Stony Man Hiking Guide
Seen from the Shenandoah Valley, Stony Man looks like a face in profile carved into the mountainside. Stand on top and you are on the cliffs that form its brow, at 4,011 feet, looking straight down over Luray and across to Massanutten Mountain. It is the park's second-highest peak and one of the easiest big views in Shenandoah: barely a mile and a half and a few hundred feet of climbing from Skyland.
Permit: Shenandoah National Park entrance fee: $30 per vehicle (valid 7 days) or $55 annual pass; entrance stations are cashless
The Hike
The Park Service lists the Stony Man hike at 1.6 miles with about 340 feet of gain, taking roughly an hour and rated easiest. From the Stony Man parking area at Skyline Drive milepost 41.7, the route follows the Appalachian Trail briefly before branching onto the Stony Man Trail, which loops over the summit. The grade is gentle and the path well maintained.
The View
The summit cliffs face west over the Shenandoah Valley, with the town of Luray below and the long ridge of Massanutten Mountain beyond. It is a classic sunset spot. Stony Man is the northernmost 4,000-foot peak in the Blue Ridge. Stay back from the cliff edges, which drop sharply, and keep children close.
No Dogs
Stony Man is one of the few Shenandoah trails where pets are prohibited. The Park Service bans dogs on fewer than 20 of the park's 500-plus trail miles, and this is one of them. If you are hiking with a dog, Hawksbill Summit and Mary's Rock allow leashed dogs and have comparable views.
Seasons
Stony Man is good year-round when Skyline Drive is open, which it usually is except during bad weather. The mountain is often about 10°F cooler than the valley below. Fall colour draws the biggest crowds from late September into November, though the Park Service says peak timing is impossible to predict. Summer mornings are cool and clear before haze builds.
Practicalities
Entering the park costs $30 per vehicle, good for seven days, or $55 for a Shenandoah annual pass, paid by card only. Skyline Drive may close temporarily in bad weather; text SHENALERTS to 888777 for alerts. The Skyland resort nearby has food and restrooms. Black bears are common in the park — store food and give them space.
Hiking tips for Stony Man
- Go for sunset — Stony Man's cliffs face west over the Shenandoah Valley.
- Leave the dog at home; pets are prohibited on the Stony Man Trail.
- Bring a card, not cash — Shenandoah entrance stations are cashless.
- Keep children close near the summit cliffs.
- Text SHENALERTS to 888777 for Skyline Drive closure alerts.
Nearby trails to explore
- Hawksbill Summit
- Whiteoak Canyon
- Old Rag Mountain
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Stony Man is an easy summit with one of Shenandoah's best sunsets. Use TrailMates to find hikers heading to Skyland this weekend. Download the TrailMates app to connect.