dickey ridge visitor center

KLE2013

At mile marker five on Skyline Drive after entering the park at the Front Royal North Entrance Station is the Dickey Ridge Visitors Center. Make this your first stop because the rangers there are knowledgeable, personable and engaging and can help you to optimally plan your visit. Here at the center is a calendar of events that changes daily ,a listing of wildlife sightings , bathrooms, a bookstore/gift shop, audiovisual presentation and exhibits that can inform and excite the kids.

ChrisH018

Dickey Ridge is the first national Park Service Visitor Center as you enter the Shenandoah National Park from the north. Definitely take the time to stop here on your way along the Skyline Drive into the Park. The Rangers are very informative and helpful. Also, check out the Critter Sightings log to find out were wildlife has been most recently seen.

cherylb283

Very nice staff, my granddaughter and grandson received their Junior Ranger Badges for the park; they were so happy for them. It was truly amazing how delightful the Visitor Center was; we purchased quite a bit and were helped extensively when we needed it.

RStyczynski

Nice place to stop and get some gifts, see some views, and use the restrooms. Bathrooms were clean enough. Wish they had refreshments, even a vending machine for water. Otherwise a great place to stop and stretch and enjoy views!

gwendalyn

This visitor center was in a nice location. Clean restrooms. There was a nice view outside. You could sit out there and relax. The rangers in the visitor center were very helpful and nice. You can also sign your little ones up to be Junior Rangers. My daughter did that in the past and really enjoyed it.

IAKoalaGal

A great place to start on the Skyline Trail in Shenandoah National Park. Be sure to watch the 10 minute video - started upon request. Nice gift shop without outrageous prices. Park Ranger available for more information. Get your National Park Passport stamp here. Stop at Skyland Resort and Big Meadows area for a taste and history of the park.

realbigbear

There is nothing wrong with this visitor center. Indeed, the view is excellent. But Big Meadows Visitor Center is far better for giving one the history of the Shenandoah National Park. Of course, if you are driving Skyline Drive, do both visitor centers

apdemas

Dickey Ridge is probably the first visitor center most people come to in the park, and it makes a pretty good first impression. It has an awesome overlook of the Shenandoah Valley. The visitor center itself is pretty small, but they do have a few exhibits about the wildlife you're likely to see. They make up for the small visitor center, though, by having great ranger programs there. Check the schedule on the NPS website before you go; usually there are several ranger talks a day.

Jodi307

This visitor center is a nice facility with a great porch and rocking chairs for looking out on the big meadow, but the real value of this visitor center is the opportunity to connect with a park ranger. The rangers are knowledgeable about everything you can imagine...which hike you would enjoy most, the weather forecast, where to see wildlife, etc. They lead a number of very good programs, some about the science in the park and some about the history of the park. The rangers are wonderful with kids and make it fun to become a junior ranger. Check out the ranger-led programs and take advantage of this fantastic resource available to you. Every visit to a national park should include at least one conversation with a ranger!

momE1

The rangers and staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and we were able to do the backpack program for the kids, which was wonderful. Best $5 I've spent in a long time. I also liked telling my grandchildren and daughter the stories told to me by my parents about how when they were teens and young adults they would go up to Dickey Ridge to dances held out on the large patio. A memorable and fun day. We also brought lunch and ate it as we looked out over the Shenandoah Valley. Can't wait to go back soon!

KSC77

Great little gift shop in the National Park, but they didn't have any air conditioning on one of the hottest days! I couldn't stay very long!

RobinF261

It was a nice little visitors center. We found it worth stopping at and would recommend it to others.

sdc1701

Tis should be your first port of call when you enter the Skyline Trail from the Front Royal end.The staff are very helpful and knowledgable and ther is a short 10 minute film that is worth watching just to get an idea of the countryside.At the same place they have a small shop which to be honest they could make more of. Some books and some T's and that's about it.Good viewpoint toilets and a lovely picnic area where we were visited by a herd of deer.

katrinac331

Rangers helped us determine good hikes for kids, nice gift shop, restrooms, nice view, plenty of parking

Pnemiller

This is one of 3 visitor centers on Skyline Drive, about 5 miles south of the northern entrance. It has much good information, a small museum and a short film. There are a number of nice trails to hike or walk. There are national park entrance fees to tour this area or use the Golden Eagle pass or Senior pass.