Shenandoah National Park: Perfect 1-Day Itinerary

If you're craving a day full of scenic adventures, epic caves, charming small-town bites, and a good ol' dose of Virginia nature, this is your sign to hit the road! This perfectly-packed itinerary will take you from brunch to exploring underground wonders, to standing beneath gorgeous waterfalls. Yes, all in one day!

🚗 8:00 AM – Hit the Road from RVA to Botanical Fare

The first leg is a 1-hour drive to brunch!

🥞 9:00 AM – Brunch at Botanical Fare

Location: 421 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Open 9AM–8PM (Closed Mondays)

Your first stop is Botanical Fare, a 100% vegan restaurant in Charlottesville where brunch like chicken and waffles and breakfast burritos are served. There coffee is also amazing! This place is a little oasis before we head into adventure mode.

🛣️ 11:30 AM – Explore Luray Caverns

Location: 101 Cave Hill Rd, Luray, VA 22835

Hours: Daily, 9AM–5PM

Tickets: $34, you can buy them there or online here: https://luraycaverns.com/plan/

Next up, we’re descending into Virginia’s largest and most famous caverns. Luray Caverns is like Mother Nature's version of a cathedral, massive, echoey, and beautiful. Walk through towering stalactites, mirrored pools, and the legendary Great Stalacpipe Organ.

☕ 1:00 PM – Coffee Break at Broad Porch Coffee & Cafe

Location: 20 W Main St, Luray, VA 22835

Hours: Daily, 7am-3pm

After emerging from the caverns, fuel up at Broad Porch Coffee & Cafe. They’ve got solid coffee and some vegan-friendly bites like toasts and sandwiches. It's the perfect little recharge before lunch and your next hike.

🥪 1:30 PM – Lunch at West Main Market

Location: 123 W Main St, Luray, VA 22835

Hours: 11am-5pm, closed Wednesday

For lunch head to West Main Market for a casual, quick lunch. They’ve got decent vegan options like wraps, paninis, and other grab-and-go goodies.

🥾 3:00 PM – Hike Stony Man Trail

Distance: 1.6 miles round trip

Duration: ~1 hour 45 minutes

Time to stretch those legs! Stony Man is an easy-to-moderate hike with major payoff views. The summit gives you sweeping Shenandoah Valley vistas. It’s one of the most beloved hikes in Shenandoah National Park for good reason.

💦 5:15 PM – Dark Hollow Falls Hike

Distance: 1.4 miles round trip

Duration: ~1.5 hours

Not done yet! Your final adventure of the day is the enchanting Dark Hollow Falls trail. It’s a bit steep but short, leading you to one of Shenandoah’s prettiest waterfalls. You’ll definitely want to spend a few peaceful moments here, soaking it all in.

🛣️ 6:45 PM – Drive Back to Richmond

After a day of brunching, caving, hiking, and waterfall-chasing, it’s time to head home. The 2-hour drive back to RVA is the perfect time to relive your favorite moments, scroll through your gorgeous photos, and maybe even plan your next adventure.

I hope you found this itinerary helpful! There are more blogs on my website about other spots around Virginia, as well as Richmond tips.

You can also follow me on YouTube for my travel videos or Instagram for daily updates. Feel free to DM me with any questions! Have a great trip!

💚Lauren Z Ray