Shenandoah is a small, rural community of about 2,373 citizens, nestled between the Massanutten Ridge and the Blue Ridge Mountains, along the banks of Shenandoah River in Page County, Virginia. Founded in 1837 by Daniel and Henry Forrer, the two brothers settled in the area to utilize the natural resources found in and around Shenandoah. Some natural resources found here are high-grade limestone, iron ore deposits, hardwood, and waterpower. With the Shenandoah River being in close proximity to South Fork, it was easier to transport iron ore and other commodities downstream to the broader markets. In early 1838, the Forrers established the first post office in the city named Shenandoah Iron Works. This town also played a pivotal role in the Civil War by providing three iron ore furnaces to make smelted raw iron into pig iron. It was shipped by wagon to Gordonsville and later by rail to Richmond for use at Tredegar Iron Works.
Shenandoah National Park is, of course, nearby. You can begin an adventure on this scenic mountain jewel rising high atop Virginia's Appalachians. It's just 75 miles from Washington DC and 24 miles southeast of Shenandoah. Along Skyline Drive, you'll see panoramic view overlooks that run 105 miles down the length of a 300-square-mile sanctuary. The national park has an array of flora and fauna rising approximately 550 feet at its lowest elevation and over 4,049 feet at its highest atop Hawksbill. Hiking trails range from 1.1 miles to 7.2 miles, offering everything from paths beneath oak trees to rocky vista peaks and into deep canyons where you'll see waterfalls roar through old-growth trees. Shenandoah River State Park is another park nearby where you can stop and enjoy the natural habitat. It also has a large riverside picnic area, river access, and a car-top boat launch.
Shenandoah has a few restaurants, such as Mr. Garcia's Mexican Grill and Cantina, Rudy's Diner, and Mamma Mia Italian Restaurant. These places serve a variety of cultural foods that include Italian, Mexican, and American. If you love racing, you may want to check out the Shenandoah Speedway. This oval track has several competition divisions, from late models and mini cups to Virginia Sprint Cars and Sportsman as well as old streetcar class. It's a 3/8-mile track with compound banking of 12, 10, 8, and 6 degrees, and the straights are 375 feet long with 6 degrees of banking. There's also a concession stand with sandwiches, snacks, and drinks for those who get hungry while taking in the races.
Elkton, Virginia - This small town is home to the Miller-Kite house, a historical home dating back to 1827, and the Jennings House, which was a temporary hospital for Civil War soldiers. The town's name comes from Elk Run creek.
30+ Restaurants
5 Gas Stations
1 Rest Area
3 Campgrounds
3 Nearby National Forests
3 Nearby State Parks
3 Nearby RV Parks
3 Dump Stations
Newport, Virginia - This community is located along the south fork of the Shenandoah River. Visit the historic furnace, Catherine Furnace, in the nearby George Washington National Forest.
15+ Restaurants
6 Gas Stations
1 Rest Area
5 Campgrounds
1 Nearby National Park
3 Nearby State Parks
6 Nearby RV Parks
4 Dump Stations
Battle Creek, Virginia - Visitors to Battle Creek aren't too far from the Luray Caverns or the nearby city of Stanley.
10+ Restaurants
10+ Gas Stations
1 Rest Area
2 Campgrounds
1 National Forest within 33 miles
3 Nearby State Parks
5 Nearby RV Parks
4 Dump Stations within 24 miles
There are several national parks nearby, including Shenandoah National Park. It runs along Front Royal from Blue Ridge to Waynesboro, with cascading waterfalls, quiet wooded hollows, spectacular vistas, and fields of wildflowers. With 80,000 acres of designated wilderness to explore, the park has over 29 miles of trails for hiking.
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park in Virginia is another travel spot worth seeing. It preserves key historical sites and provides plenty of information on the rich cultural heritage of Shenandoah Valley. Learn more about how soldiers fought during the early hours of the Battle of Cedar Creek on the Morning Attack Trails.
New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia is a fairly new designated national park. It encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along 53 miles of the New River from Bluestone Dam to Hawk's Nest Lake. Visitors enjoy hiking along the many trails, rafting in the river, or biking alongside the old railroad grade.
There are five state parks within a few hours of Shenandoah, with the closest one being Shenandoah River State Park. It has over 1,600 acres to explore, sitting along 5.2 miles of shoreline. The park boasts 24 miles of trails, offering plenty of options for biking, horseback riding, hiking, and other adventures. Nature and history programs are offered from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Bear Creek Lake State Park and Lake Anna State Park are great travel spots for swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking. Bear Creek also has a 10-lane archery range. Douthat State Park is another terrific vacation destination for outdoor recreation that the whole family can pursue. Mountain biking, boating, and horseback riding are favorites here.
There are a few Virginia landmarks near Shenandoah, Virginia, with the most natural landmark being Shenandoah National Park. The CCC Heritage Landmark Number 36, dedicated September 30, 2006, is another popular landmark designed to inform visitors of its legacy, the value of natural resource conservation, and care of public land. You'll also find several landmarks that are a few hours from Shenandoah, such as Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia, where Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, once took up residency. Tour the estate and learn about the men, women, and children who built Jefferson's beautiful home.
39th Annual Shenandoah Valley Century - All 25-, 50-, and 100-mile rides go through scenic and historic Shenandoah Valley to benefit Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition.
The Annual Cruise in Fridays to the Town of Shenandoah – This upcoming event has classic vehicles line the downtown street of Shenandoah. Live music, a DJ, and plenty of food options are found at this festival.
ValleyFest Beer & Wine Festival – Located in nearby Massanutten, the upcoming festival is an event that's been around for about 20 years and is the perfect venue for relaxing.
Clinton Lucas, Jr. Trail – This 1-mile single-track trail is ideal for mountain bike beginners.
Cedar Run – Whiteoak Circuit Trail – This 8.1-mile round trip hike is very strenuous and takes about seven hours to complete. It offers exceptional cascades and waterfalls.
Jeremy's Run Trail – This 6-mile circuit hike inside Shenandoah National Park has one of the most picturesque streams and is somewhat strenuous to hike. It takes about 7.5 hours to complete.
Fox Hollow Trail – This 1.2-mile hike is ideal for all levels, and it generally takes about 45 minutes to hike.
The top campgrounds with RV accommodations include Outlanders River Camp Resort. Located along picturesque shores of the Shenandoah River, this 100-acre retreat is close to many local attractions. It features golf cart rentals, a camp store, a playground, hiking trails, and plenty of Shenandoah River fun activities such as fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Riverside Camping is another great campground you may want to check out. However, the overnight sites are limited because many of them are for seasonal guests. It cost $42 per night for up to four guests and an extra $4 charge for any additional guest.
There are many other campgrounds near Shenandoah National Park, including Waynesboro North 340 Campground, which has a pool, and basketball and volleyball courts available.
There are many resources for getting rid of your RV's waste before you head back out onto the open road. Most Shenandoah dump stations are found within nearby campgrounds and RV parks, such as Riverside Camping. This makes it very convenient for RVers who plan to camp and stay awhile. Non-guests of these campgrounds are generally allowed to use the dump station but are charged a small fee. Alternative dump stations can be found at Shenandoah National Park, Shenandoah River State Park, and a nearby Flying J truck stop. Some of these places are available only when the business is open while others can be accessed 24/7.
The most popular RV storage facilities nearby include Shenandoah Storage Connections and RV & More Indoor Storage, both of which are safe and secure for parking your RV. You may want to consider an indoor facility to protect your RV or outdoor covered area. Some of these RV storage facilities offer 24/7 access and have gated secure fencing so that you can come and go when it's more convenient for you. Most RV storage facilities tend to be located near major highways and main roads for easy accessibility. The price can vary depending on your RV size and facility's location.
Shenandoah National Park, situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is one of Virginia's most popular destinations. The Skyline Drive winds through the park and offers spectacular views of lush forests, waterfalls, and rocky cliffs. You can also hike to see waterfalls, go horseback riding, or canoe on the Shenandoah River. New River Gorge National Park is an American national park located in southern West Virginia, northeast of Charleston. The park's 70,000 acres encompass a deep gorge cut by the New River as it flows from North Carolina to Virginia and features a variety of outdoor activities. In addition to the scenic river and gorge, the park offers visitors hiking, camping, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and mountain biking.
Douthat State Park is a popular destination for camping, hiking, and biking. The park is home to the highest point in the Shenandoah Valley. Lake Anna State Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Anna. It's a great place to spend a day swimming, fishing, boating, or hiking. The park contains more than 2,000 acres of land and is a popular spot for hunting and picnicking. Canaan Valley Resort State Park offers wooded campsites with water and electric hookups. Amenities include restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. In addition to camping facilities, the park has 2 swimming pools, miniature golf courses, hiking trails, nature trails, and playgrounds. Shenandoah River State Park offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, such as hiking, biking, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming. The park also has a number of historical and cultural features, including the Shenandoah River, which served as an important waterway during the Civil War. Bear Creek Lake State Park, also known as Bear Creek Lake State Recreation Area, is a state park in the U.S. state of Oregon, located on the north side of Waldo Lake. The park features a diverse array of recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, hiking, and picnicking.
Shenandoah is a great place to visit for anyone interested in American history. The Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site features the remains of an ironworks that was established by German immigrants in 1771. The Steamtown National Historic Site commemorates the history of steam locomotives, and it includes some of the best-preserved steam trains as well as a variety of other railroad equipment in the country. The site also offers a variety of educational programs and events throughout the year. The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail connects a number of national parks and historic sites related to the American Revolution. It commemorates the route taken by French and American troops during the Yorktown campaign in 1781. The Valley Forge National Historical Park commemorates one of the most important events in American history: the winter encampment of George Washington's army during the Revolutionary War.
- Shenandoah has a number of great campsites near the city. - Christmas Pines Campground, Appalachian RV Campground, Robin Hill RV Resort & Campground, Twin Grove RV Resort & Cottages are some of the best RV parks and campgrounds near Shenandoah. - If you're looking for an RV park or campground within driving distance of Shenandoah, these are good options to consider.
- There are four RV dump stations in Shenandoah, Virginia. - You’ll find dump stations at Indian Head Campground, Blue Rocks Family Campground, Deihl’s Camping Resort, and Hickory Run Family Campground. - The dump stations are easy to locate and offer several extra amenities. - See RVshare’s guide to RV dump stations in Shenandoah, Virginia, for dump station addresses and details.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Shenandoah, VA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Shenandoah?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Shenandoah from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Shenandoah?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
