Family Hikes in Shenandoah National Park

With it's proximity to Washington, D.C., the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia are a popular family vacation spot for people from all over the world. Often when I am in the mountains, I am stopped by families looking for easy family hikes to take in views or waterfalls. Guides are often vague about what "easy hike" means. I've hiked the Shenandoah National Park for many years, and these are the hikes I recommend most for families or inexperienced hikers.

For those families looking for easy, pleasant hikes that don't quire any special equipment, these are perfect. Even with short hikes you will want to be prepared: bring ample water, wear appropriate footwear such as sneakers, hiking boots, or walking shoes, and dress in layers. The temperature in the mountains can often be 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the lowlands, so if you're hiking in the winter or fall make sure you bring extra layers. The Shenandoah National Park does have black bears, and while they're not usually a problem, you should be aware of your surroundings. There hasn't been a bear attack in many, many years; but, please keep your distance and move away from a bear should you see one. Don't attempt to feed the wildlife in the park, both because it is dangerous and because it is unhealthy for the animals. And, of course, take away only pictures and leave the Park cleaner than you found it. Take all your trash with you, and dispose of it in the bear-proof containers provided at the lodges.

Got all that? Great! Put on your tennis shoes and grab your water bottle, then join me as we explore some of the best family hikes in the Park! We'll start at the north end of the park, coming in from Front Royal, and working south on Skyline Drive. Decide on your hikes, and when you enter the park simply ask the Ranger for maps of those hikes. The maps are free, and make great keepsakes for scrapbooks.

Fox Hollow Trail. Hike Distance: 1.2 mile loop. A "loop" trail is one that takes you in a circle, so you end up at the same spot your started. This is excellent hiking for young children or older people in need of a trail with no rough terrain. There are no great views, but the trail does run through some pretty woodland and ends at an old homestead. The National Park was, at one time, full of homesteads like this one. To get there: take Skyline Drive to mile marker 4.6, and park at the Dicky Ridge Visitors Center.

Land Run Falls. Hike Distance: .6 miles each way, for a total of 1.2 miles out and back."Out and back" means you will take the same trail to your destination that you will take back, retracing your steps. In this case, your destination is Lands Run Falls itself, a small but pretty waterfall in a picturesque setting. While this is a great hike for the whole family, you will want to watch children on the rocks. They can be treacherous if it's wet or icy, so plan your trip accordingly and hold their hands as they go to the viewing spot. To get there: drive to mile marker 9.2, and park at the south end of the Lands Run parking area near the fire road.

Byrds Nest Summit and Shelter #4. Hike Distance: 2.8 miles our and back.This is one of my favorite family hikes, especially in the fall. You'll often see people hiking with their dogs and taking a picnic lunch to the quaint shelter at the end of this trail. Part of this trail is on the Appalachian Trail, and you'll often see thru-hikers and section hikers with their large packs making their way to the north end of the park. There is some mild uphill hiking, meaning this may not be the best trail for very young children or the elderly. If you keep your eyes open, you will often find interesting plants and fungus along this trail, too. To get there: drive to mile marker 28.5, and park at the Beahms Gap parking area. Find the trailhead marked by the cement post at the north end of the lot.

Stony Man Trail. Hike Distance: 1.4 mile lariat. A lariat is an out and back hike with a loop at the end, like a lasso. This particular lariat hike has an amazing payoff at the end: it's one of the best views in the park. If it's a clear day, make sure you pack your camera. If you are hiking in spring or summer, you can also often see peregrine falcons playing on the wind. There are areas near the trail marked off for the falcons to breed, so please respect those boundaries. There is some uphill hiking required. Plan to take extra time with very young children or the elderly. My 74 year old grandfather made this hike and loved it! This trail has an interpretive guide available for $1 at the trailhead, and also signs along the way to help you find plants and animals. You'll also cross the highest point along the Appalachian Trail. To get there: drive to mile 41.7, and park at the Stony Man Nature Trail lot at the north Skyland enterance. The trailhead is marked by the traditional cement post.

Limberlost. Hike Distace: 1.3 mile loop.This is the only handicap accessible trail in the park. Please remember that no pets are allowed on this hiking trail, which, being paved, is the easiest in the park. It's the ultimate easy hiking experience for everyone, and is home to some of the oldest, largest trees in the park. To get there: drive to mile 43, and follow the Limberlost Trail signs for parking.

Big Meadows. Hike Distance: You determine the distance. Big meadows is, as the name indicates, a large meadow with winding paths. It's kept a meadow by regular burnings, and is a favorite spot for wildlife watching. Birds and deer flock to this area in the morning and evenings, making it a prime spot for pictures. The family can hike along countless trails through the meadow, and when you're tired you can head to the Visitors Center for an excellent exhibit, as well as great wildlife watching through their glass walls. This is one of the most popular hiking spots in Shenandoah National Park, and can get fairly busy near dusk; so, make sure you get there early to park if you want to watch deer. Children love this trail because they can hike easily and explore the plants and wildlife. In the spring, you can almost wade through the butterflies drawn by early wildflowers. In the fall, the entire meadow turns bright red. To get there: drive to mile 51, and park at lot across from the Visitor's Center.

Loft Mountain Loop. Hike Distance: 2.7 mile loop. Designed specifically for family hikes, this is another trail that shares time with the AT. With myriad outlooks and outcroppings of rocks, this hike offers more views than most other trails in the Park. To get there: drive to mile 79.5, and park at the Loft Mountain Wayside parking lot. The trailhead is just north of the lot on Skyline Drive.

Bear Den Mountain. Hike Distance: 1.2 miles out and back.The last hike on our journey offers amazing views. As a fun bonus, the Shenandoah Park Forest Service has installed old tractor seats on the outlook at the end of the hike where you can perch on as you watch the world go by. This is great for children, who always get a kick out of the novel use of the seats. This is another camera-worthy hike with panoramic views, so make sure your camera batteries are charged. To get there: drive to mile 99.5, and park at the Beagle Gap parking lot. Cross Skyline Drive and enter trail through gate.

There are many hikes in Shenandoah National Park for all skill levels. For a complete list of hikes, you can visit the Visitor's Centers and pick up one of many guides offered by different organizations. Enjoy your time in the Shenandoah National Park.

Resources:

Plan Your Visit. NPS.gov