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A man stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the receding mountains. NPS Photo / Neal Lewis

Shenandoah National Park

VA

Tonight at Shenandoah National Park

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Computing tonight's sky for this exact spot…

Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds, and black bear, there's so much to explore...and your journey begins right here!

Weather & conditions

Shenandoah National Park has four very distinct seasons. Spring typically brings mild temperatures, rain, and wildflowers. Summer brings lush green forests, but can be hot and very humid. Fall follows with cooler temperatures and spectacular fall foliage. Winter can bring snow and ice. The park spans roughly 100 miles, which means that weather can vary greatly depending on your location. The mountain is usually 10°F cooler than the valley below. Always check the forecast, dress in layers, and be prepared.

What to do after dark

  • Stargaze in Shenandoah

    Shenandoah National Park has distinctly accessible night skies that make stargazing and astrophotography a fun and insightful activity for all ages.

From the National Park Service.

What this latitude gives you

From 38.5° north, anything above declination +51.5° is circumpolar here: it never sets, so it is available on every clear night of the year. Anything below declination -51.5° never clears the horizon at all.

Astronomical darkness lasts through every night of the year here, including midsummer, which makes this a rare site for a June or July imaging trip.

We do not hold a measured Bortle class for this site, so treat the sky as unknown until you have taken a reading of your own.

Where to stay near Shenandoah National Park

Hotels, cabins, lodges and holiday rentals within reach of these coordinates, for the nights you have chosen above. We earn a commission if you book through this map, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what you are shown: nothing here is ordered, promoted or paid for. How the site is paid for.

Lodging search by Stay22. Prices and availability come from the booking sites themselves.

Address
Shenandoah National Park, Luray, VA 22835
Coordinates
38.4924, -78.4691
Official site
nps.gov

Coordinates and park details from the US National Park Service. Sun, moon, dark window and forecast are computed for these coordinates by the SmartScopeClub dark-sky engine.