Old Rag Mountain Hiking Guide
Old Rag is the hike people drive from Washington, D.C. to do, and the one they talk about for years afterwards. Standing apart from the main Blue Ridge, it is a granite summit reached by a genuine rock scramble: squeezing through cracks, hauling yourself over boulders and dropping into chimneys before topping out on a 360-degree summit at 3,284 feet. Its popularity is exactly why you now need a ticket to climb it.
Permit: Old Rag day-use ticket ($2 per person, Recreation.gov) required March 1–November 30, plus the Shenandoah National Park entrance fee ($30 per vehicle, valid 7 days)
The Circuit
The standard loop is 9.4 miles with about 2,350 feet of gain according to the Park Service, which rates it very strenuous and estimates 7.5 to 8 hours. Most people climb the Ridge Trail, cross the summit scramble, descend the Saddle Trail and return on the Weakley Hollow Fire Road and Ridge Access Trail. The scramble section demands upper-body strength and some comfort with exposure; it is not a walk.
Day-Use Tickets
From March 1 to November 30, every hiker needs an Old Rag day-use ticket, whatever their age. Tickets cost $2 per person on Recreation.gov, with 800 available per day: 400 released 30 days ahead and 400 released five days ahead, both at 10 a.m. Eastern. A ticket does not guarantee parking. The ticket also applies if you approach from Berry Hollow on the no-scramble route. The Shenandoah entrance fee is charged separately.
2026 Parking Changes
The main Old Rag parking lot closed to vehicles and pedestrians on May 4, 2026 for trailhead improvements — paving, a permanent contact station and a vault toilet — with completion expected around November 2026. Hikers use the existing overflow lots and a temporary route to the trailhead. On October weekends, especially Saturdays, parking is severely limited; weekdays are far easier.
The Scramble
The rock scramble is the crux of the hike. The granite is slick when wet or icy, so avoid it in rain and don't start late — queues in the narrow sections can slow you down on busy days. Gloves help with grip. If anyone in your group is nervous about heights, consider the Berry Hollow route to the summit, which avoids the scramble.
Practicalities
Dogs are not allowed on Old Rag's Ridge, Saddle or Ridge Access trails. The Shenandoah entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for seven days, $15 per person on foot or bike, or $55 for an annual park pass, and entrance stations have been cashless since July 2025. Carry at least two to three litres of water; there is none on the mountain. Old Rag is outside Skyline Drive, reached via Route 600 near Sperryville.
Hiking tips for Old Rag Mountain
- Book your $2 Old Rag ticket on Recreation.gov 30 days or 5 days ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern.
- Plan for the overflow lots — the main lot is closed for construction until around November 2026.
- Skip the scramble in rain or ice; wet granite is where most accidents happen.
- Start early on weekends to avoid bottlenecks in the narrow scramble sections.
- Leave the dog at home — pets are banned on Old Rag's trails.
Nearby trails to explore
- Whiteoak Canyon
- Stony Man
- Hawksbill Summit
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Old Rag is a bucket-list scramble and much better with a crew. Use TrailMates to find Shenandoah hikers to share tickets, carpools and the climb. Download the TrailMates app to connect.