Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park, spanning over 200,000 acres in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The park is home to Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic highway that offers 75 breathtaking overlooks, perfect for taking in panoramic mountain views. With over 500 miles of hiking trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail, there’s no shortage of opportunities to explore waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and rugged peaks. Wildlife is abundant, with black bears, deer, and wild turkeys frequently spotted along trails and roadways. Established in 1935, the park preserves not only stunning landscapes but also the remnants of historic mountain communities that once thrived in the area.
Just outside the park, Luray, Virginia, is known for its charming small-town feel and Luray Caverns, the largest caverns in the Eastern U.S. While these underground wonders are a popular attraction, we chose to skip them this time. Having explored some incredible caverns in New Mexico, Arkansas, and Texas, we decided to focus on Shenandoah’s above-ground beauty instead. The rolling mountains, winding trails, and crisp spring air felt like the perfect setting for our adventure.
Day 1: Shenandoah’s Scenic Beauty & Luray’s Hidden Gems
🔹 Morning: Entering the Park & Skyline Drive Highlights
We kicked off the morning at the Front Royal Entrance, the northern gateway to Shenandoah National Park.
Driving south along Skyline Drive, we took our time soaking in the views at some of the most scenic pull-offs:
Range View Overlook – A perfect first stop to take in the layers of rolling mountains.
Hazel Mountain Overlook – A great place to spot birds and get a feel for the park’s peaceful atmosphere.
Pinnacles Overlook – One of the best views of the Blue Ridge, especially in the morning light.
Jewell Hollow Overlook – A beautiful stop before our hike, offering a wide valley view.
The highlight of the morning was hiking Stony Man Trail via the Appalachian Trail. This 1.5-mile moderate loop is one of the park’s most family-friendly hikes, with a gentle incline leading to a stunning rock outcrop. From the top, we had panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley—absolutely worth the effort! The kids loved climbing around the rocky summit while we took in the view.
We exited the park via Thornton Gap Entrance, ready for a well-earned lunch.
🔹 Lunch: A Hidden Gem in Luray
We stumbled upon West Main Market Beer and Wine Garden, and let me tell you—it was one of the best meals we’ve had in a long time! I ordered a turkey, avocado, and brie grilled sandwich, and it was absolute perfection. Even the kids’ turkey and cheese sandwiches were a step above the usual. The outdoor seating was the cherry on top, with live music playing even on a Thursday afternoon. To complement the meal, I tried a sweet peach wine, and wow—it was like summer in a glass! https://westmainmarket.com/
🔹 Afternoon: Exploring Downtown Luray
After lunch, we took a slow stroll through downtown Luray, soaking up the small-town charm and browsing local shops.
The kids’ favorite stop? Pretty on Y’all Craft Store. Imagine walking into a store filled with thousands of DIY craft projects—from custom tote bags to stuffed animals, walking sticks, and so many embellishments to choose from. Emmie and Hawkins had a blast decorating their own walking sticks, but poor Foster was completely overwhelmed by all the choices. His ADHD brain went into overdrive, and after a lot of indecision (and a little help from the kind owner, Mrs. Andrea), he finally settled on hand-knitting a mushroom. It might be the most unique, slightly odd-looking mushroom we’ve ever seen, but he loves it! https://prettyonyall.net/
🔹 Late Afternoon: Hiking Dark Hollow Falls Trail
To wrap up the day, we returned to the park for one last adventure—Dark Hollow Falls Trail. This 1.6-mile moderate hike is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in the park. The trail descends quickly, leading to a beautiful cascading waterfall, making the uphill return a bit of a workout! The kids loved scrambling over the rocks near the falls, and we all took in the peaceful sound of rushing water before heading back up.
Day 2: A Relaxed Day in Luray
🔹 Morning: Homeschool Milestone & RV Life
We started the day slow, focusing on homeschool lessons at the RV. It was an exciting morning for the twins because they officially finished The Good and the Beautiful First Grade Math curriculum! We’ve loved this program for its hands-on activities, engaging lessons, and gentle approach to building confidence in math. Seeing them complete it was such a proud moment—not just for them, but for me, too! One of the joys of roadschooling is watching their learning happen in real-time, reinforced by all the experiences we have on the road. We celebrated with a little extra outdoor playtime before heading out for the day.
🔹 Midday: The Garden Maze
After wrapping up school, we went to The Garden Maze at Luray Caverns. Since we’ve already explored some incredible caverns in New Mexico, Arkansas, and Texas, we decided to skip the underground tour this time. But the massive outdoor hedge maze was an adventure all on its own! The kids took the lead, excitedly racing ahead and laughing when we hit dead ends. It took some teamwork, but we finally found our way through, feeling victorious by the end. http://www.thegardenmaze.com/
🔹 Afternoon: Coffee, Cookies & Ice Cream
To celebrate our maze success, we made a sweet stop. I grabbed coffee and a delicious cookie from Gathering Grounds, while the kids headed over to Main Street Flavors for some well-earned ice cream. There’s just something about a treat-filled afternoon that makes vacation feel extra special! https://ggrounds.com/
🔹 Evening: Community & Conversation
One of my favorite things about this lifestyle is the people we meet along the way. That evening at the RV park, we ended up with a group of 10 gathered around, sharing stories, swapping travel tips, and learning about each other’s journeys. I love these moments—where strangers quickly become friends, and you get to hear about the different paths that have brought people to the same place at the same time. These connections are what make traveling feel like home, no matter where we are.
Where we stayed
Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views RV Park offers a peaceful retreat just minutes from Shenandoah National Park and Luray. With spacious sites, full hookups, and stunning Blue Ridge Mountain views, it’s the perfect base for exploring the area. The park features family-friendly amenities like a playground, walking trails, and a well-kept bathhouse. Whether you're relaxing under the stars or gathering around a campfire, it provides a quiet, scenic escape with easy access to both nature and nearby attractions.
Final Thoughts
Shenandoah National Park and Luray made for an unforgettable two-day escape, blending breathtaking hikes, scenic overlooks, charming downtown shops, and fun family activities. Whether it was driving Skyline Drive, hiking to waterfalls, or crafting one-of-a-kind souvenirs, this trip struck the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
Now, it’s time to hit the road again—on to the next adventure! The weeks ahead will bring longer stays, most between 5-10 days, giving us more time to settle in, meet new friends, and truly soak in each destination. The kids are especially excited about the chance to slow down, explore deeper, and, as they say, “become locals” for a little while. We can’t wait to see what’s next!
FAMILY HIGHLIGHT!
Emmie and Foster have been rocking their schoolwork (and let’s be honest, so has Mom!), and they just wrapped up First Grade Math! Their celebratory “trashing of the book” was equal parts hilarious and dramatic—well deserved! Just five more days of Language Arts, and then it’s on to Second Grade—whoop whoop!