Twilight Hiking at Shenandoah

A Shenandoah National Park visitor smelling flowers on a hike

Easy to enjoy, these hikes feature the natural world as it settles into evening. Hiking out into the "big meadow" at dusk through the dramatic changing colors of the mountain sky and, eventually, the incredible spread of the night sky with its multitude of stars... (at 3,500 ft., you are high above the haze and light pollution of the mid-Atlantic). You'll also be looking for all kinds of animal signs and seasonal plants as you explore the ecosystems of the meadows. This is truly an unforgettable experience. Distance covered is less than one mile. Led by Andy Nichols of Shenandoah Mountain Guides.

Meet at the grassy circle in front of Big Meadows Lodge at 6:30 p.m. (May thru July) and depart promptly at 7:00 p.m. Meet at 6:00 p.m. (August) and depart promptly at 6:30 p.m. You will be driving your personal vehicle to the meadows area. Return to the lodge between 9:30-10:00 p.m.

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2025 Schedule
MAY JUNE JULY AUG
13 3 5 2
17 10 8 5
24 14 12 9
27 24 19 16

28 22


29

 

  • $30 per person.
  • No pets allowed on hike.
  • Departing from Big Meadows Lodge.
  • May, June, and July dates meet at 6:30 PM and depart at 7:00 PM.
  • August dates meet at 6:00 PM and depart at 6:30 PM.
  • Dress: long pants, sneakers (no open-toed shoes). A jacket is definitely recommended and a flashlight can also be helpful.
  • Reservations required. Deposit taken at time of booking.
  • Minimum of 11 paid participants required for program to run.
  • 48-hour cancellation notice provided if program canceled due to minimum not met. Deposit fully refunded. No refund if less than 48 hours' notice received by participants.

  • Long pants, sneakers (no open toed shoes), a jacket, and a flashlight are recommended.
  • Reservations required, and full payment due at booking.
  • You must present your receipt to the guide (provided upon check-in at the Big Meadows Lodge reservation desk) in order to participate.
  • Cancellations require 72-hour advance notice for full refund. No refund if less than 72-hours notice given.
  • Distance covered is less than one mile.
  • No pets allowed.

Shenandoah Mountain Guides is a permitted and licensed guiding/educational service provider for Shenandoah National Park.

Working from a base of operations high in the Blue Ridge mountains, the Shenandoah Mountain Guides is internationally known for quality instruction and guiding. With some of the best paddling streams and most remote mountain highlands in the eastern US located nearby, we offer exceptional educational programs in canoeing, backpacking, orienteering, survival/outdoor skills, mountain biking, outdoor leadership, rock climbing and environmental awareness.

The instructional staff serves on the faculty of several colleges and universities as well as on the staff of several national certifying agencies for instructors and trainers. We teach the teachers.

The self-defined mission of Shenandoah Mountain Guides is to help folks get out from behind the steering wheel and out of the car to see, hear, and feel what a treasure Shenandoah National Park is. Towards that end they have developed a schedule designed to introduce different sections of the park at particularly special and scenic times.

Whether you visit Shenandoah with the guides or on your own, we hope you will take the time to explore this mountainous gem of a national park. You’ll be amazed at what you find!

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P.O. Box 727, Luray, Virginia 22835 | 877-847-1919
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