Shenandoah RiverState Park - Virginia |
Shenandoah River State Park, is near the town of Bentonville, Virginia, along 5.2 miles of shoreline at the South Fork Shenandoah River. In addition to meandering river frontage, the park offers scenic views of Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east. A large riverside picnic area, picnic shelters, trails, river access and a car-top boat launch make this a popular destination for families, anglers and canoeists. Ten riverfront tent campsites, a campground with water and electric sites, cabins, camping cabins and a group campground are available. With more than 24 miles of trails and a new zipline, the park has plenty of options for hiking, biking, horseback riding and adventure.
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location
maps
Visitor Map of Shenandoah River State Park (SP) in Virginia. Published by Virginia State Parks.
Official Visitor Map of Shenandoah National Park (NP) in Virginia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Bicycle Map of Virginia. Published by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
brochures
Trail Guide for Shenandoah River State Park (SP) in Virginia. Published by Virginia State Parks.
Travel Guide for Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Published by Virginia Tourism.
Brochure of Virginia State Parks. Published by Virginia State Parks.
Features & Stories of the Travel Guide for Virginia. Published by Virginia Tourism.
Shenandoah River SP
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/shenandoah-river
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenandoah_River_Raymond_R._%22Andy%22_Guest_Jr._State_Park
Shenandoah River State Park, is near the town of Bentonville, Virginia, along 5.2 miles of shoreline at the South Fork Shenandoah River. In addition to meandering river frontage, the park offers scenic views of Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east. A large riverside picnic area, picnic shelters, trails, river access and a car-top boat launch make this a popular destination for families, anglers and canoeists. Ten riverfront tent campsites, a campground with water and electric sites, cabins, camping cabins and a group campground are available. With more than 24 miles of trails and a new zipline, the park has plenty of options for hiking, biking, horseback riding and adventure.
WELCOME TO SHENANDOAH RIVER STATE PARK.
To make your visit safe and more pleasant, we ask that
you observe the following:
Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Park in
designated areas only. Please note there is a parking fee
charged year-round at all Virginia State Parks. Self-pay
parking information is available at the contact station.
PRESERVE – Help preserve your park. Please don’t cut or
mar any plants or trees. Collecting animal or plant life is
allowed only for scientific purposes by permit from the
Richmond headquarters. Don’t feed any wild animals.
CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT POLICY
Camping:
Check-in 4 p.m.
Check-out 1 p.m.
Cabins and Yurts:
Check-in 4 p.m.
Check-out 10 a.m.
In many cases, campers may be accommodated prior to
the official check-in. Please remember that only those 18
or older may register. The registrant is responsible for
all occupants of the campsite or cabin. Feel free to arrive
early and enjoy park amenities prior to check-in.
areas (inside your cabin or camping unit) or in areas
designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department
of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Overnight guests are encouraged to be familiar with the
early departure policy since it impacts any refund due.
The policy and frequently asked questions are here:
www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/faq.
PETS - Pets are permitted in enclosed areas or on a leash
CAMPING - Camping is allowed only in designated
ALCOHOL - State law permits alcohol use only in private
no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your pet.
Pets must be attended at all times. State Park regulations
prohibit dogs on designated swimming beaches.
DRONES AND OTHER AIRCRAFT - Drones, other unmanned
aerial vehicles, including remote control aircraft, and
aircraft in general may not be flown in state parks
pursuant to 4VAC5-30-400.
LITTER - Please help us keep the park clean by placing litter and recyclables in the proper receptacles and
recycle centers or carrying out your trash. The releasing
of balloons is not allowed. Decorative balloons must be
deflated and disposed of as trash.
FIRE - Help prevent wildfires. Fires must be confined to
grills, camp stoves or designated fire rings. Fires must
be attended at all times and extinguished when left.
Firewood is generally available for purchase at the park.
Campers and guests may collect only downed and dead
firewood. We enforce all seasonal and emergency bans on
open fires.
POLLUTION - Help reduce pollution. Dump stations,
laundry sinks and slop sinks, where available, are for the
proper disposal of wastewater. Please, no boat, RV or car
washing.
SWIMMING - There are no designated swimming areas.
Wading and floating are permitted.
FISHING - A Virginia freshwater fishing license is required.
GUESTS - Your guests are our guests. For everyone’s safety
campgrounds. Campsite occupancy is a maximum of six
people or the number of people in a single household.
Two camping units are allowed per campsite; only one
axled camper is allowed per site. All camping units,
equipment and vehicles must be placed within the
perimeter of the designated campsite without infringing
on adjoining campsites or vegetation. Where high-impact
areas are designated, all camping units, equipment and
vehicles must be within the area’s defined borders.
Park in designated areas only.
PARKING - Only two motor vehicles, as well as the
camping unit, are permitted on a campsite without
incurring additional fees. Cabin guests are allowed two
vehicles for a two-bedroom cabin, three vehicles for a
three-bedroom cabin and six vehicles for a six-bedroom
cabin per day without an additional parking fee charge.
Those with additional vehicles must pay a parking fee
for each day the vehicle is in the park. The number of
vehicles allowed to park at the cabin varies according
to site design and other factors. All vehicles must be
parked in designated areas, either at the cabin or in the
designated overflow parking area.
All vehicles must be parked in designated areas. Lock
valuables in your trunk and keep your vehicle locked
when unattended.
The maximum overnight stay per park is 14 days in any
30-day period.
and security, please register all visitors with the park
office. Visitors will not be admitted to camping and cabin
areas unless so identified. Visitors are permitted only
between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
GROUP EVENTS - A special Use Permit is required for all
group events that involve amplified sound, catering,
equipment rentals and vendor deliveries.
QUIET HOURS - Quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
barrier-free as possible. Universally accessible facilities
are available throughout Virginia State Parks.
The use of generators is prohibited at all times.
EMERGENCY - For fire or medical emergencies, dial 911. For
Virginia State Parks
For more information, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov or
contact the park office.
Shenandoah River
a law enforcement or critical maintenance issue or afterhours non-emergency assi
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Massanutten Resort Tubing—McGaheysville
JUMP
Feel like a kid again (and bring your own) at Valley
Jump Park, a trampoline park in Penn Laird. Featuring
7,000 square feet of open jump and obstacle courses,
it's the ultimate stop for a ton of fun during your travels.
Looking to sightsee from a different perspective? Skydive
Shenandoah offers both single and tandem skydiving
over the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and expansive
farmlands.
SHENANDOAH
VALLEY
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S TA B L E C R A F T B R E W I N G ( WAY N E S B O R O ) : T R AV E L I N G N E W LY W E D S / S H E N A N D O A H R I V E R S TAT E PA R K ( B E N T O N V I L L E ) : T O N Y H A L L
We guarantee rush hour in the Shenandoah Valley is
unlike anywhere else, intersecting breathtaking scenery
and outdoor recreation with diverse shopping, restaurants
and of course, fabulous vineyards. For a first-hand view
of how local geology has shaped both the land and the
iconic Seven Bends of the Shenandoah River, head to
Seven Bends State Park. More than 1,000 acres include
over four miles of river frontage, hiking and mountain
biking trails, plus meadows, forests and other natural
assets just waiting to be explored.
SARAH HAUSER
The SHENANDOAH VALLEY reveals stunning natural beauty with each changing season. With the Blue Ridge Mountains to the
east and Alleghenies to the west, its rich agricultural roots have created ample opportunity to reconnect with both the land and
the locals – at pick-your own farms, family-owned wineries and breweries, and authentic farm-to-table experiences. Straddling
Interstate 81 for approximately 140 miles, this region is the ideal getaway for friends and families seeking fresh-air fun, coupling
world-class outdoor assets and mountain-centric resorts.
EXPLORE
Shenandoah River State Park—Bentonville
TOUR
Adventurers need apply to explore the Fields of Gold
Farm Trail. Discover the homegrown side of Virginia,
where agriculture first got its roots. From pond to
patch and everything in between, local farmers share
their experiences and offer the trip of a lifetime
for lucky visitors. Get a taste of agri-tourism events
like cutting your own Christmas tree at Every Soul
Acres or picking your own blueberries at Hickory Hill
Farm. Take home stone-ground, preservative-free
flours, grits and cornmeal found at Virginia’s oldest,
continuously operating commercial grist mill, Wade’s
Mill, a registered Virginia Landmark also on the
National Register of Historic Places.
Stable Craft Brewing—Waynesboro
SIP
Taste some of the best craft beverages in the Shenandoah
Valley along the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail and
Shenandoah Spirits Trail. Choose from nearly 50 sites to
experience patio sunsets, family-friendly atmospheres
(welcoming kids and dogs) and tasty beverages to enjoy
with friends. Sample from 16 brews at Stable Craft
Brewing, located at Hermitage Hill Farm and Stables (a
real working farm you can tour), complete with incredible
views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Or, try Winchester
Ciderworks, a marriage of old world tradition with new
world know-how, featuring locally grown apples from the
Shenandoah Valley.
PLAY
The fun never stops for two great resorts in the area,
offering year-round entertainment for families of all
ages and sizes. At Bryce Resort, guests can go snow
or grass skiing; practice the bike trails with beginner,
intermediate and expert trails; play the 18-hole golf
course; horseback ride; play tennis; or boat, canoe
and paddle on a 45-acre lake. Thrill-seekers can
zoom through the skies on their 11 zipline platforms,
traversing the slopes and through the woods, too! At
Massanutten Resort, enjoy a round of golf, see if you
can get out of their escape room and splash around
the water park. Plus, head to the family adventure
park for activities like snow and summer tubing, quick
flight free falling and a Ridge Rappel & Climbing
Excursion.
VIRGINIA .ORG
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O F F E R S A C C E S S F O R P E O P L E W H O A R E B L I N D O R H AV E L O W V I S I O N
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BUSES/GROUP S WELCOME
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P R O V I D E S A D E V I C E U S E D F O R C O M M U N I C AT I O N W I T H A N D B E T W E E N H E A R I N G I M PA I R E D
ADMISSION REQUIRED
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PROVIDES SIGN LANGUAGE
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Clear Brook
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Winchester
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522
White Post
Strasburg
Bryce Mountain
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Millwood
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Front Royal
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Luray
Glen Maury Park
101 Maury Park Dr.,
540-261-7321; bvcity.org/
glen-maury-park. 315-acre park
offering camping, golf, pool,
ball fields, playground, picnic
pavilions, hike/bike trails,
fishing and access to Maury
River. bj
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Staunton
Historic Dayton Tourist
Information Center
382 High St., 540-879-2616;
heritagecenter.com.
BUENA VISTA
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BROWNSBURG
Buena Vista Visitor Center
595 East 29th St. I-81
Exit 18
Environmental
Education
Virginia State Parks are premier
environmental education sites.
Schools, scouts, groups and individuals
are encouraged to come learn more
about their world. Backyard Classroom
programs, incorporating Virginia’s
Standards of Learning, promote
lifelong learning. They also help
young people enjoy, appreciate and
understand the outdoors.
Programs & Festivals
Master new outdoor cooking recipes.
Pan for gold or tour a cave. Learn or
improve outdoor skills. Enjoy a rangerled hike, eagle tour or owl prowl.
Workshops and events are as diverse
as the parks.
VIRGINIA
Discounts
Virginia State Parks are affordable every day, but annual passes
can save you money on parking, boat launching and swimming.
The Customer Loyalty Program lets you earn points that can be
redeemed for free or discounted overnight stays.
STATE PARKS
You can also receive a 25 percent discount on weekend cabins if you
make a reservation on Thursday or Friday, based on availability. Just
ask for the discount on the phone when you make the reservation.
Park Accessibility
Virginia State Parks strive to make each park as barrier-free as
possible. Contact the Customer Service Center or individual parks
for more information before your trip.
Pets
Pets are welcome but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet or in
an enclosed area at all times. Cabin guests are charged $10 plus tax
per night per pet. No pet fee is charged for camping.
There’s plenty of history, too. Immerse
yourself in Colonial times, the Civil War
or the Underground Railroad. When
it comes to festivals, you’ll find music,
arts and crafts, local food and beverage,
classic cars and more. Up-to-theminute, comprehensive information is
available at www.virginiastateparks.gov.
Nature & History
All parks have trails, many with signs
explaining the environment. Wander
trails at First Landing through cypress
swamps or hike Caledon’s trails along
ridges and ravines through rare oldgrowth forest. Overlooks at Hungry
Mother, Grayson Highlands and Natural
Tunnel offer a glimpse of powerful
geological forces that shaped the land.
See how rivers shaped some parks, such
as Belle Isle, James River, Natural Bridge,
Powhatan and Westmoreland.
www.virginiastateparks.gov | 800-933-PARK (7275)
www.virginiastateparks.gov
Shenandoah River
Seven Bends
Sky Meadows
540-622-6840
540-622-6840
540-592-3556
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540-862-8100
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Natural Bridge
540-291-1326
Smith Mountain Lake
540-297-6066
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703-730-8205
703-339-2385
540-288-1400
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VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS
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NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Lake Anna
Leesylvania
Mason Neck
Widewater
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CHESAPEAKE BAY
Belle Isle
Caledon
Machicomoco
Westmoreland
804-462-5030
540-663-3861
804-642-2419
804-493-8821
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COASTAL
Chippokes Plantation
False Cape
First Landing
York River
757-294-3728
757-426-7128
757-412-2300
757-566-3036
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EASTERN SHORE
Photo courtesy Jackie Jamison
Kiptopeke
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Bear Creek Lake
High Bridge Trail
Holliday Lake
James River
Pocahontas
Powhatan
Sailor’s Creek Battlefield
Twin Lakes
(Cedar Crest Conference Center)
Boa
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Fish
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Use
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Play
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BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
757-331-2267
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804-492-4410
434-315-0457
434-248-6308
434-933-4355
804-796-4255
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804-561-7510
434-392-3435
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SOUTHERN VIRGINIA
Fairy Stone
Occoneechee
Staunton River Battlefield
Staunton River
276-930-2424
434-374-2210
434-454-4312
434-572-4623
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276-254-5487
276-940-2674
276-940-2696
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HEART OF APPALACHIA
Breaks Interstate
Clinch River
Natural Tunnel
(Cove Ridge Conference Center)
Southwest Virginia Museum
Wilderness Road
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TABLE LEGEND:
B Biking
CT Car-top Boat Launch
E Equestrian
FP Fishing Pier
H Hiking
P Pool Swimming
T Electric Motors Only
U Universally Accessible
UD Under Development
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Many parks offer overnight facilities suitable
for reunions, weddings and special events.
Some parks even have equestrian campsites.
B/E/H/U
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Claytor Lake
Grayson Highlands
Hungry Mother
(Hemlock Haven Conference Center)
New River Trail
Shot Tower
With lodges, cabins, yurts and campsites, the
fun doesn’t end at sundown. Many cabins are
available year-round, and most campgrounds
ar
Hotel Weyanoke—Farmville
Small Towns,
Local charm, cozy curios and open arms make
these small towns in Virginia worth exploring.
Character
WRITTEN BY MARY & BILL BURNHAM
T
KYLE LAFERRIERE
10
he phrase “small town” evokes
nostalgia, authenticity and heartfeltwarmth in many of us. What’s not to
love? They are authentic, accessible, friendly
and stocked with locally-owned businesses.
These are communities where you can get off
the crowded highway, park the car and walk,
ride a bike or even kayak through downtown.
Small, family-run businesses offer one-of-
a-kind handmade items, from jewelry and art
to craft beers and wine. Farmers markets offer
locally-grown produce and seafood spring
through fall.
With almost 200 incorporated towns,
dozens more villages and hamlets, plus
nearly 30 designated Virginia Main Street
Communities, the hard part is deciding which
Virginia towns to visit.
VIRGINIA .ORG
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Here are some of
our favorites,
d ending
starting in southwest Virginia, an
metown
with a shameless plug for our ho
on the Eastern Shore.
High Bridge Trail State Park—Farmville
Harrisonburg
Big Stone Gap
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Farmville
HIGH BRIDGE TRAIL STATE PARK (FARMVILLE): ALI ZAMAN /
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MUSEUM (BIG STONE GAP): JASON BARNETTE
June Tolliver House and Art Folk Center—Big Stone Gap
Southwest Virginia Museum—Big Stone Gap
JUNE TOLLIVER HOUSE (BIG STONE GAP): TIM COX
Southwest Virginia’s coal-mining history
comes to life in the “Trail of the Lonesome
Pine,” Virginia’s longest-running outdoor
drama, performed Thursday through
Saturday nights, late June through August.
Before you go, be sure to read the Big
Stone Gap novels by Adriana Trigiani, or
watch the Hollywood film by the same name
starring Ashley Judd and Whoopi Goldberg.
Upon arrival, you can visit places featured
in the film, such as Mutual Pharmacy, the
Book Mobile, the Farmers Market, as well as
the outdoor drama.
Fine, well-preserved period homes house
The John Fox Jr. Museum, the Southwest
Virginia Museum and the June Tolliver House.
Cozy B&Bs, cafes and a variety of antique
and curio shops round out this small town
gem.
Fun Festival: 100th annual Tri State
Singing Convention, June
This formerly industrial town has been reinvented
for recreation, craft beverage and shopping lovers.
The Appomattox River that once carried tobacco
barges is now a designated Scenic River carrying
paddlers in search of whitewater or the calmer
four-mile Farmville Blueway.
The railroad that once carried coal now carries
hikers, bikers and equestrians on the 30-mile-long
High Bridge Trail State Park.
Repurposed tobacco packing houses and
lumber warehouses are reincarnated to house
Appomattox River Company, Green Front Furniture
and the Third Street Brewing Company, serving up
local beer, live music, games for the kids and a
pet-friendly beer garden.
Together with the Virginia Tasting Cellar and
the soon-to-open second location of James River
Brewing, Farmville is fast becoming a destination
for craft beverage lovers.
Fun Festival: Heart of Virginia Festival, May
Set amidst the vast playground of the
idyllic Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg
has been called “one of the best mountain
bike towns in America” by National
Geographic.
Forward-thinking entrepreneurs and
artisans have blended the past with the
present to create a lively melting pot that
is distinctive to this college town.
Named Virginia’s first Culinary
District in 2014, Harrisonburg’s cultural
diversity serves up fare from around the
world, while taking advantage of locallysourced farm-to-table ingredients. Food.
Bar.Food features “global comfort food,”
while a mother-daughter team creates soulsoothing pastries at Heritage Bakery & Café.
The arts scene is equally diverse,
epitomized by the Agora Downtown Market,
a community of small businesses under
one roof in an historic building.
Named for James Madison, fourth
president and the “Father of the
Constitution,” are the stunning Hotel
Madison and James Madison University
(JMU), where nearly 20,000 students lend
a youthful vitality to this historic town.
Fun Festival: Harrisonburg
International Festival, September
VIRGINIA .ORG
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Within Virginia’s
larger cities,
find pockets of
uniqueness that
make you feel
like you’re in a
small town!
ROANOKE’S HISTORIC
GRANDIN VILLAGE
This walkable urban village is
eclectic and family-friendly at
the same time. Spend Saturday
morning at the Community
Market, dine on an outdoor
patio, shop independentlyowned boutiques and take in
a first-run or classic film at the
1930s Grandin Theatre.
RICHMOND’S
SCOTT’S ADDITION
One of the hottest, newly
revitalized neighborhoods in
the state capital. Warehouses
converted to breweries, cideries
and distilleries, bold street
murals, a cinema and a retro
bowling alley make this a
happening night scene.
Immerse yourself in Virginia’s Lake
Country at Virginia’s only lakeside
town. Buggs Island Lake, also known as
Kerr Reservoir, draws anglers to dozens
of fishing tournaments yearl