Adventure Tourism in the Shenandoah Valley

Whether you’re a first-time adventurist squeezing in a quick experience or a seasoned enthusiast taking a few days to challenge yourself, there is an abundance of opportunities for adventure tourism close at hand to Meadowlark Ridge. Uniquely positioned in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley and in the foothills of the Alleghenies, Meadowlark Ridge is located only a few short miles away from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and within comfortable driving distance to Shenandoah National Park. Our website has a robust Things to Do page, however this blog provides additional resources and information for those looking to jump into real wilderness adventures. Each activity is discussed for both those who are looking to go it alone or for those that prefer guided tours. A quick advisement for all guided tours and rentals – read carefully and pay attention to times and instructions to avoid additional charges or being left behind. So, here we go!

Hiking

Hiking trails can be found at the doorstep to Meadowlark Ridge, or only a few miles away. The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest is the closest hiking area with some trails within 3 miles of Meadowlark Ridge. Our Things to Do page can start you off with our closest trails, but the Forest has 1,925 miles of trails-ranging from family-friendly walks to more challenging, steeper climbs. Additionally, it contains 325 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Some of the highlights you will encounter on the hikes are scenic forest views, rock formations, water features, and panoramic views. Go to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests website for specific hiking resources and tips. Also close by is the Shenandoah National Park located in the famed Blue Ridge Mountains. The park is 45 minutes from Meadowlark Ridge and has over 500 miles of trails. Check out their Hiking page for hiking basics, recommended trails of all types, and wildlife safety. Hiking Project is also a great resource that delivers crowd-sourced information on local trails. If you’re new to the area and/or hiking, Vivid Earth Adventures, a Staunton-based company, and Wild Guyde Adventures, based in Harrisonburg, can provide guided hikes in a variety of locations.

Biking

If mountain biking is your passion, strap those bikes on your vehicle and bring them with you. The closest bike trail is only 4 miles away in Stokesville in the George Washington National Forest. The National Forest has an additional 1000 miles of open forest roads – roads that are gated to prevent motor vehicles. Find a biking opportunity on the Forest Service's Biking page. Biking is also permitted in the Shenandoah National Park along the Skyline Drive on all paved areas of the park. For more details check out Biking in Shenandoah National Park. Both parks allow mountain bikes, road bikes, and e-bikes, though certain restrictions may apply and will be listed on their sites. Other helpful biking sites for our area are Bike The Valley and MTB Project Virginia. If you need to rent a bike, all kinds – street, mountain, hybrid, and e-bikes – are available at Shenandoah Bicycle Company in Harrisonburg.

Canoeing/Kayaking/Tubing

What better way to experience the Shenandoah Valley than floating on a mountain lake or down the Valley's namesake, the scenic Shenandoah River? The George Washington National Forest has a variety of lakes and rivers that allow non-motorized boats – the only caveat being there are no boat rentals nearby, so bring your own kayak or canoe. Check out the Forest Service's Water Activities page for more information. No watercraft? No problem! In the shadow of the Massanutten Peak, Shenandoah River Adventures (41 miles away) offers canoeing, kayaking, and tubing trips with shuttles back to the starting point. All trips are self-guided, with a guide only available for paddle instruction and assistance for an additional fee. Closer to Meadowlark Ridge, Staunton’s Vivid Earth Adventures offers complete canoeing opportunities to explore some rivers or lakes in the Shenandoah Valley. All trips provide gear, shuttle, and guide with additional canoeing instruction and assistance available. Wild Guyde Adventures also has guided canoe trips and provides the option of a catered adventure experience mixing different activities.

Fishing

The Shenandoah Valley has an incredible number and diversity of fishable waterways, including streams, rivers, and lakes. Key spots include North River and South River, and a variety of trout and bass streams such as Mossy Creek, widely famed for its brown trout (and very close to Meadowlark Ridge), Ramsey's Draft for native brook trout, or Elkhorn Lake for largemouth bass in the National Forest. To begin, learn about VA fishing license information and fees from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, or purchase an angler package here. Helpful websites for local fishing waterways are the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Trout Unlimited, and Fish Virginia First. If you're looking for a guided excursion, our top recommendations include Mossy Creek Fly Fishing based in Harrisonburg, South River Fly Shop in Waynesboro, or Middle River Outfitters located in Staunton.

Climbing/Rappelling

Nestled between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, it is a given that there will be ample opportunities for some of the best climbing and rappelling adventures in the eastern U.S. Helpful websites are Mountain Project, Blue Ridge Mountain Guides, and The Crag. Several guide services are available in the area – Staunton's Vivid Earth Adventures provides guided climbs in both the George Washington National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Wild Guyde Adventures is based out of Harrisonburg and provides rock climbing tours in the National Forest as well as in the Massanutten Range and the Blue Ridge.

Caving

The Shenandoah Valley is carved from limestone which allowed the formation of some of the most spectacular underground caverns in the country. While there are many commercial caverns for casual sight-seeing, we have at least one nearby opportunity for wild caving to experience the Shenandoah Valley from below ground. Grand Caverns offers adventure spelunking tours in addition to general tours for the public. If you are an experienced caver and interested in connecting with a local cave club or grotto, you can find one through the National Speleological Society.

Meadowlark Ridge – Your Home Base for Adventure

We look forward to connecting you with opportunities for adventure tourism while visiting Meadowlark Ridge. Our luxurious beds are a welcome comfort after an adventurous day exploring the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. This list of activities is by no means all-inclusive. We encourage you to share your experiences with us so we can continue to provide updates and hone our list of Things to Do. Whatever adventure activity you choose, Meadowlark Ridge would like to be your home base to come relax and rejuvenate before taking off for your next adventure!