There is no shortage of fantastic hiking trails and natural spaces within proximity to the District; just about an hour or two in any direction will get you crisp, clean air, whether that be along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay or in the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley.
That being said, one of the region’s most popular hikes has officially been labelled as ‘the hike of a lifetime’ by National Geographic, making it a bucket-list experience that every Washingtonian should aim to complete at least once.
That hike is none other than Shenandoah National Park’s iconic Old Rag Mountain!
Named for the underlying ‘old rag’ granite that makes up most of the mountain, it’s become one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most iconic hiking trips.
What makes Old Rag Mountain ‘the hike of a lifetime’?
While Old Rag Mountain might not shock the true outdoorspeople and hiking enthusiasts around the District, after all, the mountain trail can be so busy during peak season that you have to reserve the start time of your hike in advance, it’s become popular for a reason.
The peak atop Old Rag Mountain offers one of the best ways to take in the sights of Shenandoah National Park, with miles of unobstructed views of the Blue Ridge Mountains!
The hike is only 9.4 miles round-trip, but it is considered fairly strenuous, so you will want to come prepared in order to reach the peak and get back down comfortably within 7 or 8 hours.
How to reserve a time slot for a hike at Old Rag Mountain
To book tickets for a chance to hike Old Rag Mountain, all that you have to do is head to Old Rag Mountain’s page on Recreation.gov and book a ‘Day-Use’ ticket.
Tickets are released just a month in advance, but they book up quickly, so you’ll want to reserve your time slot in advance!
Tickets are $2 each (for both adults and children), with a $1 per-ticket cancellation fee.
That being said, before you reach Old Rag Mountain, you’ll also need to purchase an entry pass for Shenandoah National Park:
- Standard Pass: $15 – $30 (recommended for one-time visits)
- Annual Pass: $55 (recommended if you plan to visit multiple times)
- America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes): Free – $250 (recommended if you plan to visit multiple national parks in the next year)
