1. Marys Rock Tunnel

    1. Marys Rock Tunnel

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    Luray, VA

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    Marys Rock Tunnel

    4.3 (10 reviews)

    Marys Rock Tunnel Photos

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    The beautiful view is your reward!
    Sue A.

    We very much enjoyed this trail! With one of us having a bad ankle, the other one, having a bad knee and took about an hour and a half to get up in an hour and 15 minutes to come down! Highly recommend it is a walking sticks. The trail has a lot of rocks as you're walking up.! The view is breathtaking once you get up there.! 3 1/2 miles was absolutely beautiful!

    Start of trail
    Chris C.

    Mary's Rock is one of my favorite hikes in the park. Last time we started from a trailhead on route 211 so it was a longer trek to reach the top. This time started from the Panorama parking lot (just south of Thornton Gap entrance) so it was just under 4 miles out and back, a much easier and extremely rewarding short hike (however one benefit for hiking the longer way is free parking at the trailhead). It's a steady uphill all the way but the slope is pretty mild overall so not that hard if you go slowly. The view at the top is stunning, and best of all, there is an extensive amount of rock outcropping so if you like rock scrambling, it's possible to get away from the main area where most people congregate and find a more solitude perch to enjoy the view. Note the summit is super windy and can be chilly now it's no longer summer - so if you plan on staying for a bit be sure to bring something warm to wear.

    Neal E.

    Marys Rock Tunnel is the only tunnel on the Skyline Drive. Immediately past the tunnel (south of the tunnel), there is an overlook with some interpretive information about the tunnel, as well as some gorgeous views to the east. The tunnel is not very high - with approximately a 13 foot clearance. The National Park Service - Shenandoah National Park web site has this to say about Marys Rock Tunnel: "The tunnel, 670 feet long, was bored through the solid granite of Marys Rock in 1932. Although justified as avoiding the necessity of creating an expensive cut on the existing slope and filling the down slope areas, thus creating a massive man-made, visual feature, it has been suggested that the tunnel was built as a challenge to Bureau of Public Roads and National Park Service landscape architects. The tunnel was partially lined with concrete in 1958 to alleviate the formation of icicles in winter and water seepage in summer--a partially successful effort."

    Jodie C.

    Drove through this Tunnel tons of times. Never gets old. I'll probably see it again this weekend! lol. I love it.

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    Review Highlights - Marys Rock Tunnel

    Mary's Rock was our first hike upon arrival; it is popular as it is located right off of the Thornton Gap entrance.

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    Shenandoah National Park - Shenandoah National Park

    Shenandoah National Park

    4.8(271 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    An amazing National Park, especially if you love hiking, camping, and/or amazing views of mountains…read moreand valleys. The main vein through the park is the Skyline Drive, accessible from any of the 4 (paid) park entrances. It's much longer than we anticipated. According to the National Park Service's website, on clear days, it takes about 3 hours to drive the whole thing! All along the Skyline Drive are spots to pull over and take in the stunning vistas. It really is beautiful on both sides of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A few of the spots are extra large and have bathrooms. I recommend looking up some maps of the different trails to plan your trip. We went with the Hawksbill Trail because it reaches the highest point and the views are not to be missed! My oldest friend goes every year with her family and they still are seeing new stuff, so don't be too hard on yourself if you don't see everything, but enjoy what you do; it's gorgeous.

    This is a beautiful national park in Virgina. This past Sunday, June 14, 2026; had the opportunity…read moreto check out on Flag Day free of charge , and enjoy the Skyline Drive. Beautiful breathtaking, serene, inner peace, and viewpoints to stop and take pictures that are gorgeous, and truly connected you with nature The trails and drive itself is beyond remarkable, and overall everyone needs to experience once in there life.

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    Shenandoah National Park - Shenandoah National Park

    Shenandoah National Park

    Shenandoah National Park - Shenandoah National Park

    Shenandoah National Park

    Shenandoah National Park - Shenandoah National Park

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    Shenandoah National Park

    Hawksbill Trail

    Hawksbill Trail

    4.5(19 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    A great hike that I would rate as intermediately challenging. No rock scrambling or anything like…read morethat, but it is quite steep for a while, one must be prepared. It's a popular spot at the top (stunning vistas of the park). I definitely recommend getting there early. We arrived in the afternoon and it was super crowded. Parking only on the side of Skyline Drive and then a 5-10 minute walk just to the trailhead. From the southern entrance to the park, it was about a 20 minute drive along Skyline Drive just to get here, so it does take some prep time before you even start hiking. As mentioned, it's a steep incline for most of the first half. What I loved the most was how many people coming down from the top would encourage you going up, saying "you're over halfway there," or "it's worth it; keep going!" and was nice to return the favor on our way down. Fast hikers can get to the top in 30 minutes, but most will need more. The views at the top are definitely worth the hike. Beautiful view of the Shenandoah Valley. There is a small shelter if it's raining, and a lovely little stone balcony overlook. There are enough outcroppings that you could have a small picnic. Word to the wise, make sure you have a plan for relieving yourself before the hike. There are no facilities. If you like beautiful views, hiking, or being out in nature, come check out the Hawksbill Trail.

    We visited Hawksbill Trail via the trailhead off Skyline Drive. There is 860ft of elevation and…read more600ft happen in the first .5 mile. A bit of a doozy. If you go this way, make it to the top, and turn right, it's only another .1 mile to the summit. Beautiful views and very peaceful. Good place to stop for a lunch break. We got a little turned around though and ended up walking to another part of the trail when we were trying to do the loop. Overall, we like the part of the trail that we hiked.

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    Hawksbill Trail
    Hawksbill Trail
    Hawksbill Trail

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    Carillon Pond Park - Carillon Pond Park

    Carillon Pond Park

    3.0(4 reviews)
    8.6 mi

    I award 3 stars here. The singing tower itself demands your attention and for good reason. Though…read morethe bells don't ring anymore, they did in 1937. Heaviest bell weighs 7,640 lbs!! Wow. It's beautiful backed by the mountains and our American flag riding the wind. They seem to hold events there also. They did add sheltered picnic tables around a small pond. Pond is a bit smelly. I saw some grocery bags and sandwich bags in the water. Torn fabrics on the ground in front of the stone wall. Not too bad, just needs a volunteer clean up day and maybe don't allow fishing in it.

    Government Pond…read more ±7-acre park located in Luray, VA, that doesn't have much in the way of features but has one very unique one. We were a bit early to check-into our AirBnB, so we were looking to kill time, and this place came upon our path. Pros: *Small pond with some shade. *Bethany Veney Remembrance Garden, which honors a former slave. *The famous 47-bell Luray Singing Tower (aka Belle Brown Northcott Memorial), which, to be honest, was what caught our eye and made us decide to kill time here. For performance dates and times go here: https://luraycaverns.com/explore/singing-tower/ The Meh: *No picnic tables *No BBQ pits *No Restrooms The Ugly: *Virginia summer weather... 0_o TLDR: Decent park but only plan to visit to catch a performance from the tower, as it's probably spectacular.

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    Carillon Pond Park - Beautiful duck.

    Beautiful duck.

    Carillon Pond Park - Carillon Pond Park

    Carillon Pond Park

    Carillon Pond Park - Impressive!

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    Impressive!

    Marys Rock Tunnel - parks - Updated September 2026

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