Special Events in Shenandoah National Park
National Junior Ranger Day
Have you ever put your hand into a bear's footprint? Have you ever been so close to an owl that you could look it in the eye? Have you ever talked to a wildland firefighter? Here's your chance! Shenandoah National Park has special activities planned for National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 26, 2008. The program is designed to help children and families connect with parks in ways that engage them with the theme, "Explore, Learn, Protect: Be a Junior Ranger." Most of the programs are open to visitors of all ages. Special "Junior Ranger Day" buttons and certificates will be available. In addition to the special activities, the park will offer its regular schedule of ranger-led programs. You can find more information about each program by clicking on the links below. Activities meet at Byrd Visitor Center, Milepost 51 on Skyline Drive, unless otherwise noted. There is no charge for the programs, and there's no need to register.
Wildflower Weekend
Take a day or two to appreciate the diversity of wildflowers growing here in the Blue Ridge. More than 1,300 species of plants thrive in Shenandoah National Park, a mountain island surrounded by farmland, towns, and expanding developed areas. The park is a haven for native woodland wildflowers. Here you can take time to observe. See how flowers rely on butterflies, bees, birds and other animals to pollinate them and spread their seeds. Watch the daily battles taking place over a plant's resources. Contemplate a wildflower and you might discover your own connections to the natural world.
Shenandoah National Park Celebrates National Trails Day
National Trails Day 2008 will be June 7. For more information and a schedule of hikes, visit the PATC
Shenandoah National Park and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club celebrates National Trails Day on the first Saturday in June. New hikers and experienced backpackers alike are invited to learn new trail skills and practice old ones at the Beyond the Trailhead event at the Byrd Visitor Center, milepost 51 on Skyline Drive.
Resource Seminars
The Shenandoah National Park Resource Seminars are designed for those who want to get to know their national park a little more personally. Seminars provide a more in-depth experience to learn from scientists, researchers, educators, and other experts about resource issues and recreational opportunities in Shenandoah National Park.
Wilderness Weekend
Celebrate America's wilderness heritage during Shenandoah National Park's annual Wilderness Weekend, held the third weekend of October. One of the largest wilderness areas in the Eastern United States, Shenandoah's wilderness offers opportunities for solitude, scenic views, wildlife sightings, and glimpses into the past. Experience Shenandoah's wilderness by hiking through it or looking into it from Skyline Drive. Special events take place at Byrd Visitor Center, milepost 51 on Skyline Drive. Shenandoah National Park Trail Crews and PATC volunteers share their expertise in the traditional tools used to maintain trails in wilderness. Visitors can try their hands at using these tools and gain insight on the important role trail maintenance plays in protecting wilderness for future generations. Short talks by rangers during the day explore the history and values of Shenandoah's wilderness.