Skyline Drive

I’m all for the great outdoors and connecting with nature is a beautiful thing. There’s so many great benefits to being out amongst the natural wonders of nature. This was a birthday treat to myself and to do something different with the grandkids. Get away from the city, phones, computers, and any other electronic device. In a nutshell — UNPLUG! I had a good time and the highlight of the trip was when we were walking through the trail — we saw a black bear and he saw us; and naturally we all froze in place. I don’t think anybody was breathing at the time; and the bear walked on and we are still alive and well. The last time I was there, my son was about three years old. He’s 25 now so that’s how long it’s been and there’s so much more to this place we have yet to see. Will I be going back — absolutely! Going there throughout the year during all four seasons would be an opportunity to see something different each time. All I can say is BEAUTIFUL!

Everyone knows i love the outdoors, and this place is no different!
My family has lived near by for over 10 years and i finally made it here! Gorgeous!
105 miles long, 75 pullouts, over 500 miles of hiking trails! Wow!
Open year round! We went during christmas vacation on lovely 70 degree day! The temps definitely ranged from balmy to chilly depending where you got out of the car! The altitude ranges from 0 to over 3000 so definitely bring layers!
Tons of places to stop and enjoy the views, plenty of hiking trails (we didn’t get to do any, but they were there)
We did see 1 bear and we had our bear spray with us!
Would be nice to enjoy the park in a more agreeable season, but we enjoyed what we did see!

I’ve reviewed Shenandoah National Park (SNP) — which the Skyline Drive runs through — separately.
Skyline Drive is 105 miles long — and can be accessed from a number of routes:
— Northern entrance at Front Royal (U.S. 340)
— U.S. 211
— U.S. 33
— I-64/U.S. 250
The speed limit is 35 mph. There are numerous overlooks to pull over and get gorgeous photos and to just stop for a while and enjoy the views.
I always enjoy stopping in at two of the Visitor Centers on Skyline Drive and reacquainting myself with the history and ecology of SNB.
Every Autumn I make the drive through the park — usually on a weekday so as to avoid the crowds.
A wonderful place to visit!

I love it. I love it every single time I go. Most times I do see a bear. Most times… Not every time. Good camping. Great scenery. Fun for the entire family. Something to always remember you’ve done. Take pictures. Leave nothing behind.

Gorgeous anytime of year, Shenandoah’s Sky Line Drive is most impressive during late October when the leaves are at their peak glory.
Truth be told, I’m spoiled with my leaf peeping expectations having grown up in New England (sorry, it just doesn’t get better than that!), but my fellow displaced-​New Englander husband and I come here every year to see the best that this area has to offer.
There are plenty of «rest areas» along the way if you need to refill your water or go to the loo, and there is no shortage of look-​out points where you can pull over and take in the breathtaking vistas (or, you know, snap a selfie).
We’ve also done some camping here in the summer months, and have found it to be a wonderful place for moderate hiking and camping. It’s a little hefty in terms of entrance fees ($ 20!!!), but the ticket is good for 7 days of use.

After a day at Luray Caverns, my boyfriend and I decided to hop on Skyline Drive at the Thornton Gap entrance, right down the road from the Caverns, and drive north to Front Royal entrance. While we did not have much traffic going in the direction we were headed, there was a steady stream of traffic going south. We started the 30 or so mile drive from Thornton Gap to Front Royal around 5:45pm so we were fighting daylight for the last leg of the drive. We did manage to have enough daylight to stop at several of the overlooks (there are 75 along the whole route of Skyline Drive), all of which offered breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The fall foliage was incredible-​lots of reds, oranges, and yellows. I believe we probably came the last weekend of the peak season since many of the trees were quickly becoming bare. Be advised the speed limit is 35 mph and the park police were out in full force! The cost of entry is $ 20, collected at any one of the four entry points along the route, which is 105 miles if you drive it in its entirety. The pass is valid for 6 days. Being that Skyline Drive runs through Shenandoah National Park, there are multiple spots for picnics, hiking, fishing, and camping. I’d definitely suggest driving at least a portion of Skyline Drive regardless of the season as the spectacular views afforded from the overlooks are present all year!

Skyline drive is a 10 rating! Start out very early, is our recommendation. We entered from down south at Rockfish Gap and drove north towards Sperryville/​Thornton …a blessing in disguise since heavy traffic was from the north going south. Be prepared for mother natures awesome show. We did Skyline drive at the peak of the fall leaves turning… WOW. We would also recommend getting an early start, or else be prepared to wait to get through the gates… there is an entrance fee, and the lines will get long… we got there early and did not have to wait.

If you are anywhere close to Skyline Drive it’s well worth the drive. Beautiful views, especially in the fall!

Skyline Drive is a 109-​mile road that runs the entire length of the National Park Service’s Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, generally along the ridge of the mountains. This was my first time to visit Skyline Drive. We drove southbound from the northern most approach of Route 66 Front Royal.
We stopped at about 15 of the scenic overlooks to enjoy the views, which are all quite impressive and beautiful. After about a 25 mile drive down we got off at the exit to visit to Luray Caverns. It was a very nice day and drive to enjoy the views and vistas along the way.

Decided to take the scenic route home after a 4 day trip to Massanutten Resorts. I have to say that though we started out on the opposite direction home in the park that the first few places we stopped to see the view were beautiful. However the novelty does wear off after about the 7^th time you get out to take photos. All in all I had a good time. I cant see myself going (for me) again, but I wouldn’t mind taking the kids. Definitely worth the trip, but it’s probably not gonna be a family tradition. lol

What a beautiful afternoon! We were visiting the area and headed into the mountains for a drive. The overlooks are breathtaking and very clean and well kept. The visitor’s area is nice and clean with trails and beautiful views. The gift shop was nice and the bathrooms were clean. I hope we get a chance to go back and drive a little further before we leave. The temperature dropped almost 10 degrees as we went up the mountain.

If you have some time, definitely take the Skyline Drive. It’s a winding road through the mountains, and the views are completely worth it. We drove through in November so the trees looked red and orange in front of the purple mountains in the back.

Beautiful scenery. Can’t imagine how amazing this would be in spring, summer and fall! Biked along the road first 20 miles. No bike lane but drivers were very courteous. Can’t wait to go back and explore further south!

Great place to take a nice relaxing drive too! Much better in the fall when all the leaves colors are changing!

As a Virginia born woman I love that we have this gem here. There’s not enough space to capture all there is to experience here! Along the drive I highly recommend you stop at the ranger stations, they offer some «must see» info for you as well as give you opportunities to learn how the parks surrounding came to be! It really makes you appreciate the efforts that were put in decades ago with us, today, in mind. How beautiful!
We decided to go to see the fall colors and stayed at Massanutten and the entrance to Skyline Drive was only a 15 min away! The farther north we got the more crowded it seemed to get, we exited at Luray. There’s something for everyone, the spectator who wants to sit and enjoy the ride, the active one who wants to get out and hike to waterfalls or peaks, and the photographer who wants to capture raw nature in its glory!
Such a beautiful and peaceful place!
Bön voyage!

Gorgeous drive!
We took this route on our way home through Virginia. It was much more exciting than traveling via interstate. It was the last week in March so there was still a lot of snow. Many things weren’t open but the views were worth it. There were many overlooks to pull over and take in the incredible scenery. It’s only $ 15 for a 7 day pass and that includes a map with information.

Went right at the right time for the changing leaves, and it was gorgeous! The drive is nice, winding through the Blue and Appalachian mountains. Some hiking trails, most easy walks through pleasant forests. Wish there was more information on trails and history. Seems like the staff didn’t know much about the local area, and we couldn’t find any info on anything dealing with the families living there before the 1930’s when they were displaced or during the Civil War era, like it was a «forbidden» topic. I had relatives who settled there, and that would have been nice to know. But in all, a very nice few days in pretty country! Many vistas to take in the view. I only wish there were more interior ways to get into those forests!

Just in one word … An awesome ride

Skyline Drive is an awe-​inspiring way to spend the day on a lazy weekend, or better yet, a middle of the week day off! Skyline Drive winds for miles and miles of vistas, scenic views, and majestic parks. I drive it every now and again when I want a peaceful environment to read a book or to write, to travel with visitors to the area, or if I just want to reflect on the glory of God’s creation. It is a beautiful drive, but travellers should be alert. The two lane road winds its way through the mountains, and there are more than the occasional wildlife creatures crossing the road. Fuel up first, travel safely, stay alert to road conditions — particularly if you are on a motorcycle — and enjoy the view. Be sure to check the educational signboards at the many scenic overlooks. They offer very interesting tidbits about the surrounding area and how the park came to be.

I enjoy taking a day and driving down here. Fall is the best time to go, lots of deer and leaves to see. The downside is that because everyone wants to drive thru (me included) its one of the most air polluted parks in the country. But it is still worth seeing whats off the road. Ive taken the short hikes and they were quite pleasant.
Be sure to stop at the visitors center and get some hiking maps!