Explore the Valley

Your guide to outdoor adventures in Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley

Plan Your Trip

Looking for things to do outdoors in Harrisonburg, VA? Or planning a trip to the Shenandoah Valley? This region has a way of pulling you outside—into the mountains, onto the river, and down trails you didn’t know existed.

From hiking in Shenandoah National Park to biking local trails and exploring nearby forests, here are the resources we trust to help you get outside.

Get Started: Official Sites

Get Specific: Local Experts

  • Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coallition (SVBC)
    Nonprofit creating safe and enjoyable bicycling infrastructure in the region. Check their site for great routes and events.

  • Wild Guyde
    Guided climbing, caving and outdoor experiences led Lester R. Zook and his team of local experts.

  • Go Hiking Virginia
    Specialized hiking blog, featuring over 250 reviews of Virginia trails.

  • Mossy Creek Fly Fishing
    The go-to for fishing experiences and expertise in where and how to fish local bodies of water.

  • Rocktown Bicycles
    Our awesome neighbors and a full service bike shop. who also recommend a range of routes.

Top 10: The Spots We Keep Coming Back To

  1. Shenandoah National Park
    25–35 minutes away. Skyline Drive, endless trailheads, and some of the best views in Virginia.

  2. Blue Ridge Parkway
    1–1.5 hours away. One of the most visited scenic drives in the U.S., with overlooks, trail access, and long-range mountain views.

  3. Luray Caverns
    1 hour away. The largest cavern system in the Eastern U.S., known for dramatic formations and vivid natural color.

  4. Massanutten Resort & Western Slope
    30 minutes away. Skiing and snowboarding with a 1,000 ft vertical. Lift-access downhill biking in the summer. Home to Western Slope, with 30+ miles of bike trails, built by SVBC.

  5. Douthat State Park
    90 min away. One of Virginia’s oldest and most scenic state parks, with a quiet mountain lake, wooded campsites, and a strong network of hiking and mountain biking trails. A great spot for a full day outside or a low-key overnight.

  6. Shenandoah River
    20–40 minutes away. Calm, scenic, and beginner-friendly—perfect for paddling, floating, and fishing.

  7. George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
    30–60+ minutes away. 1.1 million acres of quieter, wilder terrain for hiking, camping, and backcountry exploring.

  8. Stokesville Campground
    30 minutes away. A low-key basecamp in the mountains, known for its access to rugged singletrack, gravel routes, and backcountry riding. Popular with mountain bikers, with direct connections to trails in the George Washington National Forest.

  9. Mossy Creek
    30 minutes away. A Virginia fly fishing classic—technical water, no wading, and big brown trout.

  10. Hillandale Park
    5 minutes away. In-town trails for running and biking, tucked into the woods. Quick, easy access.

Shenandoah River on a sunny day
Dear waling in the woods at Shenandoah Valley

Hikers Paradise: Our Favorite Trails

  • Strickler Knob
    45 minutes away · Challenging · 6 miles out-and-back. A steep push on Massanutten rewarded with multiple rocky viewpoints over the Luray Valley.

  • High Knob Fire Tower
    1 hour away · Moderate · 5 miles out-and-back. Climb to a former fire tower with sweeping 360° views across Virginia and into West Virginia.

  • Fridley Gap
    30 minutes away · Moderate · 6-mile loop. A local favorite with stream crossings, small waterfalls, and a swimming hole near the start.

  • Reddish Knob
    1 hour away · Easy to Moderate · Various distances. A high-elevation trail network with big views and possible to drive to the top—great for hiking, and even better for mountain biking.

  • Bearfence Mountain
    45 minutes away · Moderate · 1-mile loop. A short but memorable rock scramble leading to a 360° summit—big views for minimal mileage.

  • Old Rag Mountain
    1 hour away · Challenging · 9-mile loop. Shenandoah’s most famous hike—rock scrambles, narrow passages, and big summit views. A full-value day.

  • Dark Hollow Falls
    40 minutes away · Easy to Moderate · 1.5 miles out-and-back. One of the park’s most popular waterfall hikes—short, steep, and worth it.

  • Hawksbill Mountain
    1 hour away · Moderate · 2–3 miles out-and-back. The highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, with panoramic views from a stone summit platform.

Winter Wonderland: Where We Shred

  • Massanutten Resort
    30 minutes away. The closest option—reliable snowmaking, a 1,000 ft vertical, and a great mix of terrain for quick laps and after-work sessions.

  • Bryce Resort
    40 minutes away. Smaller, laid-back, and beginner-friendly. Perfect for learning to ski or easygoing days on the mountain.

  • Wintergreen Resort
    1 hour away. Blue Ridge views and a solid vertical drop—ski above the clouds with some of the best scenery in Virginia.

  • Snowshoe Mountain Resort
    2.5 hours away. The biggest skiing in the region, with the most terrain, highest elevation, and strongest snowfall in the Mid-Atlantic.

  • Canaan Valley Resort
    2 hours away. Wide, open slopes and a quieter pace—great for cruising and escaping the crowds.

  • Timberline Mountain
    2 hours away. Home to the longest runs in the region and a legit vertical drop—steeper, faster, and a favorite for more advanced skiers.

  • The Omni Homestead Resort
    2 hours away. A historic resort with a classic ski hill—short runs, old-school charm, and a relaxed atmosphere.

  • White Grass Ski Touring Center
    2 hours away. Backcountry-style cross-country skiing with ungroomed terrain, rolling hills, and a true off-the-grid feel.

Make Us Your First Stop

We’ve got the racks stocked and the local intel ready in our Harrisonburg shop.

Don’t just plan your trip—buckle up for it. Stop by to grab the gear you need and head into the Valley with confidence

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