Animal Crossing. Photo: NPS Photo / Neal Lewis
Official sources checked October 28, 2026
The standard vehicle ticket is $30 for seven consecutive days, covering one private, noncommercial vehicle and its passengers. Skyline Drive and hiking in from the park boundary both require park admission.
Skyline Drive is covered by your Shenandoah entrance pass. Entering on foot or by bicycle instead is normally $15 per person age 16 or older; NPS caps the fee for a family travelling together at the vehicle fee.
You also need an Old Rag day-use ticket for the Saddle, Ridge and Ridge Access trails from March 1 through November 30. Buy it online before arrival; entrance stations do not sell it. Save the reservation QR code before you lose cell service. A ticket does not guarantee parking.
An unstaffed booth does not mean free admission. Follow the instructions at your entrance. NPS describes automated stations for after-hours use: where operating, they sell standard seven-day tickets by credit or debit card and scan pass barcodes. The published rollout plan does not confirm every entrance machine is operational.
These are the currently published rules, not confirmed arrangements for a future year. Check the official links for your travel date.
Work out the cost for your group
| Type | Price | Valid for | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $30 | 7 days | Standard rate |
| Per person, 16 and over | $15 | 7 days | Standard rate |
The $55 park annual pass is listed for U.S. citizens and residents. Shenandoah's own fee page limits it to four adults in the vehicle; the national FAQ uses broader vehicle-coverage wording. Until that discrepancy is clarified, our calculator does not recommend this park pass for a vehicle with more than four adults.
An entrance pass and an Old Rag day-use ticket are separate. The seasonal Old Rag requirement is described above; camping and backcountry stays have their own arrangements. Check the official booking page for your date. This guide does not confirm 2027 arrangements.
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds, and black bear, there's so much to explore...and your journey begins right here!
With over 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah National Park, chances are high that you'll be lacing up your hiking boots at some point on your next trip here.
MILE 52.8 | A fairly level hike that takes you through a former homestead on the famous Appalachian Trail.
MILE 56.4 | Pets are not allowed on this hike.
MILE 56.4 | Pets are not allowed on this hike.
Blackrock Parking Area (mile 84.4) | A short hike to a viewpoint on top of a rocky talus slope with incredible views of the Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Mountain, and beyond.
Browns Gap Parking Area (mile 83) | This circuit hike leads you to Upper and Lower Doyles River Falls, as well as Jones Run Falls.
Shenandoah National Park has four very distinct seasons. Spring typically brings mild temperatures, rain, and wildflowers. Summer brings lush green forests, but can be hot and very humid. Fall follows with cooler temperatures and spectacular fall foliage. Winter can bring snow and ice. The park spans roughly 100 miles, which means that weather can vary greatly depending on your location. The mountain is usually 10°F cooler than the valley below. Always check the forecast, dress in layers, and be prepared.
Shenandoah National Park is always open. However, portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the Park, are periodically closed during inclement weather. Visitors can still enter the Park on foot to hike, even when the Skyline Drive is closed. Campgrounds, services, and facilities have separate hours; please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere on our website.
Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, west of Washington, D.C. It stretches 105 miles and has four entrances: Front Royal (northern entrance), Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap, and Rockfish Gap (southern entrance to Shenandoah and the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway). The physical address listed is to the administrative offices, not the Park itself. GPS can be unreliable for navigating to the Park, so we encourage you to check out our website for more info.
Prices checked by hand against the park's fees page on October 28, 2026 (page last updated September 17, 2026).
