Dickey Ridge Visitor Center
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
163 reviews
Excellent
79
Very good
67
Average
13
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Paul A
23 contributions
Jul 2021
The nature exhibit is closed, purportedly because of Covid. But the gift store was open and doing a lot of business. Hmm...If it's safe to open the gift shop, why can't you open the nature exhibits? The person working there said it's because people "touch the exhibits, and that requires a lot of cleaning." So, people don't touch things in the gift shop, right? Give me a break!
Written July 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim W.
Atlanta, GA1,301 contributions
Oct 2021
This was by far the busiest visitors' center within the park, at least per our experience. It is located a few miles inside the northern entrance to the park, which probably accounts for the crowds. They have a large parking lot, with signs about overflow parking nearby.
We found a parking spot and walked over to the main building. Rangers were set up outside to answer questions. The interior was largely roped off / abandoned for the time being (i.e., during Covid). However, the gift shop was still open.
This is probably barely functional, but I found the arrangement disappointing from the perspective of someone who has visited a wide array of national parks. Hopefully things will return to some semblance of normalcy in 2022.
We found a parking spot and walked over to the main building. Rangers were set up outside to answer questions. The interior was largely roped off / abandoned for the time being (i.e., during Covid). However, the gift shop was still open.
This is probably barely functional, but I found the arrangement disappointing from the perspective of someone who has visited a wide array of national parks. Hopefully things will return to some semblance of normalcy in 2022.
Written November 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
csserious2
Chantilly, VA823 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
If you are in the DC metropolitan area in Fall, chances are that you’ll end up at the Skyline Drive enjoying the beautiful fall colors. The drive is approximately three hours end to end, and the visitor center will be the first stop, only few miles from the north entrance. They are always busy with hard to find parking during the peak season, however, the restrooms are clean the times I stopped by. They have a great lookout of the landscape at the back as well as a picnic area. The next rest area will be little more than an hour driving south at the Rt. 211 ramp.
Written October 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheHeyseed
Front Royal, VA127 contributions
Jan 2020
I had not been on this northern end of Skyline Drive for over forty years and was excited to take advantage of the Fee-Free day on MLK Monday. The park is clean, the rangers are professional and nice, but at mile five the gate was locked and sorry folks that's all.
The visitor Center looks nice, but it was locked too. They did have restrooms open.
The views looking west are great, just wish we could have gone further south to see some of the eastern views as well.
The visitor Center looks nice, but it was locked too. They did have restrooms open.
The views looking west are great, just wish we could have gone further south to see some of the eastern views as well.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lanac5950
Woodbridge, VA19 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Kids loved the dioramas inside and the little gift shop has a nice selection. Good view in the back. Picked up a Jr Ranger booklet, used the restroom, and did the Fox Hollow Trail. I highly recommend the trail with the TRACK brochure, good for ages 5-10, IMO. My 6 year old really got in to the interactive part even though the trail itself doesn’t have much for experienced hikers (with kids, hiking is not about the miles it’s about the smiles!). Heard and saw lots of birds, so this could be a good one for birding. We couldn’t find the millstone, maybe ask a Ranger for tips before you go for that one.
Written June 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teardrop Trailer Traveler
United States783 contributions
Jun 2021
The Dickey Ridge visitor center is at the northern end of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. The visitor center itself was closed to visitors at the time of my trip, but the rangers had a table set up outside. (The gift shop was open.) There is a large open area by the visitor center and it offers great views of the valley below.
Written May 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
podrozniczka60
New Jersey16,586 contributions
Nov 2021
Covid precautions decreased their level of friendliness and limited the services but it is still a good place to stop. After leaving Fort Royal this is the first visiting center entering Shenandoah National Park. Good for bathroom stops, picnics, stretching your legs and trip planning. The rangers were set up outdoors and answering visitors questions. We obtained some useful trail maps and trip planning tips.
Written November 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WC-Travelers-75
West Chester, PA2,193 contributions
Sep 2019
This visitors center is a very good way to orient yourself to the NP if entering from Front Royal. Worth a stop to pick up maps and talk with the rangers. Museum is small; the Gift Shop is almost as big and well stocked. Buy something to support the NPs.
Easy Parking for a 23 ft RV but I did not see specific bus or RV parking spots.
Clean bathrooms.
Easy Parking for a 23 ft RV but I did not see specific bus or RV parking spots.
Clean bathrooms.
Written April 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChrisH018
River Forest, IL102 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Dickey Ridge is the first national Park Service Visitor Center as you enter the Shenandoah National Park from the north. Definitely take the time to stop here on your way along the Skyline Drive into the Park. The Rangers are very informative and helpful. Also, check out the Critter Sightings log to find out were wildlife has been most recently seen.
Written October 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jodi307
Charlotte, North Carolina566 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
This visitor center is a nice facility with a great porch and rocking chairs for looking out on the big meadow, but the real value of this visitor center is the opportunity to connect with a park ranger. The rangers are knowledgeable about everything you can imagine...which hike you would enjoy most, the weather forecast, where to see wildlife, etc. They lead a number of very good programs, some about the science in the park and some about the history of the park. The rangers are wonderful with kids and make it fun to become a junior ranger. Check out the ranger-led programs and take advantage of this fantastic resource available to you. Every visit to a national park should include at least one conversation with a ranger!
Written June 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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