Shenandoah National Park Family Adventure

Trip Length 4 Days
Group Size 4–12
Activity level
Starting from
$1,949 for REI Members
$2,139 for non-members
Departures Jun 2024-Aug 2024

Enjoy 4 days of family fueled adventure exploring the peaks, waterfalls, and highlights of Shenandoah National Park and the Shenandoah River Valley.

Wake each morning to hot drinks and a hearty breakfast prepared by our do-it-all guide team.

It’s easier to entice kids out of their tents with the promise of hot chocolate and exciting adventure! Explore a land full of human and natural history, a place where rivers are called runs, valleys become hollers, and families can become immersed in one of the oldest mountain ranges on earth. Step back, relax, and let our guides share tidbits about the plants, creatures, and creation of Shenandoah National Park.

We learn how others sacrificed their homes and land to preserve this precious park for families to explore for generations. Spend a day on the river exploring islands, watching for eagles, and trying to keep track of how many turtles you’ve spotted. Hike on the famous Appalachian Trail and soar through the canopy on a zip line tour. Our evenings are spent around the campfire roasting smores, telling stories, and remembering what it’s like to spend time together with no cell service.

REI Flash 18 Pack

Kids get an REI day pack — Kids traveling on our Family Adventures will receive an REI day pack for their adventure! Kids age 8-17 will receive the REI Flash 18 Pack (while quantities last, colors may vary). Learn more about REI Family Adventures.

Not traveling with kids under age 18? Check out our Shenandoah National Park Adventure trip or our Shenandoah National Park Hiking – Lodge -Based trip or inquire about a private departure of this itinerary.

Enjoy a family friendly float on the Shenandoah River”.

Trip Highlights

  • Hike to iconic waterfalls, a great place to cool off
  • Roast marshmallows and play games in a comfortable campground
  • Spend a day on the Shenandoah River seeing wildlife and exploring islands
  • Hike on the Appalachian Trail
  • See the forest from above on a canopy tour

Activities

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. Trip members should be capable of hiking 5-8 hours each day (up to 5 miles) with as much as 800' elevation gain and 2,500' loss. Zip-lining is suitable for beginners. The zipline component of this adventure requires participants to be at least 70 pounds but no more than 250 pounds and 8 years old. There is a ropes course alternative for kids that don't meet the weight requirement. Rafting is suitable for beginners, although comfort in/around water is recommended. Trip members must be under 300lbs. Rafting is on rapids classified I-II whitewater.

  • Hiking
  • Rafting
  • Zip-lining

What's Included

Any park or other admission fees or permits, guides; round-trip transportation from Herndon, VA to all destinations visited during the trip; all meals and snacks from lunch Day 1 through dinner on Day 4; see trip gear list for details on gear provided during this adventure.

Accommodations

Established campsites, 3 nights

Your Adventure Itinerary

Itinerary map for Shenandoah National Park Family Adventure
Day 1

Explore Stony Man Peak, cool off in Dark Hollow Falls, and camp in beautiful Big Meadows

Our adventure begins near Dulles International Airport, we meet our guides and fellow travelers for a brief orientation before embarking for Shenandoah National Park. We take beautiful Skyline Drive into the park and to the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center where we can pick up Junior Ranger packets. Our first hike takes us to the top of Stony Man, a 4,003 foot peak with sprawling views of the park and valley. This afternoon we hike to Dark Hollow Falls, a great spot for a family photo or a quick splash in the water. From Dark Hollow Falls we hike directly into our camp and home for the next two nights! Tonight our guides will teach us how to set up a tent and help us settle in before a delicious dinner and time around the campfire. Lunch and dinner included.

Hiking: 3.7 miles; Elevation gain/loss: +946’/-946’; Van transfer: 2 hours

Day 2

Picturesque waterfalls in Whiteoak Canyon

Wake this morning knowing that our guides are hard at work brewing coffee, prepping hot chocolate, and cooking up a meal that seems too good for a camping trip. Once were fed and have learned how to make our camp bear safe we head towards Whiteoak Canyon. Many visitors struggle to climb their way up Whiteoak Canyon from the bottom of the park. We make this hike family friendly by starting at the top and having one of our guides meet us at the bottom. The waterfalls in Whiteoak Canyon are some of our favorites to share because they give everyone a chance to soak in the views or just soak their feet. This afternoon we return to camp with time to clean up, take hot showers, or play games while your guides prepare dinner. All meals included.

Hiking: 4.9 miles; Elevation gain/loss: +72’/-2,426’; Van transfer: 1.5 hours

Day 3

Hike the Appalachian Trail and soar through the canopies!

After a delicious guide prepared breakfast, we head out to hike on the Appalachian Trail. Our imaginations wander as we traverse just a few miles of this famous route on our way to Mary’s Rock, a perfect spot to refuel with lunch and take in the stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley. This afternoon we'll our hearts pumping on 7 ziplines and 2,700’ of line racing through the canopy at up to 35 miles per hour! For anyone not keen on heights or kids that are too small we have an equally exciting high ropes course to test our balance and courage. After our day in the canopy, we head back into Shenandoah National Park with time to wrap up our Junior Ranger program and play games before dinner. All meals included.

Zip-lining: 2 hour tour Hiking: 3.0 miles; Elevation gain/loss: +799’/-1,356’; Van transfer: 2 hours

Day 4

A Shenandoah River Adventure!

It’s the last day of this adventure and we have plenty of excitement left! After packing up camp and one last guide prepared breakfast we head to the Shenandoah River. Whether we kayak or raft down the Class I or Class II rapids will be determined by river conditions and the recommendation of our expert river guides. Regardless of vessel, this route promises incredible views, as the South Fork is ideally situated between the banks of the Massanutten Mountains and Shenandoah National Park. We are in for a day of splashing, exploring islands, spotting turtles, and watching for eagles. We’ll wind down from our day with dinner in the gateway town of Front Royal before returning to our host hotel. All meals included.

Time on the water: 4 hours; Transfers: 2.5 hours

Itinerary map for Shenandoah National Park Family Adventure