With a vacation overdue, we set out for the mountains over the 4th of July holiday weekend and drove east to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. My criteria for picking a mid-pandemic destination were: (1) within one-day driving distance from home; (2) outdoor activities; (3) services a.k.a. restrooms open to visitors; (4) no travel restrictions; and (5) not a known COVID hotspot. Shenandoah checked all these boxes and had the added benefit of being a National Park!
There’s something for everyone in this park as long as you appreciate being outdoors and taking in amazing scenery. For those who don’t hike, you get incredible views of the mountains from the park’s famous Skyline Drive without ever leaving your car. Skyline Drive is 105 miles long and has around 70 overlooks! The speed limit is 35 mph, and you could fill a whole day just stopping at all the overlooks.
For serious hikers, there are a ton of options, including the Appalachian Trail that runs through the length of the park. Happily, there are also trails more well-suited to casual hikers like me and mom.
We made the drive from South-Central Kentucky to the park’s southern entrance in one day and squeezed in an amazing, short hike to the Blackrock Summit before the sun went down. This was an easy hike and the highlight of the trip for me. It also overlaps with a small part of the AT, which is cool. I could’ve turned around and driven home happy if this was all we did!
Appalachian Trail signpost 
Blackrock Summit trail 
Blackrock Summit view
The next day, we did a short but challenging hike to Dark Hollow Falls. This is the park’s shortest trail that features a waterfall. Although the climb back up from the falls is steep and strenuous, it was worth the effort!
Dark Hollow Falls
We also enjoyed the easy, handicap-accessible Limberlost Trail. This trail doesn’t offer any mountain views, but it’s a relaxing stroll through the forest with plenty of benches along the trail.
We finished the day by completing the remainder of Skyline Drive and exiting from the park’s north entrance. Here are a few more of the breathtaking mountain views:
We had planned to stay the night in the park at the Skyland Resort, but due to staffing issues with the hotel that night, it didn’t work out. COVID or not, sometimes you have to change plans on the fly! Management has contacted us to offer two complimentary nights to compensate for the inconvenience, so I’m not complaining too much. We may take advantage of the offer later this year. Fortunately, we were able to get a reservation at a nice, reliable Comfort Inn not too far from the park.
Shenandoah National Park was a great way to spend the holiday weekend, and I look forward to going back!