Shenandoah River State Park

General Information

This park is on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and has more than 1,600 acres along 5.2 miles of shoreline. The park opened in June 1999. In addition to meandering river frontage, the park offers scenic views of Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east. A large riverside picnic area, picnic shelters, trails, river access and a car-top boat launch make this a popular destination for families, anglers and canoeists. Ten riverfront tent campsites, a campground with water and electric sites, cabins, camping cabins and a group campground are available. With more than 24 miles of trails and a new zipline, the park has plenty of options for hiking, biking, horseback riding and adventure.

This park's hours of operation are between 8 a.m. and dusk. NOTE: This park is a Trash Free Facility - refuse must be removed by park visitor. A central refuse collection area is at the Cullers Overlook.

Hours

8 a.m. to dusk.

Location

The park is in Warren County, 8 miles south of Front Royal and 15 miles north of Luray. It's off Rt. 340 in Bentonville.

Its address is 350 Daughter of Stars Drive, Bentonville, VA 22610; Latitude, 38.854777. Longitude, -78.306552.

• From Northern Virginia, take I-66 West to exit 13 (Linden). Turn left off the ramp. Go one block to a stoplight where you'll take a right onto Rt. 55 West. At the fifth stoplight, turn left onto 340 South. Drive eight miles; the park's entrance is on the right.
• From I-81 North, take exit 300 onto I-66 East. From I-66, take exit 6. Turn right off the ramp onto 340 South. Follow 340 South through Front Royal, then drive eight miles to the park's entrance on the right.
• From I-81 South, take exit 264 to New Market and Luray. Turn right off the ramp. Turn left at the second stoplight, go one block to another stoplight and turn right onto 211 East. Stay on this highway for 15 miles, where you'll take a right exit onto 340 North. Drive about 12 miles to the park's entrance on the left.
• Drive Times: Northern Virginia, one and a half hours; Richmond, two and a half hours; Tidewater/Virginia Beach, four and a half hours; Roanoke, two and a half hours

Park Size

1,619 acres.

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Cabins, camping

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

The park is open year-round; it has standard tent only sites, electric-water camping, four camping cabins (bunkhouses), regular cabins and a lodge. For information on availability of overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK (7275). Click here for park fees.

Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. There is a charge, plus tax, per pet per night for cabin stays. There are no designated swimming areas at the park.

Note: Be sure to bring confirmation letter(s) or reservation number(s) when you check in. If someone else is checking in for you, make sure the person has the reservation number. The number is needed to enter the cabin or lodge. Camping, cabin and lodge guests should also be prepared to show an ID.

Cabins

Weekly rentals, required for these facilities during prime season, start on Saturday or Sunday. This park has no extra bed rentals. A two-night minimum stay is required the rest of the year. In prime season, however, guests who wish to stay less than a week may call 30 days prior to desired arrival date to see if there is vacancy for two-night minimum stay. Cabins and lodges are open year-round and may be reserved up to 11 months in advance. Check-in is 4 p.m., and checkout is 10 a.m.

Late arrivals: Guests who arrive after 4 p.m. should bring confirmation letter(s) or reservation number(s). Part of the reservation number is the passcode needed for cabin or lodge entry. Also, those arriving after-hours should check in at the park office between 9:30 and 11 a.m. the next day and bring an ID.

Lodge: Shenandoah River State Park has one six-bedroom lodge that sleeps up to 16. No bed rentals. During prime season, the lodge is rented week-long from Saturday to Saturday. Check-in is 4 p.m., and checkout is 10 a.m.

It has:

• Kitchen: Refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, dishes, dishcloth, dish towels, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, pans, microwave oven, toaster, electric can opener and a clock-radio.
• Bring food, dish detergent, extra dishcloths, coffee filters, coffee, salt and pepper, nonstick cooking spray, soap, extra bath towels, etc.
• No dishwasher, phone or TV.
• Washing machine: Please use only high efficiency (HE) detergent.
• Rustic furniture.
• Front and back decks with rocking chairs.
• Maximum six cars, including trailers, per lodge. A daily parking fee is charged for additional vehicles. All vehicles must be parked in designated areas, and there is no overflow parking area.
• Six bedrooms: One set of bed linens per bed and one set of towels per person; these are not changed daily. You may wish to bring your own pillow as well as a comforter.
• Two bedrooms have queen size beds, two have two single beds and two have two sets of bunk beds each.
• Three bathrooms.
• Next to the lodge are a picnic table, a charcoal pedestal grill and a campfire ring.
• Universally accessible: kitchen, dining area, living room, two bedrooms and one bathroom.
• Climate-controlled.
• Linens provided; one set per week (additional linens available for a fee).
• Gas log fireplace.
• Washer and dryer.
• No smoking allowed.
• Pets are allowed. There's an extra fee plus tax per pet per night.
• Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. Only overnight guests are allowed in the park after 10 p.m.

Cabins: During prime season, cabins 1 through 5 rent for weeklong stays starting on Saturday; the rental period for cabins 6 through 11 begins on Sunday. No extra bed rentals. Check-in is 4 p.m., and checkout is 10 a.m.

Cabins have:

• Kitchen: Refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, dishes, dishcloth, dish towels, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, pans, microwave oven, toaster, can opener, clock-radio.
• Bring food, dish detergent, extra dishcloths, coffee filters, coffee, salt and pepper, nonstick cooking spray, soap, extra bath towels, etc.
• No dishwasher, phone, TV, washer or dryer.
• Mission style rustic furniture.
• Deck.
• Fireplace.
• Firewood is available for purchase. Do not bring your own firewood.
• Bedrooms: Bed(s), nightstands, dresser, closet with hangers, clock-radio. One set of linens per bed and one set of towels per person; these are not changed daily. You may wish to bring your own pillow and a comforter.
• Climate-controlled.
• A picnic table, fire-ring and a charcoal pedestal grill are beside the cabin.
• Wrap-around deck; open porch with rocking chairs and end tables.
• Cabin 2, the lodge and cabin 5 are universally accessible.
• Two vehicles, including trailers, are allowed per cabin. A daily parking fee is charged for additional vehicles. The number of cars allowed to park by the cabin proper varies. All vehicles and trailers must be parked in designated areas. There is no overflow parking area.
• No smoking.
• Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. Only overnight guests are allowed in the park after 10 p.m.
• Pets are allowed. There's an extra fee per pet per night, plus tax.

Total sites of each type: Two-bedroom frame, 9; three-bedroom frame, 1; six-bedroom lodge, 1

Site Types:

• Two-bedroom frame: Nine two-bedroom frame cabins; Cabin 2 is universally accessible. Cabins allow a maximum of six and have one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds (that sleep four total), except for Cabin 2 which has the queen bed and only one set of bunk beds. No extra bed rentals.
• Three-bedroom frame: One three-bedroom frame cabin; Cabin 5 is universally accessible. This cabin accommodates up to eight and has one queen bed, two single beds in a second bedroom and two sets of bunk beds (that sleep four total) in a third bedroom; no extra bed rentals.
• Six-bedroom lodge (Lod 03-SAT): One six-bedroom lodge, is universally accessible and  accommodates up to 16. It has three baths, two bedrooms each with a queen size bed, two bedrooms each with two single beds and two bedrooms each with two sets of bunk beds (i.e., can sleep up to four in each bedroom); no extra bed rentals.

Total: 10 cabins; one lodge

Camping

Camping is year-round. Shenandoah River's developed campground has 32 sites with water and electric hookups for various equipment - tents, popups and RVs up to 60 feet long. Water at campsites is turned off when temperatures are below freezing. At such times, there's no reduction in fees because water is still available elsewhere in the park. The campground has centrally located restrooms with hot showers. Sites have fire-rings, picnic tables and lantern holders. Twenty-seven sites are back-in, and five are pull-through. Site assignment is made upon arrival, not at the time of reservation.

Four camping cabins (small bunkhouses) also are in the EW campground. They are unheated. The maximum occupancy for the camping cabins is four. There are 10 standard tents-only sites in the Right River Campground, which isn't near the EW Campground.

Those arriving after 4:30 should check in at the booth at the park's entrance. A rack outside the booth has envelopes with check-in documents for each guest.

EW Campground Sites (year-round)

• EW - Electric and water hookups for various equipment (tents, pop-ups, RVs) up to 60 feet; bathhouse with hot showers. Tents must fit on a 20’ by 25' tent pad.
• Check-in is 4 p.m.; check-out is 3 p.m.
• Outlets accept 20, 30 and 50-amp current.
• Each campsite has a steel fire-ring that can be used for cooking and campfires.
• All camping equipment and vehicles must fit on the campsite. The site rental includes parking fees for up to two vehicles. Customers must pay parking fees for additional vehicles.
• Those visiting overnight guests must pay a daily parking fee and leave the park by 10 p.m.
• Quiet time is from 10 p.m. through 8 a.m.
• Campsites have round grills on a cement pad on the ground. The grill can be used to make a campfire or for cooking. Campfires are allowed only in the designated area.
• Those arriving late should register at the visitor center the next morning.
• Firewood is for sale at the camp host site; to help prevent the spread of invasive species, please do not bring your own firewood.
• Pets are allowed.

Camping Cabins - (Camp Cabins 1-4, small bunkhouses, maximum occupancy 4, year-round)

• Check-in is 4 p.m.; check-out is 10 a.m.
• No heat.
• Linens not provided.
• Sleeps up to four; no extra bed rentals
• Two-night minimum.
• Week-long stay not required during prime season.
• No bathroom, kitchen, fireplace, air conditioning or heat.
• Four walls, a roof, two sets of bunk beds with mattresses, a table, four chairs, small porch, no bathroom, screened windows, electrical outlets, one lighted ceiling fan, an outside picnic table, a fire-ring, grill and a lantern post.
• No tents, campers or other camping equipment allowed at sites.
• Use campground bathhouses for bathroom and showers.
• Parking for two cars.
• Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. through 8 a.m.

The transfer deadline policy, cancellation and pet fees for camping cabins are the same as those for cabins.

River Right Campground (tents only, year-round)

Ten standard tent canoe-in or walk-in sites (TentStd), each with a picnic table, grill and fire ring. The sites are less than 50 yards from the parking lot. The campground has a full service bathhouse. Potable water is available near the two vault toilets, and gray water sinks are near the bathhouse and the vault toilets by the parking lot. There are two river-access points and parking for up to 21 vehicles. Reserve these sites through the Customer Service Center, 800-933-7275.

Cottonwood Primitive Group Camp

This walk-in site is for tents only, accommodates up to 30 and is about 100 yards from the parking lot. The site is open year-round, depending on weather and site conditions. There's a bathhouse nearby. Call the Customer Service Center, 800-933-7275, to reserve this site. The cancellation fee for a group site accommodating at least seven people is higher than is the fee for individual campsites.

Total sites: 10 tent standard sites, 32 EW sites; 4 camp cabins; one group site.

Recreation

TRAILS

24 miles, more than 14 miles of which are multi-use.

Visit the Explore Virginia Outdoors website for enhanced maps and video tours of Shenandoah River's trails.

SWIMMING

There are no designated swimming areas. Wading and floating are permitted.

FISHING, BOATING

The park offers a car top access in the day-use area, located 3.2 miles downstream from the Bentonville access area. The "fish trap" access area, near Shelter 3, is suitable for wade fishing. Freshwater fishing is available for those with a freshwater fishing license. The park does not rent boats. There are three car-top launches and two outfitters within five minutes of the park.

HORSES

Yes, but no horse rentals. State law requires that visitors carry a copy of a negative Coggins report with each horse brought to the park.

VIRGINIA CANOPY TOUR ZIPLINE

Virginia Canopy Tours™ enables visitors to tour the park by zipline. The tour operator offers a fresh adventure covering the environment, culture, history and wildlife. Reservations are being taken now for the zipline tour, which takes about three hours to complete and costs $89 per person. It includes:

• A UTV (utility task vehicle) trail ride.
• Eight ziplines.
• Air stairs.
• A sky bridge.
• Two nature hikes.
• A rappel.

Explore Shenandoah Valley hardwood forests in a thrilling new way - zipping through treetops. The grand finale is an exhilarating 1,000-plus foot-long zip offering stunning views of Massanutten Mountain followed by a 30-foot rappel.

All participants receive individual safety and braking training and are accompanied by two certified eco-trained guides who handle all gear and transfers. Participants are well-secured at all times when off the ground as safety is the main focus of the dual-cable system course.

Visit the Virginia Canopy Tours website  to make reservations now and like them on Facebook. Call 540-622-2000 for group rates.

Park Trail Guide

Click here for the park's trail guide.

Nearby Attractions

Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, Skyline Caverns, Luray Caverns, Sky Meadows State Park, Down River Canoe Co., Front Royal Canoe Co..

Picnic Shelters

Four shelters may be rented through the Customer Service Center. Call 1-800-933-PARK. They are available in two sizes: large and very large. They are rented all day from 8 a.m. to dusk. All shelters have lighting, are universally accessible, and feature pedestal grills, a water fountain and electricity (a single 15 amp 120v receptacle). Also, all are adjacent to parking. Daily parking fees apply to all shelter guests. Click here for park fees.

Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.

Shelter 1 (large) - It is riverside, accommodates 50 and is universally accessible. The shelter, which is octagonal and has 900 square feet of floor area with seven picnic tables, is about 200 feet away from a restroom. There are 29 parking spaces.

Shelter 2 (large) - It is riverside, accommodates 50 and is universally accessible. The shelter, which is octagonal and has 900 square feet of floor area with seven picnic tables, is about 150 feet away from a restroom. There are 15 parking spaces.

Shelter 3 (large) - It is riverside, accommodates 50 and is universally accessible. The shelter, which is octagonal and has 900 square feet of floor area with seven picnic tables, is about 300 feet away from a restroom. There are 14 parking spaces.

Massanutten Shelter (extra large) - This shelter overlooks Massanutten Mountain and the river, and can accommodate 100. It's about 34 x 34 feet with two 12 x 20 foot wings, is about 300 feet away from a restroom and is beside a 55-space parking lot.

Meeting Space and Facilities

MEETING FACILITIES

None at this park.

VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP

The visitor center features local wildlife and has touch-screens for learning about the region's history and bird species. An aquarium has fish from the Shenandoah River. The center's gift shop sells snacks, novelty items, shirts, jackets, etc.

RESTAURANTS

There are restaurants 8 miles away in Front Royal, where guests will also find several grocery stores. Two convenience stores in Bentonville are about a quarter-mile from the park.

LAUNDRY

The EW Campground has a coin-operated laundry.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

None at this park.

SPECIAL FEATURES

None.

Other Info

ACCESSIBILITY

• The lodge, cabin 2 and cabin 5 are universally accessible.
• Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed to enable people with disabilities to use the trails.
• All picnic shelters are accessible via paved sidewalks. Day use restrooms are also accessible. Shelters feature wheelchair accessible picnic tables.
• Unpaved paths leading to campsites, vault toilets and the bathhouse are covered with pea gravel. Bathhouse toilets have rails, but vault toilets do not.

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS

Seasonal schedule between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Click here to view all parks' events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

CONCESSIONS

Drinks and snacks are available at the visitor center.

HISTORY

The first component of Shenandoah River State Park was the 922-acre Jeni Tract, which was acquired in 1994 as part of a 1992 state bond referendum. In addition to the Jeni tract, other properties acquired for the park include the Maddox tract (171 acres), Hidalgo tract (7 acres), Parsall tract (22 acres), the Cullers tract (484 acres), and a tract from Norfolk and Southern of about 15 acres.

FRIENDS GROUP

The park enjoys the support of a nonprofit citizen group, Friends of Shenandoah River State Park. Its mission is to help the park provide educational and recreational opportunities while fostering stewardship and community involvement. The group meets on the first Tuesday each month, and everyone is welcome to attend the meetings. To join or learn more about the group, click here.

MASTER PLAN

Master plans must be written for parks before they're built. The plans are updated at least once every 10 years thereafter. The plans cover the size, types, infrastructure and locations of facilities as well as the site's special features and resources. Three public meetings are held during the initial development of each plan. Click here for this park's master plan.