Posted October 17, 2016 | Updated December 26, 2018

We were pleasantly surprised to find the Shenandoah was a slow shallow river. It was a joy to wade along the shores and do photography, and the view up and down stream was stunning.

It's easy to find inspiration at Shenanandoah River State Park

We arrived on a Sunday night straight from canoeing and oyster events at Belle Isle State Park, and camping and Music on the Cliffs at Westmoreland State Park. 

We were excited that we got our first cabin at a Virginia State Park. Booked weeks in advance, we experienced some angst as the dates drew near, as a rain front was poised to ruin it for us. 

So much beauty all around at us

Our cabin was not yet ready, and gave us an excuse to go check out the Shenandoah River. We didn't want to waste a moment, as rain was indeed headed our way. 

Now we do not often get impressed with taxidermy displays. They are often a bit creepy, though educational. The display at the Visitor Center of Shenandoah River State Park had 3 times more than we've seen at any other park, and it was beautiful and tasteful. 

It had me on a mission for hikes there to see a fox squirrel. Kevin dearly wanted to see a flying squirrel, but alas, it was not to be, for either. This is reason enough to return soon, but we accumulated a long list of reasons to return to this park. 

The landscaping and water features around the Visitor Center were also the most pleasing we've encountered at all of the Virginia State Parks. It all seemed to organically grow right from the landscape itself. You'll see when you go!

The cabin was very nice. It was nicer by far than we expected. You pay the same for a small hotel room elsewhere, but at this state park, you basically get a really nice house. 

I'm used to rustic seasonal cabins around any number of Michigan's lakes frequented by summer vacationers. These are not those kind at all. Fully stocked modern kitchen, nice linens, a deck with 6 wooden rockers, a grilling and picnic table area, and all the nice complimentary toiletries you get gifted in the bathrooms of fine B&B's.

We could not spend much time admiring our new quarters upon arrival, as we wanted to hike some before the rains started.

There was a trail right at the foot of the stairs to our deck at cabin 6, so we took it, Culler's Trail. 

Now I can say I have a favorite hiking trail,

in all the Virginia State Parks system 

I did not before, as there are so many good ones. The secret to my new love affair with this particular one is it passes through abandoned farmland. The meadows roll on and on, and you hike old farm lanes through a very soothing landscape. It was beautiful and there were endless delays as I stopped for photography. 

Old farms have so many unexpected treasures around, right down to some very photogenic old buildings. To make things even better, it ran right into Riverside Trail along the Shenandoah River. We tempted getting caught in the rain and continued on.

We have to emphasize that we hike a lot, all over the state. This was the first hike we noticed monarch butterflies outnumbered all others, and there were actual flocks of goldfinches, not just a few here and there.

Upon returning to the cabin, we settled in for a good night's rest, and hoped the now torrents of rain would ease up our next full day there, and soon enough to get good hikes in.

We have to say, this is a park you go to get off the grid. We had no cell phone service with our carrier. There is no television nor WIFI in the cabins either.

If you finally want your spouse's or family's full attention, this is the place to go. Just leave the electronic games behind and expect no urgent work calls from distant jobs you'd rather not hear from during your getaway. 

Enjoy a mountain getaway in cabin 6 which is a two bedroom cabin

Cook a nice dinner, or try a local diner not many miles from the park. Then spend the evening relaxing in those rockers on the deck, and see if you can identify all the sounds in the night.

One chatty creature in the woods was likely one of the elusive flying squirrels we sought out, but never spotted. The cabins offer a nice bit of privacy. You may only know you have new neighbors by the sudden wafting aroma of BBQ or steaks on the grill.

We have a lot to say about this amazing park, to see part 2 of this series about Shenandoah River State Park with even more great photos, click here.

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Visit our Facebook page "Virginia Through Our Eyes," and we will give some photo by photo commentary on how we got a few of the more spectacular shots at Shenandoah River State Park.

Stay tuned to Bob and Kevin's series on Virginia State Parks to learn more cell phone photography tips, these images were all taken with a cell phone camera, and we are excited to have them get to know Virginia one park at a time.

If you would like information on our First Day Hikes January 1, 2019, click here.

Camping and Cabins

If you would like to learn more about the cabins at this park, click here or call 800-933-PARK. As well as housekeeping cabins, Shenandoah River State Park offers camping cabins in the campground (photo here), and one lodge that sleeps up to 16.

Also, camping is open year-round, and since this article first ran we have added yurts to the campground, learn more about camping and yurts here.

Posted October 17, 2016 | Updated December 26, 2018