If you are looking for a fun family vacation in the U.S., consider a visit to Shenandoah National Park. Located in southern Virginia, Shenandoah National Park is very picturesque. Its name is based on a Native American word, “sienna” meaning sweetgrass. While there is evidence that the area was occupied by tribes of the Plains tribes more than 200 years ago, it was also occupied by settlers and military personnel during the American civil war.
Camping at Shenandoah National Park is an exciting way to spend a week or two. There are several options for camping in this popular national park. There are hundreds of designated campsites spread out over about 500 miles of hiking and biking trails. Some of the most popular camping areas include Bear Cave Campgrounds, Kelley Cabin, and Tanners Campgrounds, Heart Pine Trail Campsite, and Mountain Laurel Campground. Each of these sites has easy access to the trails leading to the picnic areas, as well as a wonderful lake view and other attractions.
Backpacking trips can be a great way to explore the park. In particular, consider taking a longer backpacking trip through the Junioutse Trail, which runs just east of Bear Cave Campgrounds. The trail follows the ridge line east of Bear Cave and travels a little over a mile on rocky terrain. Along the way, it passes some excellent spring wildflowers and several lookout points where you can watch for the spotted deer. For the most amazing wildflower displays, be sure to look for the Junioutse Trail between April and May, or the Peasegrass Loop between August and September.
For a more remote camping experience, try the Mountain Laurel Campgrounds in Virginia National Forest. Here, you will be able to hike the famous Mountain Laurel Loop Road, a portion of which is in beautiful northeastern Virginia. The road goes through a thick forest with lots of beautiful, tall pines. There are also many beautiful, old-growth trees that tower over the trail. The campgrounds are close to the Appalachian Trail, so you’ll have an excellent view of the national park.
If you prefer to camp in a cabin, there are several choices for your stay at the Cedar Falls Camp-Resort. This campground offers a variety of accommodations, including private cabins. At the campground, you’ll find the Mountain Laurel Loop Road, one of the most scenic roads in Virginia. It winds around the forest canopy and starts to climb gradually into the Great Smoky Mountains. The mountain air will relax you as you follow the path of the Great Smoky Mountains. There are a few campgrounds close to the Cabin rentals, so make your reservations well in advance if you want to make your Mountain Laurel Loop reservation before the first of the year.
Another option for those who plan on going to Shenandoah National Park on campgrounds is the River Ridge Camping and Hiking Preserve. This is a smaller size than the one mentioned above. However, it’s a wonderful place to practice leaving and trekking skills. You’ll hike along the river, practise sightseeing and take some wonderful photos. The campground offers many other activities like water activities, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, swimming, and horseback riding.
When you go back to Shenandoah, you’ll be ready to head out for a good night’s sleep on the trail back to your car or the trail you took to get to the cabin. If you don’t feel like hiking and want a more peaceful camping experience, you can opt to rent a cabin or spend the night at a campground by the river. This is another good choice when you plan on making several overnight trips with your family. Another similar option is Shendoah City Camping and Hiking, which are also within walking distance to the Shenandoah National park. The Shenandoah City Camping and Hiking Park offer trail-walking, canoeing, and kayaking, as well as nature walks and hikes around the Shenandoah area.
To save money, it’s a good idea to book your Shenandoah National park camping accommodations at one of the several affordable campgrounds in town. These include Cabin rentals by AT, Holiday Inn Express Campsite, Silver Star Camping, Hiking, and Backpacking Outfitters, Big Tree RV Resort, and Cedar Bend Camping. You can find these campgrounds by using your favorite search engine (Google is always a good place to start) or checking them out online at your local travel agent. You’ll be able to find out information about the location, hours of operation, location map, directions, and contact number for the campgrounds, as well as emergency numbers in case of an emergency.