This sign welcomes visitors to the Shenandoah National Park and subsequent Skyline Drive. Photo by L. Michael Whited
A hot air balloon follows the course of the Shenandoah River.
The scenic roadway, Skyline Drive, takes you through the 105-mile-longShenandoahNational Park, providingmore than 75 overlooks with spectacular vistas. Five hundred miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail, lead visitors to waterfalls, panoramic views, and protected wilderness. Click this link to get printable maps for hiking in the Shenandoah National Park: www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/mapshiking.htm. Fromhiking to camping, white-water rafting tomountain climbing, the opportunities to surround yourself with nature are infinite. The Appalachian Trail is a 2,181-mile public footpath that traverses some of America’s most scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands. The trail traces the ridge of the Blue Ridge mountains, often following the same route as Skyline Drive. The trail crosses Skyline Drive numerous times in the park. Just south of the entrance to Shenandoah National Park is the entrance to the Shenandoah River State Park. In addition to more than five miles of meandering river frontage, the park offers scenic views of Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east. Pack a picnic lunch and stay a while or make reservations to spend the night at the campground or in one of the cabins. With more than 24 miles of trails and
a new zipline, the park has plenty of options for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and adventure. Also known as the Canoe Capital of Virginia, Front Royal has outfitters that rent canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes to explore the Shenandoah River. Rates include shuttle service along routes ranging from three miles to 40-mile overnights. If you prefer a stroll underground, Skyline Caverns offers a tour of one of the area’s unique “karst” or cave systems, featuring the world’s largest encrustation of anthodites, “orchids of the mineral kingdom.” These cling to the cave ceiling, their delicate white spikes resembling crystalline sea urchins. No matter when you plan to visit Front Royal and environs, you’ll find beauty and adventure. Experience the loveliness through all four well-defined seasons, each with its own unique features. Mid-winter temperatures average 35 degrees. Spring temperatures average in the 60s, as they do in the fall. Summer temperatures average 76 degrees, providing the perfect climate for the many outdoor activities typical of the area. The lack of foliage in the winter months offers spectacular views not visible any other time of the year. A variety of buds and blossoms can be enjoyed in the spring. The
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COAST TO COAST FALL MAGAZINE 2017
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