As fall colors drift across the lower elevations of Shenandoah National Park, they signal not only the height of fall but the end of the park's high season.
Shenandoah Superintendent Martha Bogle says the park's Loft Mountain Information Center, which already is open on weekends only, will close on October 31 and that the Dickey Ridge and Harry F. Byrd visitor centers will both remain open until November 28.
The park's campgrounds will operate on the following schedule: Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain Campgrounds will close on October 31, Lewis Mountain Campground will close on November 7, and Big Meadows Campground will remain open until November 28.
Concessioner-operated restaurants, lodges and associated facilities will operate as follows: Loft Mountain Campstore and Loft Mountain Showers/Laundry will close on October 31; Elkwallow Wayside, Big Meadows Lodge, Lewis Mountain Cabins, and Lewis Mountain Campstore, and Loft Mountain Wayside will close on November 7. Skyland Resort, Big Meadows Wayside, and Big Meadows Showers/Laundry remain open until November 28.
This winter the following picnic grounds will remain open year round, weather permitting: Elkwallow, Pinnacles, South River and Dundo Picnic Grounds. Lewis Mountain Picnic Grounds will close on November 7. The Dickey Ridge and Big Meadows Picnic Grounds will close on November 28. Loft Mountain Picnic Grounds remains closed.
Skyline Drive is open year round; however, the drive may be temporarily closed on short notice due to winter weather conditions. During weather closures, park staff will work to open the North and Central Districts (from Front Royal to Route 33) first, followed by the South District (from Route 33 to Route 250).
For more information about planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park go
to the park's website or call the park at (540) 999-3500.
Comments
Spent the last several days visiting Shenandoah and Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful!!! Fall color has been fantastic and we've enjoyed every second of our trip. Shenandoah had so much more to do than we possibly had time for (yes, I had my Shenandoah Check list - thanks, Bob!!!) Now I only hope to come back in the spring for all the beautiful wildflowers...