Is Shenandoah open right now?
From the NPS
Current alerts
1 closure1 caution4 information
- Park Closure
Active Closures
Due to recent wildlife interactions and out of an abundance of caution, the Appalachian Trail from Lewis Mountain to Big Meadows is closed to backcountry camping until further notice. The trail is still accessible to hikers. The Naked Creek backcountry zone remains closed for an ongoing investigation.
- Caution
Parking at Boundary Access Areas
Visitors are reminded to park in designated parking areas when accessing the park via boundary trailheads. Parking in unauthorized locations may result in your vehicle being towed at the owner's expense. Park on the right side of the road approaching Thompson Hollow. Parking is authorized up to the "No Parking" sign before a private driveway.
- Information
Infrastructure Improvements to Old Rag Trailhead
Effective May 4, Shenandoah National Park will begin infrastructure enhancements at the Old Rag Trailhead main parking lot. We expect to complete work by November 2026. Until then, the main parking lot is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Visitors can access Old Rag Trailhead via existing overflow parking lots. Day-use tickets are still required from March 1 through November 30 in addition to a park entrance fee.
- Information
Shenandoah National Park Moved to Fully Cashless Fee Collection
On July 1, 2025, the park transitioned to a fully cashless system at our fee entrance stations. Only credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments will be accepted.
- Information
Get Skyline Drive Status Updates
Sign up for Shenandoah Alerts by texting SHENALERTS to 888777. Any time there are closures, re-openings, or other important safety-related alerts, subscribers will receive a notification via text. You may unsubscribe at any time.
More on nps.gov - Information
Ticket Required to Hike Old Rag
March 1 - November 30 those wishing to hike Old Rag are required to obtain a day-use ticket before arriving.
More on nps.gov
Checked Oct 1, 2026, 3:39 PM ET from the NPS alerts feed. Closures can be partial (one road or trail), so read each alert.
Opening hours (NPS)
Shenandoah National Park
monday All Day tuesday All Day wednesday All Day thursday All Day friday All Day saturday All Day sunday All Day
FAQ
Shenandoah: open or closed?
- Is Shenandoah National Park open year-round?
- The National Park Service says: "Shenandoah National Park is always open. However, portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road through the Park, are periodically closed during inclement weather. Visitors can still enter the Park on foot to hike, even when the Skyline Drive is closed. Campgrounds, services, and facilities have separate hours; please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere on our website." Roads, campgrounds and visitor centers can still close for the season or for weather, so check current alerts.
- How do I check closures at Shenandoah?
- This page lists the park's current NPS alerts, refreshed hourly. The National Park Service's own current-conditions page for Shenandoah is the authority for road status and closures.
Sources · 3
- 1.Shenandoah National Park — current conditions · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — alerts · National Park Service
- 3.NPS Visitor Use Statistics — monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (IRMA stats REST service) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) — Visitor Use Statistics Program
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