Description

Elevation: 780 ft.

Shenandoah County Park consists of 65.5 acres of mixed woods and fields hosting numerous woodland birds. Search for indigo bunting, American robin, chipping sparrow and fish crow along the edges of the wooded areas. Once inside the forest, listen for the familiar sounds of Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, Carolina wren, blue jay, northern cardinal, and eastern towhee. Careful inspection of the mixed deciduous forest should yield several less obvious finds such as white bird’s nest fungus, minute cones filled with small white spores resembling eggs in a bird’s nest. The neighboring fields host eastern tiger swallowtails and red-banded hairstreaks. Common whitetail dragonflies should also be spotted cruising past.

Directions

From Elizabeth Furnace, return to Rt. 678 and continue north 4.0 miles to SR 55. Turn left on SR 55 and follow it for 5.2 miles to US 11 South. Continue on US 11 South for 6.7 miles to Shenandoah County Park on the left.

To return to the interstate, return to US 11 North. Turn right onto US 11 and follow it to Rt. 651 and I-81. Follow I-81 South to Exit #269 to begin the Daughter of the Stars Loop or to Exit #264 to begin the Lost Shoe Loop.