Shenandoah Central

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Rapidan Camp Area | Shenandoah National Park 2017 Tanners Ridge Overlook MP 51 t n Trail P Byrd Visitor Center Big Meadows Wayside M P ny Sto Fir MP Ri d ge e 52 idan Rap rs ne Tan Ro ad Rap idan Ro ad Mill Tr Prong Mill ng Pro l ai Milam Gap P Upper Dark Hollow Trail F ir e Hors e MP 53 Big Rock Falls a Tr Creel Cabin The Brown House (exhibits) Prime Minister’s Cabin (exhibits) il Naked Creek Overlook Rapidan Camp 54 ail in Tr nta ou M ll 55 o Pr North Cat Knob Trail ain unt Mo ain nt River Fir e Ro nway Co ad Fo Mou MP ng Laure l Trail Hazeltop (3812’) rk Bootens Gap P Jon es Po w e Hazeltop Ridge Overlook untain Horse T ra Mo k il r Fo Tr ai MP ad Ro l Hiking Trail Hiking Trail (Appalachian Trail) Hiking Trail (Horses) Unpaved Road Unpaved Road (Horses) Paved Road Skyline Drive Park Boundary Stream P Parking Building Roa d Staunton River Trail 0 1.0 Kilometer 0 Summit 1.0 Mile Waterfall Emergency 1-800-732-0911 • Information 540-999-3500 • Online www.nps.gov/shen Rapidan Camp Hike Markers & Blazes 4-mile round trip 2¾-hrs hiking time Moderate 870-ft elevation gain Trail markers are at trailheads and intersections. The metal bands are stamped with directional and mileage information. From the Milam Gap parking area at mile 52.4, cross Skyline Drive and take the Appalachian Trail a few feet to the trailpost. Go left onto the blue-blazed Mill Prong Trail. At the second stream crossing, stay right on the yellow-blazed Mill Prong Horse Trail and follow it downhill to the camp. Return by the same route. 3 stream crossings. Trail blazes are found on trees and rocks throughout the Park. The color identifies the trail type: Appalachian Trail to Tanners Ridge Road Hike 2.1-mile round trip 1½-hrs hiking time Easiest 175-ft elevation gain Blue - Hiking trail White - Appalachian Trail Yellow - Open to horses From the Milam Gap parking area at mile 52.4, follow the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) north. This fairly level hike takes you through a former homestead. In about a mile the A.T. intersects with the Tanners Ridge Road. Retrace your steps. Mill Prong – Laurel Prong Loop Hike 7.4-mile circuit 8-hrs hiking time Moderately Strenuous 1520-ft elevation gain From the Milam Gap parking area at mile 52.4, cross Skyline Drive and take the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) a few feet to the trailpost. Go left onto the blue-blazed Mill Prong Trail. Take a slight right onto the yellow-blazed Mill Prong Horse Trail and follow it to Rapidan Camp. After exploring the camp, take the Laurel Prong Trail (an old road trace) which is yellow-blazed for about a half mile. Continue straight on Laurel Prong when it becomes blue-blazed and stay on it past the junction with Cat Knob Trail. At the junction with the A.T. turn right and follow it north across Hazeltop, the third highest peak in Shenandoah. The A.T. will take you back to Milam Gap. 3 stream crossings. Hiking Difficulty Scale Easiest: Generally suitable for anyone who enjoys walking. Mostly level or with a slight incline. Generally less than 3 miles. Moderate: Generally suitable for novice hikers seeking a bit of a challenge. The terrain will involve a moderate incline and may have some steeper sections. Generally 3 to 5 miles. Moderately Strenuous: Generally challenging for an unconditioned person. The terrain will involve a steady and often steep incline. Generally 5 to 8 miles. Strenuous: Will challenge most hikers. The hike will generally be longer and steeper, but may be deemed strenuous because of the elevation gain. Generally 7 to 10 miles. Need to Know ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6’ at all times. Do not attempt to cross streams during icy conditions or flooding. Be sure you are physically able to complete the hike you’ve chosen. Take plenty of water—at least a quart per hour. When you return from your hike, check for ticks. Be sure someone knows where you are and when to expect your return. Leave what you find. Artifacts are protected by law. Filter or treat water from streams before drinking. Please respect family cemeteries Good to Know The A.T. to Tanners Ridge Road takes you through a former farm. Look for rock walls and old road traces. When you get to Tanners Ridge Road, you will see the Thomas-Madows family cemetery, one of over 100 cemeteries in the Park. Former residents still maintain and bury family in some of the cemeteries. Please respect both the cemeteries and any artifacts you may encounter. Fun to Know Rapidan Camp was the “summer white house” of President Herbert Hoover and the First Lady, Lou Henry Hoover. The President’s cabin, The Brown House has been restored and historically refurnished. An adjacent building houses an exhibit about the Hoovers and the camp. Check at the visitor center to find out when the buildings are open. There are also informational signs throughout the camp. Very Strenuous: Only well conditioned and well prepared hikers should attempt. Generally long and steep, and may include rock scrambling, stream crossings, and other challenging terrain. Generally 8 miles and over. Trail maintenance and map funded by recreation fee dollars.