hikrchick

My DH and I were throwing around ideas where to go hiking in the spring and I suggested Shenandoah National Park -- only because a relative from out of the country went and told me she liked it. From where we live in the NYC suburbs we could drive there in about 6 hours. We would go for Memorial Day weekend for several days of hiking, with our medium-sized (28-pound) dog. Our original thought was the weekend before that, but that is apparently UVA graduation so we don't think it would be a good idea. I know from NPS websites that leashed dogs are allowed on trails.

Has anyone ever gone with a dog? Any suggestions for dog-friendly hotels? And can anyone give any experience of being there Memorial Day weekend? Will it be super-crowded? (we intentionally don't want to go during the summer to stay away from crowds -- all three of us aren't so good in large groups of people).

Thanks for any guidance and letting me know if this would be worth it with a dog.

Dukey1

I'm not convinced the UVA graduation is going to affect the number of visitors where you are going all that much.

DebitNM

http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/pets.htm

longhorn55

Memorial Day weekend is fairly early in the season for Shenandoah National Park. So, while it will probably be fairly busy there, I don't think it will be super-crowded. (Even when the park is crowded, you normally only see a lot of people around the lodges and the visitor's center--not on the trails.)

Take a look at the descriptions of the trails. It will help you decide if the trails in SNP suit you and your dog's hiking ability. (Note: Because SNP is a "mountainous" area, many of the trails have fairly decent changes in elevation, i.e. lots of "up and down". It can be a challenge.)

http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

hikrchick

thanks for the guidance!

So, Dukey, isn't Charlottesville close to the park? That's how it looked to us doing elementary research online. If I'm mistaken that would be great. We wouldn't stay there and go to SNP during the day?

Longhorn, we will look at the maps. We've taken Humphrey hiking for a few hours in New York state (where he didn't do too well because it was too warm for him) and in cooler weather here in northern NJ. Thanks for the honest assessment of the trails. We'll make sure to make a decision that's safe for Humphrey.

JanetKMR

It's about 30 miles from Charlottesville. I don't think UVA's graduation would be a significant factor unless you are trying to dine or lodge in C'ville.

Birdie

I would check JMU's graduation date too. I disagree that hotels won't be impacted. When there is a huge event like that, hotels fill up all along the I64/I81 corridor.

JanetKMR

JMU's is May 7.