I have accessed the SNP from the NORTH, MIDDLE, and SOUTH end. Honestly, I would recommend accessing which way works best with your plans. The access point on the NORTH in end Front Royal is very easy to find and it offers a gentle slope up onto the mountain. The access points in the MIDDLE and the SOUTH end require you to drive up the mountain with steeper approaches.

When deciding whether to stay in Shenandoah National Park or find a hotel in the valley and commute back and forth each day, several factors need to be considered. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is essential to weigh them carefully before making a decision.

Staying within Shenandoah National Park offers several benefits. Firstly, it allows you to immerse yourself fully in the natural beauty of the park. Waking up surrounded by nature, with easy access to hiking trails and scenic overlooks, can enhance your overall experience of the park. Additionally, staying within the park can save you time and energy that would otherwise be spent commuting back and forth each day.

Furthermore, staying in Shenandoah National Park provides you with the opportunity to witness sunrise and sunset within the park, which can be a magical experience. You can also take advantage of quieter times in the early morning or evening when many day visitors have left the park.

On the downside, accommodation options within Shenandoah National Park may be limited, especially during peak seasons. This could result in higher prices or limited availability. Additionally, amenities such as restaurants or shops may be limited within the park itself, requiring you to plan ahead for meals and supplies.

Choosing to stay in a hotel in the valley and commuting back and forth each day also has its advantages. One of the primary benefits is access to a wider range of accommodation options at potentially lower prices compared to staying within the national park. Hotels in nearby towns may offer more amenities and dining choices for your convenience.

Commuting from a hotel outside the park allows you to explore other attractions or activities in the surrounding area easily. It also provides flexibility if you prefer not to be confined to one location during your stay.

However, commuting daily between a hotel in the valley and Shenandoah National Park can be time-consuming and tiring, especially if you plan on participating in early morning or late-night activities within the park. Traffic conditions or road closures could also impact your daily commute, affecting your overall experience.

Thank you for your suggestions. Yes, I know the commute can add some inconvenience, that’s why we are exploring the options of splitting up our stay. We usually like to stay in one place, but in this case, kind of trying to split to minimize driving back and forth. I am also reading up on Graves Mountain Lodge, which seems like a cozy place to stay overnight after exploring part of the park. Also, seems a bit off way but closer to some of the hikes. Would it make logical sense to enter through the Front Royal, explore whatever is on the way towards the Graves mountain, stay there overnight, then continue exploring the park to stay in Charlottesville for the nights 2 and maybe 3, and check out Monticello there too? Or is it too much off the way?

I might suggest Staunton over Charlottesville but I think your plan is generally okay. I think you're interested in caverns and Grand Caverns in Grottoes, close to Staunton, could work if you stay over that way.

For where to start and end it would help to know where you're coming from before the park and where you're heading after. Staying in one place such as Graves may actually be doable, depending on that.

Also, when is the trip and how old are the kids?

@martijewel kids are 11 and almost 14 and we will be driving from Pasadena MD. They hate hiking, and we love hiking, so our balance for national parks is to squeeze in a few shorter hikes a day, bunch of overlooks, and then give them time in the evening for a pool or something they like. That’s how we roll. My original plan was to come via the northern entry, split the stay, (Charlottesville seems convenient for food options, chain hotels options-much cheaper than Graves, and close to Monticello). We have been to Monticello briefly 7 years ago, so kids showed interest in revisiting. Then, I wanted to drive further to colonial Williamsburg for our 3rd night and explore there for a few hours before heading back to MD. It’s a 3 hour drive back either from Charlottesville or Williamsburg depending on traffic, but it’s 2 hrs extra to get to Williamsburg, which would be ok. Yesterday, I looked at the map again and saw that Harper’s Ferry is also on the way from MD, which I did not consider before, but would probably be a great stop too but instead of Williamsburg, of course, as we don’t have an extra night. So, I am thinking now, maybe do Pasadena MD to Harper’s Ferry -arrive there early am like 8-9 (spend a day there. Where to stay? Time for Luray caverns? And then nights 2 and 3 to be in Shenandoah, whether it’s split between Graves and Charlottesville or just Graves- depending on price. What do you think? I am sorry it’s so long.

You still haven't said when and that matters if you want alerts to upcoming events such as graduations including UVA that may affect recs.

I wouldn't plan more than a few hours in Harpers Ferry (which doesn't have much in the way of lodging).Some of Graves' lodging options are quite pricey, some aren't,  It does have a large pool, other activities and onsite hiking.  Food at the little market will be cheaper than the lodge meals.

Because of the lodging situation in Harpers Ferry, I'd look at starting with Monticello and overnight in that area, then do the southern bit of SNP with an overnight at Graves, then do the northern SNP, arriving at Harpers Ferry around lunch, see it then head on home.  Or, if budget still doesn't work, I understand a hotel in Harrisonburg may be preferred over Graves.  You might have a look at the Village Inn there.  Has a pool, cheap onsite restaurant and possibly a family unit that could fit you.  Most units have a small back deck with a pleasant far view.

If you’d like to treat your kids to a day of NOT hiking, Harpers Ferry is the place to do it. There are lots of water tubing and rafting companies in the area. The one we have used a couple of times is Harpers Ferry Adventure Center that offers zip lines, etc. in addition to water adventures.

https://harpersferryadventurecenter.com/

Sorry, it’s June 11-14

We always stay in Harrisonburg or Charlottesville and happy with those locations.

The traffic around Williamsburg can be just awful. I would only go that way if you really, really want to.

Graves mountain lodge is outside of the park from my understanding, so if we stay there a night, is there an easy way to get back into the park, or we have to drive all around again and enter through Front Royal?