Shenandoah National Park · Virginia

Marys Rock Summit Trail

0.1 mi of trail, end to end · Marys Rock From Meadow Spring: 2.9 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 40 ft of climbing · 3,423 ft–3,459 ft · earth surface · trail class Developed · hiking

3,423 ft 3,455 ft · 0.1 mi high 3,459 ft

Marys Rock From Meadow Spring 2.9 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

2-3 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Central District (Mile 33.5)

Hikers traverse large boulders at the summit of Marys Rock
While optional, upturned boulders provide ample seating at Marys Rock to take in the view

This alternate route to Marys Rock Summit offers an easier and shorter trek to the same incredible westward views of the Shenandoah Valley. Along the way, hikers will pass by the remnants of the former Meadow Spring Shelter as well as beautiful azalea blooms in season.

Note that very limited closures are in effect in an effort to prevent further degradation of important outcrop ecosystems on Marys Rock.

Distance: 2.9-mile round trip hike

Difficulty: Moderate ( hiking difficulty scale )

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Elevation Gain: 830 feet

Hike Description

From Meadow Spring parking area at mile 33.5, cross Skyline Drive and take the Meadow Spring Trail to its intersection with the Appalachian Trail (A.T.).

Go right onto the A.T. and follow it to the next trailpost.

At the trailpost take a left to the viewpoint.

Retrace your steps back to the parking area.

Accessibility This trail does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines.

This hike on nps.gov

Marys Rock Summit 3.7 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

3-4 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Central District (Mile 31.6)

A man in a green shirt and backwards ball cap gazes out over a valley below from a mountain top.

Many legends surround the name of this hike, but there is no denying the beautiful westward views that it provides of the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain.

Note that very limited closures are in effect in an effort to prevent further degradation of important outcrop ecosystems on Marys Rock.

Distance: 3.7-mile round trip hike

Difficulty: Moderate ( hiking difficulty scale )

Hiking Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Elevation Gain: 1,210 feet

Hike Description

From the trailhead located in the back of the Panorama parking area, take the short connector trail to the Appalachian Trail and go left (south).

At the trailpost take a right to the viewpoint.

Retrace your steps back to the parking area.

Accessibility This trail does not meet ADA accessibility guidelines.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 317 trails in Shenandoah National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.