Kid-Friendly Options

Shenandoah National Park is a very kid-friendly park, with indoor exhibits and activities as well as beginner hiking trails and outdoor exhibits. Children ages 7 to 12 can become a Shenandoah National Park Junior Ranger, while slightly older kids (aged 13 and above) can enjoy working on Ranger Explorer Activity Guides. There are also activity booklets which can be picked up in the park or printed from the internet. A whole-family activity that's great for kids is taking part in a ranger-led tour or talk; check for the week's schedule posted outside of the visitors centers. The Dickey Ridge Visitor Center has a movie and an interactive exhibit that can help introduce the family to the park (or wait out any poor weather rolling through). The Byrd Visitor Center has an indoor exhibit on the development of the park, as well as a small selection of movies. Outdoors, the Limberlost Trail is a 1.3-mile trail with posted exhibits and information which is a great way to introduce young children to hiking.