1. Mill Prong Trail
Mill Prong is a scenic, pretty woodland hike. Hikers are surrounded by wildflowers like mountain laurels and shaded by the trees around them. The trail also runs along Mill Prong River, and you’ll cross over the river via multiple footbridges throughout the hike. A return hike takes around two hours, and Mill Prong is an out-and-back trail.
So, why should you hike this trail? Well, its Rapidan Camp’s endpoint was once the holiday home of President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover. The couple spent many a happy time in the woodland camp, and now you can view the camp as a historical attraction. There are three cabins in total, with one signposted as the Prime Minister’s and informative signs dotted around with stories and facts about the camp and how Hoover spent his time there.
The trail starts opposite Milam Gap Parking Lot, situated along Skyline Drive. You briefly join the Appalachian Trail before nearly immediately turning left onto the blue-marked Mill Prong Trail. After following the riverside path for a little while, you make the first river crossing, after which you keep right on the yellow marked Mill Prong Horse Trail. From this point, you stick to the trail until you reach Rapidan Camp.
Mill Prong is a fantastic hike of moderate difficulty. The trail distance is just 3.7 miles return, short enough for families or less fit hikers to tackle. If you fall into these categories, just allow an extra hour or two to complete the hike.
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