It's a thoroughly American word, pregnant with meaning and rich in history. First and foremost, the name Shenandoah conjures up a legendary river, one that flows through America's past in song, print, and folklore. And the valley that bears its name is easily the most beautiful in Virginia, an idyllic landscape of rolling hills and pastures, bounded by mountains on either side and bisected by the majestic river. Maybe it's Shenandoah's serpentine shape, the fact that it parallels a river, or the famous motorway that bisects the park, but this is a park meant for motion.
People come here to paddle, to bike and drive, and, of course, to hike.
For on top of everything else there is to do in and around Shenandoah, a certain hiking path know as the Appalachian Trail just happens to run for 100 miles through the entire park. Chances are you won't be able to see and do everything you planned when visiting Shenandoah, but you won't be alone if you feel the need to return again and again. A great many people head to Shenandoah for one thing only driving. Skyline Drive, the park's storied highway, is probably at least as famous as the park it intersects, and for good reason. This is the scenic drive against which all others are measured, with scores of pull-offs for you to enjoy the panoramic views, grab a bite, or take a hike.