Description
Elevation: 3377 ft.
The Limberlost Trail leads the visitor to high elevation wetlands along a walking trail. This 1.3-mile trail provides numerous opportunities for wildlife watching not the least of which is the almost fearless white-tailed deer grazing all around. The higher elevation of this area provides for exciting birding. Species such as Blackburnian, black-throated blue, hooded, and chestnut-sided warblers, veery, Acadian flycatcher and rose-breasted grosbeak all breed here. The dense stands of spruce provide perfect cover for retiring species such as Cooper’s hawk and barred owl, which on occasion dart from cover to pick off their prey from along the trail. Listen in spring when the woods resonate with the booming of ruffed grouse. Along the length of the trail there are several moist boggy areas that host numerous salamanders.
A map of this trail and the surrounding area can be found on the provided website.
Wildlife Sightings
Birds Recently Seen at Limberlost Trail, Shenandoah National Park:
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Eastern Phoebe
- Red-eyed Vireo
- Gray Catbird
- Veery
- Wood Thrush
- American Goldfinch
- Eastern Towhee
- Brown-headed Cowbird
- Ovenbird
135 species have been reported at this site to date.
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 5 May 2026 | 14 | Charles Baker |
| 3 May 2026 | 14 | Charles Baker |
| 3 May 2026 | 1 | Ray Groshan |
| 25 Apr 2026 | 17 | Lydia Tillapaugh |
| 25 Apr 2026 | 17 | Ryan Brunk |
Amenities & Accessibility Considerations
Site Amenities
- On-site Parking
Other Site Amenities: Camping/Lodging, Hiking Trails
Maps & Directions
Skyline Drive Milepost: 43
From the Previous Site on the Skyline Drive Loop of VBWT:
From the Stony Man Trail in Shenandoah National Park, go south on Skyline Drive 1.2 miles to the Limberlost Trail on the left.
Site Information
Managed By:
- National Park Service
Access Requirements:
Contact Information:
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.