Shenandoah National Park Experienced Backpacking = Great Time!

To preface, this is not an entry level backpacking trip and there may be some deviations based on speed and overall expertise of the group (My main thing is to make sure everyone is safe). However, be prepared to have a great time 😊 The total trip (Over the 3 days) will be about 35 miles. Old Rag is an amazing rock scramble, with the rest of the trip having waterfalls, elevation and vistas. Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed for Old Rag, but I would love to meet them in a future scheduled trip. The main crux of the trip:

Thursday August 21 : If you want to get down early (True trip will start on Friday). Explore as you will, meet at 7pm @ White Oak Falls Lower Trailhead parking to camp all together.

Friday August 22 : Meet at Berry Hollow Parking (4875 Weakley Hollow Rd, Syria, VA 22743) @ 9:30 AM- Hike Old rag circuit (I’m guessing it will take about 6 hours, can be pretty draining). Depending on how we are doing, take a dip in in the Robinson River and set up camp near White Oak Canyon Falls Lower Trailhead.

Saturday August 23: White Oak lower path to Hawksbill Summit. Depending on time, Camp either at Rock Spring Cabin area or Rose River Falls.

Sunday August 24: Return to cars via Cedar Run (Cars will be at Berry Hollow and/or White Oak Canyon Falls).

I’ll do a mock up Gaia map in the coming days and post park service material as well.

IMPORTANT: Backcountry permit and Old Rag Fee need to be paid/reserved BEFORE coming to the park: Old Rag tickets I may need help getting (A total of 800 tickets will be available for each day. Exactly 400 will be released 30 days in advance of the reservation date, and the remaining 400 will be released 5 days in advance of each date. Tickets are released daily at 10:00 a.m.) We will need to hop on the computer/ phone on July 23, each person is allowed to grab 4 tickets.
Release information for this date:

• Tickets will be released on July 23, 2025 at 10:00 am EDT.
• Additional tickets will be made available on August 17, 2025 at 10:00 am EDT.

If we can’t get the tickets I’ll revise the trip a bit. Tickets are $2 each.

https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm

For Permits Please select: Thursday and Friday: White Oak- Cedar Run Saturday: AT-Skyland -Hawksbill ($15 for all 3 days)

https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675336

Your vehicle will require a pass as well (If you do not have an America the Beautiful Pass). Pass covers everyone in your car ($30 for a 7 day pass: carpool if you can)
https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74293

I’ll update this post with the most current information, and please reach out with any questions.