Winter Means Free Lodging! You Read That Right…Free Lodging!
The title of “Cabin Capital of Virginia” has been bestowed on Page County. It is an honor not taken lightly. With over 400 cabins available to rent, visitors can find their perfect temporary home-away-from home, choosing from a long list of amenities to suit every need. Whether seeking a restored rustic cabin, a newer built cottage, or a luxury home, Page County has exactly what you’re looking for, to make your next getaway a memorable experience. Choose to stay along the Shenandoah River, close to boating and fishing, or secluded high on a mountain top with breathtaking views, or close to town for exploring the downtown area.
Page County Economic Development and Tourism Office’s “Pay for Your Stay” Campaign continues into the winter of 2020. That’s right, Page County will “Pay for Your Stay” at participating lodging! Guests will receive a free stay between December and March. Up to two free nights will be awarded for weeknight stays, with the cost of the reservation not exceeding $300. The stay will be free if guests commit to booking a midweek stay at that same lodging in summer 2020, with the summer booking being paid for at the time of the winter booking.
The stark beauty of winter in the Shenandoah Valley makes for the perfect time to get away, relax, and maybe have an adventure or two. Winter is for serious nature lovers who will enjoy hiking to their hearts’ content on the 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah National Park or exploring the 1 million acres in George Washington National Forest. While many services in SNP close during winter, the park is always open. Lodging, food services, campgrounds and most facilities are closed from late November through March, with the exception of Byrd Visitor Center, at mile marker 51, which remains open weekends. Fuel is available through self-pay at Big Meadows but it is best to enter the park with a full tank of gas. Portions of Skyline Drive, the only public road in the park, are periodically closed during inclement weather. Visitors may still enter the park on foot for hiking or backcountry camping even when Skyline Drive is closed. The most current Skyline Drive status can be obtained by calling a recorded information line at (540) 999-3500 or visiting https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/alerts.htm.
Outdoor activities and adventures continue year-round in Page County. Those looking to take in trails on horseback can visit Fort Valley Ranch, Jordon Hollow Stables and River’s Bend Ranch. Visitors who prefer to bring their own horses can head over to River Hill Stables. All offer miles of scenic, well maintained trails, for wonderful horseback riding experiences. ATV rentals, target shooting and professional hunts can be found at Appalachian Adventures. Adrenaline junkies will enjoy the excitement of ziplining and climbing at Bear Mountain Ziplines. Long’s Outfitter’s, the first big game outfitter in Virginia, offers skilled guides, with vast hunting and fishing experience, to provide guests with fantastic hunting and fishing adventures. Luray Rescue Zoo is a wonderful privately owned zoo that offers special events, zookeeper talks, and demonstrations throughout the year. All admission fees, gift shop sales and donations go directly to help support and care for the animals that call the zoo home. Rounding out this list of outdoor winter activities, is Massanutten Resort which typically offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing from mid-December through mid-March.
Visitors preferring to stick to warmer indoor activities have a variety of options. Luray Caverns is a year-round attraction, where it is always 54 degrees and there is never worry about outside weather. Admission includes entrance fee and tour of the ADA accessible caverns, a self-guided tour of the Car & Carriage Museum, Toy Town Junction and the Luray Valley Museum. Massanutten Resort’s Indoor Waterpark is the perfect place to push the cold of winter aside by speeding down waterslides and splashing in the water, as if it’s a hot summer day. The Warehouse Art Gallery features 90 outstanding local and regional artists and includes an extensive sculpture gallery. Visitors can enjoy a day of shopping, followed by a bite to eat at one of our local restaurants, cafes or bakeries. Anyone looking for some friendly competition will enjoy the challenge and excitement of racing against the clock, collecting clues, and solving puzzles and riddles with family and friends to solve a mystery at Escape 211. Folks looking for a little pampering can enjoy a massage at The Healing Oasis & Bella Donna Skincare or Integrated Bodyworks, Inc.
While there is plenty to do in the colder winter months, don’t underestimate the lure of a quiet, secluded cabin or country home or a relaxing inn or bed & breakfast. Guests looking for the ultimate relaxing experience can grab a book or some earbuds, and head over to the fireplace, or a window with breathtaking views, or the hot tub at their home away from home and let the world drift away. The Shenandoah Valley is a year-round vacation destination offering something for every traveler!
The following lodging partners are participating in the “Pay for Your Stay” Campaign by offering FREE winter stays! (Restrictions Apply)
A Buck’s View is a secluded newer cabin, built in 2013, that sleeps 6, has a fully equipped kitchen and is pet friendly.
A Cozy Bear Cottage, LLC is a beautiful pinewood cabin, situated on 3 secluded acres, within a mile of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River
Cardinal Cottage is a cozy, 2-bedroom retreat on 10 + secluded acres with a fully equipped kitchen. (Small pets allowed)
Garnerland is a spacious 2-bedroom cabin with a fully equipped kitchen and a long list of amenities.
Mayneview Bed & Breakfast is a beautifully appointed, historic bed & breakfast, on 3 acres, with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and downtown Luray. (Complimentary breakfast.)
Mimslyn Inn is a 45 full-service inn with cottages that offers fine and casual dining, a bountiful Sunday brunch and spa services.
River Dell Bed & Breakfast is a luxury suite located on the banks of the Shenandoah River that includes use of canoe and kayak. (Complimentary breakfast.)
Shadow Mountain Escape is situated on 15 beautifully landscaped acres. Experience traditional European charm of timber frame cabins on the edge of Shenandoah National Park. (Adults only.)
