November is when Shenandoah thins out. The park lodges and most campgrounds close for the season and the Old Rag ticket season ends. Here is what changes, from the National Park Service's published 2026 operating dates.
Closing dates
| Facility | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain campgrounds | Close November 1 |
| Skyland | Closes November 8 |
| Lewis Mountain Cabins | Close November 8 |
| Lewis Mountain Campground | Closes November 22 |
| Big Meadows Lodge | Closes November 29 |
| Big Meadows Campground | Closes November 29 |
| Byrd Visitor Center | Closes November 29 |
| Old Rag day-use tickets | Required through November 30 |
The park itself never closes. Skyline Drive stays open year round except when weather closes it, and you can still hike when it does.
Old Rag in late fall
- Day-use tickets ($2) are required through November 30; the requirement runs March 1 to November 30 each year. You need a park entrance pass year round.
- The main Old Rag lot on Nethers Road has been closed since May 4, 2026 for construction. NPS expects the work to finish by November 2026. Check the park's Old Rag page before you rely on it.
Where to stay once the lodges close
Outside the park, gateway stays stay open. Graves Mountain in Syria keeps its Farmhouse Restaurant open seven days a week through November 29, then on weekends and for groups. Birch's Library, our founder's cabin, and the inns in Sperryville and Washington are not tied to the park's lodge season; check dates with each host.
Sources
- Operating dates and hours, National Park Service. Page updated Sep 22, 2026. Checked Oct 29, 2026.
- Old Rag day-use ticket FAQ, National Park Service. Page updated Sep 18, 2026. Checked Oct 29, 2026.
- Fees and passes, National Park Service. Page updated Sep 17, 2026. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
- Graves Mountain Farm & Lodges, Graves Mountain Farm & Lodges. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
- Current alerts and conditions, National Park Service. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
