Shenandoah National Park reopens portions of Skyline Drive and Big Meadows

Monique Calello, Staunton News Leader
·2 min read
Skyline Drive/Big Meadows sign after the December 2022 storms in Shenandoah National Park, Va.
Skyline Drive/Big Meadows sign after the December 2022 storms in Shenandoah National Park, Va.
Skyline Drive/Big Meadows sign at Shenandoah National Park, Va.
Skyline Drive/Big Meadows sign at Shenandoah National Park, Va.

LURAY — Following weeks of damage assessments and debris removal after two winter storms in December, park crews have worked diligently to restore visitor access to as many areas of the park as possible, according to a release from Shenandoah National Park.

The following sections of Skyline Drive are open:

  • Mile 0 (Front Royal entrance) to mile 5 (Dickey Ridge Visitor Center)

  • Mile 31.5 (Thornton Gap entrance) to mile 42.6 at Whiteoak parking

  • Swift Run entrance at Route 33 is open north to the northern entrance of Byrd Visitor Center

  • The Visitor Center is open until 4:30 p.m. Friday and will resume normal hours and days Saturday, Jan 7.

All other sections of Skyline Drive remain closed to all access.

This is a departure from usual park policy, but because of the dangerous nature of the work that needs to be done in the closed areas, the superintendent has issued a complete closure of those portions of Skyline Drive, the release said.

Closed portions include:

  • Mile 5 to mile 31.5 (Route 211)

  • Mile 42.6, just south of Whiteoak parking to Big Meadows

  • Swift Run entrance (Route 33) south to Rockfish, the southern terminus of Skyline Drive

In response to the effects from two winter storm systems that impacted the area on Thursday, Dec. 15 and Thursday, Dec. 22, the park mobilized an Incident Command Team to immediately set to work addressing critical needs to assess damage, stabilize facilities and begin the process of restoring visitor access, the release said.

More: Virginia's most poisonous and venomous animals: What to do if you encounter them

Following weeks of damage assessments and debris removal, park crews worked diligently to restore visitor access to as many areas of Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive as possible.
Following weeks of damage assessments and debris removal, park crews worked diligently to restore visitor access to as many areas of Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive as possible.

Crews and equipment from other National Park Service locations as well as park volunteers have responded to the park’s request to assist in these efforts.

On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the National Park Service closed Skyline Drive ahead of the first winter storm system to impact the area. Park crews immediately began damage assessments and debris removal on Thursday, Dec. 16. One week later, a second winter storm passed through, delaying the crew’s ability to progress toward reopening sections of Skyline Drive, the release said.

Updates on ongoing response and stabilization efforts are available online at https://www.facebook.com/shenandoahnps and https://twitter.com/ShenandoahNPS. For the most up-to-date information about Skyline Drive status and conditions in the park, opt into their alert system. Text SHENALERTS to 888777 or call 540-999-3500, option 1, option 1.

More: New restaurant coming to former Cici's Pizza space in Staunton's Statler Square

More: 3 dead, 2 still missing in Nelson County drownings; police ID victims

You can reach News Leader reporter Monique Calello at mcalello@newsleader.com. Please support local journalism and subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Shenandoah National Park reopen parts of Skyline Drive and Big Meadows