Best time to visit Shenandoah National Park

• “May is the best month to visit Shenandoah National Park for most travelers” royaloakretreat.com
• “The best time to visit Shenandoah National Park is May–June and September–October.” nationalparksjournal.org
• “Shenandoah National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in May and October.” earthtrekkers.com

4 of the 9 travel guides we read name these months.

1. January36°F / 18°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…About 12,000 visitors in January, the quietest month.Freezing temperatures and snow are common.Skyline Drive often closes for snow, ice or debris.
2. February38°F / 20°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…Very low crowds, 30-40°F.Bare trees, icy waterfalls, very few visitors.
3. March46°F / 26°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Low crowds, 40-50°F.Old Rag day-use tickets are required from March 1 through November 30.
4. April57°F / 36°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Trees start blooming in April.Spring brings mild temperatures, rain and wildflowers.
5. Best timeMay66°F / 46°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Highs near 65°F, wildflowers, crowds well below October.Spring showers are common; pack a rain layer.By May the park is vibrant green.
6. Best timeJune72°F / 53°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…June through August is warmest with the heaviest weekend traffic.Summer highs rarely exceed the mid-70s thanks to elevation.
7. July75°F / 57°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Summer is lush, hot and humid; cooler in the mountains.Summer can be hot and very humid.
8. August74°F / 56°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…Summer break brings heavy weekend traffic on Skyline Drive.Slightly cooler in the mountains than the valley.
9. Best timeSeptember68°F / 50°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Warm days, cooling nights, traffic near May levels.September is noticeably quieter than October.Foliage can be seen from September through October.
10. Best timeOctober59°F / 40°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…The busiest month, about 24% of annual visitors.Last two weeks of October for peak color.Campgrounds and lodges usually booked for September and October weekends months ahead.
11. November48°F / 30°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…Temperatures run in the 30s from November to February.Valley-floor color peaks late October to early November.Leaf-peeping can extend into November.
12. December39°F / 21°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…November and December drop into the 30s and 40s with far fewer visitors than October.Freezing temperatures and snow are common.

Weather: Shenandoah averages (long-term averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Is Shenandoah pretty in November?

Leaf season can run into November, and low elevations color late October to early November, but temperatures are in the 30s.

How many days do you need to explore Shenandoah National Park?

Some visit for a day to drive Skyline Drive and hike a trail or two, but most allow a few days.

Are there bears in Shenandoah park?

Black bears are well known within the park boundaries.

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