Backpacking in Shenandoah National Park
Eight things to know before backpacking in Shenandoah National Park:
1. A free permit is required for overnight use, but you may camp almost anywhere in the park. Permits can be obtained at entrance stations, visitor centers, both ends of the Appalachian Trail in the park, and Old Rag fee station.
2. Open fires are not permitted in the park. Although you may enjoy the experience of a fire, fires are restricted for ecological reasons to protect the park.
3. The most popular backpacking areas are the Appalachian Trail and Jeremy's Run. The AT accounts for over 50% of backpacking use and Jeremy's Run consistently leads all non AT trails for destinations. If you want to avoid crowds, check out the south district of the park.
4. Several areas are off limits to backpacking including the Whiteoak Canyon Trail, Limberlost Trail, Old Rag and Hawksbill Summit, and Big Meadows. Backcountry regulations stipulate that you also camp a quarter mile from Skyline Drive and the park boundary. You also must camp one half mile from park structures such as Rapidan Camp.
5. Shenandoah National Park has undergone significant ecological change in the last few years as hemlocks continue to die and the forest recovers from the 2000 fire which burnt over 20000 acres. Many parts of the park may appear to be great campsites according to a topographical map, but the lack of a forest canopy has drastically changed many areas. Instead of open forest understories, you now find thick mountain laurel and new growth. You've been warned, now don't forget about those widow makers either.
6. Less popular but great trails can be found. Examples include White Rocks, Thorton River, and Big Run. You really can't go wrong with any trail you pick in the park.
7. Bears, snakes and poison ivy. While working in the park for the last summer, I was far more concerned about where poison ivy was than bears or snakes. Although the bear population is very high, most of the bears are well behaved. The nuisance bears are quickly relocated and are often found at the frontcountry campgrounds anyhow. For snakes, there are a few spots in the park where you are likely to come across a few copperheads or a rattler, but sightings are usually limited to snakes sunning themselves. Just go around them when you see them. Watch out for poison ivy!!
8. Although these aren't the highest mountains, most hikes usually begin from Skyline Drive and head down the mountain and then back up. Just remember that it's a lot more work going back up than it is down, especially on a hot and humid summer day.
If you have any questions about the park, I'll be happy to answer them, just leave me a comment.
1. A free permit is required for overnight use, but you may camp almost anywhere in the park. Permits can be obtained at entrance stations, visitor centers, both ends of the Appalachian Trail in the park, and Old Rag fee station.
2. Open fires are not permitted in the park. Although you may enjoy the experience of a fire, fires are restricted for ecological reasons to protect the park.
3. The most popular backpacking areas are the Appalachian Trail and Jeremy's Run. The AT accounts for over 50% of backpacking use and Jeremy's Run consistently leads all non AT trails for destinations. If you want to avoid crowds, check out the south district of the park.
4. Several areas are off limits to backpacking including the Whiteoak Canyon Trail, Limberlost Trail, Old Rag and Hawksbill Summit, and Big Meadows. Backcountry regulations stipulate that you also camp a quarter mile from Skyline Drive and the park boundary. You also must camp one half mile from park structures such as Rapidan Camp.
5. Shenandoah National Park has undergone significant ecological change in the last few years as hemlocks continue to die and the forest recovers from the 2000 fire which burnt over 20000 acres. Many parts of the park may appear to be great campsites according to a topographical map, but the lack of a forest canopy has drastically changed many areas. Instead of open forest understories, you now find thick mountain laurel and new growth. You've been warned, now don't forget about those widow makers either.
6. Less popular but great trails can be found. Examples include White Rocks, Thorton River, and Big Run. You really can't go wrong with any trail you pick in the park.
7. Bears, snakes and poison ivy. While working in the park for the last summer, I was far more concerned about where poison ivy was than bears or snakes. Although the bear population is very high, most of the bears are well behaved. The nuisance bears are quickly relocated and are often found at the frontcountry campgrounds anyhow. For snakes, there are a few spots in the park where you are likely to come across a few copperheads or a rattler, but sightings are usually limited to snakes sunning themselves. Just go around them when you see them. Watch out for poison ivy!!
8. Although these aren't the highest mountains, most hikes usually begin from Skyline Drive and head down the mountain and then back up. Just remember that it's a lot more work going back up than it is down, especially on a hot and humid summer day.
If you have any questions about the park, I'll be happy to answer them, just leave me a comment.
Shenandoah National Park Pictures
Here are some more pictures that I have taken of Shenandoah National Park in the last month. All of these are from the central district.
Internship at Shenandoah National Park
I was just offered an internship through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) for the Shenandoah National Park. Here is the basic description of the position:
The only downside is of course the lack of pay($60/week), although this position provides housing and several other major living expenses. It also has an education award of a more than $1000. You can read more here. If I could only find a way to lower my car insurance, I would be set! Fortunately I am still young and don't pay much for health insurance.
But I can't be to picky when you have a job that requires you to simply go backpacking most of the time. I also view a position like this as a necessary step to further a career in the park ranger or resource management path.
Right now I am 99% sure I will be taking this position and I am currently doing a little more research. Anyone ever been to Shenandoah National Park?
Serve as a member of a small backcountry management and trail maintenance crew in the beautiful and historic Blue Ridge Mountains at Virginia?s Shenandoah National Park.
Use hand and power tools to clear trails of vegetation treefalls and maintain tread to control soil erosion as part of a backcountry trail crew; monitor, collect and organize field data such as campsite conditions, backcountry visitor use statistics and recreational impacts to Park natural and cultural resources; monitor backcountry sign conditions and assist with repairs and replacements; issue backcountry camping permits using a computerized system and assist backpackers with trip planning and safety information; backcountry campsite rehabilitation and documentation.
The only downside is of course the lack of pay($60/week), although this position provides housing and several other major living expenses. It also has an education award of a more than $1000. You can read more here. If I could only find a way to lower my car insurance, I would be set! Fortunately I am still young and don't pay much for health insurance.
But I can't be to picky when you have a job that requires you to simply go backpacking most of the time. I also view a position like this as a necessary step to further a career in the park ranger or resource management path.
Right now I am 99% sure I will be taking this position and I am currently doing a little more research. Anyone ever been to Shenandoah National Park?