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Before you go
Your trip to Luray.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Luray – Virginia Destination Shenandoah and Harpers Ferry
How to get there
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Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) 110 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) is about 110 km away, and Charlottesville (CHO) about 100 km. By car, you reach it via US-211 and US-340. There is no regular train or bus service to the town.
How many days
One day for the caverns and a stretch of the Skyline Drive; two days to include Big Meadows, Dark Hollow Falls, or the Old Rag climb.
When to go
From April to June and from September to early November. The caverns maintain about 12 °C year-round and can be visited in any season. In winter, the Skyline Drive may close due to snow.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Yes. The caverns are 3 km from downtown, and the Skyline Drive and Old Rag can only be reached by car. Drivers keep to the right.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Luray
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Morning
Luray Caverns
Take the guided caverns tour, about an hour, and see the stalactite organ.
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Afternoon
Skyline Drive
Enter the park at Thornton Gap and follow south to Big Meadows, stopping at overlooks and descending the Dark Hollow Falls trail.
2 days in Luray
Day 2
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All day
Old Rag
Climb Old Rag, with its rock-scramble section, starting from the Etlan trailhead with a daily use ticket.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Luray?
Visit the Luray Caverns, drive the Skyline Drive from Thornton Gap, hike Dark Hollow Falls in Big Meadows, and climb Old Rag.
How far is Luray from the Skyline Drive?
About 15 km to the Thornton Gap entrance via US-211.
Is Luray a good base for Shenandoah National Park?
Yes. It sits amid the park, near Thornton Gap, with quick access to central areas and Old Rag.
What time zone is Luray in?
Luray follows Eastern Time: UTC-5 in winter and UTC-4 in daylight saving time, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.