Discover the history and outdoor beauty that state and national parks offer throughout Shenandoah and Warren counties.

• Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive bring more visitors to Front Royal and Warren County than any other attraction. The park and drive extend 105 miles over mountaintops from Afton in the south to Front Royal in the north, and parallel a 101-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail.
  The park draws about 1.1 million visitors a year; last year about 375,000 of them entered at the Front Royal entrance on U.S. 340, about a quarter-mile south of town.
  The 197,000-acre park combines protected mountain land with lodging and trails and a wide variety of programs and activities throughout the year. The park's trails, varying from short walks to 12-hour hikes, intersect with waterfalls, streams, old home sites and scenic vistas. Wildflowers, more than 200 species of birds, white-tailed deer and black bears abound.
  Facilities along the drive include two lodges -- Big Meadows, at Mile 51, where one of the visitor centers is found, and Skyland at Mile 41.7. The Lewis Mountain cabins are at Mile 57.6 and the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center is at Mile 4.6. There are also restaurants, campgrounds, camp stores, and picnic areas.
  Admission to the park from March to November is $15 per car, $10 per motorcycle, $8 per pedestrian or bicyclist. From December to February, admission is $10 per car or motorcycle and $5 per pedestrian or bicyclist. An annual park pass is available for $30, and the "America the Beautiful -- National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass -- Annual Pass," which allows entry into any federal recreation area for a year, is $80, or $10 for senior citizens. Other passes are also available. (540) 999-3500. www.nps.gov/shen


• Raymond R. "Andy" Guest, Jr. Shenandoah River State Park, on U.S. 340 about eight miles from Front Royal, has 1,604 acres with more than five miles of frontage on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. An ideal setting for camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking or just relaxing, the park is within view of Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east.




• The park offers 10 primitive tent sites for campers and one group site that accommodates 30 individuals. Construction has begun on a new office/visitor center, which will house administrative offices and environmental education exhibits. A campground and cabin project is also under way that will add 34 water and electric campsites with a modern bath house and four camping cabins. Overnight cabins built with two, three and six bedroom facilities will also soon be available.




• Horseback riding trails are unavailable until contruction is completed.


• Admission is $3 on weekdays and $4 on weekends and holidays. 622-6840 or (800) 933-PARK. www.dcr.state.va.us/parks




• The Lee Ranger District, part of George Washington National Forest, is on historic land in Shenandoah and Warren counties that was originally surveyed by George Washington. The Lee Ranger district contains 190,000 acres and spans two states and seven counties. There are close to 400 trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders, as well as 36 miles of trails for off-highway vehicles.