The Best Sunset Overlooks on Skyline Drive
by Peter Forister
Top Sunset Photography Locations on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.
Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park is one of the best places to watch and photograph sunsets in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. This scenic highway on top of the mountains offers panoramic views of the rolling Appalachian ridges, broad Shenandoah Valley, and grand Blue Ridge Mountain vistas. Head here for spectacular photography opportunities or a peaceful date night in Virginia’s best nature setting.
Stretching 105 miles from Front Royal to Waynesboro, Skyline Drive offers dozens of scenic overlooks. Each has a unique character. Many (but not all) face west for the best sunset views in Virginia.
As an experienced, local photographer, I’ve spent many evenings watching the sunsets. I can offer advice on my favorite spots to visit, and the best places for sunset photography in Shenandoah National Park.
In this guide, I’ll break down the best sunset overlooks in each of the three Skyline Drive districts, from north to south, so you can easily plan your next visit. Click on the name of each overlook for a Google Maps pin so you can easily navigate and plan your drive to the mountains.
I’ll include my favorite photos from each of the overlooks so you can visualize for the best view at each. And remember: while the sun sets in the west, factors like trees obscuring the view, tall ridgelines, or poor parking can influence where the “best” views are. Let’s explore!
Visit Virginia's Skyline Drive for Sunset
Spring sunset at Brown Mountain Overlook on Skyline Drive
Photography and photo resources are how I earn my living! If you find this information helpful, please consider donating a small amount to my BuyMeACoffee or purchasing a photo print.
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Photography and photo education is how I earn my living! If you find this information helpful, please consider donating a small amount to my BuyMeACoffee or purchasing a photo print at my Darkroom store.
I also offer photography workshops for in-person education and on-location experience. Want to learn more about the topics in this article? Come photograph the northern lights with me!
The North District (Front Royal to Thornton Gap): Best Sunset Overlooks
If you’re from the Washington DC or northern Virginia region, this is an easy part of the park to access for sunsets. Visit here if you’re looking for the best sunset views in the Washington DC region! It’s also easy to reach from Luray and Sperryville via Routes 522 and 211.
There are plenty of west views overlooking the northern Shenandoah Valley, filled with winding river vistas and rolling farmland. Most importantly, there are plenty of overlooks that face west for great sunset views.
Signal Knob Overlook
This is the easiest sunset overlook to access from the northern entrance at Front Royal. While not the most spectacular view in the park, Signal Knob Overlook offers a nice view of the Shenandoah Valley, the river winding below, and an unobstructed view to the west for the sunset!
Visit here for a quick sunset view near Front Royal and fast access form the I-66 corridor.
Mile Marker: 5.5
Elevation: 2085'
Driving along Skyline Drive for a dreamy orange sunset
Gooney Manor Overlook
Drive just a couple miles past Signal Knob Overlook for a much more impressive view! This overlook faces a beautiful mountain valley to the southwest. There’s plenty of space here for parking.
Mile Marker: 7.2
Elevation: 1920'
Hogback Overlook
Visit this overlook for a unique perspective of the Shenandoah Valley and Shenandoah River in golden evening light.
Hogback Overlook faces more north than west, but there are lots of good photo opportunities here for creative photographs! This overlook is best for sunsets with spectacular orange clouds.
Mile Marker: 20.7
Elevation: 3385'
This is also a great spot for sunset photography near Front Royal. Catch the golden hour light after dinner in town or after a hike on nearby trails.
For landscape photographers looking for an interesting composition, frame up the mountain ridges in the Shenandoah Valley below you for a beautiful foreground in your photos.
The Central District (Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap): Best Sunset Overlooks
This section of Skyline Drive includes famous places like the Skyland Resort and Big Meadows. It also includes the highest elevation of the National Park. Although there are fewer west-facing sunset spots along this stretch, the Central District offers some of the best sunset overlooks for landscape photography in Shenandoah National Park, especially when clouds light up in fiery color over the mountain ridges.
The Central District is great to access from places like Elkton, Harrisonburg, and Culpeper. If you’re camping in the National Park, this is a great spot for an evening drive or hike to catch the sunset.
Stony Man Overlook
This huge overlook above Luray offers some of the best views in Shenandoah National Park! Head here for great views of the Shenandoah Valley and the famous Stony Man mountain just to the south.
It’s a great stop for sunset photography whether you’re visiting on a busy fall weekend or enjoying a quiet summer evening.
Mile Marker: 38.5
Elevation: 3100'
Classic golden Blue Ridge layers at sunset on Skyline Drive
Spitler Knoll Overlook
High above a quiet stretch of the park, this is a particularly great sunset overlook for photographers. It features clean, unobstructed sightlines to the west and southwest for stunning views.
A few foreground elements — including a photogenic tree — add depth to sunset shots, making this a great place for creative compositions.
Mile Marker: 48.0
Elevation: 3285'
The Point Overlook
Enjoy the spectacular multi-layered ridges underneath the setting sun from The Point. Easy to access from spots like Bearfence Mountain or Big Meadows, this is a popular sunset viewpoint and is well worth the travel time for the views.
You can also enjoy a quick (less than ¼ mile) hike down to the rocks for an even better view of the setting sun.
Mile Marker: 55.5
Elevation: 3235'
The Southern District (Swift Run Gap to Waynesboro): Best Sunset Overlooks
The Southern District of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park is known for its quiet, secluded beauty and many beautiful overlooks. Fewer people visit this stretch of the mountains, so it’s best if you want some of the best peaceful sunset spots in Virginia.
It’s also easy to access from I-64, making it an ideal area for visitors from Richmond, Charlottesville, Waynesboro, or Staunton.
Sandy Bottom Overlook
Head here for a quick sunset evening if you’re in Central Virginia. This is the easiest sunset overlook to reach if you’re in Harrisonburg. Check out the amazing view of Massanutten Mountain from this perspective.
It doesn’t have a perfect sunset view to the southwest, but offers a spectacular view to the due west and northwest. There’s plenty of space for parking, and this is generally a pretty quiet part of the National Park!
Mile Marker: 67.5
Elevation: 2700'
Enjoy sunsets with friends and family on Skyline Drive
Brown Mountain Overlook
This overlook offers a stunning view of Blue Ridge mountain ridges to the west and southwest. Head here if you want a classic “layers” photo of the mountains.
Mile Marker: 77.0
Elevation: 2840'
Horsehead Mountain Overlook
Tucked slightly deeper into the Blue Ridge Mountains, Horsehead Overlook gives you a textured view of the peaks and ridgelines to the west. This overlook is especially beautiful in late summer and fall for landscape photography.
Mile Marker: 88.5
Elevation: 2575'
Brown Mountain Overlook offers views over the southern Shenandoah Valley, and all along Skyline Drive down to Trayfoot mountain (easy to identify standing out as a pointy peak to the south).
This is one of my personal favorite overlooks in the National Park.
Calf Mountain Overlook
Head here for spectacular views of the southern Shenandoah Valley. This overlook offers unobstructed sight lines to the west and southwest for a perfect view of the western horizon. This is also the closest and best overlook for sunsets near Waynesboro and Charlottesville.
Only seven miles from I-64, stop by this overlook if you’re just passing through or want a quick evening stop traveling from places like Harrisonburg or Richmond.
Mile Marker: 99.0
Elevation: 2485'
Tips for your next Skyline Drive Sunset Trip
Partly Cloudy skies are best for spectacular orange sunsets. Clear days are also beautiful! If the forecast is for fully cloudy skies or steady rain, it’s best to find another day to go. Check the NWS official forecast page for the best weather information.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset, and plan on staying for 20-30 minutes after the sunset. The clouds will light up the gold and red colors a few minutes after the sun has dipped below the horizon.
If you want amazing photos, golden hour (the hour before sunset) and blue hour (the hour after sunset) are the best light for spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain photography.
For exact sunset times in Shenandoah National Park, visit timeanddate.com.
Check the Weather
Any camera will be great for capturing a nice sunset, even phone cameras! Bring a tripod and wide-angle lens option if you’re looking to capture a wide vista.
Skyline Drive may close in the winter, and for special circumstances in the summer (such as storm damage or wildlife protection). Check the NPS road status page before visiting the park.
Timing
Photography Gear
Check Road COnditions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It depends on where you live! My personal favorite is Brown Mountain Overlook in the Southern District of Skyline Drive. However, many overlooks are equally as spectacular. Check out the list above to see which overlooks are close to you, and discover your personal favorite!
Sunset time in Shenandoah National Park varies depending on the time of year.
For exact sunset times in Shenandoah National Park, visit timeanddate.com.
What is the best overlook for sunsets on Skyline Drive?
Skyline Drive is a part of Shenandoah National Park, which requires an entrance fee. Visit the park’s website to view pricing for your vehicle and planned date. My personal recommendation is to purchase the yearly pass - it only takes three visits to make the extra up-front cost worthwhile!
Summer and Fall are generally the most popular seasons for watching sunsets on Skyline Drive and in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Warm evenings and rich, vibrant colors in the sky and trees make for a peaceful and rewarding experience. However, amazing sunsets can happen any time of year!
What time is sunset in Shenandoah National Park?
Do I need a reservation or pass to go on Skyline Drive?
What’s the best season for sunsets in Shenandoah National Park?
Absolutely! Skyline Drive is open 24/7 (except for inclement weather, usually in the winter). Camping is only permitted in designated campsites along Skyline Drive. But, if you want to stay after sunset and do some stargazing or a night drive, you can stay as long as you’d like! Just be careful with wildlife (especially the deer) after dark, and obey all posted speed limits for safety.
Can I stay after sunset on Skyline Drive?
Whether you’re looking for some landscape photography inspiration or a piece to hang up in your home, check out my photo galleries for lots of photos along Skyline Drive!
Where can I find photos of Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park?
Photography and photo resources are how I earn my living! If you find this information helpful, please consider donating a small amount to my BuyMeACoffee or purchasing a photo print.
BuyMeaCoffee - $5
Explore Photo Prints
Photography and photo education is how I earn my living! If you find this information helpful, please consider donating a small amount to my BuyMeACoffee or purchasing a photo print at my Darkroom store.
I also offer photography workshops for in-person education and on-location experience. Want to learn more about the topics in this article? Come photograph the northern lights with me!