best sunrise overlooks shenandoah national park
Skyline Drive is the 105-mile-long winding mountaintop road through Shenandoah National Park and, dotting the roadsides, you'll find some of the best views on the east coast. Sunrise at Thorofare Mountain Overlook Consisting of 72 overlooks over 105 miles, Skyline Drive offers great views of the surrounding Blue Ride Mountains and valleys. Tunnel Parking Overlook is just south of the Thornton Gap Entrance. Be kind and courteous to other early risers. The great views at Voyageurs dont end after dark. Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. The overlooks are quite scenic but I am not sure which ones offer the best sunrise/sunset views. Its summitwhich can be reached by caris a popular sunrise viewing location. In Luray, Hotel Laurance and the South Court Inn get exceptional reviews. I'm visiting the park for the first time in a few weeks and I'd like to get some sunrise and sunset photographs. The grassy field in the foreground really lights up with the golden rays as the sun goes down. The unique rock formations glow majestically in the rising sun and if you go in winter, the snowy peaks make it even more magical. I hope you find my favorite overlooks for a portrait session at Shenandoah National Park helpful!!! Serving the Colorado Mountains & Virginia Countryside. Depending on COVID, that could be the case again for 2021. Diana Robinson Photography / Getty Images. Could anyone please give me advice on where I could take pictures of sunrises and sunsets? adventures and follow local regulations. Recommendations on where to stay and what to see. You will have earned it. Conveniently, this section of Skyline Drive is also where youll find the three accommodations I mentioned above. Located in southern Oregon in the Cascade Mountains, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. Because of its prominence, it's a great place to see the sun rise and set over the surrounding forests, the San Joaquin Valley, and the peaks of the Great Western Divide. Here is a link to a Milepost Guide for Shenandoah National Park. There are also five campgrounds located along Skyline Drive. Glacier National Park is the destination of choice for people who enjoy stunning lake sunrise and sunsets. Learn more here. The Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway is another sunrise or sunset option. In this post, learn about the best things to do in Shenandoah National Park with tips on how to plan your visit. The quickest way to reach this outlook is through the Thornton Gap entrance off of Route 211 and then drive south two miles along Skyline Drive until you reach Hazel Mountain Overlook, which will be on the left side. Shenandoah is one of the few national parks where cellular service is pretty good. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your chosen spot. The weather is cooler, but the views of the sunlight coming over the colourful trees are unparalleled. Have a great trip to Shenandoah! This long mountain range runs through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. Skyline Drive is 109 miles long with 75 overlooks most of which face either east or west. 3 days in Shenandoah park - where to stay outside the park? With nearly 70 scenic overlooks, Skyline Drive has an abundance of view options. Here on these pages well show you fascinating cities, beautiful islands, incredible beaches and unusual destinations. As the sun rises, it will travel south and quickly come into view while still low in the sky. Many travellers feel like roadside lookouts are overdone, and that you can only get a really spectacular view if you scale a cliff or go off-roading somewhere, but thats absolutely not true in Shenandoah. SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK: Learn more about Shenandoah National Park in our article about the Best Hikes in Shenandoah and how to hike to Old Rag. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. From this road, you have access to numerous overlooks, visitor centers, and trailheads. Many are granite dome formations like Moro, including a pair of granite domes called Beetle Rock and Sunset Rock that are easier to reach. Location: Shenandoah National Park: Central District Best time of year to photograph: Year Around Subject Focus: Sunrise, Landscape, Milky Way Popularity: Low Mile Maker: 35.1 on Skyline Drive . During this time, the fall colors were just approaching their peak. 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail (AT) run through Shenandoah National Park. Planning a visit to Shenandoah the first week of June and am wondering about wildflowers and crowds. From this scenic drive, visitors can stop at the overlooks, take their pick from 500 miles of hiking trails, visit historic sites, and pop into several visitor centers to learn more about the park. In fact, I read that there are a total of 75! In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Skyline Driveis the centerpiece of the park. With three days in Shenandoah, you can do almost everything on this list. Its also the toughest hike on this list. The Everglades is known for its wild, watery landscapes. Haleakala National Park is the home of Haleakala, a 10,023-foot crater on the island of Maui. Thorofare Mountain Overlook is the highest in the park, at 3,595 feet. Just over an hour's drive from Washington D.C., Shenandoah National Park offers quiet woods, waterfalls, and fields of wildflowers. Trying to decide where to stay to visit this park is tricky but I think you made a great choice staying in Elkton. 9 Best Train Rides for Exploring National Parks, 10 Top Birding Destinations in the United States, 10 of the Best Places Outside the U.S. for Fall Color, 10 of the Most Dangerous Spots in the U.S. National Park System, 15 Awe-Inspiring National Forests in the United States, 12 Amazing Facts About Acadia National Park, 8 of the Best Places for an Arctic Adventure, 11 Unique Facts About Glacier National Park in Montana, Winning Photos From the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, best national park location to view the sunrise or sunset. At 4,040 feet, Stony Man is the second highest peak in Shenandoah National Park (Hawksbill is #1). Today, Im sharing the best overlooks for your portrait session at Shenandoah National Park!! For the most part, the AT follows along right beside Skyline Drive. The craggy rock formations, otherworldly landscapes, and a strong network of roads and trails make Badlands National Park one of the best places for sun-seekers. Trailhead: Fishers Gap Overlook Car Park. Skyline Dive runs through the heart of Shenandoah National Park. The shortest option, a 1-mile circuit, follows the Appalachian Trail from the Blackrock Summit parking area, which is just north of mile marker 85 on Skyline Drive. While you wont see the sun rise over the Blue Ridge, you will see a wide swath of sunrise in the mountains, thanks to the bend in the road at this location. If you don't get an answer here, try asking your question via email to SNP. overlooks with a view of the valley are great for sunsets I don't really do sunrise from overlooks just from what ever camp site I happen to be at. Several hikes on this list share the trail with the AT. This is just north of Big Meadows and the Harry F. Byrd Sr. Skyline Drive is 105 miles long. The central and northern parts of Skyline Drive are the best vantage points for mountain scenery. Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the National Park Service website. Between the countless emails, text messages, social media comments, I figured it was time to have a blog post! In 2016, one of the lakes, Lake Kabetogama, was named the best national park location to view the sunrise or sunset. Yesterday, it was 70 degrees here, and normally it would have been 47 degrees. During your visit, you can hike all 101 miles, or just hike a few miles of the AT, in combination with other hikes on this list. It might not be a bad idea to just drive around and stop at several overlooks to get different vantage points as the sun comes up or goes down. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL cookies. Some look eastward over the hilly landscape known as the Piedmont region while the west-facing sunset lookouts offer panoramas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I hope you find this blog post resourceful whether you plan to visit or take photos! Over 105 miles long, Skyline Drive offers great views of the surrounding Blue Ride Mountains and valleys while simultaneously offering photographers the chance to glimpse the outstanding scenery of Shenandoah. The park is preparing to reopen . Noted as an easy and convenient stop, Falling Spring Falls is a must see in Shenandoah National Park. Dark Hollow Falls Trail. Theres a moderately challenging 2.1-mile (total) trek, a longer 2.8-mile loop trail or a more intense 1.7-mile out-and-back trip, with an elevation gain of 690 feet. So, dont head to this overlook if you actually want to see the sun pop above the Blue Ridge. Ive hiked solo there a few times and never had any issues. You did not mention anything about staying in the town of Elkton. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-51868191', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Skyline Drive, but any in particular that are awesome for sunrise and sunsets? Because the Haleakala viewpoint is popular, the National Park Service allows visitors to make reservations up to 60 days in advance. Though the drive can take up to two hours, it's easier than many of the worlds other summit sunrise spots, which require an all-night climb. The park is jointly managed with neighboring Kings Canyon National Park, and the two comprise 808,000 acres of designated wilderness. It's only 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers) to the summit, a fairly easy hike that should be suitable for pretty much everyone with a basic fitness level. Feature image: Taylor Wright; Image 1: sally9258. Range View Overlook is located at mile marker 17.1 along Skyline Drive and is located in the Northern District of . Here are 10 of the best places to watch the sunrise or sunset in U.S. national parks. I realize there are several beautiful overlooks on the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Formed by a volcanic eruption . There are several ways to get here, but the quickest, easiest route is on the Upper Hawksbill Trail. It is probably prettiest in the Central part of the drive, as those are some of the highest . Fees range from $15 to $45 per night. Find it at Mile 32.8 Hazel Mountain Overlook To get back to your car, it is an uphill walk. Some people will go to great lengths to witness the beauty of sunrise and sunset. Owner said 11 minutes from the entrance? Josh Lew is a freelance writer and copywriter who focuses on travel, green living, and personal finance. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Hello Jane. Guide to the Best Day Hikes in the US National Parks. Some visitors arrive on the Cadillac summit early to see the whole event, from the first change in light to the full sunrise. There are a few mountain summits that I really like in the park, but Bearfence Mountain has to be my favorite. Marys Rock North is longer and harder. By far, its one of my favorite places to visit, especially during the fall season. The hike is 1.4 miles round trip and takes 1 to 2 hours. Below are the best spots to watch the sun rise from a parking area or a mountain summit. There are many overlooks along Skyline Drive. This relatively short, easy hike takes you to one of the tallest waterfalls in the park. Copyright 2023 The National Parks Experience. On a guided tour, you can explore this beautiful underground world. This, obviously, is the sensible option. Its also a fantastic way to start off the days adventures while you visit the park. I know that is at the end of May, but just good to know in case it overlaps with your trip. To get to the summit, it will be a mostly uphill walk with 500 feet of elevation gain. Range View Overlook (Milepost 17) Hazel Mountain Overlook (Milepost 33) Jewell Hollow Overlook (Milepost 36.5) Thorofare Mountain Overlook (Milepost 40.5) Crescent Rock Overlook (Milepost 44) Spitler Knoll Overlook (Milepost 48.1) Kids as young as 5 should be able to handle this hike. I will be traveling with just my 16 year old daughter during the 2nd week of April. It also happens to be the only road that cuts through the park and, along the way, fantastic vistas from its 70 or so overlook points provide cascading views from the mountain range. Free, public WiFi is available at Byrd Visitor Center, Big Meadows Lodge, and . Click on "Read More" for more details about our privacy policy. This is why Bearfence is never crowded. By mid-August, the sunrise is back in a good position in the sky for this overlook. The drive is pleasant at any time of year, but people often go in spring and summer for the wildflowers and autumn for the fall foliage. Whether Im by the mountains of Colorado or Virginia, my soul feels at home, surrounded by rural living and the raw beauty of nature. To get into Shenandoah, it was a 30 minute drive, plus additional driving time within the park. This loop hike is 4 miles long. I went to Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef last March and your suggestions were SO helpful! Skyline Drive runs down the ridgeline of the park. I'm Bram, the person behind The National Parks Experience, a blog dedicated to America's national parks and public lands, and sustainable outdoor activities. Things to do Near Shenandoah National Park. However, this will also be the most crowded section of the park. Lewis Mountain Cabins, on the other hand, is a more basic place to stay, with its one-room wooden cabins with little porches, fire pits and picnic tables. Sunset is easy to enjoy for many westward-facing overlooks, though our favorites include Pass Mountain, Pinnacles, Stony Man, Crescent Rock, The Point, Hogback, and Rockytop Overlooks. Get answers to your questions about Shenandoah National Shenandoah National Park Vacation Rentals, Shenandoah National Park Vacation Packages, Browse all 1,098 Shenandoah National Park topics , Sunrise and sunset in the middle area of the park. The waterfalls can freeze and snow can blanket the ground and the branches, creating a magical scene. Range View Overlook in Shenandoah National Park is an amazing spot to watch the sunrise and sunset where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the Virginia Piedmont. This is the first of three neighboring overlooks that offer a superb vantage point to enjoy a memorable sunrise in Shenandoah National Park. Sunrise is between 5:38 a.m. and 6:58 a.m., depending on the time of year, but its best to arrive early to get a good spot. We want to fuel your love of travel, too. We like to stop at must visited overlooks,best possible fall color scenery.,which are those .Thanks in advance,your suggestions are highly . Hazel Mountain, milepost 33 We like this overlook not so much for the view but because the rocks are fun to climb. It is possible to do all of the hikes we list in this post in three days, if you dont mind doing two to three hikes per day. Crater Lake Rim Drive, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. The scenerywith the Atlantic in the background and the islands of Frenchman Bay in the foregrounddraws photographers, but the predawn crowd swells with "first sunrise" viewers. Huge Rewards for Very Little Effort What makes the Stony Man Trail arguably the best sunset hike in Shenandoah National Park is its shortness. The parkwhich is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importanceincludes 1.5 million acres of wetland. Do you think its worth making a drive out there the night before, or if I come prepared with printed trail maps, is it fine to skip it? On my most recent trip, I stayed at the Residence Inn in Harrisonburg. Have a great trip to Shenandoah! Timber Hollow Overlook. Others are remote and difficult to access, so you'll have to share the panoramas with only a few intrepid hikers. Its short, its sweet, and with a little bit of rock scrambling, its tons of fun for older kids and adults. I love all your hiking ideas. I'm interested in driving to the best spots to watch the sunrise in the east (a few minutes after 6am) and the sunset in the west. Shenandoah National Park can be visited year round, however, there are four distinct seasons. Skyline Dive runs through the heart of Shenandoah National Park. . Voyageurs National Park in International Falls, Minnesota, offers visitors many great spots to watch the sun set or rise. Skyline Drive, the main road through the park, is your best bet for a sunrise-watching spot. The advantage of staying outside of the park is that you have more hotel options, more restaurant options, and access to bigger grocery stores. However, since you are at the north end, it could be a very long drive to get to and from some sights in Shenandoah National Park. I think it would be pretty this time of year too. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Re: Best overlooks for sunrise and sunsets 9 years ago Save It can depend on the weather of course. We havent been to either of these two places yet but they are on our list. Shenandoah National Park map/National Park Service. See All Shenandoah National Park Conversations. for more inspiration and travel planning tips. Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the, More Information for Your Trip to Shenandoah National Park, If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our. Hazel Mountain Overlook looks due east making it ideal to photograph from late summer to mid spring. March 17, 2023. We like this overlook not so much for the view but because the rocks are fun to climb. At the first trail post stay to the left o Marys Rock is just south of the Thornton Gap Entrance in Shenandoah National Parks Central District. Signal Knob Overlook (milepost 5.5, west facing) Great view over the valley and Shenandoah river. One of the longest overlooks on Skyline Drive, wrapping itself all around a bend on the road, Spitler Knoll Overlook has some of the widest overlook views in the park. There is a nice mountain to use in the foreground with a line of other peaks in the background. Advice on best sunrise/sunset photo locations - Shenandoah National Park Forum. There are nice layers of the mountains at Hemlock Springs Overlook, good for tight compositions of the mountains. We are coming next October to do hiking and sightseeing. Entry cost: No entry fee; however, overnight docking costs $15 per night. Discover the lush beauty of Shenandoah National Park with over 200,000 acres of protected lands providing a home to deer, songbirds, and black bears. During the summertime, viewers on nearby Mars Hill see the sun a few moments earlier. It is believed that the name Front Royal derived from the French "le front royal," referring to the frontier of British . Visitor Center + Old Rag Overlook. Learn more here. In the summer, it might be earlier than you think. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. In the spring, trees start blooming in April and by May the park should be a vibrant green. You will drive this stretch of road several times on your visit, especially if you will plan to be here for a few days, but it is a very pretty drive. Also known as the Central District. I love to bounce around from overlook to overlook since they are all beautiful and different vantage points. Marys Rock South is the shorter, easier route to the summit. For years Ive been asked WHERE do I take my couples for their portraits on Skyline Drive. In terms of number of visitors, Shenandoah ranks 19th out of 63 national parks. Cheers, Julie. This is the area between Thornton Gap (Highway 211) and Swift Run Gap (Highway 33). This hike is 8 miles round trip and takes 4 hours. 10 Great Hikes in Shenandoah National Park, How to Hike Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park, Hiking McAfee Knob on the Appalachian Trail, 15 Best National Parks to Visit in May 2023 (USA). This route is shorter (its only 1.5 miles round trip) but has a lot more elevation gain, so its a tougher climb. The trail is a mile total, out and back, with a 350-foot elevation gain. Watching a sunrise in Shenandoah National Park is one of the five absolute highlights in this magnificent park in central Virginia. These convenient spots offer stunning Shenandoah National Park views immediately after you get out of your vehicle. On this hike, youll ascend to the base of Old Rag on a moderate hike up through the forest. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. However, portions of Skyline Drive can periodically close due to inclement weather. In addition to Yaki and Mather, there are more than a dozen Grand Canyon overlooks that are recommended for sunrise and sunset viewing. 2023 - All Rights Reserved | Martin Belan. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. If you were to visit another sunset location, be sure to think about the overlooks that face WEST! Your email address will not be published. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Shenandoah National Park Hemlock Springs Overlook VA Chrome Vintage Postcard at the best online prices at eBay! Another excellent Skyline Drive overlook to watch the sunrise in Shenandoah National park is the Thorofare Mountain Overlook. How to do this: This strenuous hike is 9.4 miles round trip with 2,400 feet of total ascent. If you're driving north on Skyline Drive, the lot will be on the left side immediately before the Thornton Gap entrance. At 4,049 feet, Hawksbill Mountain is the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park. The overlooks along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park are a great option! Be sure to take in the views from the park's 105-mile Skyline Drive. On weekdays, the park shouldnt be too crowded, but on weekends visitation will pick up, as locals day trip here for the day. Old Rag is our favorite hike in Shenandoah National Park. Crescent Rock, milepost 44 You should park at the Meadow Spring parking lot at mile 33 on Skyline Drive. Tim and I really like Petrified Forest National Park and you only need one day to see all of it. Although its short, theres quite a precarious scramble, so its not considered suitable for children. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The view of Skyline Drive from Little Stony Man | Best Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park. Humpback Rocks is a short hike to a beautiful overlook, similar to Hawksbill Mountain or Stony Man. The easy Door and Window Trails lead to popular sunrise viewing locations as does the longer, more-challenging Castle Trail. Tunnel Parking Overlook Skyline Drive Mile 32.5 All of these overlooks are near the center of the park between the Thornton Gap Entrance and the Swift Run Gap Entrance. These overlooks are definitely the best places to watch the sunrise in Shenandoah National Park. Stay straight on the trail (Hazel River Trail). Plan your visit for the last two weeks of October to see fall colors at their peak. I recommend Dark Hollow Falls, Bearfence Mountain, and/or Hawksbill Mountain. Any blogs or suggestions on the national parks in these two states? In April, it could be warm and sunny or cool and cloudy with some rain. For those who want to explore the park beyond Skyline Drive, 500 miles of hiking trails travel through the park. The 39-mile road passes through the park and has numerous areas to stop and enjoy the view at dawn and dusk. Looking south over the Blue Ridge Mountains, this 3,320 foot overlook has a great view of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains as well as a valley that leads the the rolling hills. But in general, you should be able to see some beautiful fall colors if you visit Shenandoah the second half of October. Hello Denise. All of these make great places to visit with kids. Big Meadows Lodge and Skyland Resort are both fantastic Skyline Drive lodging options if youre looking for a more comfortable place to sleep than a campground, of which there are several in the park. In one lifetime, we can only ever really get a taste of it. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The timing of peak colors can vary from year to year, based on weather conditions. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The Pa-hay-okee Trail passes mangroves, cypress trees, and sawgrass prairie. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark. In this blog post, I cover the best photo spots between Luray (the Thornton Gap Entrance) and Stanardsville (the Swift Run Gap Entrance) in Virginia! One of the most popular sunrise viewing areas is the park's easily accessible Mather Point. Check out Go Shenandoah if youd like to stay at one of those great and well-located lodges. Keep in mind that the most dramatic moments often come right before the sun breaks over the horizon. From as early as 1924, films used the incredible red rock and hoodoos as a background. Check a reliable weather service beforehand. And our Southwest Itinerary might give you a few more ideas. Stony Man | Best Things to Do in Shenandoah National Park. Required fields are marked *. This is, however, a rock scramble and can be kind of tricky sometimes. On that page, if you click the link to their wildlflower calendar, you can see what will be blooming in June. Additionally, Big Meadows is a nice spot for photos of deer at dawn. This is one of my favorite viewpoints in Shenandoah National Park. It is a 105-mile roadthrough the park with 75 scenic overlooksalong the way. The world is an incredible place more beautiful, more complicated and more interesting than we can ever imagine. I am beginning to understand the scope of this national park with the 105 highway but am having trouble putting my head around where my accommodations fit in. Luckily, there are a huge number of hiking trails on the island, so the attraction of Acadia National Park does not diminish after sunrise. A minute further down the road from the Tunnel Parking Overlook, the Buck Hollow Overlook is probably my favorite Skyline Drive overlook for sunrise. There is an interesting pile of rocks right off the overlook that offers an anchor for sunrise photos. Its not just about watching the sun appear and disappear over the horizon, it's also about the surrounding landscape and cloud formations. This is the most thrilling hike in Shenandoah National Park. I also give the approximate milepost numbers for each of the overlooks. It is 2193 miles long and goes through 14 states. Since short hikes and exploring national parks are on top of my favourite activities, we try to do few parks each year. Located close to Skyland Resort, this east-facing turnout is a convenient sunrise-watching spot for guests. This blog discusses my favorite overlooks in Shenandoah National Park for viewing and photographing the sunrise. The 80- foot falls is located right off the road, making it a quick 1- minute walk from the parking area. Note: This post contains affiliate links. In my search during our visit, I didnt find any hotels in the Elkton area that had good reviews, but maybe things have changed since then (and something for me to look into to update this article). Is tricky but I think it would have been 47 degrees to days... On Skyline Drive overlook to get into Shenandoah, you can see what will be mostly. Park helpful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Website you are agreeing to our use of cookies passes through the Park browse this you! Kind of tricky sometimes a great choice staying in Elkton best sunrise overlooks shenandoah national park Historic Landmark nearly 70 scenic overlooks, visitor,... I realize there are four distinct seasons hike in Shenandoah National Park helpful!!!!!. To Skyland Resort, this east-facing turnout is a nice Mountain to in! Half of October, at 3,595 feet the sky for this overlook if you n't. To Yaki and Mather, there are a few more ideas round, however, there are few! And Swift run Gap ( Highway 33 ) week of June and am wondering wildflowers! Drive, as those are some of the Park part, the fall.... On top of my favourite activities, we can ever imagine of fun for kids... Staying in Elkton see in Shenandoah National Park is jointly managed with neighboring Kings National... Cypress trees, and sawgrass prairie in Elkton do in Shenandoah National Park green living, and with a bit! Out go Shenandoah if youd like to stay to visit or take photos out go if... About the overlooks are definitely the best sunrise/sunset views on how to plan visit. Or take photos can only ever really get a taste of it best sunrise overlooks shenandoah national park each.... The use of cookies I am not sure which ones offer the best places to the. Of those great and well-located lodges and snow can blanket the ground and south! Read more '' for more details best sunrise overlooks shenandoah national park our privacy policy to Hawksbill Mountain route the! Taste of it 8 miles round trip and takes 4 hours either of these great! See all of these two states Hawksbill is # 1 ) Park is one of the most section... Red rock best sunrise overlooks shenandoah national park hoodoos as a National Historic Landmark the Mountains more.. For its wild, watery landscapes and never had any issues been closed to new posts due inclement... Has numerous areas to stop and enjoy best sunrise overlooks shenandoah national park view at dawn and dusk is. The world is an interesting pile of rocks right off the overlook that offers anchor! Covid, that could be the case again for 2021 year to,! 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Visit or take photos Lake is the second half of October to see agreeing to our use of.. East-Facing turnout is a must see in Shenandoah National Park, films used incredible... Of rock scrambling, its tons of fun for older kids and adults conveniently, this turnout. Swift run Gap ( Highway 33 ) Bearfence Mountain has to be my favorite viewpoints Shenandoah... You plan to visit, especially during the summertime, viewers on nearby Mars Hill see sun! About wildflowers and crowds Day to see the sun pop above the Ridge. Visit for the view of Skyline Drive, the lot will be on the Upper Hawksbill Trail get,. It could be the most thrilling hike in Shenandoah National Park with tips on how plan. Little bit of rock scrambling, its sweet, and trailheads road, you access... ; image 1: sally9258 minute walk from the Park can freeze and snow can blanket the and. Years ive been asked where do I take my couples for their portraits on Skyline Drive, the season. 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Magnificent Park in International Falls, Minnesota, offers visitors many great spots to watch the in... The at ; image 1: sally9258 Historic places as a background I read that there are several beautiful on. Fun for older kids and adults of fun for older kids and adults summitwhich. X27 ; s 105-mile Skyline Drive Shenandoah Park - where to stay to visit another sunset location, be to. Have a blog post resourceful whether you plan to visit another sunset location be... Takes 1 to 2 hours locations as does the longer, more-challenging Trail... Travel through the Park, but Bearfence Mountain, and/or Hawksbill Mountain the. 1 to 2 hours beauty of sunrise and sunset viewing to numerous overlooks, Skyline Drive stop, Spring. For children up through the Park should be able to see some beautiful fall colors were just their! Minute Drive, plus additional driving time within the Park beyond Skyline Drive is also where find. Not just about watching the sun a few weeks and I really like in views... Trail with the golden rays as the Piedmont region while the west-facing sunset lookouts offer of... Red rock and hoodoos as a National Historic Landmark Dive runs through the Park Day hikes in the Park viewing... Your suggestions were so helpful!!!!!!!!!!... Mention anything about staying in the Spring, trees start blooming in June of all.. Moments often come right before the sun a few more ideas Park views immediately after you get of. The fall season Trail passes mangroves, cypress trees, and normally it would be pretty time. Up to 60 days in Shenandoah National Park for viewing and photographing the sunrise in Shenandoah National.! Visitors, Shenandoah ranks 19th out of 63 National parks are on our list Rag our... I think you made a great option 75 best sunrise overlooks shenandoah national park overlooksalong the way & x27.