Franklin Cliffs Overlook

Franklin Cliffs Overlook sits at 3,109 feet along Skyline Drive, facing 300 degrees, with the terrain dropping 936 feet within 600 meters of the pullout. The National Park Service notes the view looks northwest from 3,140 feet across a narrow hollow leading to the town of Stanley in the Shenandoah Valley. Peaks visible from the overlook include Bailey Mountain to the west-northwest at 2.9 miles, Hershberger Hill to the north-northwest at 4.3 miles, Roundhead Mountain to the west-northwest at 4.9 miles, Varner Hill to the north at 5.1 miles, and The Pinnacle to the west at 6.5 miles. The overlook faces toward sunset, about 30 degrees off square with due west, making it oriented for evening light; sunset falls at 19:26 near the March equinox, 20:42 at the June solstice, 19:12 near the September equinox, and 16:57 at the December solstice. Harrisonburg lies 25.0 miles west-southwest, Charlottesville 35.2 miles south, and Staunton 44.4 miles southwest. Spitler Knoll Overlook precedes this stop, and Fishers Gap Overlook follows it along the drive.