From mountain ridge tops to underground caverns, the parks of Rockingham County present entry to a wide range of Virginia adventures. With over 177,000 designated as nationwide park or nationwide forest land, there’s loads to maintain you coming again yr after yr.
Observe Skyline Drive to one of many spectacular overlook or waterfall hikes in Shenandoah Nationwide Park. Dozens of trailheads, together with entry to over 100 miles of the Appalachian Path, and three campgrounds make this a must-see Virginia vacation spot. A brief hike to Blackrock Summit or Hightop Summit provides beautiful views from a rocky outcrop, and each are wonderful choices for a dreamy sundown hike. Close by, First Mountain State Forest is one other wonderful spot for anglers trying to spend hours on the water. The higher reaches of Boone Run are a must-visit, categorized as a Class II wild trout stream.
Head deep into George Washington Nationwide Forest for extra distant however no much less scenic trails. Whether or not you favor fishing the cool mountain streams, mountain biking miles of rocky and rooty terrain, or tenting in a secluded spot, you’ll be able to’t go flawed exploring this large swath of scenic magnificence. Excessive Knob Hearth Tower is a well-liked vacation spot on the border with West Virginia. After a 40-minute hike, climb the tower constructed from rocks for sweeping views of the encircling mountains and valleys.
Go to one of many space’s city parks earlier than exploring the choices for a chunk to eat and a style of the native spirits. Stroll the pollinator path round Lake Shenandoah for a glimpse of native wildflowers, grasses, and a wide range of wildlife species, or stroll the loop alongside North River at Wildwood Park in Bridgewater. Take a look at the pours on faucet at Cave Hill Farms Brewery, Elkton Brewing Co., or BrewHaHa Brewing after a day of exploration.
Fill out your itinerary with a hike alongside Massanutten Ridge Path to a panoramic view of Massanutten Resort’s ski slopes or a nature stroll amongst the Elk Run Trails, an 18-mile wooded path good for a peaceable jaunt. You would possibly even end up kayaking, canoeing, or tubing the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River on a morning run or all-day journey. Should you’re trying to escape that heat summer time solar or unpredictable afternoon showers, head underground at Infinite Caverns, Melrose Caverns, or Grand Caverns for a tour of the world’s wealthy geological historical past.
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