Special Offer: All participants who register for this tour by September 6 will receive a complimentary ticket to the September 9 Geology of Shenandoah National Park online program on Zoom. Further information will be shared with qualifying registrants via email in early September.
Virginia’s fabled Skyline Drive weaves through the length of Shenandoah National Park, one of the region’s top draws for hikers. In a two-day active getaway designed for outdoor lovers, meet up with fellow participants and explore the Blue Ridge trails at the height of their fall beauty. During the program, naturalist and study leader Keith Tomlinson leads two moderate-level hikes in the park and presents an engaging evening program that offers insights into the area’s history, geography, geology, wildlife, and forest environment.
Stay at a historic lodge on Skyline Drive that offers magnificent panoramic views of the mountain landscapes. Big Meadows Lodge, built in 1939 with stones hewn from Massanutten Mountain and native wormy chestnut (now virtually extinct), has an easy, natural feel and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Participants stay in preferred rooms, a short walking distance from the main lodge building.
Begin on Sunday with a welcome lunch and orientation on arrival at the iconic lodge, followed by a 3-mile circuit around several interconnection trails featuring vistas into the Shenandoah Valley and mature hardwood forests. After an invigorating afternoon, relax and enjoy dinner at Big Meadows and Tomlinson’s program on Shenandoah National Park—the perfect way to prepare for another day spent on the trails. After breakfast on Monday, grab a sack lunch and head out for a 3.5-mile circuit along the Appalachian Trail towards Fishers Gap to enjoy lunch and spectacular views. Then upwards towards the “meadows” and Bryd Visitor Center. Pack your hiking gear and get ready to experience the natural splendor of fall in an unforgettable way.
Know Before You Go
- Travel information: Participants meet on site with independent travel to and from Shenandoah National Park (approximately a 2 ½-hour drive from the National Mall).
- The group will meet at the Big Meadows Lodge in the Massanutten Room (Mile 51, Skyline Dr, Stanley, VA 22851) at 11:00 a.m. for check in, box lunch, and introduction.
- Cost includes hotel, services of a study leader and Smithsonian representative, lunch on arrival, dinner and breakfast at Big Meadows Lodge, guided hikes, an evening lecture, taxes, and gratuities (Note: Shenandoah National Park entrance fee is not included).
- Group size is limited to 25 participants.
- Please note: This is an active trip that requires good stamina, balance, and sturdy shoes for hiking. Each day covers 3–4 miles in distance, with uphill sections up to a mile, and uneven, occasionally rocky terrain. Please contact us if you have any questions about your ability to participate.
- Single-room supplement $150 (factored into the Single Room Member and Single Room Non-Member pricing).
- Singles registering at the double-room rate are paired (on a nonsmoking basis) if possible, but must pay the single-room supplement otherwise.
- Detailed information is emailed to registrants about four weeks prior to departure.
- Participants are advised to purchase travel insurance for overnight and multi-day tours from a provider of your choice. Travel insurance provides additional coverage against unforeseen incidents that require last-minute cancellations.
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, October 18, 2024.
- Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
- As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
- For additional tour information:
