Photo By: Jacob Lips
Located in the state of Virginia, the Shenandoah National Park is close to 200,000 hectares of protected area that traverses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. While the park is rich in natural resources, it is equally significant for its social history—from homesteading and employment to segregation.
Around 1.3 million people visited the park in 2018
History
The establishment of the park did not come easy. From the creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, there have been many campaigns to establish national parks from the different regions of the U.S. The plan to put up the Shenandoah National Park was first raised in 1925, but it came with the caveat that no federal funds will be used for its creation.
That was a problem considering that there were residents in the area who did not want to give up their property in favor of the park. Private personnel, as well as the local government, raised money to put up the park. Still, several residents refused to give up their property. Lands were eventually acquired through eminent domain.
There might have been some resistance in the creation of the park, but Virginia residents benefited from the establishment of Shenandoah National Park in 1935, as thousands of jobs were created to develop its tourism potential amidst the Great Depression.
There was racial segregation in the park during its implementation. The federal government wanted to desegregate the park, but a private organization was against it. The use of the park went down and management finally opened all sections of the park to everybody. Social history eventually became part of the park’s attractions.
Photo By: Jacob Lips
Things to do
The great thing about the Shenandoah National Park is that it is not just about the beautiful natural resources, but also about the history that shaped the park, the state of Virginia and the entire United States. Here are some of the activities visitors may enjoy in the park:
Skyline Drive
This is a 105-mile road that provides scenic views of the park. The road’s length is parallel to the park’s entire length. The park contains at least 75 overlooks, which are not exclusive to the park’s vistas but also that of Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont. Large trees line the road, which makes the Skyline Drive a popular place for leaf-peeping because of the changing colors of the leaves.
This is also a significant road as thousands of people found a job during the Great Depression, the time Skyline Drive was created.
Hiking
There are over 500 miles of hiking in Shenandoah. Some trails will fit one’s hiking ability—from easy to strenuous. Different trails also lead to different views. Some of the trails will pass through a forest, an old barn, a stream, and the historic Appalachian Trail. There are also streams, gorges, and waterfalls to enjoy.
One of the favorite trails at Shenandoah leads to the park’s many waterfalls. At 93 feet, Overall Run Falls is the tallest one at the park. The hike toward the falls is not that long, at just 6.4 miles both ways. However, it includes an ascent of 1,850 feet. Beautiful cascades will be witnessed at Rose River Falls. The hike passes through the park’s wilderness.
The stunning vista of the South River Falls is among the favorites in the park. There is also Jones Run Falls that offers flat rocks for viewers, for them to see the water source at close range. Other falls in the park include Cedar Run Falls, Dark Hollow Falls, Doyles River Falls, Lewis Falls, and Whiteoak Canyon Falls.
Experience history
The park is significant for its social history including segregation and the great Appalachian Trail. From 1939 to 1950, facilities in the park were segregated. There was an inferior section of the Lewis Mountain, which became the only part of the park where African-Americans can stay. It has a picnic ground and a campground. Authorities eventually realized in 1950, that desegregation is important not just to the park but also to the entire country.
Around 40% of the park has been designated as wilderness. This was part of the efforts of the earliest management at the park, which designed a revegetation program, by planting what it called as park species.
Those who want to learn more about the park’s history can take a ranger-led tour, as these park masters discuss Shenandoah’s rich history.
Camping
The park has five campgrounds, each with its unique setting. Matthews Arm Campground is just near Overall Run Falls, the tallest waterfall in the park. Big Meadows Campground is abundant in plant and animal life. The Loft Mountain Campground, for its part, is near two waterfalls and the wilderness. Completing the list of camping areas are Lewis Mountain Campground and Loft Mountain Campground.
Photo By: Jacob Lips