Shenandoah National Park - Mid October

[Michael Pancier]

anyone have any suggestions for nice landscape shots; sunset; sunrise locations?

any places for wildlife?

headed out there mid October for 2 days = 1 night

[Benjamin Kennedy]

I was there this past weekend, and enjoyed the landscapes from Big Meadows and almost all of the overlooks from Skyline drive (even some on skyline drive itself). Obviously the east facing overlooks are better for sunrise, and the west facing overlooks are better for sunset. You will drive past many of them as you make your way through the park, and have an opportunity prior to sunrise/sunset to look at the composition and views.

We had great wildlife in Big Meadows, as well as a "swarm" of songbirds on the Appalaichan trail accessed at Milam Gap (on Skyline drive). That was Sunday afternoon.

If you are going during the week, it won't be very busy. It gets crowded on the weekend, though most of the wildlife is not timid and is used to people. The rangers have a "Birds of Prey" and "On Silent Wings" program where they show off some rescued owls and hawks, which is a good opportunity for the owls (especially in daylight hours). Note, however, that the birds of prey program is identical to the owl program with the addition of a red tailed hawk. The owl program includes a barred owl and screech owl. You probably won't want to do both programs, unless of course you just cannot get enough...