Planning a trip to the breathtaking Shenandoah National Park? One of the first steps in making your adventure seamless is figuring out the closest airport to Shenandoah National Park.
Nestled in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, this natural gem offers a perfect escape into nature’s beauty. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply looking to enjoy the scenic Skyline Drive, knowing the best airport for your journey is essential.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the nearest airports, making your travel planning as smooth and enjoyable as visiting this picturesque park. Let’s dive in and get you ready for an unforgettable experience with nationalparkshops’s team!
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Closest Airport to Shenandoah National Park’s Swift Run Gap Entrance
When planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park, one of the first things you might consider is how to get there. Knowing the closest airport to Shenandoah National Park can significantly enhance your experience. The Charlottesville – Albemarle Airport (CHO) is your best bet for heading to the Swift Run Gap entrance.
Charlottesville – Albemarle Airport (CHO)
Location
The airport is situated just eight miles north of Charlottesville, in Albemarle County.
Distance from Charlottesville to Shenandoah National Park
- Front Royal Entrance Station: 66 miles
- Thornton Gap Entrance Station: 49 miles
- Swift Run Gap Entrance Station: 23 miles (closest)
- Rockfish Gap Entrance Station: 30 miles
Travel Time to Shenandoah National Park
- Front Royal Entrance Station: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Thornton Gap Entrance Station: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Swift Run Gap Entrance Station: 30 minutes (closest)
- Rockfish Gap Entrance Station: 36 minutes
Charlottesville – Albemarle Airport, the largest regional airport in the area, is located just eight miles north of Charlottesville, near Shenandoah National Park’s southern end. Along with Shenandoah Valley Regional, it serves as one of the nearest airports to the park.
The airport provides daily non-stop flights to several major U.S. cities. Car rental services are conveniently available on-site, with options including AVIS, National Car Rental, Budget, and Enterprise.
The Swift Run Gap and Rockfish Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park are both roughly 30 minutes away.
>> Hotels Near Shenandoah National Park
Closest Airport to Shenandoah National Park – Rockfish Gap Entrance
If your destination is the Rockfish Gap entrance, then Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) is your go-to choice. Located about 30 miles from this entrance, it’s another excellent closest airport to Shenandoah National Park for travelers heading into the park.
Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD)
Location
Shenandoah Valley Airport is situated in Weyers Cave, Virginia.
Distance to Shenandoah National Park
- Front Royal Entrance Station: 70 miles
- Thornton Gap Entrance Station: 56.7 miles
- Swift Run Gap Entrance Station: 41 miles
- Rockfish Gap Entrance Station: 24 miles (closest)
Travel Time to Shenandoah National Park
- Front Royal Entrance Station: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Thornton Gap Entrance Station: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Swift Run Gap Entrance Station: 55 minutes
- Rockfish Gap Entrance Station: 34 minutes (shortest)
Shenandoah Valley Airport is conveniently located near Bridgewater, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. United Airlines operates daily direct flights from the airport to Washington Dulles and Chicago O’Hare.
Travelers can access car rental services from three major providers available onsite.
The closest entrance to Shenandoah National Park is Rockfish Gap, about a 30-minute drive. Swift Run Gap is approximately 15 minutes further.
>> Lodging in Shenandoah National Park
Top 3 Closests Airport to Shenandoah National Park
While CHO and SHD are great options for accessing Shenandoah National Park, there are other airports worth considering depending on your travel plans. Here are the top three airports closest to the park:
Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Location
Washington Dulles International Airport is situated in Loudoun and Fairfax counties, just 26 miles from downtown Washington, DC.
Distance to Shenandoah National Park
- Front Royal Entrance Station: 57 miles (nearest)
- Thornton Gap Entrance Station: 68 miles
- Swift Run Gap Entrance Station: 97 miles
- Rockfish Gap Entrance Station: 124 miles
Travel Time to Shenandoah National Park
- Front Royal Entrance Station: 1 hour 5 minutes (nearest)
- Thornton Gap Entrance Station: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Swift Run Gap Entrance Station: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Rockfish Gap Entrance Station: 2 hours 20 minutes
Washington Dulles International Airport, located in Virginia near the nation’s capital, is the international closest airport to Shenandoah National Park. Its proximity makes it an ideal starting point for exploring both the park and Washington, DC.
The nearest park entrance, Front Royal, is just about an hour’s drive. Take I-66 West toward Front Royal, then exit onto Route 30 South and follow the signs to the park and Skyline Drive. Thornton Gap is another accessible option, roughly 30 minutes farther. To reach it, follow I-66 West, take Exit 43A, and continue on US-29 South to Warrenton before heading west on US-211 to the park.
With a wide range of domestic and international flights, Dulles offers convenient travel options. Ground transportation is abundant, including buses, taxis, limousines, sedans, and car rentals, making it easy to visit DC before or after your trip to Shenandoah.
>> DC to Shenandoah National Park
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is situated in Arlington, Virginia, just 5 miles from Downtown Washington, DC, across the Potomac River.
Distance to Shenandoah National Park Entrances:
- Front Royal Entrance Station: 72 miles (1 hour, 25 minutes) nearest
- Thornton Gap Entrance Station: 83 miles (1 hour, 45 minutes)
- Swift Run Gap Entrance Station: 98 miles (1 hour, 50 minutes)
- Rockfish Gap Entrance Station: 124 miles (2 hours, 21 minutes)
This airport offers convenient access to the northern sections of Shenandoah National Park, with Front Royal being the closest entrance point.
This closest airport to Shenandoah National Park offers nonstop flights to over 96 domestic destinations across the United States and five international destinations in Canada. Conveniently connected to the DC Metrorail system, the airport provides seamless access to Washington, Maryland, and Virginia. Additional transportation options include buses, taxis, limousines, sedans, and hotel or charter bus services.
For those in need of a vehicle, Reagan National has onsite car rental facilities with shuttle services to their counters. From the airport, you can reach the Front Royal Entrance Station of Shenandoah National Park in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, with Thornton Gap Entrance requiring an additional 15 minutes of driving.
>> Top 10 Best Campgrounds Near Shenandoah National Park
Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Location
Richmond International Airport is situated in Sandston, approximately 7 miles southeast of Richmond’s downtown.
Distance to Shenandoah National Park
- Front Royal Entrance Station: 134 miles
- Thornton Gap Entrance Station: 122 miles
- Swift Run Gap Entrance Station: 102 miles
- Rockfish Gap Entrance Station: 101 miles (closest)
Travel Time to Shenandoah National Park
- Front Royal Entrance Station: 2 hours and 26 minutes
- Thornton Gap Entrance Station: 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Swift Run Gap Entrance Station: 1 hour and 52 minutes
- Rockfish Gap Entrance Station: 1 hour and 34 minutes (shortest drive)
Richmond International Airport, located in Sandston, Virginia, serves as a convenient gateway to key destinations across the United States. With eight major airlines offering both direct and connecting flights, it provides access to popular domestic cities like Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Washington D.C., Virginia Beach, as well as further destinations such as Orlando, Denver, and Dallas.
For transportation within Richmond, this closest airport to Shenandoah National Park offers various options including taxi services through Galaxy Cab, public buses operated by the Greater Richmond Transit Company, and sedan services.
To reach Shenandoah National Park, take I-64 West toward the Rockfish Gap Entrance. Exit at 99, and follow signs leading to Skyline Drive. This route takes approximately 90 minutes. Alternatively, you can access the Swift Run Gap Entrance by continuing on I-64 toward Charlottesville, taking the exit for US-29 North, then turning left onto US-33 West. The park entrance is about 14 miles from there.
Conclusion
So, you’re planning a trip to the breathtaking Shenandoah National Park? Finding the closest airport to Shenandoah National Park is the first step to your unforgettable adventure! While there isn’t an airport inside the park (imagine the air traffic!), this article has guided you through the options, highlighting the pros and cons of each airport near Shenandoah National Park. Now, go pack your bags – the majestic mountains of Shenandoah await! Remember to check flight schedules and book your transportation in advance, especially during peak season, to ensure a smooth journey.
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