Starting this month, you will now be required to buy a permit at Recreation.gov in order to complete the Shenandoah National Park portion of the Appalachian Trail. The previous system, where you could obtain a paper permit either at the website or at locations within the park, no longer exists.
For more information about Shenandoah’s backpacking regulations, you may visit here: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/backcountry-regulations.htm
For now, the purchase of permits may be made here: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675336
This also adds a cost to this permit:
$15 park entrance fee – if you have a military, veteran, or Golden Eagle pass
$9 recreation fee
$6 backcountry camping fee
Last modified: January 18, 2024
