I’m planning a section hike of the SNP this May and can’t seem to get good information on whether there is a restaurant at the Panorama area (Thornton Gap) or just a gift shop with snacks. Can anyone who has been there recently enlighten me? Thanks.
Terry
It’s been closed for a couple of years I think, the whole thing. I could be wrong, but thats what I heard. It sure was empty last weekend. I was there last weekend and left a truck while we hiked into Corbin Cabin in snow. Left the next day in 15 inches of the stuff! YIKES! Awesome fun though.
Pam
Aramark took over all the concessions in the park several years ago. The Panorama restaurant wasn’t a moneymaker for them, so they closed the restaurant first & then the gift shop. Supposedly they were in the process of renovating, but I don’t know what ever happened to that.
From visitshenandoah.com:
PANORAMA
Shop at Panorama, located at the entrance of Rt. 211 into Shenandoah National Park (mile 31.5) for pre-packaged snacks and treats like delectable fudge, homemade in the fudge kitchen and great to take home. Check out the spacious gift shop’s many unique gifts and souvenirs. Open May-October.
All the facilities are supposed to open in mid-May, but you should call park information (540) 999-3500 to be sure & get exact dates.
30-30
Thanks. I suspected as much from not seeing it mentioned on the Aramark website. The most recent guidebook from the ATC store is from 1999 and that’s what I was looking at for starters. Oh, well, one more meal to carry.
Terry
Eat a nice dinner/breakfast at Skyland, take a lunch break at Marys Rock overlooking Thorton Gap/Panorama & have a 5pm dinner at Elk Wallow Wayside. mmmmm, Blackberry milkshakes.
Keep in mind that you really don’t need more than 1.5 days of food in Shenandoah. As long as you start after the stores open, you can eat like a king the whole way.
30-30
I remember looking forward to eating at the Panorama restaurant and then being really confused that a signed on the door said, “Closed for the Summer.” I was like, what season is this place opened for.
Grinds
Looked like nobody had been been inside Panorama for months when I went past there last fall.
dioko
Panorama served its last meal Oct. 2002. Served their last gift shop customer Oct. 2004. ARAMARK no longer has a lease on the property.
The building is slated to be remodelled/expanded and become a CCC Museum, with expanded SNP Ranger Offices underneath. I suspect they will have public restrooms and water available when the Museum is open, but I know of no plans to reopen an eatery or gift shop. Last year several million in Federal funds were appropriated for this, and hopefully it’s still happening.
Changes like this are good examples of why it’s not a good idea to rely on old guidebooks. I’ve met scores of hikers who arrived at Pass Mt. Hut (I’m up there a lot during NOBO prime time, as a maintainer) in a foul mood because they got to Panorama and it was closed.
Skyline
You can hitch a ride into Sperryville. There was a good natural food market there that I picked up some basics. And, of course, Sperryville is home to Cooter’s Garage and the General Lee for those interested in paying homage to the old Dukes of Hazard days.
Cap’n
Cap’n,
You must be looking at an old guidebook. The Mountainside Market has closed and is now vacant.
Cooter’s has been sold and is now an antique shop. His store in Gatlinburg is still open, I think.
Almost all hikers who get off the AT at Thornton Gap head west to Luray, not east to Sperryville. Luray has all town services hikers typically need: lodging, restaurants, three supermarkets, Wal-Mart, three pharmacies, hospital, three vets, doctors, dentists, post office, a new outfitter (not up to the level of Waynesboro, Harrisonburg, or Front Royal tho), and a five-screen movie theatre.
Skyline
In '02 I shot down to the Mountainside Market, resupplied, got treated to a couple of beers and given a ride back up to the Trail all in a couple of short hours. I guess a lot can change in four years.
Cap’n