Cruising Skyline Drive: A Road Trip Through Shenandoah National Park
If you've ever wanted to take a scenic drive that feels like something out of a postcard, Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park is calling your name. This 105-mile stretch of road winds its way through Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, offering stunning views, plenty of wildlife sightings, and more overlooks than you’ll know what to do with. If you’re looking for a leisurely road trip where the journey is just as rewarding as the destination, this is it.
Getting Started
Skyline Drive runs from Front Royal in the north to Rockfish Gap in the south, connecting to the Blue Ridge Parkway if you’re feeling extra adventurous. There are four entrance points: Front Royal (Mile 0), Thornton Gap (Mile 31.5), Swift Run Gap (Mile 65.5), and Rockfish Gap (Mile 105). Due to our timing and the location of our campground, we chose the Thornton Gap entry to the Swift Run Gap exit (about 34 miles total).
The speed limit is a relaxing 35 mph, which means you’ll have plenty of time to soak in the scenery. In late March be prepared to share the road with, deer, and the occasional black bear (We saw many deer, and a sign listing total deer accidents for 2025 at six!)
Must-Stop Overlooks
Thorton Hollow Overlook
With 75 overlooks along the drive, it’s impossible to stop at them all—unless you really don’t mind making this a multi-day affair. You get panoramic views of the eastern side, as well as the more famous and picturesque, Western side showing the beauty of the Shenandoah River valley. Here are a few standouts we stopped at:
Thornton Hollow Overlook (Mile 26.5): A sweeping valley view that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a painting.
Stony Man Overlook (Mile 38.5): Close to the trailhead for Stony Man Mountain, one of the easiest high-elevation hikes with jaw-dropping views.
Big Meadows (Mile 51): Not just an overlook but also a great spot to see deer and wildflowers. Plus, you can grab a meal at the lodge if you need a break. Of course it was closed today, with a sign on the door saying “open March 26”.
Spitler Knoll Overlook (Mile 48): A lesser-known but gorgeous stop that often has fewer crowds.
What to Expect
Weather: The elevation means cooler temperatures, so pack layers. It ranged from the mid 40’s to mid 50’s on our drive.
Wildlife: Keep an eye out for black bears, deer, and wild turkeys—just don’t get too close.
Cell Service: Spotty at best, so download maps ahead of time.
Fees: There’s an entrance fee per vehicle of $30, that we wouldn’t have had to pay, if we remembered our National Park Passport (we forgot the binoculars too).
A Dinner Stop in Luray
After a day of winding through the mountains and soaking in the views, we made a stop in Luray for dinner. Turns out, nearly all the restaurants were closed on a Tuesday—except for The Chop House. So, we took the opportunity to enjoy an upscale dinner, which ended up being the perfect way to cap off a day of adventure. Sometimes, the best road trips come with unexpected detours, and this one led us to a great meal in a cozy little town.
Final Thoughts
Skyline Drive isn’t about getting from Point A to Point B in a hurry—it’s about slowing down and enjoying the ride. Whether you spend a few hours or a full day meandering through the mountains, you’ll leave feeling a little more connected to nature (and with a camera roll full of jaw-dropping photos). So pack the water bottle and some snacks, fill up the gas tank, and hit the road—this is one drive you won’t want to rush.
