From March 1 to November 30, everyone on Old Rag's Ridge, Saddle and Ridge Access trails needs a $2 day-use ticket bought in advance on Recreation.gov, plus a park entrance pass. 400 tickets for each date go on sale 30 days before it and 400 more 5 days before it. A ticket does not reserve parking.
Old Rag's main parking lot is closed through November
Construction closed the main Old Rag lot on Nethers Road on May 4, 2026. NPS expects the work to finish by November 2026. Use the Nethers Road overflow lots or the Berry Hollow lot on the Syria side.
Old Rag needs a $2 day-use ticket through November 30
Everyone on the Ridge, Saddle and Ridge Access trails needs a day-use ticket bought in advance on Recreation.gov, plus a park entrance pass. 400 tickets a day are released 30 days ahead and 400 five days ahead. A ticket does not reserve parking.
How the two releases work
Get a reminder for the ticket release
Tickets go on sale 30 days and 5 days before each date. Pick your hike date and we'll add both release days to your calendar.
The ticket covers the summit trails from either side. Where you park decides your drive, so every stay on this site shows the drive to the nearest open lot.
Nethers Road (Route 600), east side of the mountain. Overflow lots serve the Old Rag trailhead while the main lot is closed. A day-use ticket does not reserve a space, and NPS warns parking is limited on October weekends, especially Saturdays.
Closed since May 4, 2026 for infrastructure work. NPS expects completion by November 2026. Use the overflow lots on Nethers Road.
Old Rag Circuit: 9.4 mi, 2,348 ft, very strenuous.
Berry Hollow Road off Weakley Hollow Road, west side of Old Rag, reached from Syria. A small lot at the park boundary. NPS describes parking here as extremely limited.
Old Rag Summit via Berry Hollow: 5.4 mi, 1,760 ft, strenuous.
Where to stay for Old Rag Stays by drive time on the map Closures and what's on sale this week