Early Easter this year - good time to visit SNP?

I want to visit the park over the long weekend (as I have a long drive from NYC) but Good Friday falls so early this year on March 21, is it a good time to come? How will the weather be like and what can I expect to see? Will the trees still be bare, and will the waterfalls be flowing?

Early Easter this year - good time to visit SNP?

Shenandoah is beautiful all year. In late March most trees are not totally bare and wildflowers are just beginning to ';think'; about Spring. Even though we have had several years of drought, some recent rains should produce decent waterfalls. 2 of the 3 visitors centers open 3/20 and some other services are available, see nps.gov/shen/…facilities-opening-schedule.htm for complete schedule. Weather in late March can be 50%26#39;s+ or mid 30%26#39;s, check www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/weather.htm, good chance you will have nice weather, just be prepared.

Enjoy. Happy trails.

Early Easter this year - good time to visit SNP?

Thanks goneagain2 for your quick and helpful reply! I%26#39;ve also read that the air is clearer in winter and that you can see much farther than in the summer, so I%26#39;m looking forward to the experience.

For Skyline Drive, does it matter/are the views better if I start from Front Royal (North) Entrace Station and drive south, or if I start from Rockfish Gap (South) Entrance Station and drive north?

I don%26#39;t think the direction you drive makes much difference, whatever is most convenient for you. The valley views (more spectacular, to me) are to the west and piedmont views to east, so if travelling south the valley overlooks will be on your right (easier to turn into overlooks). The website, www.shenandoah.national-park.com/sights.htm, lists many interesting sites by milepost. Take note of mp39.1 Little Stony Man trail only .9 roundtrip and mp50.7 Dark Hollow Falls (very nice waterfall). If you are interested in other hikes, post again with your preferences including scenery (waterfall?), legnth, rating (easy, moderate, strenuous). You probably know this but just a reminder, be cautious if hiking in damp/wet areas, especially on rocks, can be quite slippery. Happy trails.

Thanks goneagain2 for your reply. The weather still looks to be cold (and possibly wet) so we%26#39;d probably stick to short, easy trails - what are your recommendations for the most scenic of these and where can we find the best waterfalls?

Dark Hollow Falls is a popular waterfall hike, milepost 50.7 1.5 mi RT, moderate, 440 ft elevation gain; Lands Run Falls, mp9.2, 1 mi RT, moderate; Waterfall on Piney Branch mp22.1, easy/moderate, 3.4 mi RT

You can look at other hikes and get trail maps at www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

There are several others that are knowledgable about Shenandoah trails and have given me good advice, maybe they will make suggestions too.

Hope you have nice weather. Happy trails.

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