Where to stay near Story of the Forest

An easy walk through the woods from Byrd Visitor Center past the Big Meadows air quality station.

Park at Byrd Visitor Center

Skyline Drive at Big Meadows. Visitor center lot at Big Meadows.

The hike

1.8 mi round trip, 290 ft of climb, easiest, 1 hr 30 min. No dogs on this route. Full details.

Stays within an hour's drive, closest first. Free-flow drive estimates on the road network, not straight-line distance. Hike facts checked October 29, 2026.

See them on the map Story of the Forest

Cabins, cottages and farm stays33

Unclaimed Dogs welcome

Rock Spring Cabin (PATC)

Primitive hike-in cabin inside the park · Skyline Drive, mile 48 · sleeps 8

5min to Byrd Visitor Center

2.9 mi by road · 2.9 mi straight

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Unclaimed

Lewis Mountain Cabins

Rustic cabins inside the park · Skyline Drive, mile 57.5

11min to Byrd Visitor Center

6.7 mi by road · 6 mi straight

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Unclaimed Dogs welcome

Pocosin Cabin (PATC)

Primitive hike-in cabin inside the park · Skyline Drive, mile 59.8 · sleeps 8

14min to Byrd Visitor Center

8.7 mi by road · 8 mi straight

P
Unclaimed

The Rustic Reserve

Cottage · Stanley

16min to Byrd Visitor Center

8.5 mi by road · 4.2 mi straight

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Unclaimed

Shenandoah Woods

Cabins · Stanley

19min to Byrd Visitor Center

10.2 mi by road · 4.5 mi straight

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Unclaimed

Brenwood Cabin Rentals

Cabins · Stanley

20min to Byrd Visitor Center

10.7 mi by road · 4.9 mi straight

Unclaimed Dogs welcome

Corbin Cabin (PATC)

Primitive hike-in cabin inside the park · Skyline Drive, mile 37.8 · sleeps 12

21min to Byrd Visitor Center

13.1 mi by road · 7.7 mi straight

Unclaimed

Gander Island Cabins

Cabins · Luray

27min to Byrd Visitor Center

15.2 mi by road · 9.6 mi straight

See all 33 on the map

Inns, hotels and lodges40

Exterior of Big Meadows Lodge.
Unclaimed

Big Meadows Lodge

Lodge rooms and cabins inside the park · Skyline Drive, mile 51

3min to Byrd Visitor Center

1.3 mi by road · 0.8 mi straight

Exterior of the Skyland dining room and taproom.
Unclaimed

Skyland

Lodge rooms and cabins inside the park · Skyline Drive, mile 41.7

15min to Byrd Visitor Center

9 mi by road · 6 mi straight

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Unclaimed

River’s Bend Ranch

Inn with cottages · Stanley

21min to Byrd Visitor Center

11.8 mi by road · 8.7 mi straight

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Unclaimed

The Mimslyn Inn

Historic inn · Luray

25min to Byrd Visitor Center

14.9 mi by road · 10.2 mi straight

Unclaimed

Luray Caverns Motel West

Motel, hotel · Luray

25min to Byrd Visitor Center

15.2 mi by road · 10.2 mi straight

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Unclaimed

Bliss Point Farm & B&B

Inn or bed and breakfast · Dyke

43min to Byrd Visitor Center

30.2 mi by road · 20.2 mi straight

See all 40 on the map

Resorts2

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Unclaimed

Massanutten Resort

Resort lodging · McGaheysville

44min to Byrd Visitor Center

30.4 mi by road · 19.3 mi straight

Campgrounds and RV parks16

P
Unclaimed

Big Meadows Campground

National park campground (reservation only) · Skyline Drive, mile 51

3min to Byrd Visitor Center

1.1 mi by road · 0.7 mi straight

Unclaimed

Lewis Mountain Campground

National park campground (first-come, first-served) · Skyline Drive, mile 57.5

11min to Byrd Visitor Center

6.7 mi by road · 6.1 mi straight

Unclaimed

Fort Valley Ranch

Campground and resort · Fort Valley

41min to Byrd Visitor Center

24.8 mi by road · 16.7 mi straight

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Unclaimed

Skymont Vacation Rentals

Inn, cabins and campground · Front Royal

46min to Byrd Visitor Center

35 mi by road · 27.7 mi straight

See all 16 on the map

Campsites and glamping on private land1

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Unclaimed

Lunar Lookout

Glamping · Front Royal

58min to Byrd Visitor Center

42.8 mi by road · 27.3 mi straight

How far it is from nearby towns

FromDriveTo
Skyline Drive: Skyland to Big Meadows15 min, 9 miByrd Visitor Center
Luray24 min, 14.6 miByrd Visitor Center
Skyline Drive: South District45 min, 28.4 miByrd Visitor Center
Skyline Drive: North District45 min, 27 miByrd Visitor Center
Sperryville46 min, 26.9 miByrd Visitor Center
Madison50 min, 37.9 miByrd Visitor Center
Front Royal51 min, 38.7 miByrd Visitor Center
Washington52 min, 32.7 miByrd Visitor Center

Also near Story of the Forest

Hikes, sights and places to eat within 30 minutes.

Hikes

Drive to the trailhead parking

Sights and activities

Drive to the door, or to the nearest open trailhead

The closest 12 by road.

Food and drink

Drive to the door

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