Harry F. Byrd Sr. Visitor Center

Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51) is located across from Big Meadows in the center of Shenandoah National Park. Available facilities include: restrooms, information desk, ranger programs, bookstore, publications, maps, and first aid. Within close proximity to countless activities and hikes, it's a great place to start your next trip!

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

From Front Royal or Thornton Gap (Luray), head south on the Skyline Drive to mile 51. The visitor center will be on your right, across from Big Meadows. From Swift Run (Elkton) or Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro), head north on the Skyline Drive to mile 51. The visitor center will be on your left, across from Big Meadows.

Byrd Visitor Center is a building off mile 51 of Skyline Drive. The visitor center is across from Big Meadows on the northwest side of the road. In front of the visitor center is a large parking lot. Facing the visitor center from the parking lot there is open space outside the entrance of the visitor center with an American flag, a statue of a man in the Civilian Conservation Corps, and to the left a large sign. The sign has a stone foundation with a brown metal frame coming out of the stone. On top of the frame are two brown, metal rectangles with the text, "Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center." To the right there is an expanded patio area with bushes and shrubs planted inside a rectangular stone planter that is raised and also provides benches. Beyond the planter to the right are bathrooms. The patio is bordered at the front and to the right by rectangular columns that lead to a covered area between the patio and the visitor center walls. There are benches in between the columns near the planter. Facing the entrance of the visitor center, there is a brown, wooden sign on a column to the left indicating whether the visitor center is open and the hours. There is a bulletin board with current information on the right and the National Park Service arrowhead logo on the left. Entering the visitor center through two double glass doors, there is a vestibule inside. A sharp left leads to the Shenandoah National Park Association's gift shop. To the right of the gift shop and on the left of the wide open area is a long desk. Rangers and volunteers at the desk can answer questions about trip planning and the resources at the Park. On the right begins an interpretive exhibit about the history of Shenandoah National Park and the people who lived here before the establishment of the Park. The exhibit begins through a hallway on the right and makes a loop, leading visitors around until they exit back to the open area. Between the exhibit entrance and exit is the entrance to the theater when the park film plays. On the side of the building opposing the entrance is a large window that looks out to the meadow across the street. There are many seats near the windows where visitors can sit and relax.

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