Shenandoah National Park

1. Shenandoah National Park Overview

• What is the Old Rag hiking loop like?
  • The 8-mile loop includes 3 miles of upward climbing and finishes with a scramble over tall boulders that require long arms and upper body strength to navigate.
• Is rock climbing available in the park?
  • Yes, rock climbing on Old Rag and other areas is a popular activity, with opportunities for all skill levels.
• What camping options are available?
  • The park has several campgrounds throughout, and backcountry camping permits are available for those who prefer a more remote experience.
• Where can guests stay overnight?
  • Lodging options include Big Meadows Lodge, Skyland, Lewis Mountain Cabins, and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club primitive cabins.
• How many visitor centers are in the park?
  • There are two visitor centers:
    • The Dickey Ridge Visitor Center at mile 4.6 of Skyline Drive.
    • The Harry Byrd Sr. Visitor Center at mile 51.
• What can visitors find at the visitor centers?
  • Both visitor centers offer exhibits, an orientation movie, a bookstore, restrooms, and an information desk.
• What history exhibits are available at the Byrd Visitor Center?
  • Exhibits cover the history of the park, the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the cultural history of the park’s desegregation in the 1940s.
• What is Rapidan Camp?
  • Rapidan Camp was the former summer home of President Herbert Hoover. The President’s Cabin and the Prime Minister’s Cabin have both been historically restored and are open to the public as a museum.
• What is the Massanutten Lodge?
  • The Massanutten Lodge houses an exhibit called “The Women of Skyland”. The historically refurbished home was originally owned by Addie Nairn Pollock, the owner of Skyland. The exhibit focuses on the women who frequently visited the lodge during the 1920s.

2. Shenandoah National Park History

• When was the idea of creating Shenandoah National Park first introduced?
  • Legislation to create a National Park in the southern Appalachian Mountains was first introduced in 1901. It was supported by President Theodore Roosevelt but failed to pass.
• When was Shenandoah National Park officially approved?
  • In 1925, Congress approved the creation of Shenandoah National Park, but they stipulated that no federal funds could be used to acquire the land.
• How was the land for the park acquired?
  • The state of Virginia was responsible for acquiring the land through private donations, state funds, and by using eminent domain.
• How did eminent domain impact local residents?
  • In a controversial move, Virginia used eminent domain to take land, promising many tenant farmers and squatters that they could stay. However, the promise was broken, and many were forcibly removed without payment.
• Were wealthier landowners affected the same way?
  • No, as the park was reduced in size, many higher-priced lands were spared, while poorer residents were still evicted.
• When were the evictions completed?
  • The forced evictions continued through 1935, when Shenandoah National Park was officially established.
• Did the park provide any economic benefits?
  • Yes, many Virginians found work constructing park roads and working with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), removing dead trees and building trails. Tourism increased significantly, boosting local businesses and creating jobs.
• What role did segregation play in the park’s early years?
  • When the park was planned, Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation. Many privately operated concessions within the park were whites only.
• Where were African American visitors allowed to stay?
  • The only lodging and picnic area available to African Americans was at Lewis Mountain, which was smaller and inferior compared to white facilities.
• When was the park desegregated?
  • During World War II, park attendance declined, and concessions closed. When the park reopened in 1945, the National Park Service mandated desegregation, which was fully completed by 1950.
• Where can visitors learn more about the park’s desegregation?
  • An exhibit at the Byrd Visitor Center tells the story of the park’s desegregation, including the impact of Jim Crow laws and the transition to integrated facilities.

3. Shenandoah National Park Ongoing Programs and Education

• When are ranger-led programs offered?
  • Ranger-led programs are available in the spring, summer, and fall.
• What ranger-led hikes are available in the summer?
  • Summer activities include ranger-led hikes at Fox Hollow Trail, Mount Marshall, and Stony Man.
• What is the Ancient Volcano Hike?
  • The Ancient Volcano Hike begins at the Timber Hollow Overlook. It is a strenuous 2-mile uphill climb that educates visitors on the history of the volcanoes that shaped the region.
• Where do evening ranger talks take place?
  • Evening ranger talks are held at Skyland and the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.
• What is the Junior Ranger Program?
  • The Junior Ranger Program takes place every Saturday at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.
• What additional programs are offered in the fall?
  • Fall programs include many of the summer offerings, plus:
    • Birds of Prey talks at the Big Meadows Amphitheater.
    • Appalachian Trail hikes from Milam Gap.
    • Guided tours of the Rapidan Camp and Massanutten Lodge.

Shenandoah National Park, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East Luray, VA 22835, Phone: 540-999-3500