Shenandoah in Spring: A Visitors Guide

Spring is a beautiful time to shake off the winter chill and take a trip to Shenandoah National Park!

You’ll walk through rolling hills and lush forests that come alive with vibrant shades of green as the trees and wildflowers begin to bloom. And if you want to get lost in the sounds of running water, streams and waterfalls are at their peak flow during the spring months. With the breezy, mild weather and fewer crowds, spring is an incredibly underrated time to visit the Shenandoah River and its natural beauty.

Here is everything you should add to your itinerary for visiting Shenandoah in Spring!

Hiking and Outdoor Activities

Hiking through spring in Shenandoah feels like viewing nature through rose-colored glasses. The saturation of color increases with every bud, flowerbed and leaf ready to burst forth into the season of growth. 

Here are some of our favorite hikes to take this spring in Shenandoah National Park:

Dark Hollow Falls

There is no better time to take on Dark Hollow Falls, as the falls at the end will be in a dramatic full-swing. This easy-to-moderate hike is a perfect day starter, so you can get the views in before the crowds arrive. 

White Oak Canyon

This romantic five-mile trail meanders through some stunning trees and gushing waterfalls, making it an ideal sun-dappled little excursion. 

Doyles Falls

Doyles Falls is a steep but stunning three-mile hike that showcases some spectacular falls surrounded by lush bright green leaves. The sound of the river and the two different falls you’ll visit on this hike will be music to your ears. 

Shenandoah is full of hikes, from multi-day excursions to short out-and-backs. With plenty of shade, mild weather and spots to rest, you can spend the entire spring day on our trails and still be ready for more tomorrow. 

Rafting and River Activities

If you’re interested in a wild spring river adventure, you won’t want to miss a Shenandoah raft trip. With the milder temperatures and abundant natural beauty, spring is the perfect time to explore all that Shenandoah National Park offers.

On top of that, thanks to the snowmelt and full rivers, a Shenandoah spring (especially late spring) offers a boisterous river current for some exciting rafting. You can enjoy the year’s best river conditions: it’s late enough to have fun on a strong current and early enough to miss the summer river crowds.

If you’re ready to hop on the river, our raft, kayak and canoe trips are a perfect day activity that all ages will love. You also won’t want to miss a Shenandoah paddle board trip.

Wildlife Viewing

As with many wilderness areas in spring, Shenandoah allows you to spy on some baby animals in nature, taking in their surroundings for the first time! If you’re lucky, you may spy black bears, moles, deer, coyotes, squirrels and more. 

If you want to spend a day searching for interesting animals, choose a trail that doesn’t attract large crowds of humans. You can also visit some of Shenandoah’s meadows to find deer. So keep your head up and your eyes sharp – you never know what you may come across!

Remember: Never approach a wild animal, especially bears, coyotes and other larger mammals. If you see a cub, take special care not to come between the baby and its mama, who is inevitably close by. Respect the rules of the animal kingdom, and they will leave you be!

Special Events and Programs

Shenandoah National Park hosts fun events throughout the year. If you visit in spring, join in on the fun at any of these special events!

National Park Week (April 16-24) – Parks across the nation are celebrating National Park Week by offering free admission!

Ranger Programs – Spring is the first season of the year to enjoy NPS Ranger Programs! From informational talks to walking tours, you can learn from the experts. 

Rapidan Camp Tours – The first Rapidan Camp tours of the year happen in spring. Come on this tour to learn about the former summer retreat of President Herbert and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover.

The Shenandoah area has everything you need to kick off the start of warmer weather and blooming forests. Take advantage of the spring’s pumping water and dense foliage with a Shenandoah river adventure. Reach out to our team or visit our website to see all your options for fun on the water this season. See you on the river!