Shenandoah was the first national park I worked for, and it didn’t disappoint in terms of natural beauty and things to do. It’s close enough to Washington, DC, for a day trip and offers a great variety of short hikes.
On my days off, I loved exploring the northern half of Skyline Drive, specifically the area near Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. This area has lots of overlooks to pull off with your car and enjoy the views.
One of my favorite hiking trails in the park is called Compton Peak. This trail gives visitors a look at a cool geological feature called columnar jointing, which looks like a giant honeycomb made out of rock.
The visitor center, where I worked, also has stunning views and features a grassy area that’s perfect for stargazing.