Shenandoah National Park extends along the Blue Ridge Mountains in the U.S. state of Virginia. The Skyline Drive runs its length (105 miles), with 70 overlooks with stunning views of Shenandoah Valley to the west or the rolling hills of the Virginia Piedmont to the east.  Almost 40% of the land area has been designated as wilderness and is protected as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. There is a vast network of trails (500 miles) throughout the park, including a section of the long-distance Appalachian Trail. The park also features wetlands, waterfalls and rocky peaks like Hawksbill (highest peak at 4,051 ft.) and Old Rag mountains. Shenandoah is home to many bird species, plus deer, squirrels and the elusive black bear.

Established:  December 26, 1935

Size:  199,223 acres

Rank: 33

#Visitors in 2018:  1,264,880

(Visited September 2013)-  I visited this park by myself; at the end of a family vacation spent in Basye, VA.  I took my sister to the airport and on the way back, I drove a decent section of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the park.  There were numerous turn offs and I believe I stopped at each one.   I was trying to capture the rolling hills that are so iconic in this park as well is in the Blue Ridge, Appalachian and Smoky Mountains in general.  I just love the undulating ridges that get more and more misty as they get further away.  I tried to capture the way the light changed the mood of these ridges throughout the day.  I did not do any hiking during my very short visit (about 2 hours), so without a doubt, I must return!!