Fall color
The Park Service posts a short fall color video each week of the season, and Virginia State Parks posts a dated, written report for its northern parks, including Shenandoah River State Park near Front Royal.
Shenandoah this week
Everything to check before you drive up, on one page. It changes every day.
Big Meadows today7:39 AM – 6:17 PMsunrise to sunset
Tonight’s moonWaning gibbous74% lit
Old Rag tickets Needed today On sale today for Sun, Nov 29 and Wed, Nov 4 · Recreation.gov
Closures and alerts
Old Rag's main parking lot is closed through November
Old Rag needs a $2 day-use ticket through November 30
Park lodges close for the season in November
In season now
Hawk migration at Rockfish Gap
Volunteers count migrating raptors at Rockfish Gap, at the south end of Skyline Drive, from August 15 to November 30. Admission is free; the best viewing is 9am to 3pm. The biggest days come in late September and early October.
Stars from Big Meadows
The Park Service names Big Meadows as one of its most popular stargazing spots, with the Skyland amphitheater as another. Tonight: waning gibbous, 74% lit. The next new moon, the darkest night, is Mon, Nov 9. Give your eyes about 20 minutes and bring a red light.
This week
Festivals, music, markets and farm days in the next seven days. Each day starts with what is closest to Old Rag and Madison County.
- On now6:00 PM BooGrass: bluegrass jam in the campground Graves Mountain Farm & Lodges, Syria Live music In Syria
- On now7:30 PM Open mic around the campfire Graves Mountain Farm & Lodges, Syria Live music In Syria
- Sat, Oct 3111:00 AM Halloween nature walk Main Lodge front porch, Syria Outdoors and nature In Syria
- Sat, Oct 315:00 PM Trunk or Treat at the Market Graves Mountain Market parking lot, Syria Holidays In Syria
- Sat, Oct 316:00 PM The Haunted Apple Packing Shed Apple Packing Shed at the Syria crossroads, 3626 Old Blue Ridge Turnpike, Syria Holidays In Syria
- Sun, Nov 12:00 PM Music in the Mountains with John Kelly DuCard Vineyards, Etlan Live music 11 min from Syria
- Sun, Nov 112:00 AM WINE CLUB PICK-UP PARTY Revalation Vineyards, Madison Food, wine and beer 16 min from Syria
- Sun, Nov 16:00 PM Balloon Glow | SOLD OUT King Family Vineyards, Crozet Food, wine and beer 77 min from Syria
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