Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is a 200,000-acre park that opened in 1936 and is the only US national park with previously occupied land allowed to revert to natural condition. The park has diverse habitats, supports a range of plant and animal life, and offers hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking opportunities.
Shenandoah National Park is a nearly 200,000-acre (about 309 square km) U.S. national park in the northwestern corner of the state of Virginia. First licensed in 1926, the park opened in 1936. It is the only national park in the United States that contains large amounts of previously occupied land that has been allowed to revert to natural condition. Skyline Drive, which meanders through 105 miles (169 km) along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains within the park, is the best known of the park’s features.
Prior to the park’s founding, the area it now covers had been home to small farms and towns. The area was in economic decline and many residents were already gone when the state of Virginia purchased 180,000 acres (728 sq km) of land and contributed it to the federal government as the major portion of the new Shenandoah National Park. The remaining residents were paid for their land and relocated with government help. At the end of the 20th century nearly 20 acres (about 80,000 sq km) of the park were eligible for designation as wilderness areas.
The park is located along the Blue Ridge Mountains, a major range within the Appalachian Mountains, and elevations within the park range up to 4,000 feet (1,219 m.) Within the park boundaries are the springs of the Shenandoah River, which flows west of the park. Streams, pools, and waterfalls of various sizes are found throughout the park.
Shenandoah National Park has a mixture of habitats that vary according to each area’s elevation, moisture level, and soil types. These variations allow the park to support a diverse range of both plant and animal life. The park’s woodlands consist primarily of oak, hickory, and chestnut trees, all deciduous trees, which drop their leaves in the fall. Some evergreens, such as fir and spruce, are also found in the park.
Common wildflowers include bloodroot, trillium, ladyslippers, and columbine along with hundreds of other flower species. White-tailed deer, possums, cottontail rabbits, and raccoons are among the most-seen animals in the park. Many species of birds, reptiles and amphibians are also common.
Shenandoah National Park offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The Appalachian Trail runs through the park for 101 miles (about 162.50 km), and there are at least 400 miles (about 604 km) of other hiking trails. Also located in the park are dedicated equestrian trails, camping areas, and over 200 miles (about 322 km) of automobile and bicycle roads,
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