Shenandoah, Virginia

Our home-base campground near Luray, Virginia was nestled at the west base of the Shenandoah Mountains, so we had only a 10 -15 minute drive to get to Shenandoah National Park. The major feature of this park is Skyline Drive, which follows the ridge of the mountains so that one can have views to the east and views to the west within very short distances of each other. Because of our close proximity to the park, we visited it several times and enjoyed several hikes, ranger programs, museum displays, visitor center informational films/slideshows, and wildlife-viewing (including a black bear, many deer, vultures, wild turkeys, Monarch butterflies/caterpillars, and a praying mantis). The views were sometimes foggy or hazy, but after a windy night, they were clear and awe-inspiring. A popular park with Washington DC inhabitants, it soon became very popular with us as well.