New River Gorge & Shenandoah

Every year in April around my birthday I take a hiking trip. This is considered my birthday present to myself because it’s how recharge and destress. In April 2025, I went to New River Gorge and Shenandoah National Parks. These were my 18th and 19th national parks. Fun fact about this trip I drove to New River Gorge after working three 12 hour night shifts in a row. I know you’re probably thinking Lauren you’re crazy. Did I choose violence that day? Yes I did. Would I do it again? SHYEAH! Shout out to Alani Nu, coffee, and my Spotify playlist for keeping me awake and thriving on a 10 hour drive. In New River Gorge, I stayed at a cabin in New River Gorge that I found on Airbnb. I stayed there for 3 nights. The cost was $260 for the entire stay, and this includes all the Airbnb fees like cleaning and service. This cabin was within 10 minutes of New River Gorge National Park. The cabin had a bunk bed and a queen sized bed in the room with a space heater. There is an outhouse where you can use the restroom and take a shower. Laundry is available outside the outhouse as well. They have a community style kitchen in the main cabin where you check in. You do need to bring your own linens for the bed.

Day 1 it was raining on and off, but it was more of a drizzle so I squeezed in a couple of hikes. I did the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk. This didn’t feel like a hike to me because you stay on the boardwalk, and it’s a very short 0.4 mile trip. You get beautiful views of the Sandstone Falls from the boardwalk, and I spotted a couple of beaver dams on the way.

After, I hiked Grandview Rim Trail to Turkey Spur Rock. The trail is 3.2 miles round trip. This trail offers great views of the river gorge.

On Route 60 there are a few spots that you can pull over and take a short walk to a waterfall or see it from the road. One of these waterfalls is Cathedral Falls.

Day 2 I went on a guided ranger walk on Stone Cliff Trail. This trail is 5.8 miles in length. The ranger showed us local wildflowers in the area. I don’t know about you but I always enjoy a nice little frolic through the wildflowers.

Then I hiked Long Point Trail which is 3.2 miles round trip. This was actually my favorite trail because it gave gorgeous views of the bridge over New River Gorge. Majority of the time while I was there it was pretty foggy so the picture quality isn’t the best.

Another waterfall that you can view from the road is Dunloup Falls. This waterfall is 20 feet tall and runs adjacent to active railroad tracks.

Day 3 I drove from New River Gorge to Shenandoah National Park. The drive is about 3 hours long. I camped at Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah. I stayed there for 4 nights. The cost was $30 a night. This campground is close to a gas station, visitor center, and convenience store. They have flushable toilets. If you want to shower, they do have coin showers.

After setting up camp, I hiked Dark Hollow Falls. This trail is 1.4 miles round trip. This trail is very popular in the park due it being the quickest hike to waterfalls.

I jammed one last hike for the day before heading back to camp. I hiked the Upper Hawksbill Trail. This trail is 2.1 miles round trip and offers gorgeous views of the Appalachian Mountains. When you get to the top there is a stone observation platform where you can see Old Rag Mountain and Shenandoah Valley.

While in Shenandoah, I saw multiple beautiful sunsets. There are multiple overlooks that you can pull over and see incredible views of sunrise or sunset. So be prepared there are a lot of sunset photos in the post.

Day 4 I hiked to Doyles River Falls and Jones Run Falls. This trail was 7.7 miles round trip with a 2,233 elevation foot gain. There are multiple stream crossings. On the way back I got one of the biggest scares of my life. I was walking back and all of the sudden I heard a hiss. I looked down and there was a rattlesnake crossing the trail five feet in front of me. I stood petrified waiting to see what the snake would do next. He slithered into a log on the other side. I stood there with a racing heart praying to Jesus about what to do. I waited and kept praying, “Lord please don’t let this snake turn back around. Jesus give me strength.” If you know me I’m absolutely terrified of snakes and spiders. The way my eyes bugged out of my head it definitely gave cartoon character. I finally gained the courage to move, and I sprinted across so fast. I didn’t take a breath until I was fifty feet away from that spot. I warned other people who were passing me that there was a snake nearby. After that experience, I was tapped out for the day on hiking.

I ended the day watching more sunsets and looking up at the stars at campsite. The views were spectacular that day.

Day 5 I hiked to Compton Peak. This trail is 2.4 miles round trip. The trail is on the other side of Shenandoah National Park. After, I hiked to Little Stony Man Cliffs. This trail is 0.9 mile round trip.

Day 6 I hiked to Old Rag Summit. I used the Berry Hollow Trail. This trail is 5.4 miles round trip and has a 1,760 feet of elevation gain. There is another trail called Ridge Trail you can do that is more strenuous. This other trail does require rock scrambling. Old Rag Summit offers incredible 360 views. The wind at the top is insane. I was actually tilted due to how strong it was.

Day 7 the last thing I wanted to do before I left Shenandoah was to see a sunrise. I woke up early the morning of my birthday and drove to an overlook that was near the exit. It was perfect way to start my 27th year. The view was amazing.