Читать книгу Top Trails: Shenandoah National Park - Johnny Molloy - Страница 11

Bounded by I-66 to the north and I-64 to the south, Shenandoah National Park is located in northwestern Virginia, about 70 miles west of Washington, DC; 93 miles west of Richmond; and 24 miles west of Charlottesville.

To reach the Front Royal entrance at the northern end of the park, take Exit 6 off of I-66 onto US 340/US 522, heading south through the town of Front Royal. Drive 4.2 miles and turn left (south) onto Skyline Drive, the main thoroughfare through the park. GPS: N38° 54.344' W78° 11.917'.

To reach the Rockfish Gap entrance at the southern end of the park, take Exit 99 off of westbound I-64 onto US 250, follow the signs 0.3 mile south and east to Skyline Drive, and turn left (north) to enter the park. GPS: N38° 02.026' W78° 51.541'.

The Thornton Gap entrance is just north of Lee Highway/US 211, inside the northern third of the park (GPS: N38° 39.658' W78° 19.246'), and the Swift Run Gap entrance is just off Spotswood Trail/US 33, on the park’s western edge (GPS: N38° 21.970' W78° 34.732'). The Swift Run Gap entrance is also the only one with a physical address: 22591 Spotswood Trail, Elkton, VA 22827.

For detailed driving directions, along with Google maps that you can use to create your own directions, visit nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/directions.htm.

The park is technically open year-round, although certain facilities are open only seasonally. Entrance fees vary depending on the type of vehicle; visitors under age 16 are admitted free. Check before you go for the latest information on operating hours and admission prices: 540-999-3500, nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit.

Skyline Drive bisects the park from north to south along its 105-mile length. Mileposts along the way mark important landmarks; all park maps and informational materials use these mileposts as a reference. A driving map of the entire park is available at nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/whole_park.pdf. Note that the speed limit on Skyline Drive is 35 miles per hour.