With over 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah National Park, it can seem like a daunting task to choose the right backpacking trip for you. To help you choose, we've put together a list of backcountry trip iteneraries, available in downloadable PDFs. The list is organized by camping and hiking levels, then the number of days, then alphabetically by the trip title.. A few other notes about the following tables:
Camping levels (beginner/experienced/advanced) refer to the difficulty of finding a backcountry campsite. Beginner camping levels have campsites which are relatively easy to find. Experienced levels are for those who have some experience backpacking, map reading, and finding appropriate non-designated campsites. Advanced levels are along routes where campsites can be difficult to find and are designed for those with extensive backpacking experience.Hiking levels (easy/moderate/strenuous) refer to the difficulty of the hike itself. Entry indicates the mile along Skyline Drive where the trip begins. Skyline Drive is marked by mile posts along the road to help you navigate. Some trails can be accessed at the park boundary, where the given entry is the road nearest the trailhead. Many boundary trailheads have no sign, so be prepared and get a good map ahead of your journey. See more details about boundary trailhead access .Trips highlighted in red involve camping in heavily-traveled areas that reach capacity during peak seasons.Notes : F= flexible trip; G= suitable for groups; W= suitable for winter
Frontcountry Campsite Registration
Several suggested backcountry trip itineraries recommend overnight stays in one of Shenandoah's four frontcountry campgrounds. The new backcountry permits do not cover stays in frontcountry campsites. More information, as well as registration, for overnight stays in campgrounds can be found at Recreation.gov .
Beginner Camping | Easy Hikes
Trip (pdf) Features Nights Entry Notes Mileage
Hickerson Hollow Forested valley, small stream
1
9.2
2
Laurel Prong & Hazeltop Streams, waterfalls, history
1
52.8
7.4
Corbin Cabin & Nicholson Hollow Waterfalls, swimming, history
1
37.9
F
4
Nicholson Hollow Cascades, swimming, history
1
Rt 600
G
4-14
Hickerson Hollow from boundary Forested valley, small stream
1
Rt 604
F W
2
Graves Mill Gentle trail, river, swimming
1
Rt 662
F
1.2-4.2
Loft Mtn & Jones Run, 9 miles Waterfalls, views
2
79.5
F G
9
Hawksbill to Swift Run via Laurel Prong Highest peak, waterfalls, history
3
45.6
F
23
Beginner Camping | Moderate Hikes
Trip (pdf) Features Nights Entry Notes Mileage
Elkwallow & Jeremys Run Valley, fishing
1
22.2
F
6.7-15
Big Run Loop & Big Run Portal Flexible trip, valley, fishing
1
81.2
F G
5.4-12
Big Run Loop & AT Circuit Valley, fishing
1
81.2
F G
6.8-13.8
White Rocks History, small cave, waterfall
1
33.5
F G
5-18.5
Nicholson Hollow & Hot-Short Mountain Cascades, history, swimming
1
Rt 600
F G
10.2-12.2
Elkwallow & Jeremys Run, 2 nights Valley, fishing
2
22.2
F
6.7-15
Lewis Mountain & Laurel Prong Streams, waterfalls, history
2
62.8
F
17.3
Beginner Camping | Strenuous Hikes
Trip (pdf) Features Nights Entry Notes Mileage
Corbin Mtn & Nicholson Hollow, 1 night Cascades, history, swimming
1
38.4
FG
11.6
Whiteoak Canyon & Cedar Run, short Waterfalls, avoid on weekends
1
45.6
8-14
Robertson Mtn & Berry Hollow Weekday trip, views
1
Rt 600
9.3
Nicholson Hollow & Corbin Mtn from boundary Cascades, history, swimming
1
Rt 600
G
12.3
Mathews Arm & Jeremys Run Valley, fishing
2
24.1
G
16.6
Corbin Mtn & Nicholson Hollow, 2 nights Cascades, history, swimming
2
38.4
FG
11.6
Big Meadows & Laurel Prong Streams, waterfalls, history
2
49.4
F
19
Loft Mtn & Big Run Portal Valley, fishing
2
81.2
FG
12-20.7
Nicholson & Corbin Mtn, 2 nights from boundary Cascades, history, swimming
2
Rt 600
G
11.5-12.5
Graves Mill & Laurel Prong Forest, history
2
Rt 662
14.5
Experienced Camping | Easy - Moderate Hikes
Trip (pdf) Features Night Entry Notes Mileage
Jeremys Run Circuit Trips Valley, fishing
1
24.1
F G
12.5-14
Hannah, Hot-Short, & Catlett Streams, swimming, history
1
35.1
F G
9.1
Loft Mountain & Jones Run, 14 miles Views, geology, waterfalls
2
77.5
F G
14.4
Overall Run & Beecher Ridge Waterfall, swimming, ridge
1
21.1
F G
12-14
Brown Mtn & Rocky Mtn Run Valley, fishing, views
1
76.9
G
10-13
Riprap Wildcat Views, cascades, swimming
1
90
9.5
Big Run, Doyles River, Frazier Valley, fishing, waterfalls
2
79.5
F G
18.1-26.8
Experienced Camping | Moderate - Strenuous Hikes
Trip (pdf) Features Night Entry Notes Mileage
Hull School & Thornton River History, fishing, forest
1
26.8
F
7.9
Rapidan, Fork Mtn, Rose River Horse-packing circuit
1
51.3
F
22.9-17.3
Slaughter Ridge & Conway River Horse-packing
1
56.8
14-16
South River & Pocosin Waterfalls, history
1
62.8
8.4
South River & Pocosin from Swift Run Waterfalls, history
1
65.5
W
15
Rocky Mount & Gap Run Views, history, remote
1
76.1
10
Hannah Run & White Rocks, 1 night Streams, swimming, history
1
Rt 600
F
16.5
Old Rag from Berry Hollow best on weekdays
1
Rt 600
8.8
Whiteoak & Nicholson Hollow Waterfalls, history, wilderness
1
Rt 600
16.1
Keyser & Piney Stream, small waterfalls
1
Rt 614
W
13
Thompson Hollow & Beecher Ridge Waterfalls, swimming, ridge
1
Rt 630
F W
9.8-13.8
Jones Mountain & Staunton River Ridge, stream, history, solitude
1
Rt 662
14.7
Furnace, Jones, & Austin from the boundary Waterfalls, geology
1
Rt 663
17.6
Overall Run Falls & Piney Branch Waterfall, streams
2
21.1
G
21.6-23
Overall Run Falls & Heiskell Hollow Waterfalls, swimming
2
21.1
15.6
Piney Branch & Piney Ridge Stream, small waterfalls
2
22.1
10
Neighbor Mountain & Jeremys Run Valley, fishing
2
24.1
14
Pass Mountain & Jeremys Run Valley, fishing
2
31.6
22.4
Pocosin & Dry Run Waterfalls, cliffs
2
62.8
F
6.7-15
Pocosin Hollow & Slaughter Ridge Waterfalls, history, views
2
62.8
19.3
Swift Run, Pocosin, & Dry Run Waterfalls, cliffs
2
65.7
F W
16-19.4
Brown Mountain & Rockytop Valley, fishing
2
76.9
18.6
Doyles River & Furnace Mtn Waterfalls, geology
2
81.1
16.6-17.7
Wildcat Hollow & NF Moormans River Views, swimming
2
87.4
21.5
Hannah Run & White Rocks, 2 nights Waterfalls, history, swimming
2
Rt 600
F
16.5-18.5
Hannah Run & Hot-Short Mtn, 2 nights Streams, swimming, history
2
Rt 600
11.3
Graves Mill, Rapidan, Jones Mtn, 2 nights Forest, history
2
Rt 662
F
18.6
Paine Run, Doyles River, & Austin Mtn Waterfalls, geology
2
Rt 663
25.8
Furnace, Jones, & Big Run from the boundary Waterfalls, valley, geology
2
Rt 663
F G
26.6-35.3
Overall Run, Piney Branch, & Jeremys Run Streams, waterfall
3
21.1
G
34.2-36
Nicholson & Hazel Wilderness Waterfalls, history, swimming
3
33.5
F
18.3-27
Pocosin, Dry Run, & Saddleback Waterfalls, cliffs
3
62.8
F
10.1-15
Pocosin, Laurel Prong, & Slaughter Waterfalls, history
3
62.8
27.5-29
Swift Run, Pocosin, Dry Run, & Saddleback Waterfalls, cliffs
3
65.7
F W
16.4-20
Jones Run, Furnace Mtn, & Big Run Waterfalls, geology
3
81.1
F
19-27
Jones Run, Big Run, & Brown Mtn Waterfalls, geology
3
81.1
G
29
Jones Run, Big Run, Austin, & Furnace Waterfalls, geology
3
82.9
30
Hannah Run & Hot-Short Mtn, 3 nights Streams, swimming, history
3
Rt 600
11.3
Keyser, Piney, & Jeremys Run Ridges, valleys
3
Rt 614
25
Furnace, Jones, Big Run, Brown Mtn Waterfalls, geology
3
Rt 663
FG
26.6-35.3
Pocosin, Laurel Prong, Staunton, & Slaughter Waterfalls, history
4
62.8
34-35
Paine, Jones, Big Run, Brown Mtn. Waterfalls, geology
4
Rt 663
F
44.8-36.1
Advanced Camping | Moderately Strenuous Hikes
Trip (pdf) Features Nights Entry Notes Mileage
Mount Marshall & Bluff, 2 Nights Wilderness forest
2
12.3
F
13-30
Hogback Mountain & Thornton River Views, history, fishing
2
19.4
F
18.4
Thornton River & Piney Branch History, small waterfalls
2
25.4
18.4
Flexible Trip in Nicholson & Hazel Wilderness Waterfalls, history, swimming
3
33.5
F
18.3-27
Swift Run, Pocosin, Laurel Prong & Slaughter Waterfalls, history
3
65.7
W
34-36
Simmons Gap & Big Run Valley, fishing
3
Rt 628
43.5-45.5
Furnace, Paine, Jones, Big Run from boundary Waterfalls, valley, geology
3
Rt 663
F
36.1-44.8
Jones Mountain to South River, Staying Dry Mountaintop, waterfalls, history
5
Rt 662
W
34.9
Advanced Camping | Strenuous Hikes
Trip (pdf) Features Nights Entry Notes Mileage
Pass Mountain & Piney Ridge Ridge, solitude
1
US 211
F W
21
Nicholson Hollow & Corbin Mtn Cascades, history, swimming
2
38.4
12
Paine Run, Riprap, & Moormans River Views, geology, swimming
2
Rt 661
27.2-29.2
Jones Run, Furnace, Lewis Peak, & Big Run Waterfalls, geology
4
81.1
F
30.4-40
Jones, Furnace, Lewis Peak, Big Run, Brown Mtn Waterfalls, geology
5
81.1
F
30.4-40
South District Highlights in 7 days Views, waterfalls, swimming
6
81.1
F
59.1-69.2
South District Highlights in 8 days Views, waterfalls, swimming
7
81.1
F
59.1-69.2
South District Highlights in 8 days, short first day Views, waterfalls, swimming
7
81.1
F
59.1-69.2
South District Highlights in 9 days Views, waterfalls, swimming
8
81.1
F
59.1-69.2
