Twilight Hiking

Thornton Gap Entrance Station Advisory

Due to a fire at the entrance gate, Thornton Gap - one of the park's busiest entrance stations - will be down to one lane. Please plan accordingly.

You may also pre-purchase your park pass online at recreation.gov, which will make the overall entrance station experience go quicker.

Hiking in Big Meadows at Shenandoah National Park

Hike into the "big meadow" at dusk through the changing colors of the mountain sky and, eventually, the early arrival of night skies as you explore the natural world as it settles into evening. The focus of this hike will be looking for animal signs and seasonal plants as you explore the ecosystems of the meadows. Led by Shenandoah Mountain Guides.

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  • $25.00 per person.
  • May thru July participants meet at 6:30 PM and August participants meet at 6:00 PM at the grassy circle in front of the main lobby of Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 on Skyline Drive). You will be driving your personal vehicle to the hike location.
  • Prompt departures - May thru July 7:00 PM. August 6:30 PM. 9:30-10:00 PM approximate return.
  • No refunds if guest arrives late for event.
  • Wear long pants, shoes or boots comfortable for uneven walking, and insect repellent.
  • Shorts and sandals are ​not​ recommended.
  • Reservations required and full payment due at booking.
  • Hike will take place in all weather conditions excluding thunderstorms. Call 540-999-2222 the day of the event to check on its status.

  • Long pants, sneakers (no open toed shoes), a jacket, and a flashlight are recommended.
  • Reservations required, and full payment due at booking.
  • You must present your receipt to the guide (provided upon check-in at the Big Meadows Lodge reservation desk) in order to participate.
  • Cancellations require 72-hour advance notice for full refund. No refund if less than 72-hours notice given.
  • Distance covered is less than one mile.
  • No pets allowed.

Shenandoah Mountain Guides is a permitted and licensed guiding/educational service provider for Shenandoah National Park.

Working from a base of operations high in the Blue Ridge mountains, the Shenandoah Mountain Guides is internationally known for quality instruction and guiding. With some of the best paddling streams and most remote mountain highlands in the eastern US located nearby, we offer exceptional educational programs in canoeing, backpacking, orienteering, survival/outdoor skills, mountain biking, outdoor leadership, rock climbing and environmental awareness.

The instructional staff serves on the faculty of several colleges and universities as well as on the staff of several national certifying agencies for instructors and trainers. We teach the teachers.

The self-defined mission of Shenandoah Mountain Guides is to help folks get out from behind the steering wheel and out of the car to see, hear, and feel what a treasure Shenandoah National Park is. Towards that end they have developed a schedule designed to introduce different sections of the park at particularly special and scenic times.

Whether you visit Shenandoah with the guides or on your own, we hope you will take the time to explore this mountainous gem of a national park. You’ll be amazed at what you find!

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P.O. Box 727, Luray, Virginia 22835 | 877-847-1919
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