SHENANDOAH

Category: Southeast Region

State: Virginia

The green of trees, shrubs and plants with distant mountains against the blue sky is enchanting.

Date Created: December 26, 1935

Last Visited by Susan: July 2023

Location: The park is located in the U.S. state of Virginia

Size: Approximately 199,223 acres (80,685 hectares)

Almost heaven. West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River. Life is old there, older than the trees. Younger than the mountains, growing like a breeze.

— John Denver

Susan's Reflections:

Ever hanker to hike the Appalachian Trail? Shenandoah National Park provides 101 miles of this iconic trail. I’m told that October is the best time to visit as the brilliant foliage is breathtaking. We were content to visit in summer, stroll through gorgeous fields of wildflowers, research edible mushrooms, play in creeks, watch bees harvesting pollen and to photograph brilliantly colored butterflies. The peace and tranquility of this park has no parallel. What a magnificent place to visit!