Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Shenandoah National Park

Departure Point

• Start at (Front Royal or Waynesboro) or join anywhere along the tour route. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour" and follow the instructions to download now over Wi-Fi/cell service. Then, preview the start location/s and tour route in the app.

Return Details

• Commentary plays automatically based on your location, so you have flexibility on where and when you want to start and end your tour anywhere along the tour route.

Duration
8 hours - 24 hours

Languages Available

• Audio guide - English

Points of Interest

Stop At: Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route to match your interests and schedule. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below;
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Dark Hollow Falls
Rose River Trail, Virginia
It may be stating the obvious, but driving the beautiful Skyline Drive is the primary reason for many people's visit. There are many excellent vistas and overlooks to enjoy along the way, with most requiring no more than stepping out of your vehicle to capture that fantastic photo. Because there are so many great overlooks, we won't talk about all of them on the tour - we'd never get to the end of the drive, but we will be sure to let you know which ones are the best and ones that offer a unique perspective. But above all, enjoy the simple scenic pleasure of this gorgeous drive. Take your time and soak it all in!
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Camp Rapidan
Skyline Drive, Milepost 51, Virginia
Looking for a challenging hike? This is one of the Northern District’s most unique features - and full of history. The stairs are a series of natural formations found throughout a narrow, seemingly hand-carved gorge. While they may look almost man-made, no one, not even the Native Americans who were here long before any European settlers, lay claim to shaping them. It’s one of the park’s more popular attractions, so expect a crowded parking lot.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Little Devil's Stairs Trail
Shenandoah National Park, Sperryville, Virginia
Do you believe in ghosts? The most haunted place in Shenandoah sits just off the road, a place where you can hear footsteps outside when no one else is around and possibly glimpse a white figure in the woods who is said to vanish if approached. This is Corbin Cabin and even if you don’t believe, it’s a unique site with a story behind it that dates back to before the creation of the park.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Skyline Drive
Virginia
When you think of Shenandoah, a vacation resort probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. And yet, there is one here still operating, hidden in the middle of the woods at the highest point along Skyline Drive. Built in 1906, Skyland Resort has played host to numerous elaborate balls, musicals, tournaments and pageants over the years and the cabins, dining halls and recreation halls are all still active. Today, twelve historic Skyland structures remain and you can experience what life was like at the turn of the 20th century. You can stay here, or simply walk through the resort and soak in its history.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Old Rag Mountain Hike
, , Virginia
This is the most popular attraction in the park, with unquestionably some of the best hikes - though the Circuit is a favorite and requires a 6 hour commitment for most. Here you can hike across rock scrambles, take in 360-degree views of Shenandoah, and see endangered plants and animals. So why’s it called Old Rag? Well, early European explorers thought the exposed granite at and around the summit looked like an old rag and there you have it - the name stuck. Old Rag Mountain Day-Use Ticket: From March - November all visitors to Old Rag Mountain require a day-use ticket, including hikers on the Saddle, Ridge and Ridge Access trails. This is a pilot project that will be reviewed.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Harry F. Byrd Sr. Visitor Center
259 Big Meadows Visitor Road, Stanley, Virginia
Right across the road from Big Meadows is another place worth stopping. The Byrd Visitor Center is equal parts museum, travel guide, hotel and restaurant. You can find exhibits inside on everything from the park’s history to the animal residents, plot out what trails you’d like to explore, or even stay the night on the Skyline Drive in comfort at the hotel. Kids especially will enjoy some of the exhibits, with artifacts from both humans and animals on display.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Big Meadows
Shenandoah National Park, Front Royal, Virginia
This is the park’s halfway point and this high-elevation meadow is a chance to see a wide variety of animals. Big Meadows is a feeding ground for everything from black bears to bobcats, with deer and the occasional elk wandering by. As with any wildlife spotting - a little luck is needed, but you can increase your chances by being in places like the meadows in the early morning, or towards dusk. Binoculars are a good idea for spotting wildlife from a safe distance. Burned by multiple wildfires over the last six years, the meadows gives a unique visual, as you can literally see the land rebuilding itself.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Skyland Stables
Skyland Upper Loop, Luray, Virginia
Dark Hollow Falls Trail is our favorite waterfall hike in the park, requiring just a 1.4 mile return trek to view the 70 foot dancing water show. The trail is a little steep in places, but not overly strenuous. White tailed deer are often spotted along the way. An early start is recommended if it's likely to be a busy day. Expect to spend 60-90 minutes to complete, with time viewing the falls.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Corbin Cabin
Syria, VA 22743
You’ve probably heard about Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. But before that country retreat was built in 1942, President Herbert Hoover built Rapidan Camp in what would eventually become Shenandoah National Park. Today, the camp and surviving cabins are a museum, both of Hoover’s presidency and of Shenandoah itself. The camp is accessible on a 4 mile round-trip hike, and there is the option of joining a ranger-guided tour from the Byrd Visitor Center.
Duration: 2 hours

Additional Information

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
• Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
• Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
• Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
• Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
• Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
• Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
• Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
• Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
• Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
• Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.

Inclusions

• Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
• Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
• Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
• Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
• Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
• GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 170+ Points
• Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own

Exclusions

• National Park Passes

Redemption Instructions
STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:

1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher
2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App
3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1
4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW

FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS
- Email: Search your inbox for “Your Tour Operator Sent You A Message” and “Instructions for GuideAlong Audio Tour.” Check All Mail and your junk/spam folder.
- Text: Check for a text message from +17817732638.
- This Ticket: Find the voucher code at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step 1.
- Viator App: Open your booking and select Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator.
- TripAdvisor App: Open your Account and select Messages.
- Need help? Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW
You must pre-download both the GuideAlong app and audio tour to your phone over reliable wifi or cellular data before you drive out of signal. If you can OPEN your tour and see the START TOURING button, your tour is downloaded. No service is required while touring.

FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE
There’s no expiry, date or time limit for your tour, so download the GuideAlong app and audio tour now. If your plans change to a different day there’s no need to change your travel date.

CHARGING & SOUND
We don’t recommend connecting your phone to the vehicle's USB port. Instead, use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to prevent an automatic secondary pairing and keep your phone charged. CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported, so listen to the tour through your phone’s speaker or pair it to your car stereo via Bluetooth: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/.

HELP & SUPPORT

- FAQs: Check the offline Help menu in the GuideAlong app or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq.
- Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email info@guidealong.com.

Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.

This offer is not eligible for promo codes.