Explore the Great Outdoors in Luray and Page County

Outdoor adventure abounds in the Shenandoah Valley, from hiking, cycling, and ziplining, to river excursions, horseback riding, and ATV expeditions. Opt for a day trip, weekend getaway, or weeklong stay in Luray and Page County, the ultimate road trip destination. Virginia’s Cabin Capital offers cozy cabins, mountain hideaways, river retreats, and dozens of options for happy campers.

National Great Outdoors Month in June reminds us to #EscapeTheIndoors, explore nature’s abundant beauty, and embrace the wonder of wide-open spaces.

Whether you’re setting out on your very first hike or pitching a tent for the hundredth time, Great Outdoors Month is the perfect time to head outside and explore the official start of the season.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your sunglasses and kick off summer in the Great Outdoors in Luray and Page County.

PREPARE FOR THE JOURNEY: SNACKS, PACKS, AND SOUVENIRS

A four-season destination for outdoor recreation and relaxation, Luray and Page County are home to shops, outfitters, and farmers markets stocked with supplies, souvenirs, and gear to help you make the most of your outdoor adventure.

Thrive outside with everything you need for the perfect outdoor experience with a selection of shoes, clothes, equipment, and gifts at a local outfitters like Appalachian Trail Outfitters. Experienced anglers or first-time fishers can grab all the gear they need — or get their license — at checking stations like Steve’s Archery and Guns.

Skip the yard sales and head to thrift stores, a local flea market, and shops stocked with estate auction items for bargains and unique second-hand finds. Or choose from a variety of gifts and handmade artisanal creations at a boutique or specialty shop on or near one of Page County’s three Main Streets in Luray, Stanley, and Shenandoah.

And don’t forget the snacks! Stop by one of Luray’s indoor farmers markets at the Willow Grove Farm Market, Page Co-Op Farm Bureau, or Massanutten Country Corner for not only farm-to-table produce, but homemade treats, savory eats, indulgent sweets, and a variety of fresh and Virginia-made snacks to enjoy out on the trail or along winding country roads as you set out to explore the Great Outdoors.

CONNECT WITH NATURE: STARRY NIGHTS AND CAMP SITES

Pack your backpack, pitch a tent, and settle in at a scenic campground in the Shenandoah Valley to truly experience the Great Outdoors and connect with nature. Whether you’re an experienced backpacker or a first-time camper, camping overnight, for the weekend, or for the week provides a memorable and unique retreat and space to unplug and reconnect with family, friends, and loved ones.

Fall asleep in the stillness of nature at the base of the mountain in the Shenandoah Valley, high above the Valley on mountain peaks, or beside the rolling Shenandoah River. Wake up to watch day break over the Valley as morning mist lingers over the water and the sun rises in a show of colors over mountain ranges.

There’s always “s’more” to do at one of Luray and Page County’s campsites. Gather around a fire pit to roast marshmallows and share laughs with little ones. Cozy up with your sweetheart at dusk and look up at the night sky to marvel at twinkling sights far away from city lights. Seek solace and time to unwind with an afternoon snooze in the shade of lush, green trees. Or challenge your friends or fellow campers to a round of horseshoes, corn hole, or Capture the Flag against a backdrop of the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountains.

Choose from basic tent camping, RV sites, or an open-air night under the stars. Luray and Page County offer camping experiences that run the full gamut, from adventure camping to backpacking, luxury camping, and canoe camping.

Opt for one of five campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park, or choose from campground, RV, or dispersed camping in the George Washington National Forest. Select a standard, primitive, premium, red carpet, or deluxe tent or RV site at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Camp and Resort and enjoy family-friendly daily activities and on-site attractions. Or choose from riverside sites and Valley views at an array of locally owned Luray and Page County campgrounds, river camps, and outbacks.

SAVOR THE FLAVOR: SUMMER BBQ AND BURGERS

They’re the sandwiches of summer: burgers and BBQ. In Luray and Page County, we’ve got not only the flavors to savor — but spectacular views.

Take in sweeping front-porch Valley views, farm-to-fork flavors, and chef-created burgers with front-porch dining at the Mimslyn Inn in Luray. Or savor every mouthwatering bite at the historic inn’s Circa ’31 dining room. Choose from classic burgers and veggie burgers at Gathering Grounds in Downtown Luray and dine indoors, outdoors, or on the go. Enjoy burgers, sandwiches, and other classics and take in more southern views of the Valley at Rudy’s Diner in Shenandoah.

Head to Rudy’s Roadside in Luray for pork BBQ and homemade sides, then top it off with hand-dipped ice cream. Or experience authentic Southern, handcrafted BBQ at Triple Crown BBQ in Luray. Smoked daily on-site, the family-owned and locally loved BBQ stop offers Virginia pork and poultry, tri-tip sirloin, homemade sides, and gluten-free options.

Looking to make your own over an open flame back at your campsite? Grab all the ingredients you need, including Page County grown produce and locally sourced meats, sweets, and eats, at the Hawksbill Trading Company, Massanutten Country Corner, or Willow Grove Farm Market.
 

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE: FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE VALLEY

Celebrate the Great Outdoors in a national park or forest or with a water adventure on the Shenandoah River. Explore more than five hundred miles of trails in Shenandoah National Park, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail, or take on the trails in the George Washington National Forest.

Warmer days make way for even more ways to enjoy the Great Outdoors. Soak in summer’s sun and fun on the Shenandoah River with flat-water and beginner white-water adventures. Take in a whole new perspective of the Valley from the water as you canoe, kayak, or float the day away.

Choose from other outdoor adventures along mountain terrain and atop Valley views: venture off the beaten path on an ATV excursion; ride horseback through rolling foothills and winding creeks with a trail ride at a Page County ranch or stable; grab your bike and cycle down winding country roads; test your strength and teamwork with a ropes course challenge, or glide above the forest’s canopy on a zipline tour.

Whether you’re an experienced outdoor enthusiast in search of high adventure, a nature lover longing for quiet solitude in wide-open spaces, or a first-time camper looking for a new and memorable way to connect with family, there are outdoor adventures for all in Luray and Page County. And there’s no better time to #EscapeTheIndoors and explore nature’s abundant beauty than Great Outdoors Month.