National Park | Autumn Leaves at Shenandoah National Park 🍂🏞️

Fall is the perfect time to chase colorful foliage! While New England is famous for its sea of maple leaves, this time we explored another treasure on the East Coast—Shenandoah National Park! The park stretches across the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains, with the famous Skyline Drive running north to south. Along the way, countless overlooks offer breathtaking views of valleys, forests, sea of clouds, and distant towns—absolutely stunning! ✨ 🚗 Getting There • About 2 hours from Washington DC • Nearly 4 hours from Philadelphia (tolls apply) 🏡 Where to Stay • Cabin inside the park: Perfect for stargazing and experiencing the forest at night! Book early on the official website. 🌲🔭 • Luray Town: Near Thornton Gap (central entrance). Close to the famous Luray Caverns and offers convenient amenities. • Harrisonburg: A larger town near Swift Run Gap (southern entrance). More hotel and dining options, but a bit farther from the park—ideal for multi-day trips. ⛰️ Must-Visit Spots ❶ Tunnel Parking Overlook Just inside Thornton Gap Entrance—a wide-open view of mountains and valleys. Perfect for your first photo stop! 📸 ❷ Stony Man Trailhead 1.8 miles round trip, about 1 hour. Easy hike with amazing views from the top—see mountains, Skyline Drive, towns, and distant lakes. The second-highest peak in Shenandoah and great for beginners! 🥾 ❸ Big Meadow A vast open grassland, perfect for stargazing 🌌. Next to the Visitor Center—grab stamps, souvenirs, and learn about the park’s ecology and history. ❹ Luray Caverns Highly recommended! Buy tickets online in advance (no timed entry, valid for a year). Massive and majestic underground world with stalactites, stalagmites, and subterranean lakes—nature’s masterpiece! 💎 🍖 Food Tip Gom Tang E Korean Restaurant West of Washington DC. Open 24 hours, authentic flavors, super friendly owner! Nearby Hmart and Jollibee—great for stocking up before heading into the park. 🍚🥢 🫧 Final Thoughts Shenandoah in autumn = misty ridges, golden leaves, starry meadows. A perfect escape from the city to breathe in nature. We went in early October—mid-to-late October should be peak color! 🍁 Have you been to Shenandoah during fall? What was your favorite overlook or trail? Share your experience below! 👇 #ShenandoahNationalPark #NationalPark #Shenandoah #FallFoliage #EastCoast #WashingtonDC #Philadelphia #SkylineDrive #LeafPeeping #HikingAdventures #NatureEscape