We spent a week in the Shenandoah Valley area last year with our daughter, our parents and Becky’s Uncle Bob. And from ages 5 to over 75 we wanted to do things we could all enjoy. Here’s our top 5 family activities in Shenandoah Valley.
5. Eat a Signature Dessert
Who said dessert can’t be 1st? And we wouldn’t put it on the list if it wasn’t amazing! In Shenandoah National Park is an area called Skyland in the middle of the park. And here is the Pollock Dining Room which has their Signature Blackberry Ice Cream Pie. You can find more information about it at: Skyland | Dining | Shenandoah National Park.
This dessert can be easily shared, or not. It’s up to you, but this local favorite is one the whole family can enjoy. The ice cream made with local blackberries is good by itself. Top it with meringue over a graham cracker crust, then add some blackberry compote makes deliciousness. You can also get a meal here any time of the day. But this signature dessert will be what brings you back. It could also be the great views, but we think it’ll be the pie. In any case, now that we got dessert out of the way, let’s check out more family activities in Shenandoah.
4. Exploring Some Caverns
If the weather’s not good or you just want to escape the heat, then head underground. There are at least 6 different caverns you can visit in the Shenandoah Valley area. And the largest and most popular caverns are Luray Caverns just 15 minutes from the park. In fact, Luray Caverns are the largest in the eastern United States. For more information, check out their website: Luray Caverns.
When all 7 of us visited here, we each went at our own pace. The 1.25 mile walk through the step-free caverns also has a self-guided audio tour you can do on your phone. And the walk is completely paved with guard-rails where needed. It is also well-lit providing plenty of light. What makes the caverns so special are the formations carved here over millions of years. And the Great Stalacpipe Organ built into the caverns is a must-see (and hear!). You can read more about our stop here in our separate post: Exploring Luray Caverns on a Snowy Day.
3. Driving on Skyline Drive
Another one of our top family activities is driving on Skyline Drive. This 105 mile road runs through the middle of Shenandoah National Park. And you have to drive on this road to get anywhere in the park. But, sit back and enjoy the drive.
Skyline Drive has 75 named overlooks providing views of the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Not to mention you have a good chance of seeing deer and other wildlife right from your car. You really don’t have to leave your vehicle, but there are many great stops along the way. Though you can drive the whole road in a few hours, you can break it up over multiple days.
You can read more about all of our stops over 3 days in each section of the park:
- Northern Section: Stony Man and North Shenandoah to Skyland
- Central Section: April Snowy Drive in Shenandoah National Park
- Southern Section: Blackrock Summit Trail & South Shenandoah NP
2. Hiking to a Waterfall
From Skyline Drive you can do another one of our top family activities in Shenandoah Valley. Though there are no roadside waterfalls, so you’ll have to get out of the car and hike to one. But there are a dozen waterfall hikes in the park from short to long and easy to difficult. And probably the most popular of these hikes is to Dark Hollow Falls.
The hike to Dark Hollow Falls is only about 1.5 miles there and back, but is steep and rocky. So, this hike is actually rated as Moderate instead of Easy. However, we found out from a park ranger an easier way to the falls. You can park at the next stop and walk along Rose River Fire Road to the base of the falls. Though it is a little longer, it’s a wide road and an easy walk for all of us. And though this way takes you the base of the falls, you can still hike from here to the top. You can read more about it here: Dark Hollow Falls in Shenandoah National Park.
1. Family activity in Shenandoah – Hiking on the Appalachian Trail
And the top of our family activities is hiking on the Appalachian Trail. I know what you’re thinking, the A.T.! That almost 2,200 mile trail from Georgia to Maine. Yep, that’s the trail. And it goes straight through Shenandoah National Park. But the good news is, you can easily access the A.T. and do as much or as little on it as you like. In fact, some of the named trails in the park go over a portion of the Appalachian Trail. And one such trail is the easy 1-mile circuit hike to Blackrock Summit.
Though we made a wrong turn on this hike, we actually walked longer on the Appalachian Trail then we wanted. What in the blazes are you talking about? Well we found out circuit hikes are multiple sections designated by different colored blazes or marks on trees. You’ll have to read about our full adventure at: Blackrock Summit Trail & South Shenandoah NP. But, we hiked on the A.T. y’all! How many families can say that?
Other Fun Family Activities in Shenandoah Valley
It’s really hard to pick just 5, but here are some other fun family activities in Shenandoah Valley:
- Having a picnic at one of the many designated picnic spots within the park
- Looking for wildflowers at overlooks, on trails, at picnic areas or local farms
- Day trip to the newest national park: New River Gorge National Park in a Day
- Watching the sunset from an overlook on Skyline Drive like Point Overlook
The Shenandoah Valley offers many activities for all ages inside and outside the national park. Let us know in the comments what activities you like best.