Perched in the densely forested peaks of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park buzzes with both indoor and outdoor activity. Between cross-country skiing in winter, hiking miles of trails in spring, horseback riding in summer, and leaf-peeping in fall, there’s something new to experience here all year round.
Our guide to the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park will provide all the information you need to decide when to visit. Book your trip dates with Stay Blue Maple, and keep reading to learn about the park in all four seasons.
Shenandoah National Park in the Spring
From mid-March through May, spring unfurls a lush carpet of new greenery and wildflowers across Shenandoah National Park. You’ll be treated to a spectacular show of both flora and fauna, as wildlife such as deer, black bears, and wild turkeys also make frequent appearances at this time.
Springtime Weather
Considering Shenandoah National Park’s location in the Appalachian Mountains, it’s not surprising that spring starts out chilly here as the park shakes off the last frost of winter. In March, lows typically fall in the 20s with highs in the 40s, but by May, temperatures have warmed to the 40s at night and 60s during the day.
Since the park can be quite rainy in the spring, you’ll want to bring a raincoat and hiking boots with good traction. (The trails often get muddy and slippery at this time of year.)
Best Things to Do in Spring at Shenandoah National Park
As early spring in Shenandoah National Park isn’t as crowded as summer and fall, you might get many trails and panoramic views all to yourself—and the animals, who begin to emerge after winter. However, you should expect to see more human visitors as the weather warms and days grow longer.
No matter when in the season you visit, though, we suggest you try out these activities:
- Birding
- Wildflower and waterfall viewing
- Explore the park’s famed hiking trails, like White Oak Canyon, a section of the Appalachian Trail, or Hawksbill Summit.
Springtime Events Around Shenandoah
Besides the many different things to do during spring, the season also heralds the arrival of a highly anticipated annual event: Wildflower Weekend. This two-day celebration of Shenandoah’s 800 plus native blooms and blossoms takes place across the park during the month of May. Try to line up your spring trip with Wildflower Weekend so you don’t miss out on all the flower-spotting fun.
Shenandoah National Park in the Summer
Warm temperatures, sunny days, and leafy, green trees can only mean one thing—summer has arrived in Shenandoah National Park. This is a near-peak season for the park, so factor in extra time for things like finding trailhead parking, getting a table at a restaurant, or navigating the occasional traffic jam on Skyline Drive.
Summertime Weather
Though summer does bring its fair share of hot days to Shenandoah National Park, the weather stays relatively mild for much of the season. Temperatures range between lows in the 50s at night, with daytime highs usually somewhere in the mid-70s—on average, that’s 10 degrees cooler than the surrounding Shenandoah Valley.
Showers and thunderstorms are still common in the summer, though, so keep that raincoat handy. Always pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and appropriate protective gear, such as mosquito nets and brimmed hats, when you set out to explore the park.
Best Things to Do in Summer at Shenandoah National Park
In the summer, you’ll have to share the trails, parking lots, and roads with many other visitors and hikers. The National Park Service recommends visiting on weekdays to avoid the worst congestion.
Even if you do run into crowds, though, you’ll still enjoy these must-do activities:
- Rock scrambling and bouldering
- Fishing
- Skyland Whisky-Wine Shuttle Excursion
- Rafting on the Shenandoah River
Summertime Events Around Shenandoah
Shenandoah National Park’s event calendar is jam-packed in the summer, with several different festivals and celebrations to look forward to. Drop by for one of these exciting summertime happenings:
- National Trails Day (first Saturday in June)
- National Go Fishing Day (June 18)
- Night Sky Festival (August)
Shenandoah National Park in the Fall
Fall in Shenandoah National Park is famous worldwide for one reason: leaf-peeping. As temperatures cool and days grow shorter, the hills of Shenandoah National Park transform, going from green to brilliant shades of orange, red, gold, and more.
While this show naturally draws plenty of visitors—making fall the most popular season to visit Shenandoah National Park—you might still want to brave the crowds so you can experience this striking phenomenon, which peaks in late October.
Fall Weather
Fall cools down quickly in Shenandoah National Park, with lows in the 30s and 40s for much of the season. Highs start in the 60s in September but gradually drop into the 40s by November. On the bright side, though, fall is a fairly dry season for the park, with a week or less of rainy days every month on average.
Bring your binoculars to better appreciate the fall colors, as well as a few extra beanies and scarves for breezy nights. Versatile clothes that can be easily layered are recommended.
Best Things to Do in the Fall at Shenandoah National Park
If you’re just here to see the fall foliage, you won’t have to look far—simply stop by the park’s visitor centers for recommendations, then hit the trails and scenic overlooks. But you should keep in mind plenty of other fall activities as you plan your itinerary:
- Cruising the entire length of Skyline Drive
- Horseback riding
- Road trip and picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Fall Events Around Shenandoah
During fall, the leaves tend to get most of the attention in Shenandoah National Park for good reason. If you’re looking for something a little different, though, swing by one of these popular, yearly events:
- Wilderness Weekend (September)
- Art in the Park (September)
- Page County Heritage Festival (Luray, October)
Shenandoah National Park in the Winter
Chilly, though winter may be, the season also presents an unparalleled opportunity to see a new side of Shenandoah National Park.
With fewer visitors on the roads and trails, you can experience a quieter trip and admire sweeping vistas of snow-dusted Appalachian peaks from the park’s viewpoints. Just make sure to pay attention to road closures, as some sections of Skyline Drive shut down after winter storms.
Winter Weather
Naturally, you can expect some relatively cold weather during winter in Shenandoah National Park. Highs rarely exceed the 30s and 40s, while lows dip into the teens and 20s throughout the season. Winter precipitation is also common, so you should plan to see at least some snow and ice depending on when in the season you visit.
To that end, pack warm clothes and extra layers for those days out on the trails or in the hills.
Best Things to Do in Winter at Shenandoah National Park
A winter getaway in Shenandoah National Park is anything but sleepy. If you need to spend some time in the great indoors, just head to the neighboring town of Front Royal or the nearby Museum of the Shenandoah Valley and Luray Caverns, where the temperatures stay consistent all year long.
Of course, outdoor activities like the following still abound within the national park borders:
- Hiking Old Rag Mountain (no permit needed between the end of November and the beginning of March)
- Sledding
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
Winter Events Around Shenandoah
With most of the crowds out of the park for the season, winter events are few and far between. However, certain programs still take place throughout the winter months, including ranger-guided hikes and night sky viewing sessions. Check the park’s calendar ahead of time to see what will happen during your visit.
Get Ready to See Shenandoah National Park
By now, you should know that no matter when you want to visit, there’s always something new to see and do at Shenandoah National Park. Determining the very best time to visit will be up to you and your travel companions as you decide what you want to get out of your trip.
As you set your itinerary, book your trip dates with Stay Blue Maple. Our Berkeley Springs vacation homes are close to all the excitement the national park has to offer but also serve as a peaceful respite from the hubbub during Shenandoah’s busiest months.