I’m getting ready to section the shenandoah NP and need to know the best/nearest place to leave a car parked where the trail crosses the road at Swift Run Gap. Is there a trailhead right there at the gap, or just beyond where the entry station to the park is?or on skyline drive just before the crossing?..Also, same question for Thornton gap and the I-66 crossing area just after the denton shelter
cutman11
There’s parking right at the ranger station at Swift Run Gap. You’ll have to double check about overnight parking, but I’ve done it before. Also, 2 miles south is the parking for HighTop which is on the AT, you can park there as well. There’s another parking just a bit north, maybe half a mile, but I’m not sure if the AT crosses there. You might have to road walk. I’ll check the one at Thornton Gap tonight.
When are you planning on going? I went up to SRG on Saturday and the Drive was closed due to the snow/wind. No Rangers around or anything.
Xena
Heading North from the Denton Shelter, you will cross Rt 55, then go under RT 66, and then come to a parking area for the AT. Have fun.
Pam
I think a person named Skyline lives near SNP and is willing to shuttle people. He would know he best place to leave your car and maybe he could drive you to a place to start your hike. You may be able to find his Email on this website or on the PATC website.
Bob Jewett
At Thornton Gap, you should be able to park in the lot at Panorama. The lower lot is accessible from Rt. 211 i.e. no need to enter the Park. In fact, I’m planning on day hiking from there this winter, hiking up to Mary’s Rock and then further south on the Trail. Have fun!
Cookerhiker
Thanks to all for the replies. I will be going this spring at memorial day weekend, taking the wife for the first time if I can convince her, part of the deal will be to day hike swift run to lewis mtn campground, lewis mtn to big meadow wayside, big meadow to skyland, and skyland to thornton. I figured we could stay at skyland each night using 2 cars to slack it, that way she would only be doing about 8 mi per day, getting a shower, nice linens, and breakfast/dinner…we’ll have to work on her a bit to do some overnighting, we need to find a tree to plug in the hair dryer and microwave for the popcorn lol.
cutman11
Driving directions to the AT parking lot on rt. 725, (North of the Denton Shelter)from Skyline Drive:
From the northern exit of Skyline Drive go North on rt. 340, towards Front Royal, then right on rt. 55 East. Stay on rt. 55, go thru Linden. Go several miles. Take a left on rt. 725. Rt. 725 goes under Rt. 66. The parking lot in just a few hundred yards on the right on rt. 725.
The AT crosses rt. 55, then follow rt. 725 thru the parking area before it returns to the woods.
Pam