Those who love the outdoors need no special date to enjoy and celebrate our natural spaces. However, observances like Earth Day (April 22) and National Park Week (April 20-28, 2024) offer an opportunity to shed light on how to best appreciate our natural assets and be good stewards of the planet.
Those looking for outdoor inspiration have come to the right place. The Shenandoah Valley is a beautiful natural destination away from cities and bright lights. Our night sky is dark and perfect for stargazing, and our mountaintop days are cool and offer tremendous views.
Visit Shenandoah National Park
- April 20 is a fee-free day at national parks, meaning you can bypass the entrance fee at Shenandoah National Park for the day.
- April 20 is also ParkRx Day, in which “doctor’s orders” instruct you to enjoy the many benefits a day in the outdoors can offer.
- April 21-27 is National Volunteer Week. Find available opportunities at Volunteer.gov.
- April 22 is Earth Day. Do your part to follow Leave No Trace principles and also clean up after those who don’t.
- April 27 is National Junior Ranger Day. Did you know every fourth grader can enter national parks for free? Consult the NPS Kids Portal to learn about that and more opportunities.
A Ranger Shows Students a Gall. Shenandoah National Park Photo.
Hiking SNP
There are more than 500 miles of hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park. Since it’s spring and that means more frequent rain showers, hikes to waterfalls are especially popular. If you must, you must, but perhaps a less-traveled trail would be most beneficial for peace and serenity.
Endurance may dictate the length of trail you would like to take on. For a short hike (up to two miles), consider Blackrock Summit. It’s a TRACK Trail that includes a brochure for kids, plus leashed pets are allowed on the trail. [More Short Hikes]
Hikes up to six miles in length are numerous. We like Pass Mountain Loop for its mostly open views. It’s also a pet-friendly hike, and there are good opportunities to see native wildflowers. [More Medium Hikes]
Okay, overachievers, this is your section! Hikes of seven miles and longer aren’t as plentiful, but they’re plenty strenuous. If we were you, we’d choose Nicholson Hollow for its reward of seeing the Corbin Cabin homesite. [More Long Hikes]
Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park, Near Mile 21 Trailhead. National Park Service Photo by B. Raeburn.
Cycling SNP
The biggest thing to know about Shenandoah National Park is that bicycles are not allowed on trails or grass. You must keep your bicycle on paved surfaces with the exception of a one mile stretch of Rapidan Fire Road near Big Meadows. Lucky you, however, as Skyline Drive is 105.5 miles long!
Earth Day in the Shenandoah Valley
Virginia State Parks are observing Earth Day in a variety of ways. State Parks in the Shenandoah Valley are hosting guests for the following events on April 20:
- Earth Day Celebration for Kids and Earth Day Hike at Shenandoah River State Park
- Earth Day Recycling Drive: “Put Plastic in its Place” at Natural Bridge State Park
Communities Hosting Earth Day Programming
Earth Day Staunton invites you to “Stop the Plastic Tidal Wave” and join them at Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Staunton. Expect to see the workings of a live beehive, meet “stream critters” and other animals through Wildlife Center of Virginia, peek at electric cars, and more.
In Front Royal, Earth Day is called Lone Pine Day after the iconic lone Eastern White Pine near the Shenandoah National Park entrance at Front Royal. The event will be held in downtown Front Royal and feature wildlife programming, kids activities, food trucks, plant sales, an Arbor Day tree planting ceremony, and more.
Why not run a 5K on the greenway for Earth Day? You can do just that in Luray this year. The Luray Earth Day 5K/1K is a run/walk event held on April 20. Registration is open until 9 a.m. on race day.
Become one with nature at Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden in Lexington. Enjoy the Earth Day Sound Bath in the Garden from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on April 22. The event will include Tibetan singing bowls to enhance the healing and wellness of the natural environment.
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Enjoy our great outdoors and do your part to leave it as you found it, if not better.
Header Image: Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. Photo by Cameron Davidson and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.