Harpers Ferry, Mt Vernon, and Shenandoah in 3 days?.

We will be in washington dc for 4 days and then visitng surrounding areas. Looking at Harpers Ferry, Mt Vernon, and Shanandoah. Do you think all three of those are doable in 3 days? And any recomendations on lodging at either one base area/hotel or multiple cities and lodging?

Harpers Ferry, Mt Vernon, and Shenandoah in 3 days?.

All 3 locations are within a short driving distance so the trip is doable but much depends on what activities you plan, how much time you want to spend in each location, and how you like to travel (start early-stay late; see everything; see only main points, etc). It%26#39;s easy to spend several days just in Shenandoah NP, but if you want to experience a portion of the Park, travel Skyline Drive, maybe take a short hike(s), it can be done in a day. Assuming your start and stop points are DC....you could take DC to Harpers Ferry and spend the day (and night or proceed to SNP), at SNP stay at Skyland or Big Meadows Lodge if available call asap for reservations, enjoy Skyline Drive and beautiful views, hike (post again if you want hike suggestions or read a few previous posts), stop at Mount Vernon for the day on return to DC. Of course, the reverse route is also possible. Once you know the dates of your trip, post again because the people knowledgable of the DC area can tell you the best days/times/routes to travel based on DC traffic (take their advice, traffic is awful).

Harpers Ferry, Mt Vernon, and Shenandoah in 3 days?.

We will be in DC until 7/5. So, it is a Sunday when we check out of DC hotel. Then we have a 4:00 flight on Wed 7/8 from Dulles. Originally, we envisioned doing a white water rafting trip on the New River, but people on those posts told me the New River is too far to drive to from DC...Thus my scrambling at the last minute trying to figure out how to spend 7/5 - 7/8 :D

%26lt;stay at Skyland or Big Meadows Lodge if available call asap for reservations, enjoy Skyline Drive and beautiful views, hike (post again if you want hike suggestions%26gt;

Do you know of any easy hikes to see a waterfall and what park entrance should I enter through? I also read some bad reviews on Skyland and Big Meadows. wonder if is has changed since you visited.

CheNop, If your first stop is Mount Vernon or Harpers Ferry, it will be convenient for you to enter SNP at Front Royal. When you begin traveling on Skyline Drive at Front Royal is it milepost 0. Stop at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (milepost 4.6), ask a ranger for trail suggestions and get trail map. Enjoy the beautiful drive and just beyond milepost 50 you will see parking for Dark Hollow Falls on your left...that is one of the most popular hikes in SNP. It%26#39;s 1.4 miles roundtrip to a 70%26#39; waterfall, very nice but elevation change is 440%26#39;, moderate difficulty.

Also, if you are still considering stops for your trip, Luray Caverns is quite interesting and just off Skyline Drive at milepost 31.5, Route 211.

Happy trails